NEWS & EXPERT ARTICLES
A Day in the Life: SJ Keevil, Area Business Manager at Nettex
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
Reliable Branding Fluid Keeps 4,000 Ewes on Track
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
Heat stress in pregnant cows could impact autumn-born calves, warns specialist
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
Orf found on nearly 9 in 10 UK sheep farms, study reveals
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
Farmers urged to act early to reduce heat stress risk in cows and calves
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
New spray aims to improve efficiency of pig identification
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
Scottish farmers urged to test forage despite stronger silage results
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
Wettest start to 2026 raises mineral leaching concerns ahead of turnout
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
Calcium Deficiency Control Key to Protecting Genetic Investment
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
Cobalt Deficiency Spike Drives Need for Preventative Action in Lambs
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
Farmers urged to check iodine status as goitre linked to late abortions
Farmers turning cows out to grass are being urged to check trace element balance in dry cows, after goitre was listed among the top 10 abortion diagnoses recorded by the
Farmers Urged to Check Ewe diets and Test Colostrum for Stronger Lambs
Testing ewe colostrum quality should become standard practice across all flocks, say experts, to help safeguard lamb health and productivity. Independent sheep consultant Kate Phillips says testing colostrum — particularly
Data Showing Calf Deficiencies Highlights Need for Trace Element Review
Suckler producers are being urged to review their cow supplementation programmes after data reveals widespread trace element deficiencies in suckled calves. A review by SRUC Veterinary Services of 1,662 post-mortems
Mixed Forage Quality Puts Pressure on Ewe Condition Ahead of Lambing
Mixed forage quality and variable ewe condition scores this year are putting extra pressure on farmers to analyse forage and adjust diets to maximise lamb survival. Across the country, grass
Blood testing identifies forage deficiency
During a couple of challenging years for forage, sheep farmer James Horn has turned to blood testing his flock pre-tupping to identify deficiencies in essential nutrients including selenium, cobalt and
