Feeding ewes in late pregnancy
Livestock 11/02/2025
Part 1: How to make the most of winter forage Variable weather last summer has meant varied forage samples for feeding this winter, writes Nerys Wright. Yet many of us continue to feed the same amount of forage and the same supplements – year in, year out – regardless... Read more
Sheep farmers are being encouraged to conduct a forage analysis well ahead of lambing to ensure ewes receive the correct feed rationing and nutrition following last year’s challenging silage season. “Forage quality varies massively from year-to-year, and 2024’s wet spring and variable summer posed particular challenges for farmers trying... Read more
Beef farmers could finish their cattle quicker and more efficiently thanks to a new feedstuff. Available in blends or as a farm pack, ProFinisher boosts daily liveweight gain by up to 6% – so cattle are finished earlier on less feed. Cattle are said to achieve an overall 19kg... Read more
New defence against deadly pathogens
Livestock 11/02/2025
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
• Ultra early varieties increasingly popular • Optimum resilience in variable conditions • Rotational benefits for farm enterprises A warmer UK climate is creating opportunities for farmers to grow earlier maize varieties, say plant breeders. Maize requires a minimum of 1200 Maize Heat Units (MHU) between May and September... 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
Boost for UK pork exports to China
Livestock 06/02/2025
Pork exports to China have received a boost after a big push by producers, government officials and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Two more sites have received export approval after a delegation from the China Meat Association visited the UK... Read more
• Helps optimise egg production • Data on flock health and welfare • Good for birds and farm income Acoustic sensors could help boost the health and welfare of laying hens – saving money and optimising egg production. The project uses state-of-the-art sensors to monitor birds through novel sound... Read more