The livestock industry is an integral part of the agricultural sector, encompassing various aspects of animal husbandry and production. It plays an important role in global food security and supports the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
The livestock industry presents many challenges and opportunities for the future. Some of these include:
To help the industry navigate these factors, knowledge production and sharing will be of increasing importance. Please share tools, information and resources for the livestock industry.
Content below is from across the PEP community and is not necessarily endorsed by Stewards or by PEP
ADAS provides ideas, specialist knowledge and solutions to secure our food and enhance the environment. We understand food production and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations operating in the natural environment
This Livestock and Pasture study is part of the wider UKRI STFC-funded EO4Agroclimate programme.
Mob grazing is a form of intensive managed grazing where large numbers of animals graze a small area of land for a short period of time. There is increasing interest in this system due to perceived productivity and environmental benefits. However, there is very limited research to quantify the impact of mob grazing systems, and many farmers adopting the system have been influenced by anecdotal evidence from other farmers.
There are around 4.76 million pigs kept on agricultural holdings in the UK. With the UK pork market valued at £1.44 billion in 2020 (Statista).
Today’s farmers keenly understand their roles as custodians of our farmed environment. Agriculture is a vital industry in East Anglia, but in the driest region in the UK water supplies are precious and needs safeguarding. Anglian Water is working closely with farmers to ensure that we maintain healthy water quality as well as healthy crops and a healthy rural economy.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was established in 2012 through the merger of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) with Barony, Elmwood and Oatridge Colleges. Through these institutions, we can trace our lineage back over 100 years.
Grass in farming is interconnected with livestock systems for their feed, in the form of grazing, haylage and silage, and is also used as 'leys' (short-term grasslands) to regenerate soil structure and quality.
National Sheep Association (NSA) is an organisation that represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK.
In 2021 Defra commissioned an ADAS led consortium to look at the environmental and productivity benefits of mob grazing systems in the UK.
Animal nutrition plays a crucial role in livestock agriculture for several reasons, as it directly impacts the health, productivity, and overall wellbeing of farm animals.
Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) is an independent knowledge exchange charity that aims to bridge the gap between science and practice.
Sheep scab is an infection caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis, which spends its entire lifecycle on the sheep. Unfortunately, it can cause significant health and welfare issues within flocks as it is highly contagious. Each year, the Welsh sheep industry loses £5.86m between treatments and loss of production. It also implies serious economic and welfare losses at farm level from reduced stock growth, lower reproductive rate, wool loss and skin damage. Tackling scab is a challenge as sources of infections are not limited to one farm. Risks of infection are either increased by the presence of scabs within neighbouring flocks or reduced if those flocks are prophylactically treated.
This topic refers to the whole food supply chain, from farm fork, and all the products and services that contribute to food production.
Devon silvopasture 12-year on-farm trial including site at Rothamsted's North Wyke
GrassCheckGB is a grass monitoring project involving 50 dairy, beef and sheep farms. Growth and quality data is published weekly throughout the growing season
Pasture Optimisation for Resilience and Livelihoods (PASTORAL) will work with farmers to co-design a new digital platform to help improve data to inform on-farm decision making to increase farm productivity and carbon efficiency using satellite data to plan pasture management.
Chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and ducks are the main categories of poultry kept for eggs, meat and breeding.
Lots of people and organisations take photos in agriculture, of people, landscapes, fields, buildings, machines, animals, crops, insects, plants, the natural environment or just the countryside.
Sowing Future Seeds. Seed company specialising in grass and clover mixes, as well as brassica, lucerne and stubble turnips.
Tree forage has many nutritional benefits for livestock as it diversifies their diet, provides additional nutrients and contains tannins that reduce methane production. Dr Lindsay Whistance from Organic Research Centre offers her advice on the best trees for silvopasture in a recent Innovative Farmers blog.
The 18th Recycling of Agricultural, Municipal and Industrial Residues in Agriculture Network (RAMIRAN) conference was a resounding success. See selected resources from the conference below.
Useful Soil Association webpage with farmer's & researchers experience of Mob Grazing.
ADAS and Defra are inviting dairy, beef, laying hens, sheep, and pig farmers to take part in a De
Guide from CIEL on GHG emissions from livestock farming and how to reduce them.
In February 2018, ADAS, AHDB and Defra launched the Grass and herbal leys farm network. The network is a partnership between farmers, researchers and industry and provides a platform to investigate the long term impacts of leys in rotations, such as: Quantifying changes in soil organic matter and soil health from introducing temporary grass/herbal leys across a range of soil types and rainfall areas. Quantifying subsequent changes to soil organic matter and soil health following the destruction of the temporary grass/herbal leys and return to arable production. Investigating the effectiveness of grass/herbal leys in controlling blackgrass in ‘problem’ fields.
Organic materials, including livestock manures, biosolids, compost and digestate contain valuable plant nutrients which can save farmers money on their fertiliser bills, and organic matter which can help improve soil quality.
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Lameness is a significant health issue affecting farmed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. It refers to an abnormal gait or difficulty in walking, and it can have various causes, leading to pain and discomfort for the animals.
The SUPER-G project is a European wide project aiming to work with farmers and policy makers to develop sustainable & effective permanent grassland systems.
Animal health is integral to the sustainability, profitability, and ethical considerations of livestock farming. It involves a combination of preventative measures, good management practices, and veterinary care to ensure that animals are raised in a manner that is both economically viable and environmentally responsible while prioritizing their well-being and public health.
Giving farmers the confidence to grow. The precision livestock network for forward thinking farmers.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in agriculture is a pressing global concern that arises when microorganisms, including bacteria, develop resistance to antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics and antifungals commonly used in agricultural practices. This resistance can have far-reaching consequences for both agriculture and public health.
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Antibiotics are substances given in a controlled amount, meant to kill or reduce the growth of microorganisms, particularly bacteria (Ghosh et al., 2007).
Proper housing is essential for the well-being, health, and productivity of livestock, as well as for the efficient management of farm operations. The type of housing and its design can vary depending on the species of livestock, climate, and specific management goals.
If you’re responsible for a farm animal you must make sure that you care for it properly. (DEFRA)
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The project is a farmer-led initiative aiming to work collectively to reduce the incidence of sheep scab in the Talybont North Ceredigion area.
A group of farmers from the Powys are undertaking this project to determine the prevalence and sources of the parasite on their farms. They hope to increase their understanding of the pathways by which it is transmitted among sheep and also identify measures they can take to control and prevent the disease in sheep.
Identifying and increasing sustainable practices along the supply and production chains of European livestock.
An active network dedicated to finding innovative solutions for antibiotic resistance
Whatever your challenges, from practical to strategic, Kingshay have the expertise to help you get the best from your farm.
Agro Mavens helps you and your business get talked about in the world of agriculture and agritech. A specialist marketing and communications agency for agriculture, from our base in the UK we work with agriculturally active brands all around the world, from multinationals to start-ups.
Independent research to enhance the performance of grass and forage crops
This report aims to explore N cycling in livestock production systems, highlighting the roles of different forms of N, particularly its vital role in protein production, and where losses occur from the cycle.
The agricultural industry is heading toward a more sustainable, profitable, and efficient future. Future Farming Expo will bring together forward-thinking Scottish farmers, advisors, and rural businesses over two days for knowledge hubs, discussion, and networking across a busy exhibition hall.
Grazing winter cereal crops - otherwise known as the golden hoof - is a method where sheep graze down cereal crops for short periods of time during tillering, providing the benefit of reducing fungicide use, removing diseased crops and increasing the soil organic matter.
In Devon, a group of six farmers and Rothamsted’s North Wyke research farm have teamed up through Innovative Farmers to form the Devon Silvopasture Network.
The dairy sector is often in the firing line when it comes to the criticism cows receive for their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This is despite total emissions from UK dairy production falling by 16.1% between 1990 and 2020.
There are only two types of treatment for sheep scab – organophosphate (OP) plunge dips (containing diazinon) and endectocides (injectable group 3-ML).
Chaired by Peter Myles, NSA Scottish Region, join experts Matt Colston (vet), Beth Wells (Moredun) and Simon Thorp (Bracken Control Group) for an evening webinar on reducing the risks of ticks and louping ill in your flock.
Animal tissues colonised with pathogenic organisms are said to be ‘infected’.
Recent spikes in consumer and retailer concern for the welfare of farmed animals (including chickens) have led to the development of animal welfare standards, changes in how animals are housed and managed, and new research opportunities to develop animal-based indicators of animal welfare.
The livestock industry is often scrutinised for its carbon footprint even though many farmers are actively working to reduce emissions and farm in the most sustainable manner. Despite this, more can always be done. CIEL’s Net Zero & Livestock: How Farmers can reduce emissions report launched in 2022 provides sheep farmers with practical tips to help reduce emissions on-farm, which we list in the blog below:
Soil is the basis of every grassland system and aiming to constantly improve soil health will pay dividends in grassland productivity.
Lameness is the third most impactful disease in dairy cattle, with respect to economics and animal welfare
Though peas and beans have long been a trusted part of cropping rotations, it is perhaps only recently that the scope and value of their potential is being realised.
New study suggests “techno-grazing” approaches can support more cattle in less space without adversely affecting soil structure and function
At Teagasc Athenry, researchers have been investigating the use of mixed swards in pasture-based sheep production systems. The results suggest increased diversity may be beneficial for animal performance.
What is silvopasture? Silvopasture is a form of agroforestry where trees are deliberately planted to be part of a farms livestock system. Three tree planting designs are being trialled as part of a field lab investigating the benefits of agroforestry.
From identifying lesions to treatment and nutrition, our information and resources can help you to manage all aspects of lameness.
NSA is proud to present its inaugural Sheep Farmers’ Conference – an important addition to the biennial NSA calendar offering a packed day of high level presentations, optional workshops and networking opportunities.
Grasscheck Bulletins provide up-to-date information on the state of grass growth in Great Britain
Prioritising the future of your herd and looking closely at your youngstock housing should be at the forefront of every farmer's mind.
The TB Advisory Service is proud to be hosting the second national TB conference. This is a unique opportunity to bring together all those involved in TB control ensuring a collaborative approach.
New report highlights the role reducing key endemic diseases in ruminants can play in contributing to the Global Methane Pledge formed at COP26 to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Find out how a strategic approach to feeding and weaning can help get the most out of your dairy-beef genetics.
The project aimed to utilise mob grazing methods to manage grasslands better, increase sward species diversity, and create biodiverse pastures.
Sheep scab is an acute or chronic form of allergic dermatitis caused by the faeces of sheep scab mites (Psoroptes ovis).
Youngstock are the future of any farm. Investing in them is an investment in the farm’s future, too.
Four farmers, who are working with ADAS in an Innovative Farmers field lab, have found grazing ewes on herbal leys containing the legume can even have a positive effect on pregnancy rates.
The SEEGSLIP project sought to evidence the practices of a particular group of farmers, the Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) in terms of their social, ecological and economic sustainability. This video explains the project, the pasture-fed concept and some of our research findings.
It is impossible to be certain if a sheep has sheep scab without a diagnosis.
Learn about the benefits of livestock in the arable rotation. See our information on forage crops, cover crops, outdoor pigs, farmyard manure and more.
This guide collates the available knowledge and numbers on forage utilisation and feeding.
Silvopasture is a form of agroforestry where trees are deliberately planted to be part of a farms livestock system. Three tree planting designs are being trialled as part of a field lab investigating the benefits of agroforestry.
There are two main challenges for the lamb sector; the first is to maintain the production of high-quality meat and the second is to ensure sheep farming is financially viable.
Resistance in scab mites to the injectables has been confirmed in the UK, which means we need to be increasingly careful about how we use both treatment choices.
The aim of this guide is to aid decision making for livestock producers who are looking to outwinter stock and what systems may best suit their farm.
Driving feed efficiency is crucial in all beef growing and finishing systems.
Our slurry wizard helps you work out slurry storage requirements, explore options and comply with regulations.
Bale Grazing is a simple method of out wintering dry cows often used in North America.
Grass grown for silage has different needs to grass grown solely for grazing.
As part of the NCS project, McArthur Agriculture have started to carry out trials in dehulling and roasting beans to start testing for different outcomes.
As the UK sheep industry has become more reliant on pastures grazed only by sheep, dependence on anthelmintics (wormers) has increased.
After yet another successful event in 2023, Dairy-Tech will return on Wednesday 7th February 2024 at Stoneleigh Park.
Grass is an important crop and grazed grass is the cheapest feed on farm, yet it rarely earns the respect it deserves as a potentially high-quality, natural ruminant feed.
Buying a standing crop of beans and producing 21% protein forage has helped sheep and beef producer, Steven Smith, improve profitability on his Northumberland farm.
Brassica crops such as kale, forage rape, grazing turnips, stubble turnips, swedes and new rape/kale hybrids, can provide nutritious, cost-effective feeds for beef cattle and sheep.
Carbon footprints are presented within the contemporary media, commercial entities and frequently by government agencies as a proximate measure for sustainability.
Our bull selection manual explains what to look for when selecting a bull for breeding, including how to use genetics and EBVs, and judging if a bull is fit to work.
The search for a catch crop to fill the gap between lifting carrots in late spring and drilling winter wheat, led a Norfolk farmer to a 19% protein baled haylage from a quick-growing legume.
Managing ewes correctly throughout the year is vital for generating the highest possible output from any sheep enterprise.
The condition of soil on livestock farms directly influences the yield and quality of grass and forage crops, animal performance and profitability.
There is more data being collected on sheep farms than ever before, but we need to make sure it is being used effectively.
UK feeding industries rely heavily on imported soya bean meal (SBM) as the main protein source in monogastric feeds, including for pigs.
Somerset beef and arable producer, Richard Coles, has substantially reduced his costs of production by cutting out expensive, bought-in ingredients and replacing them with home-grown feed, including high protein beans.
Catch crops are grown post-harvest or following silage, these crops hunt nutrients to reduce leaching from the soil while also allowing cover for the soil which prevents erosion.
Fertility is the key driver of profit in the dairy herd and is dependent on genetics, nutrition and health status.
Improving existing buildings or designing new builds to the best standards has a lasting and positive impact on animal health and productivity.
Nutrient management can often be forgotten on beef and sheep farms, yet there is considerable scope to reduce costs and improve output through the use of home-produced and bought-in nutrients.
This checklist aims to provide a structured approach to assess a calf rearing system.
To maximise their financial returns, beef producers need to produce and sell the type of finished cattle markets want.
Sheep and arable farmers lack insight into each other’s work and viewpoint on cover crop.
Combining regenerative farming with a drive for home-grown cattle feed is increasing sustainability and profitability on a challenging, northern farm.
The relationship between wetlands and livestock farming is complex and a subject of growing importance in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Join us for an insightful day at the Oxford FAI Farm where we will be showcasing the groundbreaking progress of 'bigger steps for smaller footprints towards climate-positive beef', funded by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ Farming Innovation Programme Feasibility Round 1 Competition.
Protein-rich peas and beans are replacing concentrates in the winter ration of sheep and cattle at a Radnorshire farm.
Forage first sheep systems seek to optimise lamb production from pasture to minimise costs.
As the leading event for the UK pig, poultry and egg sectors, the Fair is renowned for showcasing the very latest innovations and new ideas, while being the no.1 meeting place for everyone in the industry. Join us for the 2024 event at the NEC on 15th & 16th May!
The key to maximising financial returns is to produce and sell the type of finished cattle the marketplace wants and is willing to pay for.
We are pleased to announce a final LEAP conference on 16 April 2024 at Lady Margaret Hall. Registration is now open.
A Welsh farming family, who grew and crimped peas and beans as part of a government/EU trial, has been able to completely cut out bought-in feed from their cattle rations.
Do pigs fit into a regenerative farming system? Can their diet be sustainable? Can they be pastured?
This booklet provides an accurate, easy-to-use reference guide on all available anti-parasitic products in their various chemical groups and summarises the parasites they have been licensed to control.
A flowchart on how to assess body condition score in dairy cattle, using the Penn State assessment method.
Pastured poultry can be a great regenerative enterprise. Hear from the farmers making it work!
An innovative approach to growing and preserving peas, beans and lupins has cut out bought-in protein from almost all livestock rations while also meeting greening rules on a Durham farm.
Optimising fertility is critical to the success of any suckler herd.
Housing Systems for Species-specific Rearing with Mother Cows and Nurse Cows
Quality Meat Scotland’s (QMS) new report is set to unlock greater productivity, profitability and sustainability for a wealth of individuals and businesses.
Can we breed resilient lambs that tackle worms naturally without impacting their growth rate? Find out more from the latest on-farm trial.
Use our practical videos of on-farm tasks to help train and refresh staff and boost pig production.
With increasingly tight financial margins in beef and sheep production , minimising the losses of saleable meat and offal is important for the whole supply chain.
Green Genes - Revolutionising Cattle Breeding For A Sustainable Future' Is The Theme Of The 2024 British Cattle Breeding Conference, As Chosen By Our Chair Ben Harman.
This manual aims to help you understand the issues that could improve your breeding ewes, and the overall financial performance of your sheep system.
Water from farms may be contaminated to different degrees. The level of contamination will determine how they should be managed.
Join us on a farm walk to explore how silvopasture has been incorporated onto this Biodynamic and organic mixed farm.
Improving animal performance and reducing physical losses are key to ensuring sheep farming is profitable.
This document is intended for farmers looking to reduce their reliance on soya in pig systems, or as a jumping off point for those hoping to establish a new pastured pig operation.
Diseases in sheep and cattle have made the headlines many times over the last few years.
Silvopastoral agroforestry – integrating shelterbelts, hedgerows or in-field trees with grazing livestock – can provide domestic animals with benefits, including shelter and shade, as well as supplementing their diets as tree browse or fodder.
The national crop area of beans, practices of home feeding, and utilisation within the feed industry in general have increased.
Interested in stockpiling grass for winter? Tall Grass Grazing' webinar with Rib Harvard, farmer and ecologist from Worcestershire.
The way for sheep producers to maximise returns is to produce and sell the type of sheep buyers really want and are willing to pay for.
Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) can have a devastating effect on the health and welfare of grazing livestock and historically, control has relied heavily on the routine blanket use of flukicide treatments.
This recording from the Oxford Real Farming Conference is of a discussion between farmers involved in the Innovative Farmers Bale grazing project.
NSA Scotsheep is a biennial event organised by NSA Scotland and will be the most important specialist event in the calendar for sheep producers in Scotland and North of England in 2024.
As ewes approach lambing, their requirement for protein increases by almost 50%.
A mixed farming system, based around livestock and cropping, is a fundamental part of organic, agroecological and regenerative farming.
The forecast predicts the hatch date for nematodirus based on temperature data from 140 weather stations throughout the UK and should be used in combination with your grazing history (more below) to assess the risk of nematodirus infection in your lambs.
Find out how the five-point plan can help to reduce the number of new clinical cases of lameness.
Stephanie Eldon and her family farm a unit with 199 dairy cows in Northern Ireland, producing 75 heifers calving into the herd per year. It is a Holstein closed herd calving all year round, with a 305-day average yield of 8,896 litres (L).
Join us (AHDB), alongside Pasture for Life and Innovative Farmers, for an on-farm discussion covering everything you need to know about bale grazing.
Six Pasture for Life member farms have come together in an Innovative Farmers Field Lab to undertake a four year study to explore the impacts of bale grazing on soil and forage.
Beef cattle in the arable rotation has many benefits to both beef and arable producers. But what are the costs and margins involved?
From grazing management to pest and disease, our advice and resources will help you to successfully manage clover. (AHDB)
At this event, we (AHDB) will introduce the value of genomics (the study of genes) and explain how important it is for future ram breeding decisions. We will help you to understand how to use performance traits to benefit your pedigree flock or your commercial lamb enterprise.
An online tool to help dairy, beef and sheep producers monitor and compare medicine use and tackle the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Dr Emma Davies: IBERS, Aberystwyth University.
NSA Sheep Event is a biennial one-day show held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire. It is the flagship event of the National Sheep Association, complemented by a series of regional events held within a two-year calendar.
This HENNOVATION technical note describes an innovative technique for reducing predation of free ranging laying hens. The case study was conducted in Spain but it has application across Europe.
Let's dive deep into the world of fugitive methane, for this event, we IFEAA are teaming up with AFN Network +
The RWAS Feature County for 2024, Ceredigion will host the Sustainable Grass and Muck event at Aberystwyth University Farm, Trawsgoed on Thursday 30th May 2024.
Join us to hear from a panel of experts who will provide an update on bluetongue and the current BTV-3 strain that has been confirmed in cases in cows and sheep in Kent and Norfolk.
Specifically designed for beef and sheep enterprises, this cash flow spreadsheet will help you quickly see when money is coming into and out of your business and where it’s coming from and going to.
This Poster from DairyNZ provides a useful guide for assessing lameness in cattle.
For a one day exhibition showcase of the British Beef Industry, the National Beef Association’s Beef Expo event is heading to J36, Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands on Saturday 27th April 2024.
The ability of an animal to be resilient to diseases is dependent upon several factors which include; immune status, husbandry practises, vaccination, genetics among others.
Learn about progress with the development of a new BTV-3 vaccine with veterinary vaccine consultant Professor Andy Peters and AHDB's Head of Animal Health and Welfare, Dr Mandy Nevel.
The objective of this farmer-led research trial was to investigate a new approach to winter feed provision for livestock that considers the overall health of the farm system, including soil health, biodiversity, animal welfare, farmer welfare and economic sustainability.
This informative and practical event featured Lynn Cassells of Lynbreck Croft, James Reid of Tap o’ Noth Farm, and Dr Lindsay Whistance of the Organic Research Centre, discussing how making hay from trees can be a valuable way to supplement winter forage and support livestock nutrition and welfare.
The performance of a suckler beef herd is significantly impacted by poor cow and calf health.
Opportunities and constraints for conventional farming systems on rewetted peat soils
Organic Management Techniques to Improve Sustainability of Non-Organic Farming.
As part of Countryside COP, NSA hosted a webinar on Wednesday 22nd November at 7pm to talk about the use of genetics to tackle methane emissions on sheep farms.
This handbook (NetPoulSafe) compiles in one document 50 factsheets for both farmers and advisors (including veterinarians) in poultry production, detailing the best supporting measures for biosecurity.
Nutrient management can often be forgotten on beef and sheep farms, yet there is considerable scope to reduce costs and improve output through the use of home-produced and bought-in nutrients.
NSA considers what makes a successful lambing, how to mitigate risk and what to do if things start to go wrong.
Join us (AHDB) virtually for a practical workshop, highlighting the shed ventilation solutions at Willow Tree Farm.
Over the past few decades farms have become increasingly specialised, with arable growers losing
Grazing on pasture closed and set aside for winter grazing can significantly reduce feeding costs
