A sharp rise in antibiotic usage on Danish pig farms highlights the importance of disease management following the 2022 zinc oxide ban, say researchers. Due to be published in the July issue of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, the study by the National Food Institute tracked antimicrobial use (AMU) across Danish... Read more
Why smart testing beats blanket dosing
Livestock 09/07/2025
I recently travelled the country and noticed growing interest in a parasite called Haemonchus contortus, or Barber’s Pole worm, writes Nerys Wright. I’ve encountered it before in the south and east, recent queries have come from the Midlands and the north of England – suggesting it may be spreading... Read more
How to increase forage resilience
Livestock 09/07/2025
• Keep surplus stocks for winter • Factor in risks to be shockproof • Ensure feed strategy is timely Forage should be top of the list for livestock farmers wanting to build resilience to insulate against shocks caused by climate change. A dry spring and record-breaking June heat have... Read more
How to capitalise on store cattle trade
Livestock 09/07/2025
All-time-high for UK cattle prices Beef farmers wanting to capitalise on record-high store prices are being advised to creep feed cattle to get them to market sooner. Store cattle prices have been at all time high recently – and producers with spring calving suckler herds have been looking to... Read more
Like it or loathe it, electronic identification in the sheep sector has made monitoring lamb growth rates easier than ever, writes Nerys Wright. Although official aggregated data is unavailable – and much of the research is diet-specific – knowing the daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of your lambs is invaluable... Read more
Sheep farmers are being advised to apply insect growth regulator to flocks amid an increased risk of blowfly strike. The free Blowfly Watch service, run in partnership with NADIS, uses a combination of factors – including soil temperature and humidity – raised its blowfly strike risk warning last month.... Read more
An innovative project aimed at boosting efficiency and productivity in the livestock industry through enhanced water technology is gaining momentum. British agri-tech firm Oxcel has reported successful outcomes from Innovate UK-funded trials, confirming that its nano-oxygen-enhanced water technology delivers significant benefits for both farmers and the environment. The trials... Read more
Significant losses on many farms Four in five UK dairy herds have experienced cryptosporidiosis – with significant financial and welfare implications, say researchers. Some 84% of farmers surveyed by Harper Adams University said they had dealt with outbreaks of the disease, which causes severe watery diarrhoea. Nearly 60% rating... Read more
Net zero beef ‘now a reality’
Livestock 10/06/2025
Four-year trial sees good results Beef cattle reared on a grass-rich regenerative farming system can store more carbon than they emit – helping to mitigate climate change, suggests a study. Results from the McDonald’s-sponsored project at FAI Farms could see farmers and food companies to back up their net zero balance with... Read more
• Farmer-led funding now available • Support for projects big and small • Goal to support farm productivity Grants are now available for farmers who want to improve their productivity and increase their business resilience. The ADOPT £20.6m fund supports the introduction of innovative technologies aimed at improving productivity,... Read more
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