Seasonal Information

The 2024 lambing season presented a number of challenges, with poor weather and lamb losses from midge-transmitted infections. As a result, this years lamb crop has been both smaller and slower to come forward, with year-to-date slaughter numbers back 8.5% on the same period in 2023. Poor weather conditions have also impacted forage quality, with silages being lower in fermentable protein, more fibrous and less digestible than in previous years. This means it will be particularly important to analyse pre-lambing rations to ensure correct levels of protein and energy are supplied. Poorly digestible forages can increase the risk of a number of common problems including twin lamb disease, hypocalcemia and difficult lambings; ensuring that lambing toolkits are stocked-up with essential products means producers can act quickly at the first signs of a problem, helping to ensure a successful lambing season. 

Whilst we have seen farmgate beef prices at historic highs this year, margins remain challenged with less than 40% of beef enterprises reporting they are making a profit every year in a recent Farmers Weekly Survey. Similarly, farmgate milk prices have failed to recover substantially from the dramatic fall seen in the first half of 2023. Calving-related problems such as ketosis, milk fever and displaced abomasum can present huge cost-implications, with knock-on effects compromising health and performance long after calving time has finished. The Nettex cattle and calving portfolio offers a range of cost-effective, practical solutions to aid in the prevention of these issues and help producers keep their animals healthy and profitable.