Sheep

A new initiative to breed sheep with naturally low methane emissions has been awarded £2.9m funding through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and will see farmers, researchers and businesses come together to make a positive contribution to UK agriculture’s journey towards net zero.

Farmers, breeders and smallholders in the East of England will have the opportunity to buy and sell pedigree Southdown sheep at a new early breeders sale taking place for the first time at Thrapston Livestock Market on Saturday 29th July.

Livestock farmers will continue to have uninterrupted access to key cobalt salts as emergency authorisation for cobalt in livestock feeds has been granted for England and Wales following approval in Scotland.

Sheep farmers are advised to be on high alert for a spike in the worm burden of lambs as recent wet weather is expected to cause a dramatic rise in the number of worm larvae on pastures.

After a late start to the blowfly season, recent hot weather has increased the risk to ‘high’ throughout the UK – and this will quickly rise further if there is any rainfall in the next few weeks.

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.

The yeast fermentation additive Celmanax has been shown by a recent study to increase daily liveweight gains and reduce finishing times in lambs that received supplementation, saving farmers £18.91 per head when feed cost was taken into account.

A day of discussion and knowledge exchange centred around upland sheep farming awaits farmers at Ballindalloch Home Farm in Speyside, Scotland, with the specialist event featuring a display of state-of-the-art technology used to measure GHG emissions in sheep.

The Scottish Government’s decision recognises the risks of cobalt deficiency to animal health and welfare.

The two-day show and sale is the pinnacle of the Valais Blacknose calendar, giving UK breeders the chance to showcase their animals and battle it out for the accolade of Overall Supreme Champion.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is concerned the rise in dog ownership in the UK since the pandemic and increasingly seen behavioural issues in dogs highlighted by recent statistics could be behind the spike in sheep worrying attacks reported by farmers across the country.

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.