A ground-breaking acid technology could help poultry producers eliminate the threat of deadly pathogens. Trials undertaken by Aga2Tech, with support from Innovate UK, indicate an in-water peracetic acid treatment could prevent on-farm poultry infections – offering an effective alternative to antibiotics. Commercial trials involving 250,000 broilers were carried out... Read more

• Reduce impact of climate change • Major welfare benefits promised • Herd health set for improvements A new generation of livestock buildings and digital tools could reduce the impact of heat stress on housed dairy herds. Two companies – Galebreaker and Smartbell – have been awarded a second... Read more

Think beyond sustainable farming  payments Livestock producers growing herbal leys simply for Sustainable Farming Incentive payments could be missing out on wider benefits. Not all SAM3 herbal ley mixtures  are the same – and choosing the cheapest option for the SFI payment could be a false economy, suggests Agrii... Read more

• Concern over outbreak in Germany • Reminder to maintain biosecurity • Talk to friends and family Sheep producers are being urged to remain vigilant and maintain on-farm biosecurity following confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany. UK imports of sheep, cattle and pigs were swiftly banned following the discovery... Read more

• Cases rise after wet autumn • Keep on top of testing regime • Take action where necessary More cases of liver fluke are being reported following the wet autumn – with farmers reminded to keep a close eye on livestock. The number of positive liver fluke cases is... Read more

Grazing bales saves time and money Bale grazing suckler beef cattle in winter can produce a financial benefit of £1.58 per head per day – and generate other benefits too, says a report. The Economics of Bale Grazing study is part of a wider Pasture for Life and Innovative... Read more

It is important to investigate ewes empty at scanning time, says Nerys Wright. I remember seeing a report, written in 1983, which said pregnancy scanning at 50p/ewe was unlikely to be economically viable for most commercial sheep flocks. Fast forward to 2024 and 50p/ewe would be tremendously good value.... Read more