Livestock News

UK farms have been targeted by livestock rustlers who steal animals and sell them on the black market. 

Ahead of the spring calving season, beef and dairy producers wanting to optimise herd health and performance need to start planning their micronutrient supplementation programmes.

Mongolia’s harshest winter since 1975 has lead to the deaths of 2.1 million head of livestock so far, due to starvation and exhaustion.

Two cows trapped in a slurry pit have been saved thanks to the heroic efforts of a Dorset farmer and local firefighters.

After a very wet winter and one of the warmest Februarys on record, parasite experts at the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group say the threat of nematodirus will be “extremely variable” in 2024.

Dog owners have been warned to be careful during walks and look out for the symptoms of Alabama rot after a spike of the deadly disease has been confirmed across the country.

Strong online and ringside bidding saw the day’s top price reach £5,600 at the Hereford bull sale in Southwest Scotland.

The National Pig Association (NPA) is calling on the main political parties to protect the borders from diseases such as African swine fever (ASF), as more than 65 tonnes of illegal meat have been seized at the port of Dover since September 2022.

At the beginning of February, a flock of sheep from Langford Farm, near Tavistock, in Devon were chased over three fields by out-of-control dogs. 45 animals were killed.

At the beginning of this week (19th February), a ship from Brazil anchored in the port of Cape Town, with 19,000 distressed cattle aboard. The animals have been kept in appalling conditions for weeks. 

Avian influenza has been confirmed on a Yorkshire free-range farm consisting of 48,000 birds. It is the UK’s first case in months. 

With lameness being common across a range of dairy systems, causing welfare issues and financial losses, Dr James Wilson offers some guidance on prevention and control – and shares trial results from an effective alternative to formalin and copper sulphate footbath solutions.