Dairy Farmer

Following the launch of Defra’s Annual Health and Welfare Review last week, Katie Fallon looks at how farmers can get involved.

With unvaccinated livestock at risk of clostridial diseases, farmers are being urged to plan ahead for vaccine supply issues.

As environmental pressures increase and input costs continue to rise, the importance of soil health and the concept of regenerating soils, is a topic of conversation more and more farmers are becoming a part of.

The Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA) has announced that field trials for cattle vaccine and new skin test for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) are moving onto the next phase, in the fight to eradicate the disease.

A switch to cross-breeding can feel like a daunting step, so a Yorkshire farming family put a toe in the water by importing a wagon-load of cross-bred in-calf heifers

You take for granted what you see every day. I think of this as I catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows practicing above me, which is so commonplace here during winter as to go almost unnoticed.

First Milk has become the latest processor to announce that its milk price will reduce by 4ppl from March 1, 2023, taking its price to 45.69ppl for a manufacturing standard litre.

Ensuring calves have adequate trace mineral levels is an important factor in reducing the risk of diseases such as calf scour in young calves, as it helps their immune system fight off health challenges.

Mineral supplementation can be key to achieving optimum animal health and productivity. But what are the main minerals livestock farmers should be focusing on to avoid a shortfall? 

Maize is heavily relied upon to maintain the 10,000kg-plus milk yield achieved by the 300 cows milked by brothers Rob and Phil Godwin. Wendy Short reports.