Livestock News

Farmers running public lamb-feeding events have been advised to avoid offering close contact with animals, such as holding, cuddling and kissing lambs. 

A full-time farm vet from South West Scotland has established a 115-cow Jersey herd from scratch alongside a beef-rearing enterprise. Alistair Padkin grew up on a dairy farm in Lanarkshire, but it was always his dream to run his own farm.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has responded to Chris Packham’s column published in The Guardian, which claims that sheep are “destroying Britain’s upland habitats”, by calling for a more evidence-based and balanced conversation around the complex issues affecting protected landscapes. 

Müller UK & Ireland has announced a £45 million investment in the Skelmersdale site – but prices for Yew Tree suppliers are still likely to be significantly below the national average.

Sheep farmers have been urged to remain vigilant Haemonchus contortus infection as reports suggest the parasite is spreading across the UK.

According to the Kingshay Dairy Costings report, the last milk year was a positive one for dairy producers, with continued improvements in cow health and growing momentum in the organic milk sector.

Nofence has welcomed the Scottish Government’s launch of the Future Farming Infrastructure Scheme (FFIS), which recognises virtual fencing as an eligible capital item.

Welsh farming community leaders said that the introduction of bluetongue-approved red markets is a “step forward” in supporting farmers affected by the current disease restrictions. 

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has highlighted the urgent requirement to grant a temporary derogation for grazing certain environmental land options that are part of the Countryside Stewardship scheme, considering the exceptionally dry weather currently experienced by many parts of the UK.

Data from the THI-Live tool shows average temperatures reached concerning levels over the past month, raising concerns over cow health.

A three-year industry project has more than halved lameness levels across 10 Welsh sheep farms, saving £54K per year.

A 27-year-old Welsh shearer, Huw Jones, has broken a record after he sheared 663 ewes in eight hours.