Livestock Business

With the gap between farmgate milk and retail prices promising no let-up and high input costs putting significant strain on the sector, British dairy farmers are facing a tough six months ahead, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has warned.

The first UK ovine embryos have been shipped to the United States following the lifting of a long-term ban in 2021 on sheep and lamb imports from countries previously affected by BSE.

In a letter to MPs, farm vets from VetPartners are calling on the government to address the volatility of the milk market at a time when farmers are facing increased labour costs and the price of fuel, equipment, energy and rents have risen.

The industry-renowned dairy course ‘Entrepreneurs in Dairying’, run by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) and sponsored by HSBC UK, is set to return this October and is open to anyone interested in a career in the dairy sector.

More than 10 buyers from Asia, the Middle East and North America met farmers and UK exporters at the Great Yorkshire Show to learn about high-quality meat production in the UK and discuss new trade opportunities.

From 13th December 2023, UK livestock farmers who are not members of an approved farm assurance scheme will need to provide a veterinary attestation following an annual farm visit in order to be able to export animal products to the EU.

A trade mission led by AHDB is set to showcase British red meat to buyers from Asia, the Middle East and North America, who will meet with farmers and UK exporters at the Great Yorkshire Show to discuss potential business opportunities.

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).

Having confirmed payments for last year’s wool clip, British Wool acknowledged the prices will be disappointing to members and said the organisation is doing everything it can to navigate what is currently a ‘very challenging environment’ for raw material suppliers.

Latest throughput figures released this week by the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) show that more farmers across England and Wales are favouring the live sales ring to secure the true value of their livestock, with margins under greater pressure from increased production costs.

Joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could open up further avenues for UK pork exports heading to Mexico, with Latin America and the trans-Pacific region also on the horizon as possible export destinations.

Latest figures from Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) have revealed prime cattle prices reached record high levels at Scottish abattoirs in February, despite the trend being a reduction in prices for this time of year.