Sheep

Politicians have made a lot of promises to farmers about UK agriculture having a bright future, and now we must hold them to account, says Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association.

A new UK-wide cattle and sheep industry group, the Ruminant Health and Welfare Group, is to be formed on April 1 2020.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has called on Ministers to introduce a ‘strong trade policy’ to block high carbon food imports.

Macabre pictures showing the carcase of a beheaded prize ram have sent shock waves of revulsion across Saddleworth village

THE Classy Lassies show and sale of crossing type Bluefaced Leicester females at Carlisle peaked at 9,000gns but trade was selective with averages down for ewes and shearlings although up just over 400 on the year for hoggs.

A new centre record of 8,400 for a Swaledale female and a breed record for an in-lamb gimmer shearling was set at Hawes at the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association (B District) show and sale.

Unlocking the potential of UK-grown seaweed as part of new research could see used in the production of some ruminant animal feeds.

Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers has promised to look at the availability of abattoir facilities as part of the Government’s plan to reduce the amount of time livestock spend in transit.

In a fiery debate at the Oxford Real Farming Conference, George Monbiot’s vision that synthetic food would replace most agricultural production in the next few decades was greeted with disbelief and derision.

Farm groups have slammed Channel 4 documentary Apocalypse Cow: How Meat Killed the Planet, after presenter and prominent farming critic George Monbiot claimed livestock farming was destroying the planet.