Beef

UK production of major crops and livestock products fell significantly in 2023. Extreme weather and changing political support increased the risk of producing. Cedric Porter reports

The Simmental breed achieved a record average for a February Stirling bull sale with 95 bulls sold to an average of £7,498, up £238 on the year

With 16 bulls forward the Salers averaged £5,178, up £943 on the year, and sold to a high of 7,500gns

This February saw the first Luing Cattle Society sale take place at the Stirling bull sales event, with five Luing bulls selling to an average of £10,458

A bid of 22,000gns topped the Charolais trade with 107 bulls sold to an average of £8,470, up £436 on the year, with a clearance rate of 80 per cent.

Farmers need to balance environmental and financial sustainability; speakers at the Rootstock conference in Devon discusses whether alternative routes to market help

The recent Rootstock conference, held in Devon, looked at how farmers could build sustainable, profitable businesses in tune with natural processes

Figures released by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) for 2023 show that British Wagyu has more than doubled its numbers on the year

As sowing time approaches, growers will need to ensure soil preparation and conditions are correct to ensure good crop establishment

‘Measure to manage' is the principle behind advice to instigate pregnancy diagnosis for suckler cows, with the process being a cost-effective herd management tool