No two days are ever quite the same for SJ Keevil, Nettex’s Area Business Manager for the South West. From early morning workouts to long days on the road visiting merchants and farms, her role is as varied as the region she covers. Early starts and staying focused SJ’s day begins bright and early at… Continue reading A Day in the Life: SJ Keevil, Area Business Manager at Nettex
When you’re managing 4,000 breeding ewes across three separate hefts on 27,000 acres of fell land, having identification marks you can rely on is absolutely vital. For Welsh beef and sheep farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, that reliability comes from his branding fluid of choice: Promark. “I’ve tried different pitches over the years, but we always… Continue reading Reliable Branding Fluid Keeps 4,000 Ewes on Track
Animal health experts are warning that this summer’s high temperatures could have long-lasting consequences for autumn-born calves, with heat stress in pregnant cows linked to weaker immunity, poorer growth rates and increased disease risk. According to Nettex’s Technical Livestock Manager Nia Williams, many farmers may not immediately connect current weather conditions with calf performance months… Continue reading Heat stress in pregnant cows could impact autumn-born calves, warns specialist
Orf is present on almost nine in 10 UK sheep farms, with significant cost and welfare implications, according to new research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC)1. A survey of 421 sheep farmers found that 88.8% had experienced the highly contagious zoonotic disease in their flocks, with farmers reporting a median treatment cost of £5… Continue reading Orf found on nearly 9 in 10 UK sheep farms, study reveals
Farmers are being advised to take preventative steps ahead of late spring and summer to reduce the impact of heat stress on cows and calves, after research highlighted the long-term consequences it can have on health, welfare and productivity1. A paper published last year reviewing the effects of heat stress on dairy cows1 found it… Continue reading Farmers urged to act early to reduce heat stress risk in cows and calves
A new and vibrant pig marking spray will be launched at the British Pig & Poultry Fair 2026 on 13th & 14th May, offering producers a fast, effective solution for temporary animal identification. PigMark from Nettex is a high-visibility, fast-drying marker spray, available in red and blue, designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of… Continue reading New spray aims to improve efficiency of pig identification
Livestock farmers in Scotland are being advised to test their forage for trace elements as well as energy and protein this winter, despite reports suggesting quality may be higher compared to other parts of Great Britain. According to Nettex Area Business Manager, Jane Moodie, who farms beef and sheep on her family farm in the… Continue reading Scottish farmers urged to test forage despite stronger silage results
One of the wettest starts to the year on record is raising fresh concerns about mineral deficiencies in grazing livestock this spring, with advisers warning farmers to assess trace element status carefully ahead of turnout. Met Office data shows the UK as a whole recorded 17% more rainfall than the long-term meteorological average in January,… Continue reading Wettest start to 2026 raises mineral leaching concerns ahead of turnout
Top pedigree Beltex and North Country Cheviot breeders Katy Davies and Dafydd Owen, Dyffryn Livestock, Conwy, North Wales, take no chances when it comes to managing ewe health in the run up to lambing. With around 200 ewes lambing indoors between February and March, including pedigree Beltex, North Country Cheviot and Welsh Mountain ewes, the… Continue reading Calcium Deficiency Control Key to Protecting Genetic Investment
Sheep farmers are being encouraged to take a proactive approach to managing cobalt deficiency, also known as pine, in newly weaned lambs, as surveillance data1 continues to show a consistent seasonal spike in cases between July and September. Figures from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) quarterly surveillance reports1… Continue reading Cobalt Deficiency Spike Drives Need for Preventative Action in Lambs
