Author Posts: Sarah Kidby

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.

UK Agricultural Finance says it is excited to announce that it has a new funder on board. With this new funding, the company now has access to £300M in funds ready to lend – and given the current economic situation, this could be just the boost your agricultural business needs.

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.

As the cold weather gives way to warmer temperatures this week, farmers are being warned that frozen pipes thawing could cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.

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.

Efra Committee MPs have written to environment secretary Thérèse Coffey calling for ‘urgent action’ to address the immediate and longer term needs of the poultry sector.

Investing in long-troughs to feed outdoor sows can significantly reduce costs, cut feed waste and help counter excessive nutrient leeching in soils. It’s also more hygienic and can reduce the bird and vermin populations visiting and colonising a pig unit in search of food, according to Con-Tented Products.

Defra has opened applications for the Slurry Infrastructure grant, with farmers in England able to apply for grants of £25-250K towards the cost of slurry stores, covers and supporting equipment.

With annual inflation now in double figures, salaries are being driven by not only a shortage of good staff, but also the cost -of-living crisis, according to Knight Frank’s biennial Estate Staff Salaries Survey.

After a challenging summer, limited grass in some areas may have affected ewe condition, so forage analysis is critical for rationing heavily pregnant ewes.

At transition the dairy cow is perhaps at her highest metabolic vulnerability – she is subject to demands which physiologically she often struggles to sustain. Energy and calcium are two prime examples. Post-calving the cow’s demands for both can suddenly increase by upwards of two-fold compared to what they previously were before calving.

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee has raised questions about Weybridge’s ability to cope with a major disease outbreak, as well as government plans for redevelopment – and makes a series of seven recommendations for Defra.