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HEALTH AND WELFARE

How to reduce routine fluke treatments

A 2,000-ewe farming enterprise has the confidence to not routinely treat breeding stock with a flukicide this autumn after adopting a new approach to monitoring and controlling infestation risk. See…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: New grazing challenges heifer immunity to ticks

It has been a welcome change to the weather here. With the drop in temperature and some much-needed rain, it is easy to forget how dry it was during the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Electrical inspection prompts sockets update

Grass seeds went in at the end of September and, thanks to a spell of warm weather and steady showers, they have soon got away. The conditions also allowed us…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

How smart ear tag data shows scope for tailored calf rearing

Large heifer-rearing operations in the US are using smart ear tag data to assess the effects of management on calves by analysing their rumination patterns before and after changes. See…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Late season grazing helps winter silage budget

Autumn came with a flush of quality grass, so we stopped feeding silage for the cows during September and only reintroduced it back into their diet in mid-October. But the…

LIVESTOCK

Disease surveillance under strain as outbreaks surge

Serious livestock diseases could slip through the net as Britain’s animal health services struggle to cope with multiple outbreaks, MPs have been warned. The NFU raised concerns about disease surveillance…

BLUETONGUE

Fertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection fallout

Farmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

How farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winter

The value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: All three cuts in ration provides consistency

I’ve not fallen off the new bike, yet! We managed a couple of days up in Angus for half term with the boys and took it with us in the…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

Benefits of analysing slurry as it's being spread

Comprehensive in-field nutrient analysis has turned dairy slurry from “a headache” into a valuable product for Norman Osborne, who farms at Tobarn Farm, near Jacobstow, Cornwall. Establishing the nitrogen, potassium…

LIVESTOCK

NFU Scotland warns pig sector crisis far from over

Scotland’s pig sector remains in crisis, with independent producers losing more than £1m a month and businesses continuing to exit the industry, NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon has warned. Speaking…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Fourth cut makes a Grand Canyon in the clamp

Well, who would have thought after one of the driest summers on record, that when the rain finally came and the grass started growing, the challenges we would have trying…

BEEF

Scottish beef scheme faces 400-day calving rule

Scottish ministers have announced plans to tighten calving-interval requirements under the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, with an implemented reduction from 410 to 400 days set to apply in 2028…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Weather helps loading, but some rain is needed

What a glorious autumn we’ve had so far. Excellent for reducing straw use in the outdoor pigs thanks to the lack of rainfall. But not so good for the growing…

Livestock news

LIVESTOCK

Disease surveillance under strain as outbreaks surge

Serious livestock diseases could slip through the net as Britain’s animal health services struggle to cope with multiple outbreaks, MPs have been warned. The NFU raised concerns about disease surveillance…

LIVESTOCK

NFU Scotland warns pig sector crisis far from over

Scotland’s pig sector remains in crisis, with independent producers losing more than £1m a month and businesses continuing to exit the industry, NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon has warned. Speaking…

BEEF

Scottish beef scheme faces 400-day calving rule

Scottish ministers have announced plans to tighten calving-interval requirements under the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, with an implemented reduction from 410 to 400 days set to apply in 2028…

LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Farmers urged to watch for Shamonda virus

Farmers in Northern Ireland are being urged to monitor livestock closely after Shamonda virus (Shav) was detected on two farms in the Republic of Ireland. Department of Agriculture, Environment and…

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Latest from livestock Know How

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HEALTH AND WELFARE

How to reduce routine fluke treatments

A 2,000-ewe farming enterprise has the confidence to not routinely treat breeding stock with a flukicide this autumn after adopting a new approach to monitoring and controlling infestation risk. See…

BLUETONGUE

Fertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection fallout

Farmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

How farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winter

The value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

Benefits of analysing slurry as it's being spread

Comprehensive in-field nutrient analysis has turned dairy slurry from “a headache” into a valuable product for Norman Osborne, who farms at Tobarn Farm, near Jacobstow, Cornwall. Establishing the nitrogen, potassium…

HOUSING AND HANDLING

Benefits of daily interaction with cattle to ease handling

Automating jobs such as bedding up and feeding saves labour, improves farm efficiency and can increase stock performance. Yet beef farmers are advised to be aware of unintended consequences –…

BREEDING AND FERTILITY

Ways to shift to autumn calving to avoid milk penalties

Demand from dairy processors for a consistent milk supply is encouraging farmers to review their production profiles. Even some of the most committed spring calvers are introducing changes to create…

MAIZE

Advice on cropping decisions for 2027 forage maize crops

Maize growers whose crops suffered this year in the heatwaves and prolonged drought are advised to prepare for these extreme conditions again in 2027, as predicted by the Met Office.…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Steps to mitigate a winter forage shortfall after drought

Beef and sheep farmers are advised to measure grass and count silage stocks now to establish their feed position and determine whether they can meet their farm’s feed demand this…

LIVESTOCK

How focus on profit a litre drives dairy’s performance

Dairy farmer Jack Munday has scrutinised every cost to push for greater profit a litre using a system that fits the available resources. This has meant taking every opportunity to…

LIVESTOCK

How funding boost improved performance in two flocks

The farmers I work with are inquisitive, knowledgeable and strive to improve their productivity. Each year brings about its own challenges, commonly in the form of weather or disease, but…

BEEF

Why farm data matters in breeding robust cows

Greater use of genetic data to support breeding decisions is key to improving suckler herd productivity and efficiency. Recording figures does two jobs, says AHDB’s lead animal genetics expert for…

LIVESTOCK

How advanced lighting controls cut broiler feed bill

A 2% improvement in feed conversion ratio has saved an average £3,580 a crop across four broiler houses on a Shropshire farm since installing a lighting system that mimics natural…

DAIRY

How herd exceeds 12,000 litres on twice-a-day milking

A simple, consistent system is helping a Cornish dairy to achieve the UK’s highest yield on twice-a-day milking. According to the National Milk Records’ annual production report, cows at Sixty…

DAIRY

How spate of returns to service led to Q fever diagnosis

Striving for high health status together with efficient production from a block-calving, grazing system hit a snag in 2023 for Dorset dairy farmer Nick Tuke. A portion of cows in…

DAIRY

Ways housed herds can plan for the next heatwave

Mitigating heat stress needs to be a key element of a farm’s management strategy for cows housed in summer. But taking inspiration from hot climates and simply investing in an…

DAIRY

Tips to minimise fetch cows in a free-access robot system

Dairy farmers who have settled their cows into free-access automated milking need to regularly monitor their list of fetch cows. It’s important to take care that being escorted to milking…

Grazing advice

Meat markets and prices

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MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Welsh farmers call for ban on Brazilian beef imports

Welsh livestock farmers are urging the UK government to ban Brazilian meat imports amid concerns over production standards and potential disruption to domestic markets. NFU Cymru has written to all…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Simmental and Charolais bulls reach 30,000gns at Stirling

A vibrant trading atmosphere saw buyers flocking from across the UK to Stirling Bull Sales on 18-19 October. Simmental and Charolais bulls commanded the top prices of the day, achieving…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef prices to remain supported in 2027 as herd contracts

Tight supplies are expected to continue to support cattle prices for the rest of 2026 and into next year, though subdued consumer demand and a changing import mix may limit…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Export demand drives £1.1bn boost for UK red meat

British red meat exporters are seeking to capitalise on rising overseas demand, with UK export sales reaching £1.1bn in the first half of 2026. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Food consortium seeks targeted support for local abattoirs

Lighter regulation and more targeted funding for local abattoirs are needed to fend off the threat of further closures. The demands are contained in a letter to prime minister Andy…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Tighter lamb supplies expected to support prices through 2027

Falling sheepmeat production across the UK and Europe is expected to support lamb prices throughout 2027, despite weaker consumer demand and short-term pressure from seasonal supplies. The latest Outlook report…

Livestock community

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FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: New grazing challenges heifer immunity to ticks

It has been a welcome change to the weather here. With the drop in temperature and some much-needed rain, it is easy to forget how dry it was during the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Electrical inspection prompts sockets update

Grass seeds went in at the end of September and, thanks to a spell of warm weather and steady showers, they have soon got away. The conditions also allowed us…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: Late season grazing helps winter silage budget

Autumn came with a flush of quality grass, so we stopped feeding silage for the cows during September and only reintroduced it back into their diet in mid-October. But the…

FARMER FOCUS

Farmer Focus: All three cuts in ration provides consistency

I’ve not fallen off the new bike, yet! We managed a couple of days up in Angus for half term with the boys and took it with us in the…

Dairy

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

How smart ear tag data shows scope for tailored calf rearing

Large heifer-rearing operations in the US are using smart ear tag data to assess the effects of management on calves by analysing their rumination patterns before and after changes. See…

BLUETONGUE

Fertility checks urged amid bluetongue infection fallout

Farmers are advised to scan all cows this autumn to establish what’s in-calf and which animals are empty following bluetongue infection this summer. There is a potentially “scary” spring calving…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

How farm's slurry covers meet the challenge of a wet winter

The value in topping a Pembrokeshire dairy farm’s 4,000 cu m (879,877-gallon) slurry lagoon with an impermeable cover was brought into focus last autumn during weeks of heavy rain. A…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

How phosphorus recovery could change slurry management

As pressure grows on dairy farmers to manage phosphorus more carefully and reduce water pollution, novel technology to remove phosphorus from slurry could offer a game-changing solution. The technology has…

BREEDING AND FERTILITY

Ways to shift to autumn calving to avoid milk penalties

Demand from dairy processors for a consistent milk supply is encouraging farmers to review their production profiles. Even some of the most committed spring calvers are introducing changes to create…

LIVESTOCK

How focus on profit a litre drives dairy’s performance

Dairy farmer Jack Munday has scrutinised every cost to push for greater profit a litre using a system that fits the available resources. This has meant taking every opportunity to…

DAIRY

How herd exceeds 12,000 litres on twice-a-day milking

A simple, consistent system is helping a Cornish dairy to achieve the UK’s highest yield on twice-a-day milking. According to the National Milk Records’ annual production report, cows at Sixty…

DAIRY

How spate of returns to service led to Q fever diagnosis

Striving for high health status together with efficient production from a block-calving, grazing system hit a snag in 2023 for Dorset dairy farmer Nick Tuke. A portion of cows in…

DAIRY

Ways housed herds can plan for the next heatwave

Mitigating heat stress needs to be a key element of a farm’s management strategy for cows housed in summer. But taking inspiration from hot climates and simply investing in an…

DAIRY

Tips to minimise fetch cows in a free-access robot system

Dairy farmers who have settled their cows into free-access automated milking need to regularly monitor their list of fetch cows. It’s important to take care that being escorted to milking…

LIVESTOCK

Advice on reducing the risk of dry-period mastitis

The first few weeks of lactation are one of the most valuable times to collect mastitis data, yet it’s easy for data recording to slip down the priority list. Mastitis…

DAIRY

Curious cows produce more milk, NZ study reveals

Personality influences performance: the “curious” cow has been shown in a New Zealand study to produce a higher milk yield and more milk solids. She also spends more time grazing…

Livestock machinery

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TELEHANDLERS

JCB offers 'more affordable' 3CX Sitemaster backhoe loader

Farmers keen to handle their own ditch cleaning, water pipe installation, groundworks and similar operations are being offered a “more affordable” backhoe loader – a new Sitemaster version of the…

TELEHANDLERS

Relaunched tracked JCB Teleskid outlifts wheeled equivalent

After a brief period off the UK market, the tracked version of JCB’s Teleskid loader is back on sale via JCB Agriculture dealers with the latest in-cab instruments and an…

BALERS AND WRAPPERS

Ultimate guide to buying a round baler 2027

Baler buyers have several freshened-up ranges to consider, with Claas, John Deere and the Kubota group – which includes the Kubota, Kverneland and Vicon brands – making some of the…

BALERS AND WRAPPERS

Ultimate guide to buying a big square baler 2027

This year’s big square baler buyer’s guide features modest changes to manufacturers’ ranges, with Krone having consolidated its UK offering and prices generally increasing across the board. Big square baler…

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