Livestock News

As weather patterns become increasingly extreme and unpredictable, input costs continue to rise, and farmers face ongoing pressure to reduce environmental impacts, approaches to managing parasites and disease will need to adapt. Livestock editor Sarah Kidby reports.

Trials on more than 4,000 pigs on units in Spain and the UK showed that cost-effective improvements in feed efficiency can be achieved where a natural botanic-based feed product is added to diets, according to Cargill UK.

Pig producers are being urged to look at flexible feeding strategies with their nutritionists as high feed prices continue to leave margins tight.

Lambs require adequate amounts of high quality colostrum for short and long-term health. Here’s how to supplement when quality and quantity fall short to keep lambs healthy.

The UK’s current economic climate is taking its toll on all industries including agriculture, with many farmers left uncertain of how they will afford to raise livestock in coming months. Calf rearer Joanne Pile joins Ben Barber from Synergy Farm Vets, Paul Bartholomew from Bart Agri, and Robin Hibberd from Hydor as they gathered at Cats Hill Farm to discuss the issues they are facing and the help they are seeking out.

A new woodland restoration scheme has launched at the RSPB’s 1,200-acre nature reserve, Franchises Lodge, located in the north of the New Forest.  

Designed and built by Aberdeenshire farmer Gordon Stephen, the Calf Catcher makes it quicker, easier, and safer to carry out calf tagging and other routine tasks. Livestock editor Sarah Kidby spoke to two farmers who have used the innovative system.

As soil sulphur concentrations have declined, with over 90% of UK soils now deficient, awareness has grown of the need to apply this vital nutrient to grassland and forage crops.

Independent trial work by SAC has revealed a range of health and productivity benefits for flocks that were fed a combination feed and mineral bucket supplement in the final six weeks of pregnancy.

Coleg Sir Gar, in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College, has been awarded a project to work closely with the sheep sector to control and ultimately eradicate sheep scab.

Two leading livestock vets are urging farmers to vaccinate their livestock this winter for clostridial diseases as more animals are outwintered and vaccine boosters missed.

Five finalists have been announced for the 2022 NMR RABDF Gold Cup award, including two dairy businesses in Scotland and three from the south and southwest of England.