Blog

Cost effective way to grow lambs. Get mouths away off farm quickly to save grass for other stock. Give ewes a better chance/ more time to recover before tupping time comes back around.  

The Spring of 2024 has brought about unprecedented weather, with record breaking levels of rainfall throughout the whole of the UK, however we hope that as ground conditions and the weather begin to improve, many of us may be considering turning cattle out to pasture, whether grazing begins in on your farm in March, April or May, a clear plan should be put in place and followed to prevent poaching and maintain sufficient grazing throughout the whole grazing season.

With spring around the corner and rapid lush grass growth edging nearer, Nigel Hemphill – Commercial Director at ANIMAX – shares some vital insights for maximising performance off grass in both youngstock and lactating cows.

The strange weather patterns of 2023 have had a significant impact on the level and timing of the risk of liver fluke disease across the UK, says experts within the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) and Control of Cattle Parasites Sustainable (COWS) groups.

Any animal that has had a grazing season is at risk of carrying worms, particularly first-season grazing animals whose immunity hasn't had time to build up. Heavy parasite burdens can lead to production losses, increased costs, and health and welfare implications.

Most in the sheep sector have heard of Whiteley Hey, best known for their annual production sale now impressively in its 22nd year. Here’s how they got there and what they are doing to stay at the top.

Everyone is facing the problem of key input costs rising therefore accurate use of feed, in quality and quantity, is essential to ensure the ewe is in good condition, the ewe produces milk once their lambs are born and that those lambs thrive when in the first days of their life. All of that comes down to the correct feed rationing and nutrition.

As 2022 draws to a close, Jimmy Goldie chief technical officer at Carr’s Billington, reviews the biggest issues which have caused challenges for farmers in the last year and suggests which challenges are likely to crop up again in 2023.

Excerpt: Jimmy Goldie, Chief Technical Officer for Carr’s Billington, reports on 2022 grass and silage trends and what to do now, for next year.

Maximising meat yield and optimal fat cover for finishing beef cattle is all about providing sufficient energy and starch. But this needs to be achieved without upsetting rumen stability. This means finishing rations must be balanced and fed correctly to prevent issues such as acidosis occurring.