Consultation on Dairy Welfare Outcome Measure Proposals
The improvements require producers to assess their herds on a six month basis then review the results with their vet. During the routine Red Tractor assessment which is carried out every 18 months the assessor will also look at some of the measures on a sample of the herd with the producer. Trials have demonstrated […]
Spreading Irish wings over Eastern Africa
I recently travelled to Eastern Africa to promote good veterinary practice and talk to livestock owners about Bimeda products. Bimeda sees its role in Africa to be about educating livestock owners about diseases, as well as providing solutions aimed at preventing and treating an enormous range of devastating diseases. My trip was a humbling and […]
Sainsbury’s lamb price increase a good start
The announcement comes after the NFU revealed farmers were losing an average of £29 per lamb sold at market with farmgate prices dropping by over a fifth in the last year. Sainsbury’s decision means 800 farmers who supply the Sainsbury’s own and Taste the Difference range will receive £3.80/kg for lamb, in a move that […]
Holstein UK registration numbers rise
This maintains a trend started in 2008 which has seen registrations rise by just under 10% in five years. Holstein UK has worked together with its 6885 members to achieve this impressive result. Simon Gee, Marketing & Membership Executive, said: “As genuine business people, UK milk producers continue to recognise the value of registering their […]
FUW highlights need for greater BVD awareness
The questionnaire process captured information about thousands of cattle from across Wales and demonstrated that almost half of the farmers surveyed had a farm health plan which included BVD. “However, more needs to be done to raise awareness of the economic impacts and welfare issues caused by this virus,” said FUW senior policy officer Hazel […]
Milk production figures released – December 2012
The United Kingdom wholesale milk deliveries totalled 1,035.9 million litres in December, bringing the cumulative total for the year to 9,821.8 million litres. The wholesale delivery figures have not been adjusted for butterfat content and all figures are provisional. RPA relies on individual purchasers to provide the data, which is supplied ‘subject to confirmation’ and […]
Rugby Farmers Mart most successful year
The Rugby Farmers Mart (RFM) at Stoneleigh Park was opened in 2008 and is now the largest in Warwickshire. During the past 12 months stock numbers have increased while customers – both selling and buying – are travelling from across the country for the Monday sales. Tom Wrench, head auctioneer at RFM, said 2013 was […]
Subsidised diagnostic service for barren ewes
At a time when many sheep producers are asking for veterinary diagnostic support to confirm or rule out potential Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection, it makes sense to investigate whether other diseases are present in the flock at the same time. Barren EweCheck – the diagnostic scheme supported by MSD Animal Health – is available from […]
Farmers expect action on improved contracts and greater returns from the market, says Dairy Coalition
The coalition, the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, FFA, TFA, WFU and the RABDF, met this week and agreed its priorities were to ensure the delivery of a sustainable milk price and the rapid delivery of improved contracts for farmers. According to latest industry estimates, a break-even cost to produce milk is 32 pence per […]
