Dairy & Beef News

Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Kathy Joules from Castell-Y-Gwcw, Llandeloy, Haverfordwest, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 NFU Cymru / NFU Mutual Dairy Stockperson of the Year Award. 

Specialist vet Ben Strugnell shared advice on calf rearing in a webinar for GB Calf Week, based on key learnings from post-mortems.

Field trials for a cattle vaccine and companion skin test for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) have moved to the next phase, APHA has just announced.

Protecting the health of newborn calves starts from the moment they hit the ground. One critical aspect of calf care is proper navel management and wound care – which is where Micellerate Dermacare Navel and Wound Spray can act as an essential tool in every calf-rearing system, says Provita Animal Health.

Like many aspects of the agriculture industry, big data in dairy farming is changing the game, with businesses across feeding, genetics, sensors, and dairy advisory services leveraging standardised dairy data to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. 

Parasite experts say the 2025-26 season is following the trend for variable extent and timing of liver fluke challenge.

The newly appointed Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson, Sarah Dyke MP, has called for an “adjudicator with teeth” as the dairy industry has been hit by reductions in milk price. 

Scotland’s farming industry leaders expressed “deep concern” following reports that many Scottish dairy farmers have been informed of significant milk price reductions due to take effect in October. 

Claims have been circulating on social media that a majority of meat in UK supermarkets is halal, with concerns over the proportion of animals slaughtered without prior stunning.

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) on the effectiveness of sedation and its potential health impacts following calf disbudding has identified a link to reduced growth rates after the procedure. The findings will help veterinary practitioners make more informed decisions and strengthen best practice in animal welfare. 

An early-stage review of the UK Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy 2023–2028 has highlighted reduced lameness, improved udder health, and greater cow comfort as key outcomes.

With the global pushback on antibiotic use and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, proven non-antibiotic products are now more important than ever in livestock health, writes independent veterinary advisor for Provita, Dr Tom Barragry.