Livestock top stories 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… FEED AND NUTRITIONDefra puts use of processed animal protein in feed on holdDefra has agreed to allow the inclusion of processed animal protein (meat and bonemeal) in pig and poultry rations – but is delaying implementation until it has signed a new… POULTRYEgg industry criticises low-quality imports from UkraineBritish egg industry leaders have accused the UK government of undermining domestic producers and misleading consumers after agreeing to extend tariff-free imports of Ukrainian eggs. Chris Bryant, minister of state… FEED AND NUTRITIONFoliar feed boosts forage maize in drought, farm trial showsUsing foliar feeds on maize challenged by soil nutrient deficiencies and drought increased yield by 36t/ha on a Welsh livestock farm. Nigel Bowyer and his family grow 8ha (20 acres)… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Best ever silage quality boosts cattle weightsIs Donald Trump mad enough to plunge the world into conflict? We are definitely living in a time of change in the world order. Our government is populated with delusional… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on planning forage stocks for spring-calving herdsTurnout dates for spring-calving herds should not be dictated by a silage shortage. Businesses must plan to have enough forage of milking-cow quality on hand to supplement poor grazing conditions… DAIRYHow smart ear tags are improving calf health and saving timeSmart ear tags are saving a Kelso dairy about two hours a day manually checking every calf. The technology is allowing the team at KSH Farms to focus on the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Aussie friends swap sun for Scottish BordersThis time last year, we were in Australia having a “hot” Christmas. Our hosts decided to join us this year to experience a Scottish Borders Christmas and Hogmanay. Thankfully, they… POULTRYHow bokashi is helping a poultry farm's nutrient managementAt Woodend Farm on the Scottish Borders, manure produced by the farm’s 32,000 free-range hens is mixed with woodchip, chopped straw and an inoculant rich in microbes. By sealing this… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Work smarter, not harder, is my new year aimEarly January is a time to plan, making to-do lists to ensure everything that needs to be done in the short term will be completed before lambing starts in late… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on protecting grass reseeds with nurse cropsEpisodes of extreme weather are adding new and recurring challenges to reseeding. In response, some farmers are opting to establish fast-growing temporary crops with grass to protect and support the… LIVESTOCKAHDB pilots Farm Data Exchange for beef and dairy sectorThe AHDB has launched a proof of concept pilot with farm businesses to explore opportunities for data sharing and address challenges around data ownership. The Farm Data Exchange, previously branded… DAIRY5 new products to improve dairy efficiencyRising costs, tighter environmental rules and ongoing pressure on margins are driving manufacturers to focus increasingly on technologies that help producers work smarter. That may be through improving cow health,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Review and reset ahead of spring calvingWhether you are autumn or spring block-calving, the “dry” period in the calendar is not only a time of rest in preparation for the year ahead, it is also an… Livestock news FEED AND NUTRITIONDefra puts use of processed animal protein in feed on holdDefra has agreed to allow the inclusion of processed animal protein (meat and bonemeal) in pig and poultry rations – but is delaying implementation until it has signed a new… LIVESTOCK DISEASESDaera to fund bluetongue pre-movement testing costsThe Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has confirmed limited financial support for bluetongue pre-movement testing, easing livestock movements from Northern Ireland’s Temporary Control Zone (TCZ). Daera says… HEALTH AND WELFARELivestock tick disease vaccine project gets Defra fundingA new vaccine, developed at the Moredun Research Institute to protect sheep against tick-borne disease, has received a £450,000 cash boost from Defra. Louping ill (LI) is a serious, tick-borne… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBluetongue movement rules relaxed in Northern IrelandAnimal movement restrictions linked to bluetongue virus (BTV) will be relaxed within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Northerrn Ireland following the completion of surveillance testing from today (Friday, 19… 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 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… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on planning forage stocks for spring-calving herdsTurnout dates for spring-calving herds should not be dictated by a silage shortage. Businesses must plan to have enough forage of milking-cow quality on hand to supplement poor grazing conditions… DAIRYHow smart ear tags are improving calf health and saving timeSmart ear tags are saving a Kelso dairy about two hours a day manually checking every calf. The technology is allowing the team at KSH Farms to focus on the… POULTRYHow bokashi is helping a poultry farm's nutrient managementAt Woodend Farm on the Scottish Borders, manure produced by the farm’s 32,000 free-range hens is mixed with woodchip, chopped straw and an inoculant rich in microbes. By sealing this… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on protecting grass reseeds with nurse cropsEpisodes of extreme weather are adding new and recurring challenges to reseeding. In response, some farmers are opting to establish fast-growing temporary crops with grass to protect and support the… DAIRYAdvice on dairy biosecurity to minimise endemic disease riskAssessing risk, asking the right questions and designing an ongoing, farm-specific management strategy are the foundations of good biosecurity when buying in stock. According to vets, buying in animals remains… FOOT HEALTHPros and cons of lameness data analysis for cattle mobilityHoof health data from mobility scoring and trimming records can be a powerful tool for identifying lameness patterns and guiding management decisions on dairy farms. But how can the practical… SHEEPHow feeding clover silage cut costs in run-up to lambingHigh-quality red and white clover silages have allowed a Powys sheep farm to shave nearly £2 a head from the purchased feed bill of twin-bearing ewes. Concentrate feed was one… BEEFHow to make sure suckler cows produce top-quality colostrumEnsuring suckler cows have at least 14% crude protein in their diet before calving will help antibody production and improve colostrum quality. But the drought in 2025 means that forage… SHEEPYoung couple transform livestock farm with focus on costsStreamlining operations, a tighter grip on costs and a proper renumeration package are among key changes a young Northumberland farming couple has made since completing a profit-focused business course. Rich… SHEEPHow forage focus unlocked beef and sheep farm’s potentialA switch to rotational grazing has increased grass production by 45% on a north Devon beef and sheep farm. The change of system, which came as one generation handed over… LIVESTOCKBenefits of learning from a non-farming businessThere is much to be gained from visiting a non-farming business as part of a group of livestock farmers wanting to learn from high-performing, profitable people. One of the key… SHEEPSheep system change sees agreement between father and sonIntroducing some smart technology, buying a quad bike and replacing a sheep breed on the family livestock farm seem easy decisions for one young farmer, compared with managing his dad’s… LIVESTOCKHow off-farm pursuits are benefiting two livestock farmsA change is as good as a rest, the saying goes, and getting away from the farm to do something completely different is a great way to recharge the batteries.… POULTRYBenefits of premium turkey contract for beef and sheep farmGrowing turkeys is allowing a Powys farm to earn an additional income stream from its beef and sheep sheds at a time of the year when they would otherwise have… BEEFHow cost focus unlocked beef and sheep farm’s potentialThere is nothing like a debt to focus the mind – and a farming partnership restructuring that allowed Richard McCornick and his brother Craig to farm independently certainly did that.… 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 BUSINESSEU-Mercosur deal signed amid farmer outcryAfter more than two decades of negotiations, the EU has formally signed a trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, creating one of the world’s… BUSINESSScotch Beef finds new markets in SwedenQuality Meat Scotland (QMS) is preparing for a landmark moment in international foodservice with the launch of its Scotch Beef Club in Sweden later this month, marking the initiative’s first… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESTight supplies keep lamb trade above £7/kgA shortage of lambs coming forward at livestock markets and abattoirs has helped the trade get off to a strong start in 2026. The GB deadweight SQQ lifted to 721p/kg… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Consolidation poses threats to pork sectorAre integrated supply chains good for the industry? And who actually controls the UK’s pig supply chain? As we look towards a further year of uncertain financial stability in the… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Sheep market strong but expansion unlikelyFor the second year in a row, we have seen the UK breeding flock decrease, with Defra’s December 2024 survey reporting a 5% fall to 13.1 million ewes. That is… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESOutlook 2026: Cautious optimism for beef sectorAfter several years of volatility, the UK beef sector entered the new year with prices holding firmer than many observers expected, says Andersons consultant Charlotte Dun. GB deadweight cattle prices… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Best ever silage quality boosts cattle weightsIs Donald Trump mad enough to plunge the world into conflict? We are definitely living in a time of change in the world order. Our government is populated with delusional… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Aussie friends swap sun for Scottish BordersThis time last year, we were in Australia having a “hot” Christmas. Our hosts decided to join us this year to experience a Scottish Borders Christmas and Hogmanay. Thankfully, they… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Work smarter, not harder, is my new year aimEarly January is a time to plan, making to-do lists to ensure everything that needs to be done in the short term will be completed before lambing starts in late… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Review and reset ahead of spring calvingWhether you are autumn or spring block-calving, the “dry” period in the calendar is not only a time of rest in preparation for the year ahead, it is also an… Dairy 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… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTAdvice on planning forage stocks for spring-calving herdsTurnout dates for spring-calving herds should not be dictated by a silage shortage. Businesses must plan to have enough forage of milking-cow quality on hand to supplement poor grazing conditions… DAIRYHow smart ear tags are improving calf health and saving timeSmart ear tags are saving a Kelso dairy about two hours a day manually checking every calf. The technology is allowing the team at KSH Farms to focus on the… LIVESTOCKAHDB pilots Farm Data Exchange for beef and dairy sectorThe AHDB has launched a proof of concept pilot with farm businesses to explore opportunities for data sharing and address challenges around data ownership. The Farm Data Exchange, previously branded… DAIRY5 new products to improve dairy efficiencyRising costs, tighter environmental rules and ongoing pressure on margins are driving manufacturers to focus increasingly on technologies that help producers work smarter. That may be through improving cow health,… ASSESSING PERFORMANCEHow even tiny losses in body condition impact fertilitySmall changes in body condition score – invisible to the human eye – can have a detrimental impact on fertility in the next lactation, a commercial study has shown. See… DAIRYAdvice on dairy biosecurity to minimise endemic disease riskAssessing risk, asking the right questions and designing an ongoing, farm-specific management strategy are the foundations of good biosecurity when buying in stock. According to vets, buying in animals remains… FOOT HEALTHPros and cons of lameness data analysis for cattle mobilityHoof health data from mobility scoring and trimming records can be a powerful tool for identifying lameness patterns and guiding management decisions on dairy farms. But how can the practical… DAIRYMeet the 2025 NMR RABDF Gold Cup finalistsFive forward-thinking and environmentally focused dairy enterprises are competing for the 2025 Gold Cup award. The award is sponsored by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) and National… BREEDING AND FERTILITYNew entrant Coyote tops latest Holstein genomic rankings Exceptional weight and percentage of fat (62.2kg and +0.3%) have earned a UK-born and bred bull top place in AHDB’s genetic evaluations for genomic Holstein sires (published 2 December).… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow a heifer rearing unit works successfully at scaleEconomies of scale have allowed a contract farming business to maximise efficiency by sending replacement heifer calves from three of its dairy herds to a single, dedicated rearing unit. Farming… HEALTH AND WELFAREAdvice on applying lime to cubicles to aid mastitis controlLiming cubicles may not be anyone’s favourite job, but it remains an important task in mastitis control. Push/pull-along dispensers, auger-driven models (spreading lime with bedding sawdust), or the traditional bucket-and-mug… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all MOWERSLamma 2026: KRM unveils 8.5m Sprinter topperA new flail mower from KRM promises to make light work of pasture topping and field margin maintenance. The Sprinter 8500P comprises a brace of 3m rear flail heads to… TELEHANDLERSLamma 2026: Kubota brings big SVL 75-3 skid-steer to the UKNational plans to increase solar capacity was a major motivator behind Kubota’s decision to bring its SVL 75-3 skid-steer handler to the UK. Its 1.7m width allows contractors to slink… TELEHANDLERSLamma 2026: Compact JCB 526-60 gets swankier cabJCB has lavished its compact Loadall telehandlers with some attention, fitting higher-spec cabs, improved brakes and twin-line trailer braking. The 526.60 is the smaller of the two models, benefiting from… TELEHANDLERSLamma 2026: Stronger boom for Stoll TracLift loaderFarmers torn between Stoll’s budget Solid front loader and top-spec ProfiLine FZ need agonise no more, following the introduction of three mid-range TracLift models. Smallest of the trio is the… Most popular this week
