Livestock

A Holstein cow has given birth to triplets, defying 1 in 100,000 odds.

Livestock farmers have expressed concerns about delays in cattle passports being received on farm, and are calling for British Cattle Movement Service to have an online option to help speed up the process.

Careful selection of maize varieties is helping a large-scale beef enterprise in North Yorkshire to finish cattle within 90 days and maximise biogas yield from an anaerobic digestion plant. Debbie James reports

The 34-year-old world record price for a Galloway was smashed at breed society’s show and sale at Castle Douglas, when a call of 26,000gns was made for Blackcraig Dyker from John, Ann and Iain Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock.

Badger culling has to be part of the strategy to combat bovine TB, Farming Minister Mark Spencer told the NFU Conference.

Salers bulls at the second round of Stirling bull sales this month sold to a 6,000gns high, with 12 bulls sold to average 4,235, back 574 on the year, with a 57 per cent clearance rate.

It was a bid of 28,000gns which topped the Simmental trade at the second round of Stirling bull sales, with the 97 bulls sold averaging 7,260, a record breed average for a February sale, up 425 on 2022 with a clearance rate of 88 per cent.

New data emerging from a study involving Welsh sheep flocks shows good potential to significantly reduce the number of ewes that need to be wormed around lambing time.

Over the past 10 years, the dairy business at Sansaw Estate has gone from a greenfield site to a successful large-scale milking herd. Ellie Layton visited to find out more about some of the more recent system changes.

After a career in TV production, Angharad Edwards now works with her partner Roger James on his family’s farm, where as a couple they have strengthened the future of the business through diversification. Ellie Layton reports.