Good harvest yields reported for maize
Livestock 03/11/2023
Early indications suggest a bumper harvest for maize production this year with high yields of good quality material that should clamp and feed well. Fears that the relatively cold, wet spring and challenging drilling conditions could result in later maturing crops for many growers have been largely abated, says... Read more
Growing uncertainty over tax, farm policy and profitability is prompting landowners and farmers to favour shorter tenancy agreements. The average length of new Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) fell to its lowest level since 2021 during 2025, suggest new figures. At the same time, fewer Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) tenancies... Read more
Growing demand for higher-quality food is set to create new opportunities for farmers as consumers place greater value on nutrition, protein and provenance. A new Savills Spotlight on Food report says climate risk, changing policy and tighter margins are accelerating change across agriculture. It argues future profitability will depend... Read more
Restaurants and eateries are being urged to buy more British pork – and provide clearer information on where their food comes from. The National Pig Association (NPA) says doing so will help to restore confidence in a pig industry facing mounting financial pressure caused by an oversupply of pigs,... Read more
Pig producers are being advised to review fly pressure in housing as prolonged warm weather creates ideal conditions for populations to build. Dave Reece, Lodi UK pest control technical adviser, says fly numbers can rise rapidly during warmer periods, particularly where muck and moisture provide the ideal breeding environment.... Read more
Strong consumer demand for eggs is increasing pressure on producers to improve efficiency while maintaining flock health, with nutrition emerging as a key tool to extend laying cycles and reduce production costs. That was the message from the Norvite Poultry Conference, where farmers, nutritionists and poultry specialists examined how... Read more
Funded vet scheme targets bird flu risk
Livestock 04/08/2026
Poultry producers can now claim funding for specialist veterinary biosecurity reviews as Defra steps up efforts to reduce the risk of avian influenza. The new Poultry Biosecurity Review scheme offers eligible commercial keepers £430 towards a vet visit that provides practical, farm-specific advice to help prevent disease outbreaks. It... Read more
August often feels like a “hold your nerve” month, writes Nerys Wright. Lambs are still pushing on, ewes are recovering from the demands of rearing and – if it is dry, like this year – feed can be a challenge. When dry weather bites, the pressure on grazing can... Read more
A Staffordshire sheep farmer is reaping the rewards of a grazing system based on herbal leys, rotational grazing and partnerships with neighbouring arable businesses. Wayne Underhill has worked with local arable farmers since 2015 to establish two and three-year grass and herbal ley rotations. The system delivers greater flexibility,... Read more
Getting rumen development right in the first weeks of life is one of the best investments any beef producer can make. The benefits continue throughout the animal’s lifetime, improving performance, efficiency and profitability. Poor rumen development can have lasting repercussions for the profitability of beef calves. The good news... Read more
New UK research suggests the trend towards feeding calves very high volumes of milk replacer may not deliver sufficient returns for dairy farmers. Feeding more than 1,050g of milk solids per calf daily can increase costs without producing meaningful improvements in growth or health, suggest two studies. Higher milk... Read more