Poultry

First outbreak since March 2021 detected at wild bird rescue centre.

After the UK poultry sector was rocked by 26 avian influenza outbreaks between November 2020 and March 2021 – the highest number seen in several years – Farmers Guide looks ahead to the coming risk season and what farmers should do now to prepare.

Food and farming organisations have welcomed the news, but said further long-term solutions will be needed.

The government has made an agreement with CF Fertilisers, to allow it to reopen one of its plants amid soaring gas prices, following concerns over imminent food shortages.

With UK supermarkets pledging to move away from caged eggs, a new 16,000 bird shed will need to be built each week up until 2025 to meet consumer demand, explains Fred Liddell, poultry specialist at Wynnstay. So, there is an opportunity for farmers looking to diversify their business.

The UK has secured market access to Japan for imports of UK poultry meat – opening up new opportunities for UK farmers, producers and exporters in the world’s third-largest economy. The agreement is estimated to be worth up to £13 million per year by the industry.

The Scott brothers, Charlie, Michael and Andrew, have a strong passion for continuing their family’s arable farm but they soon realised they needed to diversify to strengthen the business. This led to their latest venture – poultry

Chief vets from England, Scotland and Wales warn that “low risk does not mean no risk” as AIPZ lifted and bird gatherings permitted once more.

With a dizzying range of vitamin-enriched poultry supplements available on the market, Ricky Love from AFS Supplies simplifies the key principles of poultry health and nutrition.

This year the British Pig & Poultry Fair Forums will be going online, enabling producers to get all of the latest information and advice on Wednesday 12th May. With a top line up of 28 speakers across nine forums – from market outlooks to technical updates – there will be something for everyone.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) and British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) have come together to raise awareness that egg size matters when it comes to hen welfare.

The British Meat Processors Association says dismissing trade disruption at the borders as short term ‘teething problems’ is no longer credible, as it publishes its Brexit Impact Report.