Sheep

A major processor has ‘broken ranks’ on the need to use a fixed cut-off date to age lambs, stalling progress on the rule change Defra was planning to introduce.

The show and sale of in-lamb females and gimmer hoggs at J36 included the Rough Diamond sale on behalf of the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders Association where a new record of 1,450gns was set for the reserve champion.

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.