Fresh focus on the recycling role of animals
Future livestock breeding should focus on animals’ ability to recycle nutrients back into the food chain, rather than on improving their lifetime productivity.
livestock
Grass talks get down to roots of grazing strategy
Advice on winter grazing strategies and preparing for the spring is the subject of a series of meetings later this month.
Cows ‘left running blindly around in the dark’ in terror over fireworks
Angry farmers have claimed their livestock were “terrorised” by the industrial-strength fireworks set-off to celebrate the opening of the north-east’s offshore windfarm.
Feeding cattle seaweed could make them more environmentally friendly
Scotland’s beef and dairy farmers could soon be feeding their cattle seaweed as part of efforts by scientists to develop more environmentally-sustainable livestock diets.
Livestock sector told to produce facts for the public
The livestock sector needs to be more open about intensive production systems if consumers are going to be more accepting of modern farming practices and the way meat is produced.
Grass could be greener thanks to new project
Beef and sheep farmers are being sought to take part in a UK-wide project to help farmers improve their grassland management.
Scots lead the buyers at Blue Texel Supreme Sale
Scottish breeders were out in force at the Northern Supreme Sale of Blue Texels in Carlisle.
Farmers urged to adopt fodder plan to ease winter shortages
Livestock farmers have been urged to create a winter fodder plan.
Welsh ram lives up to his name in Texel sale
Trade rose by more than £700 on the year (but for 89 fewer sold) at the Scottish National Show and Sale of Texel rams at Lanark, where prices peaked at 125,000gn.
Canny advice aiming to manage straw shortage
Advice on how to manage limited straw stocks is being made available to farmers and crofters by AHDB.
Sheep farmers urged to take tick control action
Farmers and crofters have been advised to take steps to protect their sheep from ticks.
Farm leaders hold emergency drought meeting
Farm leaders gathered in Edinburgh for an emergency meeting over the looming shortage of feed and fodder for livestock this autumn and winter.
Moray farming industry takes hit after recent dry weather leaves grazing grass in short supply
The livelihood of Moray’s farmers is being badly affected by the recent dry weather in the region.
Livestock auctioneer speaks out against use of rye in AD plants
A leading livestock auctioneer has spoken out against the use of rye in anaerobic digestion (AD) plants.
Money dished out over livestock killed by cold
Payments to help farmers and crofters offset the cost of fallen stock retrieval have begun.
Beef and sheep farmers told to plan ahead to avoid feed shortages
Beef and sheep producers have been told to plan ahead for winter forage and straw supplies to avoid any nasty surprises.
ANM remains upbeat as industry sales beefed up by good weather
Sales of breeding stock have been boosted by the good weather and quick grass growth, according to Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM).
Swift action needed to build livestock numbers
Failure to address the ongoing decline in Scottish livestock numbers may result in smaller entries of animals at the Royal Highland Show in future years.
Commercial cattle duo prepare for the Royal Highland Show
A pair of well-known faces on the agricultural show circuit is preparing to take a team of 10 commercial cattle to the Royal Highland Show next week.
Access to European markets a necessity for UK livestock sector
Livestock leaders of the UK’s farming unions are adamant that the UK Government must adopt a post-Brexit trade policy which prioritises tariff-free, frictionless access to European markets.
Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme payments set to begin
Scottish beef producers will receive their share of Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) payments worth £38 million in the next few weeks.
Funds to offset livestock loss retrievals due in July
Payments via the Scottish Government’s £250,000 fund to help offset the cost of fallen stock retrieval will be made in July.
Farmers counting cost of ‘ongoing blight’ of dog attacks on livestock
The cost of dog attacks on Scottish livestock has quadrupled in the last two years to more than £50,000, NFU Scotland (NFUS) has revealed.
Major sheep worrying campaign launched
A major four-month campaign to crack down on sheep worrying has been launched ahead of the Scottish outdoor lambing season.
Focus on challenges of controlling fluke at QMS meetings
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has organised a series of free workshops on worm and fluke control for farmers and crofters.
Free lab tests for sheep scab available to farmers and crofters
Farmers have been reminded that free laboratory testing for sheep scab is available from SAC Consulting Veterinary Services.
Louping ill vaccine shortage serious blow to sheep sector
Farmers who rely on the louping ill vaccine to protect stock against infection by ticks have been warned of a nationwide shortage and no guarantee that production will restart any time soon.
Survey reveals midge-borne virus activity in south-west
Signs of the deadly Schmallenberg virus (SBV) have been identified in the south-west of Scotland.
Move to get electronic tags scheme in place for Scottish cattle
Nine Scottish livestock organisations have committed to getting a voluntary electronic tagging (EID) pilot scheme set up by the end of 2018.
Scottish meat sector in plea to beef up supplies
Scotland’s red meat industry has issued a desperate plea to farmers and crofters to produce more livestock.
New test developed to help worm out liver fluke in cattle
A new test has been developed to enable farmers and crofters to screen their cattle for liver fluke.
Call for farmers to plan ahead over stocks of livestock feed
Farmers and crofters affected by wet weather over the summer are being encouraged to plan ahead to ensure they have enough winter feed for their livestock.