24 October 2025

Farmbench for better margins: How do the top 15% of breeding flocks turn a profit?

New Farmbench data shows that in the 2023-24 season, the best-performing sheep farms reared heavier lambs, cut costs smartly, and cashed in big.

19 August 2025

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for maternal suckler traits

Find out why key performance indicators (KPIs) are a useful way to monitor fertility within your suckler herd.

2 July 2025

Beef breeding body condition scorecard

This encapsulated card shows how to score your herd's body condition and includes pictorial examples.

27 February 2025

Keeping its place as the number one herd

The Ballycairn herd is the highest ranking for our Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) in the UK. Its owner, Andrew McCollum, discusses whether this is important, how it has been achieved and obstacles which may prevent its continuation.

18 December 2024

UK pig population: further decline for the female breeding herd

The latest Defra figures show that the overall pig population stood at 4.72 million head as of 1 June 2024.

30 August 2024

England pig population: female breeding herd falls to smallest on record

The latest Defra release shows that the pig population in England stood at 3.68 million head as of 01 June 2024.

2 January 2025

UK pig population: lowest in over a decade

The latest Defra figures show that at 01 June 2023 the UK pig population stood at 4.68 million head, a year on year decline of 10.3%.

18 July 2022

Beef and lamb: what do I get for my levy? – Animal health, genetics, and the environment

Find out how your levy is used to improve the welfare of your animals.

6 September 2021

Maternal performance is the key to driving profitability in the suckler herd

When it comes to raising the profit margin, AHDB’s new campaign ‘Maternal Matters’ brings the focus away from carcase traits and back to the maternal performance of the suckler cow.

3 September 2021

Maternal Matters: Nutrition for heifers

Successful heifer development is underpinned by nutrition. Feed alone accounts for over 75% of variable costs on most beef farms.

27 August 2021

Maternal Matters: Choosing bulls for commercial heifers

Find out what you should consider when selecting bulls for your replacement heifers

26 August 2021

Maternal Matters: hygiene when calving heifers

When it comes to calving, cleanliness is paramount.

Contents tagged with breeding