Livestock News

New data gathered from 35 cattle farms located across Great Britain revealed that there are still key gaps in controlling calf scour – despite improvements in colostrum management and hydration practices. 

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has warned that the UK government is not adequately prepared for the most severe animal disease outbreaks.

DEFRA confirmed that due to the escalating number and expanding area of cases of avian influenza, the prevention zone with mandatory housing measures will be extended to the whole of England.

MSD Animal Health has launched its 2026 FlockCheck diagnostic scheme, giving sheep farmers across England, Scotland and Wales the opportunity to test their flocks for exposure to toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion (EAE) from 1st December 2025. 

The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) published its latest meat and poultry inflation report for October, which revealed that over the last month average prices fell by 1p/kg (0.08%).

UK government has confirmed that a number of visas allocated for the 2026 Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) have now been finalised. 

McDonald’s and Arla Foods have joined forces with an ambition to drive nature initiatives across dairy farming.  

Welsh Government announced that an all-Wales Restricted Zone (RZ) for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) will be introduced from 10th November.  

Bovine electronic identification (EID) is set to become mandatory for all newborn calves in Wales, following consultation carried out by the Welsh Government.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has questioned whether the recently introduced Fair Dealings Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 are delivering on their promise of transparency to dairy farmers, following a wave of milk price reductions by processors.

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. 

In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds, confirmation of new cases in poultry and kept birds, and amid increasing risk levels, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone with housing measures will be introduced for north, central and parts of east of England to to help reduce the risk of further outbreaks.