Livestock News

A £5 million research project involving nine countries – from Scandinavia to the Middle East – is aiming to revolutionise the use of precision technology in sheep and goat farming.

A new strategy and improved communication with levy payers on how their money is spent are just two of the significant changes AHDB has pledged to make.

Livestock producers looking to make the most of grazed forage can increase intake and digestion by 10 per cent when supplementing pastures with a nutrient-rich Rumevite block, says Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco.

AHDB is reporting a good start to the year for red meat exports, with shipments already worth £733 million in the first six months – up nearly three per cent on the same period last year.

Farmers who missed out reseeding fields in this year’s dry spring can still upgrade their pastures now by carrying out an autumn reseed.

The Valais Blacknose Sheep Society took its annual Blacknose Beauties Show and Sale online for the first time in its history.

Farmers are being asked to help with a project researching the prevalence of Mycoplasma bovis in Scottish dairy herds.

Consumers who buy soya milk should switch to cow’s milk if they want to help the planet, a new study suggests.

As more milk buyers are advising against blanket dry cow therapy, dairy farmers are turning to teat sealants to reduce infection pressure against mastitis.

Recent trials suggest that pigs consuming feed supplemented with pHorce, from manufacturer Anpario, were protected against in-feed viruses, had lower mortality and significantly increased average daily gain.

Farmers who are short on silage or worried about straw supplies for the winter should think about whether outwintering in-calf heifers to reduce winter rearing costs, says AHDB.

Milk deliveries dropped back considerably in the week ending 15th August, most likely as a result of the extreme heat, AHDB reports.