Livestock News

Liz Truss’s resignation yesterday (20th October) after just 45 days as PM has caused further turmoil for industries across the country, said National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker.

Dairy farmers feeding maize this winter should be on high alert for signs of mycotoxin contamination in silage, to avoid toxicity and decreased milk production, agronomist warns.

A new course offering sustainability training for farmers and land managers has recently launched in the UK and covers how to integrate biodiversity into farming practices while protecting yield.

Veterinary pharmacologist and Provita Ltd adviser Dr Tom Barragry offers advice on preventing lameness and trace element deficiencies in cattle.

Unison has urged the Food Standards Agency to come up with a significantly higher pay offer to avoid disruption.

AHDB’s latest figures show cost of production remains high, with pig producers now losing an average of £18-20 per pig slaughtered.

A recent study published by an independent think tank says farmers are open to adopting new technologies but are reluctant to invest due to a lack of confidence in policy frameworks, funding opportunities, and the future of farming in general.

Farmers are being reminded of the importance of achieving heifer growth targets in order to maintain herd productivity – following reports of lower-than-average growth rates due to heat stress and lack of adequate grazing this summer.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a significant rise in input costs for both the livestock and arable sectors in the UK, hitting livestock gross margins particularly hard due to the high cost of feed, the new Farm Management Handbook shows.

The National Drought Group’s projections suggest the current dry conditions may be here to stay beyond spring next year, and preparations must begin now to prevent water shortages impacting agriculture and livelihoods across the country.

After an increase in the number of confirmed avian influenza cases, the UK’s chief veterinary officers have declared an AIPZ across the whole of Great Britain to mitigate the risk of disease spread.

Following three years of research, the AHBD added three new maternal estimated breeding values (EBVs) to the National Beef Evaluations (NBE) database to help breeders select for traits.