Dairy & Beef

At the Down to Earth South event last week (21 June), British farmer-owned dairy co-operative First Milk announced a new partnership with dairy manufacturer Yeo Valley, which will see the creation of a new regenerative milk pool in the Southwest of England.

The pedigree herd of Santa Maria Polled Hereford cattle from Llandysul in Ceredigion will be offered for sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Tuesday 27th June, presenting buyers with a unique opportunity to acquire purebred stock with premium genetics.

A vaccine developed by Scottish scientists that is considered one of the most significant advances in global livestock health over the last 25 years has been given renewed recognition as part of this year’s RHASS Presidential Initiative.

As temperatures are set to hit 30ºC over the weekend, NFU Mutual has offered advice on preventing heat stress, as well as piloting a new insurance scheme.

Farmers are invited to fill out a short 10-minute survey relating to bovine TB as part of a new research project led by The Farming Community Network (FCN), which seeks to better understand the impact of this devastating disease on farmers’ lives and wellbeing.

Positions are open for three-year terms on the Beef & Lamb, Cereals & Oilseeds, Dairy and Pork sector councils.

In response to continued market demand, British supplier Warrendale Wagyu has announced ambitious plans to double production in the next two years at its 2023 conference, which was attended by more than 250 farming delegates.

Home-grown concentrates such as crimped grain are a cost-effective way of balancing low energy and nutrient levels in first cut silage that was harvested later this season as a result of wet weather, Lientjie Colahan from Lallemand explained.

Following feedback from 46 producers, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has urged the government to address the escalating labour situation in the sector in its latest submission of evidence to the Migration Advisory Council (MAC).

Livestock farmers are being warned about the increased risk of grass staggers in cattle and sheep as a result of this year’s wet spring, with Rumenco nutritionist Dr Alison Bond advising supplementation to balance a lower-than-average magnesium intake from grass.

Beef and dairy farmers are being reminded of the signs of summer mastitis in dry cows and heifers, and strategies to prevent it this summer.

Taking proactive steps ahead of forecasted heat waves this summer is an effective way of reducing the incidence of heat stress in cattle and minimise yield losses due to overheating, an issue of increasing concern to UK dairy and beef farmers as global temperatures continue to rise.