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TheDairySite Latest News: United Kingdom

04 December 2020

UK organic farming lobby fears being side-lined in new sustainable agriculture policy
The largest certifier of UK organic land shines a light on the overlooked areas of the UK's newly-unveiled sustainable farming policy....

03 December 2020

UK Government considers ending live animal exports for slaughter
Environment Secretary George Eustice unveils plans to end excessively long journeys for animals exported for slaughter and fattening....

02 December 2020

RAU lecture stresses that next decade is key for biodiversity, climate change and humanity
The role that food, farming and forestry must play in meeting the challenges of climate disruption, nature depletion and human health was explored in an enlightening discussion at the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) annual Bledisloe Lecture....

30 November 2020

UK NFU cautiously welcomes new agricultural transition policy
Though the new UK policy embraces many industry-led initiatives around sustainability, NFU President Minette Batters notes that the proposed payments system is short on details and could leave livestock farmers at a significant loss. ...

UK Government unveils sustainable farming policy
The new policy changes will be implemented over seven years and promises to create a fairer farming system for the UK. ...

UK vets grow wary as Brexit transition looms
A new report from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) says that the UK veterinary profession is facing a triple threat from COVID-19, Brexit and exotic disease....

Rearing Dairy Heifers: You can't manage what you don't measure
A better understanding of the implications of calfhood morbidity may help dairy producers reach rearing targets and reduce milk production costs, writes Lucy Ross, a third year PhD student at the University of Nottingham....

27 November 2020

Bovine TB could be controlled by breeding for resistance
A new study suggests that resistance for diseases like TB is not necessarily linked to a specific breed of cattle. ...

26 November 2020

Mole Valley Farmers warns of lower rumen function this winter
Low fibre grass silage, high starch maize and greater use of co-products in rations have pushed vets and nutritionists to issue a warning surrounding rumen function this winter....

UK NFU says that government Spending Review presents a mixed picture for farmers
NFU President Minette Batters has responded to the UK Chancellor's Spending Review, saying that farmers are left with funding gaps and scant details on new agricultural policy. ...

UK Government issues new advice on ear tags for livestock exporters
The UK has changed its policy regarding ear tags for livestock exports and movements from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland from 1 January. ...

25 November 2020

UK cattle industry releases updated reports on cattle health and welfare
The GB Cattle and UK Sheep Health and Welfare Groups (CHAWG and SHAWG) have launched their final biennial industry reports, highlighting areas of focus to drive forward improvements in the health and welfare of cattle and sheep....

TB insights help breed healthier African cattle
Resistance to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) ̶ a disease that spreads from cattle to infect an estimated 70,000 people each year in Africa ̶ could be controlled genetically through selective breeding, a study suggests....

23 November 2020

Pirbright's Annual Report highlights investments in disease research and innovation
The Pirbright Institute's Annual Report 2019-2020 showcases a year of scientific progress in viral disease research. ...

UK halves veterinary sales of antibiotics in five years
New data on antibiotic sales show that UK farmers and veterinarians have been working together to use antibiotics responsibly. ...

20 November 2020

UK farm vets work to establish a country-wide network of "Farm Vet Champions"
As part of the UK's farm animal antibiotics targets for 2024, vets propose creating a network to support farmers with herd health planning and disease prevention. ...

Virtual tool launched by QMS to help farmers ‘Meat the Grade’
Livestock farmers will now have access to a free online tool which will help them to boost their bottom line by improving livestock selection and management for slaughter. ...

19 November 2020

On-farm carbon footprinting now available in UK
The UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will launch its first wave of on-farm carbon footprinting through its Farm Excellence network. ...

British vets welcome ambitious new four-year antibiotic use targets
The British Veterinary Association has welcomed new sector-specific targets for responsible antibiotic use for the farm sector over the next four years....

18 November 2020

AHDB explores the changing consumer dynamics in light of COVID-19
The economic ripple effect of COVID-19 led consumers to re-evaluate their buying behaviours – with price, value for money and buying local becoming more of a priority during lockdown....

17 November 2020

England updates rules for seasonal farm workers
Seasonal workers arriving in England to carry out essential work on farms ahead of the Christmas season are now able to begin working as soon as they arrive in the country. ...

16 November 2020

Webinar from Ceva plans to explore bovine respiratory disease
Ceva promises to take delegates to "the next level of BRD diagnostics and treatment". ...

Can AI help identify sick livestock?
New research project aims to use AI and "cutting edge" technology to reduce the environmental impact of farming. ...

13 November 2020

UK Farming Roundtable urges government to deliver Brexit certainty
With less than eight weeks before the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK Farming Roundtable has stressed the critical importance of getting new agricultural policy right in the devolved nations....

AHDB explores market access opportunities amidst COVID-19
Meat exporters in the UK will have the opportunity to learn about new ways of working as a result of Covid-19 during the latest in a series of AHDB export webinars....

NFU heralds The Agriculture Act as the start of a new era for British food and farming
The NFU has hailed the introduction of the Agriculture Act as a "landmark moment" for post-Brexit farming, marking more than two years of campaigning to improve the Act....

12 November 2020

UK passes sweeping agriculture legislation
The UK's transformative Agriculture Bill has become law and vows to reward environmentally-conscious farmers and land managers who produce "public goods"....

11 November 2020

UK beef revenue grows by nearly £10 million due to national campaign
An eight-week campaign this Spring that supported the red meat industry has generated £9.8 million in incremental beef sales. ...