Livestock

Winchester: Regional livestock health and welfare update

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:30:55 GMT

Hear the latest information on bluetongue, parasite control strategies and the support available to you via the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

This event is being hosted by AHDB and Westpoint Farm Vets (Winchester)

Agenda

6:00pm Arrival and tea/coffee
6:15pm AHDB regional update
6:30pm Bluetongue latest news and an update from our Animal Health and Welfare team
7:00pm Cattle and sheep health update, including lamb parasites, BVD and support from the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway – Winchester Farm Vets
7:30pm Food and networking
8:30pm Close

This event is free to attend but please register in advance to ensure you are catered for.

North Yorkshire: Reducing clinical mastitis – Lessons from Willow Tree Farm

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:19:38 GMT

What if reducing mastitis is about giving cows more space not more treatments?

Mastitis infections affect all dairy herds across the country. On average, there are 26 clinical mastitis cases per 100 cows per year equivalent, accounting for around 8% of cows exiting the dairy system (Kingshay’s 2024 Dairy Costings Focus Report).

Over the past three years, the Pattison family at Willow Tree Farm have been working to reduce clinical mastitis levels in their 300‑cow herd by focusing on cow space and improvements to the housed environment.

We will explore how these changes were implemented in practice, alongside insights from James Breen, using Willow Tree Farm as a real‑world case study.

This session will concentrate on reducing the rate of new clinical mastitis cases, drawing on real farm data, Nottingham University research on cow space and practical observations from the unit.

Using examples from Willow Tree Farm, the meeting will help attendees to:

Understand the predominant infection patterns likely to be driving mastitis in their herd
Identify the key environmental changes that can reduce mastitis risk
Analyse key performance metrics to assess mastitis control
Recognise important housing observations and measurements, including ventilation, bedding management and cow space

Whether someone is just beginning to review mastitis control or looking to learn from how another farm has approached the challenge, the event will offer practical tools and ideas they can apply directly.

Speaker profile

James Breen qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Bristol in 1998 and, after working in mixed practice, returned in 2001 to undertake a residency in Farm Animal Medicine.

He later collaborated with Prof Andrew Bradley and Prof Martin Green on a national dairy cow mastitis research project, contributing to the development of the AHDB Mastitis Control Plan.

James went on to complete a three‑year RCVS Trust residency in Production Animal Medicine, balancing dairy practice in Glastonbury with teaching, research, and laboratory consultancy for QMMS Ltd in Somerset.

James now splits his time between teaching at the University of Nottingham and providing veterinary consultancy for Map of Ag, with particular expertise in mastitis control, herd health, and preventive medicine.

Arup, ODI, WRAP, AHDB and HESTIA partner to design and test Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) and governance for the UK agri-food sector

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:32:00 GMT

Arup, ODI, WRAP, AHDB and HESTIA partner to design and test Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) and governance for the UK agri-food sector

UK Dairy Carbon Network launches first open farm events

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:19:11 GMT

UK Dairy Carbon Network launches first open farm events

Cumbria: From field to feed barrier – Silage strategies for dairy success

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:47:53 GMT

Join us at Moorhouse Hall Farm for a practical, farmer-led workshop with Dave Davis, focusing on how getting silage-making right can help you better prepare for the season ahead.

Home-grown forage is the cornerstone of dairy cow nutrition.

Great quality silage costs the same to produce as poor quality silage, but the impact on cow nutrition, health, milk production and the farm's overall cost of production per litre is huge.

When so much is at stake, quality grass, harvesting practices and clamp management are critical.

The focus for this event is for you as a farmer to review and discuss your silage-making practice and what steps you can take to ensure excellent quality silage and reduce wastage.

Our hosts, the Bailey family at Moorhouse Hall Farm, consistently produce first-class silage with minimal wastage.

Our speaker, Dave Davies, is an internationally recognised expert with both farming and scientific research experience.

In this workshop, Dave will highlight the most important practices and ingredients in getting it right and minimising wastage.

We'll examine silage samples, look at quality across the clamp and discuss best practice and non-negotiables to minimise wastage from the field to the feed passage.

We hope you can join us at AHDB SDF Moorhouse Hall Farm with silage expert Dave Davies for a practical, science-based, farmer-led workshop on best practices, top tips and decision making to make the most of your 2026 crop.

In this workshop, we will look at:

Right crop, right time to meet your needs
Clamp preparation and ensiling practices
The science of good fermentation
Insight into how small, low-cost decisions can deliver big financial returns

You'll leave with clear, practical actions you can apply straight away to help turn your silage into a profit driver, not a hidden cost.

A light lunch and refreshments will be included. Please include any dietary requirements on booking.

Speaker profile

Dr Dave Davies (BSc PhD) is the son of a dairy farmer. He graduated from Aberystwyth University and then conducted a PhD at Manchester Uni linked with the Grassland Research Institute at Hurley.

From there, he spent 20 Years at IGER/IBERS in Aberystwyth, where, prior to leaving, he was head of forage and feed conservation/preservation and was lead of the Agricultural Outreach team for the whole institute.

In 2010 he left academia and established Silage Solutions.

Dave is a world-renowned silage scientist and practioner and has been lucky enough to travel widely across Europe and beyond, educating and learning from farmers.

He still conducts research projects. His over 35 years of experience have resulted in a broad spectrum of knowledge gained from both his science and agricultural backgrounds.

He is no more at home when in front of a silage clamp discussing anything and everything about silage.

Whole farm regenerative grazing for upland livestock systems

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:44:54 GMT

A practical introduction to increasing farm resilience and productivity through regenerative grazing and ecosystem management

Together with Pasture for Life, we're delighted to invite you to join this thought-provoking workshop with industry renowned consultant Caroline Grindrod and beef and sheep farmer Nick Prince.

Agenda

In the morning, Caroline will explore why regenerative grazing works best when applied as a whole-farm system rather than a set of isolated practices.

Drawing on her experience across UK uplands, she'll cover:

Why soil, plant, animal and farm ecosystems are interlinked and why understanding these connections matters for reducing inputs and increasing productivity
The role soil biology plays in pasture health and farm viability
Principles of adaptive grazing management for hill and upland systems
Why regenerative farming requires systems thinking, not just new techniques
Building farm business resilience in the face of policy change and climate uncertainty

After lunch, Caroline will explain how she works with individual farms to apply these principles within their specific context – landscape, stock type, labour availability and business goals.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, it's about reading your own land and making decisions that fit your situation.

We'll then relocate to a nearby upland hill farm, kindly hosted by Yorkshire Dales beef and sheep farmer Nick Prince, where we'll see some of these ideas in practice, learn more about the farm and discuss his experiences.

Register

To attend you must register in advance.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements when you book your place.

Final confirmation and event information will be shared before the event.

Caroline Grindrod

Caroline is a trainer, consultant and coach supporting livestock farmers to transition to regenerative agricultural systems.

She uses her 'ROOTED framework' and a whole-system design approach to help farmers work with their individual unique contexts rather than against them.

With a background in environmental conservation and hill farming in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District, Caroline has worked with farms across thousands of acres of UK uplands, from Welsh mountains to Scottish Highlands.

Building skills for a resilient pig sector

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:05:29 GMT

Building skills for a resilient pig sector

Somerset: More from less – making the most of your soils

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:23:30 GMT

Join Terrafarmer and LEAF farmers Rob Addicott and Jeremy Padfield for a practical on‑farm event digging deep into soil biology.

We'll assess the opportunities and potential cost saving and efficiency improvements in the latest biological fertiliser technologies.

Agenda

10:30am Arrival and refreshments

11:00am Stratton Farms background and introduction

Rob and Jeremy will outline their 2350-acre mixed farm partnership with a focus on their 440 acres of permanent pasture, red clover and herb legume leys.

They are advocates of regular testing of nutrients and organic matter in order understand their soils and to help make their businesses more resilient and sustainable.

11:30am Terrafarmer soil biology and Stratton Farms analysis results

Terrafarmer will present the farm’s recent soil analysis results and outline a ‘What next?’ action plan, including:

Identifying opportunities from the soil data
Potential cost savings and efficiency gains from current biological fertiliser technologies
Approaches to nitrogen reduction and nutrient management
Strategies to support soil health improvement and long‑term farm productivity

12:15pm Lunch

12:45pm Farm walk and Q&A

The guided farm walk will provide an opportunity to see practical examples of the systems discussed, including:

Soil structure, biology and nutrient status in different fields
Establishment and performance of herbal leys
Discussion around nutrient cycling, water quality and grazing management
Demonstration of Tow & Fert machinery

2:00pm Event close

This event qualifies for BASIS points.

Cornwall: More from less - making the most of your soils

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:31:50 GMT

Join Terrafarmer and renowned Cornish butcher, James Kittow, for a practical on‑farm event digging deep into soil biology.

We will assess the opportunities and potential cost saving and efficiency improvements in the latest biological fertiliser technologies.

Agenda

10.30 – Arrival and refreshments

11:00 – Kilhallon Farm background and introduction

James Kittow will outline his 130‑acre suckler enterprise and butchery. He will discuss the farm’s current focus on improving productivity on a low input grass-fed system including bale grazing, herbal leys and catch crop kale.

11.30 – Terrafarmer soil biology and Kilhallon Farm analysis results

Terrafarmer will present the farm’s recent soil analysis results and outline a ‘What next?’ action plan, including:

Identifying opportunities from the soil data
Potential cost savings and efficiency gains from current biological fertiliser technologies
Approaches to nitrogen reduction and nutrient management
Strategies to support soil health improvement and long‑term farm productivity

12:15 – Lunch

12:45 – Farm walk and Q&A

The guided farm walk will provide an opportunity to see practical examples of the systems discussed, including:

Soil structure, biology and nutrient status in different fields
Establishment and performance of herbal leys and catch crops
Bale grazing sites and their impact on soil condition
Discussion around nutrient cycling, water quality and grazing management
Demonstration of Tow & Fert machinery

14:00 - Event close

This event qualifies for BASIS points

Gloucestershire: Setting up heifers for a profitable lifetime

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:30:50 GMT

*Sgroliwch i lawr am yr iaith Gymraeg*

How you rear your youngstock today directly shapes the health, productivity and profitability of your herd tomorrow. Getting management, housing and nutrition right early on can save you money, reduce disease and give your heifers the best chance to reach their potential. The good news is that it all starts with the areas you can control on your farm.

Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make every calf count. You’ll see how small but important decisions, from detecting disease early to managing ventilation and feeding, can have a big impact on growth, health and future milk performance.

What you’ll get from the workshop:

How to spot early signs of disease and protect your herd before problems take hold, which will include a calf lung scanning demonstration showing how to detect respiratory issues early
Practical tips for housing, ventilation and building design to keep calves healthy and growing
Feeding and nutrition strategies that set your heifers up for success, the “non-negotiables” that pay back in growth and performance
Insights from vets and specialists on turning good management into measurable results
Opportunity to ask questions and see demonstrations of best practice in action

You’ll walk away with practical actions you can apply straight away to improve calf health, growth rates, and long-term herd profitability.

Light lunch and refreshments will be included, please include any dietary requirements on booking.

This event is part of the UK Dairy Carbon Network project, which gives you access to practical, farm-tested approaches that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving efficiency and profitability on commercial dairy farms.

Paratoi heffrod ar gyfer oes broffidiol

Mae’r ffordd rydych yn magu eich stoc ifanc heddiw yn effeithio’n uniongyrchol ar iechyd, cynhyrchedd a phroffidioldeb eich buches yfory. Gall mynd ati’n gynnar i ofalu bod y dulliau rheoli, yr adeiladau a’r maeth yn iawn arbed arian, lleihau clefydau, a rhoi’r cyfle gorau i’ch heffrod gyrraedd eu potensial. Y newyddion da yw bod y cyfan yn dechrau gyda’r pethau y gallwch eu rheoli ar eich fferm.

Ymunwch â ni ar gyfer gweithdy ymarferol lle byddwch yn dysgu sut i wneud i bob llo gyfrif. Byddwch yn gweld sut y gall penderfyniadau bach ond pwysig, o ganfod clefydau’n gynnar i reoli’r awyru a’r bwydo, gael effaith fawr ar dwf ac iechyd, a’r gallu i gynhyrchu llaeth yn y dyfodol.

Y budd a gewch chi o’r gweithdy:

Sut i adnabod arwyddion cynnar clefydau a gwarchod eich buches cyn i broblemau waethygu, gan gynnwys arddangosiad sganio ysgyfaint lloi yn dangos sut i ganfod problemau resbiradol yn gynnar.
Cynghorion ymarferol ar gyfer lletya, awyru a chynllunio adeiladau i gadw lloi yn iach a sicrhau eu bod yn tyfu
Strategaethau bwydo a maeth a fydd yn paratoi eich heffrod i lwyddo, yr ‘hanfodion’ sy’n sicrhau twf a pherfformiad
Cyngor gan filfeddygon ac arbenigwyr ar droi rheolaeth dda yn ganlyniadau mesuradwy
Cyfle i ofyn cwestiynau a gweld arddangosiadau o arfer da ar waith

Mi fyddwch chi’n gadael gyda chamau ymarferol y gallwch eu rhoi ar waith ar unwaith i wella iechyd a chyfraddau twf eich lloi, a phroffidioldeb hirdymor eich buches

Darperir cinio ysgafn a lluniaeth. Nodwch unrhyw ofynion deietegol wrth archebu os gwelwch yn dda.

Mae’r digwyddiad hwn yn rhan o brosiect Rhwydwaith Carbon Llaeth y DU, sy’n darparu mynediad at ddulliau ymarferol, a brofwyd ar ffermydd, sy’n helpu i leihau allyriadau nwyon tŷ gwydr, gan wella effeithlonrwydd a phroffidioldeb ffermydd llaeth masnachol ar yr un pryd.

Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:37:06 GMT

Save the date for the Sheep Breeders Round Table conference: Breeding solutions for a changing world.

This event provides an opportunity for everyone in the sheep industry to come together and discuss the latest genetic developments and the potential impact these will have on the supply chain.

We'll explore some of the questions that surround the industry such as profitability, sustainability, health, environment and carbon reduction.

Draft programme

Friday 20 November

Breeding for the environment (Part I)
Genomics and sheep breeding

Saturday 21 November

Breeding for the environment (Part II)
To shed or not to shed – is that the question?
Genetics – worth the investment? An interactive session
Measuring performance – phenotype is king
Drinks reception followed by an evening meal

Sunday 22 November

Healthy genetics
The hills are alive with lamb survival

The full programme will be announced in April 2026.

Tickets

You'll be able to buy tickets for the conference from April.

Sponsorship opportunities

AHDB is the headline sponsor of the Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026, however, a range of other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Download the sponsorship booklet

If you'd like to be involved with this event or have questions about sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Bridget Lloyd, SBRT secretary, before 20 March 2026.

Email: bridget@bridget-lloyd.com

Stronger Steps: Unlocking the benefits of AHDB’s Healthy Feet Programme

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:45:21 GMT

Join our conversation with Sara Pederson, Veterinary Consultant at Farm Dynamics Ltd, and discover how AHDB’s Healthy Feet Programme can make a measurable difference to lameness on your farm.

This practical webinar breaks down how the programme works, the support it offers, and the benefits farmers are seeing on the ground. Hear directly from a farmer who has completed the programme and transformed herd mobility, and gain clear, actionable insights you can take back to your own business.

Let’s start building healthier feet and stronger herds.

Dairy-Tech 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:18:55 GMT

We’re proud to be Technical Sponsors at this year’s Dairy-Tech so come and visit our stand to discover how we’re supporting dairy farmers, with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain how your levy is delivering real value on farm.

Learn how we’re promoting British dairy through major campaigns such as Let’s Eat Balanced and our award-winning Milk Every Moment campaign in partnership with the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) – you might even spot our mascot Moovit the cow.

Discover how the levy supports genetic development through independent genetic and genomics data and new indexes like Feed Advantage and EnviroCow, which are helping farmers breed cows that are both economically efficient and environmentally responsible.

Find out how our levy-funded education programme is increasing children’s understanding of food, cooking and nutrition, and how our specialists are developing
overseas markets, supporting more than 30 companies as GB dairy exports head toward another record year.

You can also speak to us about our pioneering environmental baselining pilot to assess the environmental impact of farms across Great Britain. Along with the UK Dairy Carbon Network, which is working with over 50 farms to trial practical, farm-ready solutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Sussex - Safer cattle handling with Owen Atkinson

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:43:55 GMT

All are welcome to this safer cattle handling workshop with farm vet Owen Atkinson.

Owen is delivering a practical and interactive workshop aimed to improve techniques in both day to day and less frequent handling scenarios, making the process low stress for both cows and farm staff. The presentation and farm walk will help you to identify challenges and opportunities with handling facilities to improve cow flow and understand the benefits of heifer acclimatisation into the herd.

The workshop will cover:

Cattle handling principles – cow visual perception, the flight zone, interpreting body language
Demonstration of cow behaviours
Focus on improving personnel safety and cattle welfare in handling situations

Owen Atkinson has been providing CowSignals training since 2008 and he'll open your eyes to new approaches and possibilities.

You’ll leave with a tangible action list of improvements for your herd that can begin straightaway.

This workshop will be of interest and useful to all people working with cattle in practice – young and old, new and experienced.

Light lunch and refreshments will be included, please include any dietary requirements on booking.

Cow Convention 2026

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:14:33 GMT

Join George Farm Vet Group for a knowledge packed day with time to chat to fellow farmers and be inspired, focusing on cattle health and disease prevention.

Get ready for an udderly amazing in-person event all about our favorite bovine buddies.

This years topics include:

New and emerging diseases
AHDB markets projections
Behind the scene view into cattle post mortems
New scour vaccines
Farmer discussion panel

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from specialists, ask questions, and gain actionable advice to help you stay ahead.

Enjoy a complimentary bacon roll on arrival at 10.00am and lunch at 2.00pm with hot drinks.

Ticket price - £27.80

East Sussex: NFU Water Quality Meeting

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:46:28 GMT

Join NFU for an informative and practical session where we’ll explore the latest developments in water quality and how they impact farming.

With recent changes to the Farming Rules for Water and further regulatory changes on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get up to speed on what this means for your business.

We’re delighted to welcome experts from:

• Environment Agency – sharing insights on water testing and compliance

• AHDB – offering practical advice on slurry management

• Local Water Companies – discussing key issues and solutions

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from specialists, ask questions, and gain actionable advice to help you stay ahead.

After the meeting, enjoy a complimentary lunch and, weather permitting, an optional farm visit.

Surrey: NFU Water Quality Meeting

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:21:31 GMT

Join NFU for an informative and practical session where we’ll explore the latest developments in water quality and how they impact farming.

With recent changes to the Farming Rules for Water and further regulatory changes on the horizon, now is the perfect time to get up to speed on what this means for your business.

We’re delighted to welcome experts from:

• Environment Agency – sharing insights on water testing and compliance

• AHDB – offering practical advice on slurry management

• Local Water Companies – discussing key issues and solutions

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from specialists, ask questions, and gain actionable advice to help you stay ahead.

After the meeting, enjoy a complimentary lunch and, weather permitting, an optional farm visit.

Post mortem insights with Ben Strugnell – Keeping your stock healthy

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:51:02 GMT

Join us and the NFU for a fascinating and educational evening focused on sheep and calf health, featuring veterinary pathologist Ben Strugnell.

Ben will guide us through calf post-mortem examinations and share expert insights into:

Common causes of death
The role of parasite control
Effects of respiratory disease

Whether you're a farmer, vet or livestock professional, this event offers practical knowledge to help inform on-farm decisions.

Claire White, NFU Senior Veterinary Adviser, will give an overview of the NFU's Animal Health and Welfare Team - including preparing for disease threats, biosecurity issues, Defra's new animal welfare strategy, and the animal health implications of the forthcoming 'UK-EU reset'.

Fresh start for every journey: Make 2026 the year of zero muck

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:47:27 GMT

Fresh start for every journey: Make 2026 the year of zero muck

A sector united for pig health and welfare

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:26:40 GMT

A sector united for pig health and welfare