Welfare

A spike in mastitis cases prompted a rethink of milking protocols at a Pembrokeshire dairy farm and the outcome was so positive that the business has now won a national milk hygiene award. Debbie James reports.

Improving cow comfort for better returns and to tackle consumer perceptions was the topic of a recent AHDB organised meeting. Jonathan Wheeler reports.

Welsh young farmer, Gwen Price hopes that leading the way in reducing antibiotic usage will encourage other farmers to follow suit. Ellie Layton reports.

While many farmers perceive lungworm in cattle to be an autumn disease – simply because the tell-tale cough from husk tends to peak late in the grazing season – the reality is early spring is the time to be thinking about better disease control, says vet Emily Linton.

Although digital dermatitis remains up there as the number one lameness challenge for many dairy producers in the UK, controlling the bacteria can be straightforward says veterinary surgeon Nick Bell. Farmers Guardian reports.

In what is thought to be the largest recorded data-set for sheep colostrum collected under commercial farming conditions, a new study has emphasised the importance of a good diet in late pregnancy and its link with colostrum quality.

According to the Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) group, vaccinating calves before turnout can protect them against lungworm and reduce economic losses from ill-health.

Plans to ban meat at a Lancashire primary school and at Oxfordshire Council events have prompted scorn from across the farming spectrum this week.

In 2022, the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway will be launched as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI); the culmination of more than two years’ worth of research and co-design between farmers, vets and Defra specialists.

Despite there being speculation that Northern Ireland would lose its non-accredited status for Maedi Visna (MV) officials have reassured breeders that Northern Ireland’s sheep flock will remain MV accredited.