Sheep News

AHDB’s annual Love Lamb Week (LLW) campaign is set to return on the first week of September to highlight the qualities of UK lamb by teaming up with popular farming influencers on social media to share ‘Shepherds and their Pies’.

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway funding can help sheep farmers implement a strategic worm control plan. The Pathway, which is open now, will pay sheep farmers £436, covering the cost of the vet’s time and the diagnostic testing. 

As peak summer holiday season arrives in the UK, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is issuing a reminder to holiday makers of the risk posed by their pet dogs to sheep they may meet on their countryside breaks.

Sheep farmers are promised quality, durability and versatility when choosing Nettex’s Pedigree Cotton Harnesses that are compatible with most crayon markers on the market and claimed to last multiple seasons.

The North Country Cheviot, a hardy and versatile Scottish sheep breed first introduced to Wales in the 1970s, is celebrating its 40th appearance at the Royal Welsh Show this year.

Sheep farmers, vets and advisers are invited to attend free question and answer sessions hosted by SCOPS (Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep) providing practical advice on how to check if a worming treatment has been effective.

Returning for its sixth year to Builth Wells on Sunday 23rd July, the Welsh International Speed Shear is set to welcome talented individuals from across the globe to compete in aid of charity, with organisers anticipating a record number of entries this year.

Enzootic abortion (EAE) is responsible for considerable losses in the UK sheep industry. Yet, despite adequate vaccine availability and veterinary advice on disease prevention, the endemic disease is still present in many flocks, and many farmers only vaccinate after an outbreak.

Farmers are being encouraged to assess the risk of abortion in their sheep ahead of the next tupping season and work with their vet if necessary to minimise lamb losses next year.

A new initiative to breed sheep with naturally low methane emissions has been awarded £2.9m funding through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and will see farmers, researchers and businesses come together to make a positive contribution to UK agriculture’s journey towards net zero.

Farmers, breeders and smallholders in the East of England will have the opportunity to buy and sell pedigree Southdown sheep at a new early breeders sale taking place for the first time at Thrapston Livestock Market on Saturday 29th July.

Livestock farmers will continue to have uninterrupted access to key cobalt salts as emergency authorisation for cobalt in livestock feeds has been granted for England and Wales following approval in Scotland.