Calves are failing to achieve adequate passive transfer of immunity – even when colostrum quality appears good, suggests a study. More than three-quarters of calves tested in a seasonal-calving dairy herd had inadequate passive immunity – despite colostrum testing at the recommended 22% Brix or above. All calves later... Read more

Banning livestock from upland areas could threaten the long-term storage of stable soil carbon, say scientists. Grasslands hold around one third of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Responsible grazing has an important role to play in sustainable land management, according to the study by researchers at Manchester University. Environmental groups... Read more

Seed suppliers report increased interest in fodder beet this spring following a difficult forage season last year. Fodder beet is appealing to farmers looking to ensure adequate supplies in the event of a repeat summer drought.  Once fodder beet gets its roots down, it can be quite drought tolerant,... 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 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

Pig industry leaders called on the UK government to protect the sector after Spain confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) since 1994. The disease was confirmed in two wild boar – found dead approximately 1km apart – near the Autonomous University of Barcelona in November. Further... Read more

Meat inspectors are being urged to ensure lamb carcases are clean after French officials rejected £650,000 of exported UK sheepmeat. The incident last month saw four lorryloads of British lamb returned to the UK from Calais after they were held at a French border control post because wool had... Read more