Livestock News

Representatives of four UK farming unions agreed that there are real potential benefits of introducing bovine Electronic Identification (bEID), from efficiency and animal health and welfare gains to improving the health and safety of livestock handlers. 

Failing to adopt modern varieties is a “missed opportunity”, AHDB says as 11 new varieties are added to the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).

In a recent AHDB Food & Farming podcast, experts gathered to discuss the likelihood of a vaccine for the latest strain of bluetongue virus, which began to appear on farms in Kent and Norfolk last year. Sarah Kidby reports.

Gary and Jess Yeoman, who farm in Monmouthshire, say forage quality, storage and management, as well as high quality balewrap, are important for their success in producing a premium, award-winning product.

Mona Dairy, in Anglesey, has advised its milk suppliers that an alternative company will be processing milk for an interim period, after it failed to secure stakeholder funding.

Defra has published guidance on two new types of hen housing grants, which are set to launch next month.

There will be a gap in the supply of the EAE (Enzootic Abortion of Ewes) vaccine, Cevac Chlamydia, from June to August, due to a vaccine batch failure.

Farmers out on their tractors and dog walkers will be among the target audience for a new Cumbrian podcast on animal care and welfare.

The government has set out its plan for tackling an outbreak of BTV-3 this summer, as it works to deploy a vaccine.

Veterinary groups have welcomed new legislation banning routine use of antibiotics in farm animals, but warned that a blanket ban of prophylactic treatment could be harmful.

The functioning rumen can be regarded as the boiler house of the bovine animal. Even a slight malfunction in its operation will have profound and widespread metabolic and financial consequences. Dr T.B Barragry, independent veterinary consultant for Provita Eurotech Ltd, offers some advice.

All Welsh slaughterhouses will need to install CCTV by 1st December as new regulations have been approved by the Senedd.