Colostrum guidelines at calving for short and long-term payoffs

Emily Hall, livestock farmer and product manager for Nettex discusses key colostrum targets and what to look for in a colostrum powder when supplementation is needed.

Dairy farmers recognised in 2024 New Year Honours list  

Two dairy farmers from Somerset and Coleraine in Northern Ireland have made it onto the 2024 New Year Honours list, recognising their selfless service to others.

Keeping cattle healthy during winter housing

Winter housing can be an incredibly stressful time for livestock. Elevated cortisone levels in stressed animals can have numerous potential harmful effects on the animal’s immune system. Amongst the major disease problems in housed cattle are pneumonia and calf scour. Vet and veterinary pharmacologist Dr Tom Barragry offers some guidance.

Healthy cows as the foundation of farm success

Healthy cows are at the heart of a successful dairy farm, enabling more sustainable production and animal welfare. Early disease detection and precise monitoring are essential for animal health and farm management.

Animal health trends in 2023

As we come to the end of a strange year for weather, we take a look at the impacts on parasite burdens, as well as the wider animal health trends from the year, plus research breakthroughs and new advances. Sarah Kidby reports.

Further bluetongue cases in Kent

Another five cases have been confirmed in cattle within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Kent.

Don’t let SARA spoil your new year: watch out for key symptoms

In the UK it is estimated that a quarter of high yielding dairy cows suffer from sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA). David Bonsall, animal nutrition technical manager at Omya says it gets worse over the winter when a large percentage of the UK herd is housed, but there are management changes farmers can make to prevent and cure it.

New £4m fund to support smaller abattoirs

Applications are now open for the Smaller Abattoir Fund, which offers grants to support smaller red meat and poultry abattoirs across England.

Preparing for lambing: Ewe management and reducing neonatal disease

Farm vet Faye Heath, of Westpoint Farm Vets in Winchester, provides some top tips to ensure a successful lambing season.

Penalty notices introduced for animal health and welfare offences

Offences include keeping animals in a poor living environment, repeated overdue TB testing or breaching avian flu housing orders.

Livestock farmer trials peas and beans as soya alternative in ewe rations

Protein-rich peas and beans are replacing concentrates in the winter ration of sheep and cattle at a Radnorshire farm.

Colostrum supplementation quality and delivery matters at lambing time

Colostrum is critical to the short and long-term health of lambs. Nettex provides a guide on how to supplement both ewe and powdered colostrum.

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