Livestock

Roadmap for UK agri-food environmental data released

Wed, 15 May 2024 11:04:42 GMT

Roadmap for UK agri-food environmental data released

Farm case study: FarrOPEN

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:08:22 GMT

Farm case study: FarrOPEN

Flexible farrowing case studies

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:08:22 GMT

Flexible farrowing case studies

Weaning, parasites and pasture

Mon, 13 May 2024 15:14:02 GMT

The impacts of Schmallenberg virus and a lengthy wet winter/spring on ewes, lambs and pasture has been keenly felt. Join us as we support Marches Farm Vets at their upcoming farm open day.

Join us to review:

Weaning decisions based on ewe body condition score, lamb growth rates and pasture availability
Setting up a grazing rotation for lambs for high performance
Known and emerging parasitic diseases and the sustainable control of parasites

We will also discuss how best to support performance, mitigate impacts from disease and weather events, and enhance resilience in your production system.

Speakers

Emily Postlethwaite, Marches Farm Vets
Matt Blyth, Blyth Livestock Advisory Services
Sarah Morgan, Precision Grazing

The event will be followed by BBQ (weather permitting) PLUS a free faecal egg count – bring along a fresh poo sample and find out about worm burdens and treatment options for your lambs – at Marches Farm Vets, Unit 3 Church Farm Studios, Stanton Lacy, Ludlow SY8 2AE.

Due to limited availability, sign up early to reserve your space.

National Youngstock Conference

Fri, 10 May 2024 08:16:31 GMT

This conference aims to promote best practice and facilitate the exchange of ideas relevant to all stages of youngstock rearing. It will feature a series of practical seminars addressing the latest developments in cattle breeding, nutrition and health.

Now in its third year and in a new location, the National Youngstock Conference provides a forum for producers, vets, researchers and other dairy and beef professionals to meet and discuss key topics.

It has been designed to cater for all levels of experience and knowledge.

Laura Awdry, AHDB Knowledge Exchange Manager will be presenting an update on the GB Calf Strategy.

Ticket numbers are limited and sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Use the following discount code to secure £5 off your ticket: AHDBYoungstock24

Keeping ASF out

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:02:48 GMT

During this webinar, Mandy Nevel, AHDB Head of Animal Health & Welfare, and Lizzie Wilson, CEO of the National Pig Association (NPA), will share practical things that you can do to prepare for a possible outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).

We will take you through what you can do to prepare your business, who is responsible for what, and how the industry would need to work together if there was an outbreak.

This meeting will cover:

Spotting the clinical signs of ASF
Effective biosecurity precautions
Establishing an emergency plan for your business
The possible impact of being placed in a temporary control zone

There will also be time for Q&As.

Useful information

Find out more about African swine fever

Learn about and sign up to the significant diseases charter

Integrating livestock and grassland management

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:30:52 GMT

Our monitor farmer, David Cross, will host the North Norfolk Coastal Group event aimed at people who have or are looking to introduce livestock onto their land.

It will also be of enormous interest to those looking to use herbal leys to regenerate the health of the soil on their land.

While David has gone fully into livestock and pasture management, there will be information and knowledge sharing about improving soil health and managing livestock in an arable rotation that will be relevant to people no matter the scale of their operation.

Contingency planning in the face of African swine fever

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:40:01 GMT

Contingency planning in the face of African swine fever

Q1 2024 dairy market review

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:30:18 GMT

Q1 2024 dairy market review

AHDB at the Cereals Event 2024

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:25:16 GMT

Meet the AHDB team on stand (526) at Cereals 2024 to discuss how we use your levy to deliver:

Trusted variety and product testing
Independent, practical research and market intelligence
Work across the supply chain
Farmer-to-farmer learning (through a network of Strategic Farms, Monitor Farms and Arable Business Groups)

Stop at our stand to chat to staff, take part in some technical debates and pick up free resources. Try to visit us early, resources are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our stand will include a focus on four technical topics.

Topic 1: Recommended Lists (RL)

First released 80 years ago (8 August 1944), the Recommended Lists (RL) is long-lived, trusted and one of AHDB’s most consistently recognised and valued products. At Cereals 2024, join us to celebrate the RL's rich history and find out how it will continue to evolve to meet the needs of farmers.

Visit the AHDB stand to:

Pick up the latest RL booklet
Find out about the RL app and other digital resources
Learn about the latest results from the RL review
Get BASIS and NRoSO points (as part of the Cereals 2024 knowledge trail)
Take part in the sustainable varieties debate and the 80 years celebrations (on day one)*

ahdb.org.uk/rl

Topic 2: The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209)

RB209 can help you make the most of organic materials and balance the benefits of fertiliser use against the costs – both economic and environmental. At Cereals 2024, we want to hear what you think RB209 does well and what could be improved (as part of a strategic review of nutrient management guidance).

Visit the AHDB stand to:

Get the latest RB209 guidance
Talk to the team about nutrient management
Discuss the RB209 review

ahdb.org.uk/RB209

Topic 3: Planning soil management

The soil health scorecard provides a way to monitor soil health based on key chemical, biological and physical indicators. At Cereals 2024, a new ‘Planning soil management’ pack will be available to pick up, which will help you get started with the scorecard approach on your farm.

Visit the AHDB stand to:

Grab a planning soil management pack
Learn about the soil health scorecard
Find out about our GREATsoils information and tools

ahdb.org.uk/GREATsoil

Topic 4: Environmental data and value

Many farmers are exploring markets and payments for carbon sequestration, biodiversity net gain (BNG) and regenerative actions. At Cereals 2024, talk with the team to discover how we will help you measure and get the maximum value out of your farm’s environmental data.

Visit the AHDB stand to:

Hear about the new baseline pilot
Learn how to get involved with the baseline pilot farms
Find out about our environment resources, including the cover crops guide

ahdb.org.uk/environment

Knowledge exchange

Our network of regional Knowledge Exchange Managers helps to connect you with AHDB activity. At Cereals 2024, numerous team members will be on hand to talk about your farming opportunities and challenges.

Visit the AHDB stand to:

Get information on our Strategic Cereal Farms, Monitor Farms and Arable Business Groups
Make sure you are signed up to receive the best products, tools and services
Learn more about what AHDB does for your farming business

ahdb.org.uk/cereals-engagement-team

More activity…

*We’ve got many exciting plans for Cereals 2024, including a series of discussions taking place at the seminar area in our marquee. Keep an eye on this page for the latest developments.

SFI and liver fluke management in the uplands

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:53:34 GMT

Learn about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) stacking options in an upland environment and how you can build a resilient farming business with the Upland Farmer Toolkit.

We will also share the latest information on anthelmintics and the control and management of liver fluke.

SFI stacking

A practical demonstration of the Upland Farmer Toolkit will show you how to effectively and easily apply for SFI funding and, where appropriate, use ‘stacking’ to capitalise on the offering. You will have an opportunity to test the toolkit yourself and find out how SFI stacking could apply to your farm.

Liver fluke

Elanco’s Matthew Colston, a ruminant technical consultant, will be sharing the latest information on controlling liver fluke, worms and anthelmintic resistance. We will also go on a farm walk to uncover the favoured habitat of the intermediate host – the mud snail.

If you are an upland farmer challenged by overcoming the loss of basic payment and/or production losses posed by liver fluke, this event is for you.

Please arrive by 1:15pm for a 1:30pm start.

This event is brought to you by AHDB, Pasture for Life (PFL), Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL) and Elanco; it is being hosted by farmer Sam Rawling.

Cumbria: SFI and liver fluke management in the uplands

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:53:34 GMT

Learn about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) stacking options in an upland environment and how you can build a resilient farming business with the Upland Farmer Toolkit.

We will also share the latest information on anthelmintics and the control and management of liver fluke.

SFI stacking

Liver fluke

If you are an upland farmer challenged by overcoming the loss of basic payment and/or production losses posed by liver fluke, this event is for you.

Please arrive by 1:15pm for a 1:30pm start.

This event is brought to you by AHDB, Pasture for Life (PFL), Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL) and Elanco; it is being hosted by farmer Roger Sedgwick.

Sheep post-mortem evening

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 10:59:10 GMT

See first hand the impact of parasites on sheep as vet Ben Strugnell conducts post-mortems. We will also discuss best practice for controlling worms and explain why, when and how post-mortems take place.

During this event, Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS of Farm Post Mortems Ltd. will conduct post-mortems of sheep and explain the findings.

We will discuss:

Why, when and how post-mortems take place and the benefits of them
What organs look like and the common causes of death in lambs
How worms can affect your flock and current best practice advice on effective worm control

Ben is an independent vet with a particular interest in farm animal pathology.

The event is being hosted by Mole Valley Farmers, AHDB Beef & Lamb and Elanco.

Booking is essential for catering purposes, reserve your place by contacting Jade Chidgey at Mole Valley Farmers by Friday 26 April 2024.

Jade Chidgey: 07773 176716

Deadstock will be present at this meeting.

RoSA points are available for attending this event.

Dorset sheep breeders take carcase traits to a new level

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:43:27 GMT

Dorset sheep breeders take carcase traits to a new level

Lameness spreads within families of sheep in spring

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:10:48 GMT

Lameness spreads within families of sheep in spring

Reducing lameness in sheep

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:25:41 GMT

Reducing lameness in sheep

2024 nematodirus risk map launched

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:10:27 GMT

2024 nematodirus risk map launched

Breeding cattle that eat less

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:40:34 GMT

Breeding cattle that eat less

Early spring season start for ticks

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:23:07 GMT

Early spring season start for ticks

Breeding for better carcases and the genomic opportunity

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 11:11:40 GMT

At this event, we will introduce the value of genomics (the study of genes) and explain how important it is for future ram breeding decisions. We will help you to understand how to use performance traits to benefit your pedigree flock or your commercial lamb enterprise.

Join us to discuss how RamCompare, the UK's commercial progeny test, has developed carcase traits as well as the importance of the economic lamb value index.

Lunch will be provided – just bring a notepad and pen.

This event is being hosted by RamCompare, AHDB and the Charollais Sheep Society.

Agenda

Welcome from our farm host; Charles Sercombe
RamCompare – the commercial progeny test and the influence on carcase traits; Sam Boon (AHDB)
- What we have learnt
- How information is being used
Farm walk to view RamCompare progeny groups and sires
Lunch
Break-out sessions
- Healthy rams
- Ultrasound scanning demonstration
Genomics; Victoria Ashmore (AHDB)
- What we have learnt
- How this will change ram breeding

Registration and refreshments will be available from 11am with presentations starting at 11:15am, lunch will be provided.

The event is free to attend, but please register to allow us to cater accordingly.

This event qualifies for RoSA points.

Find out more about AHDB's Farm Excellence programme.