Mixed forage quality and variable ewe condition scores this year are putting extra pressure on sheep flocks ahead of lambing. Grass growth nationally was 20% lower than average from March to August. But significant regional variation depending on rainfall and soil type means forage quality has also varied greatly.... Read more

Tesco has launched a new scheme to help beef and lamb farmers measure soil, water and nature data at scale for the first time. Delivered in partnership with Soil Association Exchange (SAX), the scheme will support 360 beef and lamb farmers from Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups to capture soil,... Read more

A joined-up approach is needed for more growers and livestock producers to embrace carbon-friendly farming, says a report. A raft of different carbon assessment tools with different standards means the system is too confusing to help most farmers make the leap, suggests the latest analysis from the UK Agri-Tech... Read more

A Staffordshire sheep farmer is utilising strategic worm control to achieve his best-ever lamb performance from a predominately forage-based diet. Strategic worm control is part of the recipe for success for well-known sheep farmer and Will Roobottom, who runs around 350 ewes comprising a mix of pedigree Lleyns and... Read more

As I write this, I’m about to swap my woolly jumper and autumn layers to attend – and present at – the International Sheep Veterinary Congress in Australia, writes Nerys Wright. It’s a real honour to be part of such a global gathering of sheep minds, and I’m hugely... Read more

Poultry producers could soon benefit from tracking wild birds when assessing the risk of avian influenza to their flocks. Livetec Systems is working to integrate data on wild bird movements into its Livestock Protect platform. It says this will help producers understand where cases of bird flu in wild... Read more

Winter silage shortages continue to be cause for concern, with beef and dairy farmers are being encouraged to prioritise forage budgets. Producers facing challenges with fodder quality are encouraged to feed their best quality forage to the animals who need it most in the months ahead following the dry... Read more

Poultry producers could be missing out on health and performance benefits due to misconceptions about probiotics in rations. Using probiotics to balance gut bacteria can benefit bird health and food safety – as well as performance, claims monogastric marketing manager Sarah Turner from pharmaceutical company Elanco. “Whether you’re a... Read more

The impact of this year’s unusually dry weather is increasingly clear – particularly for producers trying to get ewes into optimal body condition for tupping, says Nerys Wright. While rainfall has been highly variable across the UK, some areas have been hit harder than others, with many parts of... Read more

Sheep farmers are being urged not to panic when faced with new gut worm outbreaks amid reports they are becoming more prevalent. Also known as Barber’s Pole worm, haemonchus is no longer a problem restricted to the south of England. Given the right conditions – usually warm and wet... Read more