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

Plant breeder Strube is offering three varieties for the UK fodder and energy beet markets for 2026: Clemens, Degas and Gahan. For early planting and on colder soils, Clemens comes with the added benefit of seed priming advancement; although Degas and Gahan have consistently proved themselves over the past... Read more

A 21,000-litre tandem axle unit featuring a new contactless forced steering system for the rear axle will be exhibited by Bauer at Lamma. The high-specification poly-tanker will be a key attraction at the two-day machinery event, which takes place on 14-15 January at the NEC Birmingham. Bauer’s tankers are... Read more

New options for slurry tankers and trailers will be exhibited by Hi-Spec Engineering at this month’s Lamma event. They will include the Fad Sidra hydraulic axle system for Hi-Spec’s range of tandem and tridem axle Kompactor trailers and tankers. The company has introduced the option of an electric steering... Read more

Farmers are urged to ensure they abide by Farming Rules for Water when it comes to slurry storage this winter. It follows a clampdown by Environment Agency on inadequate slurry and manure storage, including convictions and fines relating to water pollution and the illegal disposal of organic waste. Silage,... Read more

New guidance on permitted methods of pig euthanasia is being added to Red Tractor farm assurance standards. Due to take effect on 1 February 2026, the new standards are being introduced to remove ambiguity by helping to clarify permitted methods of euthanasia. They were updated in close consultation with... Read more

The government must do more to prepare for a severe animal disease outbreak, MPs have warned. In a report on resilience to animal diseases such as bird flu, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said that government would find responding to such outbreaks would be extremely stretching. Defra had worked... Read more

A rise in swine dysentery cases has triggered calls for better biosecurity on UK pig farms. Confirmed cases of swine dysentery have increased from just eight in 2021 to 54 in 2024 – with numbers rising year-on-year, according to the GB Pig Surveillance Dashboard, run by the Animal and... Read more

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

Beef and sheep farmers are being reminded to test for liver fluke throughout the season – rather than guessing whether to treat livestock. Treating too early fails to protect animals – especially following a later than usual start to the liver fluke season, say experts. This underlines the importance... Read more