Environmental stress triggers costly pig disease without secondary infections
Stress makes pigs more likely to suffer from a disease which costs farmers in the UK millions of pounds a year in attempts to control, scientists have shown for the first time. The findings from a study at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) could influence the conditions that pig herds are kept in to reduce […]
Research aims to address genetic pre-disposition to lameness in pigs
A team led by researchers at Newcastle University in the UK has begun a project to identify biological and behavioural markers that can be used to detect genetic pre-disposition to degenerative joint disease that causes pain and lameness in pigs. Lameness is a serious animal welfare and economic problem in commercial pig farming which has […]
Protect newborn lambs by keeping your dog on a lead
Dogs chasing and attacking sheep is causing a major animal welfare problem on UK sheep farms, says the National Sheep Association, and no more so than at this time of year when ewes are heavily pregnant or have young lambs at foot. With increasing numbers of sheep worrying incidents being reported, NSA Chief Executive Phil […]
Act responsibly urges NFU dairy board as milk quotas end after 30 years
As EU milk quotas come to an end this week, NFU dairy board chairman Rob Harrison has urged all countries to act responsibly and collectively in order to manage future volatility. Milk quotas were introduced in 1984 to address the structural oversupply on the EU market of the late 1970s and early 1980s that had […]
NFU: Arla milk price rise step in the right direction
Arla has announced that it will increase the price it pays to its UK members by 0.83ppl* from March 30. This will take their standard litre price to 25.8ppl and is the first positive move by a major UK milk buyer in many months. The UK price takes into account a new Jan-March average exchange […]
Big rollout planned for badger jab project
The MP who instigated the first community led badger vaccination programme in the UK, Andrew George, heralded the first pilot year of the badger vaccination programme in West Cornwall a great success. Mr George initiated the badger vaccination project in partnership with the Zoological Society of London last year, Mr George and ZSL’s Professor Rosie […]
Research helps with Glässers diagnosis
The accurate diagnosis of Haemophilus parasuis is set to be significantly improved due to a new molecular diagnostic tool, which will improve the ability to predict an outbreak of Glässers disease, and enable targeted treatment. “This is important progress for the industry as Glässers disease, caused by H. parasuis, has a significant economic impact through […]
Reducing feed costs – new DairyCo funded research
Increasing the proportion of fresh grass in the diet of high yielding cows can be a viable option to reduce feed costs. However, farmers should be careful of milk yield reductions, suggests new DairyCo-funded research. “Feed and forage costs remain the single largest cost on GB dairy farms,” according to Dr Debbie McConnell, DairyCo research […]
Pig ‘factory’ plan thrown out
The decision this week to refuse permission for one of Britain’s first industrial-style farms, housing 25,000 pigs, has been welcomed by campaigners. The unit at Foston, Derbyshire, has been the subject of fierce opposition in a four-year-long fight that saw celebrities including actor Dominic West and River Cottage chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall stand up against the […]
