LAMMA 2025 set to be ‘best event yet’
Livestock 28/01/2025
• Two-day machinery farm extravaganza • Product launches from manufacturers • Practical demonstration and seminars More than 600 exhibitors will showcase the latest agricultural innovations at next month’s flagship LAMMA event. Due to take place on 15-16 January at NEC Birmingham, organisers say LAMMA 2025 promises to be a... Read more
A new – and faster – Covid-style test-at-home kit for liver fluke in ruminants could bring benefits for sheep producers, writes Nerys Wright. Covid has a lot to answer for, but helping on-farm testing is not one that would have been top of my list. The experience of using... Read more
UK pig producers are being urged develop robust contingency plans as African swine fever continues to spread across Europe. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs. There are several different strains. Pigs infected with mild strains may not become ill or show typical clinical signs. But severe... Read more
Inspirational pig industry stalwart Howard Revell has won the 2024 David Black Award – recognising his long-standing dedication to the sector. The accolade – recognising Mr Revell’s efforts to help improve animal welfare while mentoring others within the industry for almost 40 years – was presented on 18 November... Read more
Lowest level of livestock antibiotics Multi-drug resistance in pigs and poultry has fallen to an all-time low after a decade of reducing antibiotic use. The amount of antibiotics sold for livestock remains at the lowest level to date, says Defra. But an increase in antibiotic usage for some livestock... Read more
• Adapt management plan into winter • Patience will be key – don’t rush in • Consider nutrition strategy carefully A flexible approach to managing later-drilled winter wheat crops is needed after delayed drilling caused by the wet start to autumn, says an agronomist. Winter wheat drilling has varied... Read more
• Pest reported in eastern region crops • Monitor rape carefully, growers told • Mild weather can prolong problem Oilseed rape growers are being urged to watch out for signs of rape winter stem weevil – after several reports of the pest appearing in eastern England crops. Despite having... Read more
Autumn applications bring dividends Farmers are being encouraged to consider alternative products – including biostimulants – to boost crops and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Autumn-applied biostimulants could be one solution alongside other factors, such as vigorous varieties and changes to establishment systems, says Tom Wheelhouse, technical specialist at UPL,... Read more
Wheat area rises but still below average
Arable 28/01/2025
• Mixed prospects for UK cereals area • Wheat area recovery remains way off • Growers shun flagship green scheme More wheat has been drilled this autumn – but the projected area for 2025 still lags behind the five-year average, suggest the latest figures. A 5.4% increase takes the... Read more
The farming community has paid tribute to Staffordshire dairy farmer David Brookes, who has died suddenly aged 65. An NFU branch, county and regional officeholder for many years, Mr Brookes was a dairy champion – and helped lead the SOS Dairy campaign for fairer milk prices in 2012. The... Read more