Dairy & Beef News

Livestock farmers are being warned about the increased risk of grass staggers in cattle and sheep as a result of this year’s wet spring, with Rumenco nutritionist Dr Alison Bond advising supplementation to balance a lower-than-average magnesium intake from grass.

Beef and dairy farmers are being reminded of the signs of summer mastitis in dry cows and heifers, and strategies to prevent it this summer.

Taking proactive steps ahead of forecasted heat waves this summer is an effective way of reducing the incidence of heat stress in cattle and minimise yield losses due to overheating, an issue of increasing concern to UK dairy and beef farmers as global temperatures continue to rise.

The vast computational power of machine learning has the ability to better alert farmers, resulting in earlier interventions and treatments to benefit animal health and welfare and provide a significant economic boost to the industry. This is according to Chloe Hazell, Agxio’s bioscientist & research lead, who explores the potential of data and AI in the beef and dairy industries.

Led by McCartneys auctioneers, the sale of pedigree cows and calves from the noted Wroxall Simmental herd of CH Evans & Son at Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire, recorded just over £120,000 in gross earnings, with the leading cow-calf pair fetching a combined 6000gns.

Results from an ongoing study indicate heat stress is becoming a costly problem on UK dairy farms and can affect milk yields in both housed and grazed cows, with some businesses facing losses of up to £90,000.

As we make our homes fit for purpose to cope with climate change, researchers are asking, should we do the same for our livestock?

Farmer-owned dairy cooperative Dale Farm is the first enterprise in Northern Ireland to switch to clear bottle caps on all of its own-label milk in a bid to make Dale Farm milk packaging more sustainable.

Wynnstay’s new Forage4Profit campaign is aimed at helping dairy farmers maximise milk from forage and cut feed costs by improving the quality of homegrown forage, which can also help reduce farms’ environmental footprint.

As farmers face pressure to reduce environmental impact and antibiotic usage, the National Office for Animal Health is sharing vaccination best practice on World Animal Vaccination Day.

UK-based cattle genetics company Genus ABS has performed strongly at the April proof evaluation, receiving credit for 12 of the top 25 genomic £PLI (Profitable Lifetime Index) sires, as well as all top five homozygous polled sires.

New Innovative Farmers research is investigating the use of hay bales for winter mob grazing in a bid to boost soil health, biodiversity and animal welfare while cutting housing and labour costs.