Auctioneers hit back at loss of prime sheep deals
Scotland’s livestock auctioneers have launched a campaign to win back business after losing around 20% of prime sheep trade to direct deals between abattoir buyers and farmers in the last year.
livestock
‘Virtual fences’ use GPS to keep stock in check
Virtual fencing technology has the potential to replace conventional or electric fences on Britain’s farmland, according to researchers at SRUC.
Online dating app for farm animals
The start-up developers of an online agritech trading platform are cashing in on Valentine’s Day by launching what they say is the first ever “matchmaking app for farm animals”.
Smart ear tags for dairy herds to help cut costs
An intelligent ear tag which uses sensor technology could help dairy farmers make significant cost savings by shortening calving intervals and cutting veterinary bills.
Scottish pork to be served up on screen
A new TV advert urging shoppers to buy Scottish pork will launch tonight.
Neeps grown for lambs are north top of the crops
Echt farmer Leslie Shepherd has been crowned champion neep grower in the north of Scotland.
Tough start for beef prices
Scottish prime cattle prices have started 2019 4% down on this time last year.
Scotland’s Beef Event to showcase latest technology
The latest technology for efficient beef production will be on show at Scotland’s Beef Event.
Limousins the right breed for the Camerons
Efforts to establish a herd of hardy pedigree Limousin cattle on a farm near Fort William are paying dividends.
Dairy hub to be run by NFUS following revamp
The Scottish Dairy Hub will soon be run by NFU Scotland (NFUS).
New vaccination offers swifter response to FMD
A new-generation vaccine for foot and mouth disease (FMD) could transform the handling of any future outbreak and reduce the lockdown in the countryside by months.
Numbers up as family welcome son to business
North-east beef farmers Gary and Angela Christie have upped cow numbers in their suckler herd in readiness for their son Adam joining the business.
‘Prophets of doom’ wrong over livestock prices
Demand for cattle has been better than expected in recent weeks despite a sharp increase in feed costs, according to the latest quarterly market summary from Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM).
Farmers on alert for Bluetongue after virus found in imported cattle
Farmers have been urged to step up their vigilance for Bluetongue virus after the disease was found in three consignments of imported cattle from France.
Scots breeders take top prices at Carlisle sale
Scottish breeders enjoyed success at the Christmas Stars sale of in-lamb pedigree Texels at Carlisle.
Scottish beef enterprise profits rise
Scottish beef enterprise profitability improved last year, according to Quality Meat Scotland.
Meetings planned to highlight the benefits of animal health planning
The benefits of animal health planning will be highlighted to farmers and crofters at a series of meetings next month.
Joint 10,000gn for rams bred in Aberdeenshire
A joint top price of 10,000gn was paid for two Aberdeenshire-bred rams at the dispersal sale of the Stockton flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep.
First BSE case in 10 years found on Aberdeenshire farm
A case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, has been confirmed on a farm in Aberdeenshire.
New record set in Orkney ram sale
A new centre record was set in Orkney when a Texel shearling ram went under the hammer.
Helping farmers to select livestock for slaughter
A series of “meat the market” workshops to help farmers boost profits by improving their livestock selection and presentation for slaughter is to take place over the winter.
Ram trade deemed ‘realistic’ at Thainstone
Pedigree rams met a “realistic” trade at the annual show and sale of rams at Thainstone yesterday.
Warning as bluetongue virus back on UK shores
Governments, vets and breed societies have appealed to UK livestock farmers to be vigilant after two cattle imported from central France tested positive for bluetongue virus (BTV8).
Forkins Bently fetches top price at Scottish Texel sale
A selective trade peaked at 2,800gn at the Scottish Texel Breeders’ Club show and sale at Lanark.
Shearling ram toast of Beltex sales
Overall averages were back just £15 compared with last year’s trade at the Beltex Scotland show and sale at Lanark, but for 40 fewer sold, with 199 selling to average £611.16.
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.
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.