Livestock News

Disease diagnostic data from the last five years highlights a spike in the number of lambs succumbing to pasteurellosis during September, October and November (see table below). Number of lamb

Brambles, gorse and broom are tough woody weeds which can grow quickly, taking over areas that could be grazed. 

Livestock producers and food chain specialists now have a rare opportunity to develop a more in depth understanding of how global livestock production can be made more sustainable.

Maize crops in the West are looking good and predicted to yield well despite fears that dry drilling conditions may have hampered performance, explains Wynnstay arable specialist Ed Porter.

There may be incredible uncertainty facing the UK sheep industry at the current time, but with only a year to go until NSA Sheep 2020, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is planning an event that will be more important than ever in terms of focusing on how sheep farmers can be the best they can be.

Farmers, vets and advisors across the UK sheep sector are being asked to help a new industry-led stewardship group demonstrate how they are using antibiotics responsibly throughout the sheep industry.

Use of the two newer wormer groups (4-AD orange and 5-SI purple) has doubled in the two years since they became available through SQPs at merchants, but sheep farmers could still harness their potential more.

A ban on feeding maleic hydrazide-treated potato waste to livestock has now been lifted, leaving growers free to use the active ingredient without fear of losing their end markets.

With membership reaching over 100 breeders, this year’s Blacknose Beauties show and sale at H&H Borderway Mart, Carlisle on 23-24 August, held by the Valais Sheep Society, promises to be the largest celebration of the UK’s fastest growing sheep breed.

Taking time to control thistles in established grassland now will prevent them spreading seed this summer and causing bigger infestations to deal with next spring, according to Dr Nicola Perry of Corteva Agrisciences.

“Markets are integral to farm businesses because they set the price for livestock, helping farmers to achieve fair prices,” says Clive Roads, auctioneer at McCartneys.

Farmers are warned to look out for the annual emergence of head lies (Hydrotaea irritans) from around mid-July, as these are a major source of annoyance for pastured cattle.