Livestock News

The UK government has extended the meat import ban to Austria, following a second foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Hungary, very close to the Austrian border.

Recent data by Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) shows that clostridial diseases consistently rank among the most frequent sheep submission diagnoses, prompting vets to remind farmers of the importance of timely vaccination to avoid such losses.

While the British meat industry is preparing for the latest blow from its own regulator, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is also making it harder for producers by imposing an increase in meat inspection charges. They came into force on April Fool’s Day, and, unfortunately, it is not a joke.

Heat stress is a growing challenge for dairy farmers worldwide. Rising temperatures in combination with high humidity can significantly impact cow health and productivity, leading to lower milk yields, reduced fertility rates, and increased health risks. Effective cow cooling is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Johne’s disease is often missed in sheep, but can cause serious production losses. Sarah Kidby spoke to experts about cost-effective control.

Urgent action has been demanded to protect the UK from a host of diseases with the potential to devastate British farming and jeopardise food supply, following a Countryside Alliance investigation.

Farmers Guide speaks to Elanco’s ruminant technical consultant, Matt Colston, about the key parasites of concern for lambs in the early spring.

The EAE vaccine, Cevac Chlamydia, is now back in stock after supply challenges last year, with vets encouraging farmers to vaccinate their ewe lambs and shearlings for EAE (enzootic abortion of ewes).

English livestock farmers have been encouraged to sign up for free vet visits through the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) before the service’s funding ends. 

The discovery of a strain of avian influenza in a sheep for the first time should be a reminder to sheep keepers of the importance of biosecurity on holdings with poultry, said the National Sheep Association.

The National Pig Association has urged pig producers to make every effort to prevent an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) and to ensure they are prepared in case the virus does hit their own unit or one close by.

Three cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed close to the Slovakian and Hungarian border. The cases were identified in three separate premises housing cattle.