Livestock top stories LIVESTOCKBenefits of heat exchangers for poultry performanceIt makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow lucerne kept lambs growing as grass turned brownScaling up the acreage of drought-tolerant lucerne from 6.9ha (17 acres) to 12ha (30 acres) maintained grazing for lambs through the summer drought at Newton Farm, Brecon. While grass growth… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finished lambs disappoint at marketSo far, we have missed most of the promised rain. A fantastic crop of maize came off on the Glorious Twelfth in 37C temperatures, but the herbal ley seed stayed… PIGSFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Pig Farmer of the Year finalistsThis year’s finalists run very different systems, but all focus on high-welfare, sustainable businesses to optimise productivity. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalists… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Extreme weather prompts grassland rethinkWe have seen a return to what is a more typical weather pattern in north-east Scotland in late summer: a real mix of sunshine and rain. Grass growth has found… BEEFHow a breed switch improved beef profit and productivityWhat began as a necessity to keep the family farm afloat has shaped the success of John and Rachel Geldard’s farming enterprises and put them at the forefront of the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rain comes too late for reseeding plansIn my last column, I mentioned that the farm was still more green than brown. That didn’t last long. The next heatwave in early to mid-August tightened its grip and… FEED AND NUTRITIONTips on managing ewe condition to reduce mastitis riskCondition scoring the flock in September, then regrouping ewes to target forage stocks to thin animals (score 2.5 or less) will generate payback in spring. Aside from more vigorous lambs… LIVESTOCKHow eggs cracked farm profitability challengeDiversifying into egg production has helped one family secure the future of their Welsh upland farm and create a business capable of supporting the next generation. Gareth and Rhianon Jones… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late calvers go to reduce stocking rateWith September upon us and summer drawing to a close, what does your grass situation look like? Are you still feeding silage reserves? Ask any farmer in Northern Ireland and… SHEEPAdvice on reducing sheep rejections at abattoirLamb producers should study their kill sheets to see where they may be losing out and how they can reduce future risk, so they maximise financial returns. Whether it is… NEWSVets raise concerns over new bluetongue reporting systemVets have warned that changes to bluetongue case reporting could have unintended consequences for disease surveillance. Changes introduced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) on Friday (11 September)… LIVESTOCKFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalistsThis year’s mixed farmer of the year finalists show a strong sense of business resilience and are producing exceptional beef cattle from contrasting systems. See also: FW Awards: Meet the… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Morale and winter forage up after rainIt finally rained, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. We had been holding off drilling the forage crop as the forecast was looking very hit and miss.… Livestock news NEWSVets raise concerns over new bluetongue reporting systemVets have warned that changes to bluetongue case reporting could have unintended consequences for disease surveillance. Changes introduced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) on Friday (11 September)… BOVINE TBNorthern Ireland bovine TB wildlife consultation extendedA public consultation on potential wildlife interventions to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland has been extended by two weeks. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera)… LIVESTOCKFarmers urged to reveal true impact of bluetongueAn industry-wide survey has been launched to establish the impact of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) on UK livestock farms as confirmed cases continue to rise. Ruminant Health & Welfare… BREEDING AND FERTILITY£16.6m cattle genotyping scheme opens to NI farmersDairy and beef suckler farmers in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to join a new cattle genotyping scheme offering payments of £13 for each eligible animal. The Bovine Genetics Genotyping… 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 LIVESTOCKBenefits of heat exchangers for poultry performanceIt makes a lot of sense to reuse heat that is present in poultry housing. Warming up the incoming fresh air to provide the necessary ventilation keeps the internal atmosphere… FEED AND NUTRITIONHow lucerne kept lambs growing as grass turned brownScaling up the acreage of drought-tolerant lucerne from 6.9ha (17 acres) to 12ha (30 acres) maintained grazing for lambs through the summer drought at Newton Farm, Brecon. While grass growth… PIGSFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Pig Farmer of the Year finalistsThis year’s finalists run very different systems, but all focus on high-welfare, sustainable businesses to optimise productivity. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalists… BEEFHow a breed switch improved beef profit and productivityWhat began as a necessity to keep the family farm afloat has shaped the success of John and Rachel Geldard’s farming enterprises and put them at the forefront of the… FEED AND NUTRITIONTips on managing ewe condition to reduce mastitis riskCondition scoring the flock in September, then regrouping ewes to target forage stocks to thin animals (score 2.5 or less) will generate payback in spring. Aside from more vigorous lambs… LIVESTOCKHow eggs cracked farm profitability challengeDiversifying into egg production has helped one family secure the future of their Welsh upland farm and create a business capable of supporting the next generation. Gareth and Rhianon Jones… SHEEPAdvice on reducing sheep rejections at abattoirLamb producers should study their kill sheets to see where they may be losing out and how they can reduce future risk, so they maximise financial returns. Whether it is… LIVESTOCKFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Mixed Farmer of the Year finalistsThis year’s mixed farmer of the year finalists show a strong sense of business resilience and are producing exceptional beef cattle from contrasting systems. See also: FW Awards: Meet the… BEEFAdvice on suckler cow checks after summer stressesSpring-calving suckler herds are advised to bring pregnancy checks forward this year and condition score cows at the same time. After the challenges of heatwaves, drought, poor grass growth and… LIVESTOCKGrass mixes for outdoor pigs: what are the options?Improved soil health, lower risk of run-off and a less dusty environment are among the benefits of running outdoor pigs on grass, rather than bare soil. Grazing keeps pigs occupied,… LIVESTOCKAdvice on pasteurisation of colostrum to improve calf healthAntibody-rich colostrum strengthens a neonatal calf’s immune system, reducing the animal’s future risk of contracting a microbial infection. But when that feed is contaminated with bacteria, absorption of those immunoglobulins… LIVESTOCKFW Awards: Meet the 2026 Sheep Farmer of the Year finalistsThis year’s finalists run diverse systems, but all recognise the value of good grassland management and healthy stock. See also: FW Awards: Meet the 2026 Poultry Farmer of the Year… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow simple system keeps calf losses at 1% for block calverKeeping calf mortality low while calving 650 cows in a 10-week block is no small feat. At Norwood Place Farm in Surrey, a simple feeding system, tight hygiene protocols and… LIVESTOCKAdvice on keeping track of dairy heifer rearing costsKeeping calf and heifer rearing costs on a separate spreadsheet can highlight areas to cut waste and improve efficiency, while also monitoring to see if growth targets are being met.… LIVESTOCKHeat-detection tags for beef herds: do they work?Heat-detection technology in combination with artificial insemination is helping fast-track genetic improvement in a Pembrokeshire suckler herd by unlocking access to top-ranking bulls. Mark and Catherine Davies and their daughters… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on how much milk to feed to grow resilient heifersCalves on automatic machines can drink up to15 litres a day (when given the choice) in as few as seven and as many as 13 visits to the feeding station.… Grazing advice Benefits of digestible cocksfoot and tall fescue in drought 3 ways for dairy units to make on/off grazing work Advice on grazing management to reduce tick risk to cattle Spring grazing strategies to maximise lamb performance Meat markets and pricesSee all MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES20,000gns Texel tops record £3m Builth ram saleA 20,000gns Texel shearling led a record £3m-plus trade at the National Sheep Association (NSA) Wales and Border Main Ram Sale at Builth Wells on Monday (21 September). Some 2,857… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESLamb trade holds firm despite export market cautionThe prime lamb trade is starting to strengthen, with latest auction returns showing prices holding well despite an increase of lambs now coming forward. “The dry weather conditions experienced in… BUSINESSExport potential lifts pig market outlookMarket prospects have brightened for pig producers, with stronger German prices supporting confidence and Danish welfare and environmental reforms potentially creating new export opportunities for the UK. In the week… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESCattle markets move in opposite directionsCattle markets moved in opposite directions across Northern Ireland and Great Britain this week, with prime cattle values easing slightly in NI while GB prices made gains. In Northern Ireland,… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESCalf prices stay strong as buyers chase depleted numbersThe UK calf market continues to be in a strong position for farmers, with the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) reporting “incredible” prices in some areas, driven by a shortage of… MEAT MARKETS AND PRICESBreeding sheep set new records at Thame summer saleBreeding sheep enjoyed an exceptionally firm trade at the recent Thame Summer Sheep Fair, despite ongoing challenges presented by grass shortages and bluetongue disease. The event, sponsored by Shearwell Data,… Livestock communitySee all FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Finished lambs disappoint at marketSo far, we have missed most of the promised rain. A fantastic crop of maize came off on the Glorious Twelfth in 37C temperatures, but the herbal ley seed stayed… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Extreme weather prompts grassland rethinkWe have seen a return to what is a more typical weather pattern in north-east Scotland in late summer: a real mix of sunshine and rain. Grass growth has found… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rain comes too late for reseeding plansIn my last column, I mentioned that the farm was still more green than brown. That didn’t last long. The next heatwave in early to mid-August tightened its grip and… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Late calvers go to reduce stocking rateWith September upon us and summer drawing to a close, what does your grass situation look like? Are you still feeding silage reserves? Ask any farmer in Northern Ireland and… Dairy LIVESTOCKAdvice on pasteurisation of colostrum to improve calf healthAntibody-rich colostrum strengthens a neonatal calf’s immune system, reducing the animal’s future risk of contracting a microbial infection. But when that feed is contaminated with bacteria, absorption of those immunoglobulins… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTHow simple system keeps calf losses at 1% for block calverKeeping calf mortality low while calving 650 cows in a 10-week block is no small feat. At Norwood Place Farm in Surrey, a simple feeding system, tight hygiene protocols and… LIVESTOCKAdvice on keeping track of dairy heifer rearing costsKeeping calf and heifer rearing costs on a separate spreadsheet can highlight areas to cut waste and improve efficiency, while also monitoring to see if growth targets are being met.… DAIRYM&S rolls out AI cattle monitoring across milk poolDairy farmers supplying M&S are to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor cow mobility and body condition as part of a rollout across its entire milk pool. Computer vision… YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENTAdvice on how much milk to feed to grow resilient heifersCalves on automatic machines can drink up to15 litres a day (when given the choice) in as few as seven and as many as 13 visits to the feeding station.… LIVESTOCKAdvice for preventing TB in Scotland when buying cattleBovine TB cases in Scotland are increasing, with 31 new herd breakdowns recorded in the year to March 2026. Although herd prevalence remains low, at just 0.1%, and Scotland has… BREEDING AND FERTILITY£16.6m cattle genotyping scheme opens to NI farmersDairy and beef suckler farmers in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to join a new cattle genotyping scheme offering payments of £13 for each eligible animal. The Bovine Genetics Genotyping… GRASSLAND MANAGEMENTTips on avoiding cow health risks when grazing after droughtOnce rain returns, though it may be welcome, grassland managers are warned to be careful as substantial rain following a drought encourages grass growth that could be rich in nitrates.… LIVESTOCK DISEASESBluetongue: What farmers need to know as cases climbBluetongue cases are continuing to spread from the initial north Devon hotspot, with vets reporting a sharp increase in calls from concerned farmers. Tom Clarke, clinical director at Synergy Farm… LIVESTOCKWhy ultrasound scanner is one vet’s favourite bit of kitIf I had to choose one piece of kit I wouldn’t want to be without as a vet, would it be the traditional yet still indispensable stethoscope or thermometer? Or… DAIRYAdvice as drought pressures dairy forage stocksWeeks of dry weather have taken their toll on forage crops, raising fears that many farmers will face winter feed shortages. Nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales… STAFF MANAGEMENTArla launches schools drive to tackle dairy skills gapArla is targeting more than 100 schools and 100,000 young people in a drive to tackle a persistent skills gap in British dairy farming. The dairy cooperative’s new outreach programme… Advertisements Livestock machinerySee all TRACTORSZetor moves tractor production from Czech to India and ChinaTractor maker Zetor has finally acknowledged it can no longer manufacture and assemble its products competitively in the city of Brno, its long-standing home in the Czech Republic. Dwindling sales… RAKES AND MERGERSPottinger’s mounted rake trails in corners for neater swathsFor neatly laid swaths that a baler, forage harvester or silage wagon can easily follow through corners, Pottinger’s latest tractor-mounted rake behaves like a trailed unit. The two-rotor Top V… BALERS AND WRAPPERSHarvest Assist app records bale weight, moisture and locationBaling contractors and operators keen to learn more about the efficiency of their operations can gather a whole load of potentially useful data by using the latest version of Pottinger’s… FORAGE WAGONSStrautmann adds smaller models to Magnon forage wagon rangeProfessional spec, smaller sizes; that sums up the latest additions to Strautmann’s Magnon self-loading forage wagon range, which are half a metre shorter and 4cu m less capacious than their… Most popular this week
