Last year I was asking whether there was ever an ideal time to talk about water for agriculture. After last summer’s drought – and the impact on yields – means that question has been firmly answered. Restrictions in several catchments means water availability is now a central business risk... Read more
Seven students have graduated and received their Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Operations and Management. The four-year programme aims to equip practising livestock auctioneers with the skills needed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing agricultural landscape – including a strategic approach to their profession. The course... Read more
A new professional body bringing together farm management and consultancy experts aims give the sector a stronger voice at a time of huge economic and policy change. Launched last month, the Society of Agriculture (SocAg) brings together the Institute of Agricultural Management and the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants.... Read more
It’s easy to glance at lambing percentages and think: “Well, there’s nothing I can do about these now.” But the real value of scanning lies not in the numbers themselves, but in what they enable us to do between scanning and lambing, writes Nerys Wright. Scanning figures provide a... Read more
Fourth-generation farmer Matt Price uses a forage-first approach and careful grazing management to help meet the challenge of rising input costs in Shropshire. Mr Price manages manages a mixed livestock operation with his father and sister at Bockleton Court, Ludlow. He runs 600 Mules and Clun Forest ewes, and... Read more
Sheep farmers may be incurring avoidable costs and adding to antibiotic resistance by inappropriately treating viral disease. Antibiotics are still being used as a routine response to orf – a common viral disease that affects productivity and labour – despite having no effect on the virus itself, suggests... Read more
Rising infection rates in cattle are prompting a reassessment of lungworm control ahead of turnout this season. The warning comes as lungworm – once largely confined to youngstock – is now being reported more widely across age groups, raising the stakes for herd health and productivity. New research pointing... Read more
Sheep carcase rules come into force
Livestock 05/02/2026
Sheep industry leaders have welcomed new rules that all sides hope will mean fairer prices for lamb producers. Government rules mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases came into force last month – bringing the lamb sector in line with beef and pork. They aim to ensure farmers... Read more
First fully electric ATV woos LAMMA crowds
LAMMA 05/02/2026
Can-Am wooed the crowds by showcasing its first fully electric T-homologated ATV at last month’s LAMMA event. The new ATV has been designed by BRP’s R&D team to combine the ability to easily and efficiently handle the demands of utility users and the multitude of terrains they work across... Read more
LAMMA 2026 welcomes the next generation
LAMMA 04/02/2026
City youngsters saw the technology and talent driving farming forwards at LAMMA 2026 – and the career opportunities available in food and agriculture. They included the inaugural cohort of AgriFuture Scholars – young people taking part in NFU Education’s scholarship programme with the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society.... Read more