Welfare

Managing ewes correctly in the last few weeks before lambing is critical. If things go wrong at this stage, lamb birth weight could be low, lamb losses high, colostrum quantity and quality poor, and lamb growth below target.

Scientists from The Pirbright Institute have worked with University College London to map the expression of genes across the entire African swine fever (ASF) virus genome.

The Government has said it plans to phase out ‘intensive’ badger culling in high-risk areas of England during the next phase of its 25-year strategy to stamp out bovine TB.

Pasture is an important reservoir for production-limiting parasites, which makes pasture management a crucial part of parasite control.

Footage filmed undercover at an abattoir by Animal Aid activists which appeared to show sheep being mistreated has been ruled inadmissible by a court judge.

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

With it is estimated that 80-90 per cent of commercial egg production systems are afflicted with red mite infestation, the need to produce a commercially viable vaccine for poultry red mite continues.

Criticism from farmers has forced Mitsubishi to distance itself from Channel 4’s upcoming documentary, showing vegan activists performing criminal acts on farms, including stealing pigs.

With this year’s winter shaping up to be mild and wet for many, cases of pneumonia in calves appear anecdotally high. Farmers Guardian provides a round-up of top tips on how to combat the disease.

Trace minerals play a crucial role in late pregnancy and around lambing, so ensuring diets are balanced to meet ewe requirements should be a high priority.