Livestock Features

Dairy Ambition

The cows must suit the farm, and feet and mobility matter in a system where animals need to walk a long distance from field to parlour
Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe

First-generation dairy couple carve out future at Bolton Hall

Ruth and her mother Barbara with Islesman of Mendick

Ruth and her mother Barbara with Islesman of Mendick

Ruth Darling and the Highland pony proving the breed can do it all

Steven Stewart of the Leylodge Texel flock

Steven Stewart of the Leylodge Texel flock

Texels fulfill the dream for young breeder Steven Stewart at Leylodge

Joe Barker (21) of Barkers Pedigrees

Joe Barker (21) of Barkers Pedigrees

Why the Barker family moved to Scotland to secure a future in pedigree breeding

Wagyu-cross calves offer dairy farmers another income opportunity

Wagyu-cross calves offer dairy farmers another income opportunity

Why more Scottish dairy farmers are turning to Wagyu calves

Bill MacKinnon (left) and son Ross

Bill MacKinnon (left) and son Ross

How North Country Cheviots fit a simple commercial system at West Dron

Elektra Brown, Harbro dairy technical sales

Elektra Brown, Harbro dairy technical sales

Long-term value of locomotion scoring in dairy herds

Betimax RDS 6000

Betimax RDS 6000

JOSKIN Betimax RDS: the 5-star livestock trailer !

David, Dora and Neil Austin of the Girthon herd

David, Dora and Neil Austin of the Girthon herd

Salers breed society hosting a whistlestop tour of South Scotland herds

Kirstyn Blackwood, agricultural consulting for SAC Consulting

Kirstyn Blackwood, agricultural consulting for SAC Consulting

How to drive productivity and profitability through flock health

The Martin family consisting of Do, wife Maggie, and children Archie and Maisy Kate

The Martin family consisting of Do, wife Maggie, and children Archie and Maisy Kate

Blackface sheep is a way of life for Isle of Lewis based crofter Do Martin

Ann Van Eetvelt, Lurgan Sheep Vet

Ann Van Eetvelt, Lurgan Sheep Vet

How tick-borne fever could be opening the door to secondary infections

Show champion Angus heifer from GH Russell in 1937

Show champion Angus heifer from GH Russell in 1937

Fettercairn Farmers' Club celebrates 200 years in style with this year's show

Townhead team Robbie, Lorraine and Colin

Townhead team Robbie, Lorraine and Colin

Better housing, better start, better welfare and better future

Logan Family (Logan, Carolyn, Bonnie and Dexter)

Logan Family (Logan, Carolyn, Bonnie and Dexter)

Pedigree success continues for Logan family

Lugs looking sharp on the Charollais show team

Lugs looking sharp on the Charollais show team

Showing Zwartbles and Charollais to success for Duncan and Nicola Henderson

Calves are kept in small groups at North Cassingray

Calves are kept in small groups at North Cassingray

Fife family breeds cows that 'look after themselves'

Heifers out grazing at 1800 feet

Heifers out grazing at 1800 feet

No fence collars praised for revolutionising livestock management

Paper-based bedding, once viewed as a contingency option, is now seen by many farmers as their primary bedding option

Paper-based bedding, once viewed as a contingency option, is now seen by many farmers as their primary bedding option

Bedding pressure

Farmers urged to plan ahead as bedding squeeze continues

Remove the tension knob and check the sliding sleeve moves freely; take out the fork body, clean it and regrease the tension pin cup and fulcrum cup

Remove the tension knob and check the sliding sleeve moves freely; take out the fork body, clean it and regrease the tension pin cup and fulcrum cup

Shearing checklist

Five simple handpiece checks for faster, cleaner summer shearing

How shearing has formed lifelong friendships around the world for Duncan Adams

Wool auction prices are at the highest in a decade

Wool auction prices are at the highest in a decade

Behind the handpiece: what keeps Scotland’s shearers going strong

The May bull sales at Borderway will kick off with six breeds forward over three sales

The May bull sales at Borderway will kick off with six breeds forward over three sales

Six breeds forward to kick off the start of Carlisle May bull sales at Borderway

Halter training for sale entries Rebel and Reeves

Halter training for sale entries Rebel and Reeves

Midlothian family run farm rears beef, sheep and pork and breeds champion cattle

In calf cows are wintered on the 60-acre hill

In calf cows are wintered on the 60-acre hill

Aberdeen Angus excels for prolificacy and ease at Mains of Tonley

The Watsons make their own mixing rations and finish the majority of the youngstock on-farm

The Watsons make their own mixing rations and finish the majority of the youngstock on-farm

Low‑input wins

Hardy low input, high output breeds fit the bill for the Watsons at Darnford

Livestock transport is critical to the functioning of the sector

Livestock transport is critical to the functioning of the sector

Welfare matters

Getting livestock transport right pays dividends on farm

Stewart sheep container ramps

Stewart sheep container ramps

Smart livestock container design prioritising welfare and operator safety

Jenny McCallum, Loch Ness communities coordinator

Jenny McCallum, Loch Ness communities coordinator

Nothing to fear

Diversification

Mixed farms face EFA rules as greening exemptions are removed

The Deveron Aberdeen Angus herd was founded in 1995 and has increased to 150 head

The Deveron Aberdeen Angus herd was founded in 1995 and has increased to 150 head

Final dispersal

How the Sclater's at Denhead invested in their future with pedigree cattle

Easier slurry handling at Uradale Ref: RH040325091 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Easier slurry handling at Uradale Ref: RH040325091 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer

Shetland farm cuts slurry mixing time and diesel use

British sheep farmer uses Australian device to boost fleece quality

Cattle with UHF tags

Cattle with UHF tags

ScotEID response to UHF EID 'misconceptions' in Scottish cattle sector

Beth Alexander, monitor farm programme manager

Beth Alexander, monitor farm programme manager

Safer handling leads to calmer cattle and more efficient farm

Duradiamond Software is accelerating its commercial growth following a £750,000 loan from BBB investment fund for Scotland

Duradiamond Software is accelerating its commercial growth following a £750,000 loan from BBB investment fund for Scotland

iLivestock accelerates global growth journey with £750k funding boost

Increase forage utilisation, prevent body condition loss and support immune function and colostrum quality with LIFELINE Lamb and Ewe.

Increase forage utilisation, prevent body condition loss and support immune function and colostrum quality with LIFELINE Lamb and Ewe.

Boost colostrum

Managing health and nutrition for your ewes in the lead up to lambing

Using the calcium drench is highly effective if a ewe is suffering post lambing

Using the calcium drench is highly effective if a ewe is suffering post lambing

Ewe health first

Calcium deficiency control key to protecting genetic investment in sheep

Independent double wishbone suspension helps smooth out rough terrain on the hill

Independent double wishbone suspension helps smooth out rough terrain on the hill

Kawasaki returns to mid-size ATV market with Brute Force 450

Jack Shaw doubled the number of ewes he put to the Hampshire Down last year

Jack Shaw doubled the number of ewes he put to the Hampshire Down last year

Hampshire Down lambs prove a profitable shift for Stirling farm

The applicator is preset with the correct dosage and angle for the needle to be inserted at the source of the pain

The applicator is preset with the correct dosage and angle for the needle to be inserted at the source of the pain

How alternative tail docking and castration methods can benefit lamb welfare

The Norwegian student group came from the Vinterlandbruksskulen i Ryfylke in Norway with 21 students and four teachers visiting the Fowlies at Adziel

The Norwegian student group came from the Vinterlandbruksskulen i Ryfylke in Norway with 21 students and four teachers visiting the Fowlies at Adziel

Farming Insight

Essie Suffolks get an international visit from Norwegian Agri students

Marion, John and Wanda Tilson will host NSA Scot Sheep on Wednesday, June 10 at Wedderlie, Berwickshire

Marion, John and Wanda Tilson will host NSA Scot Sheep on Wednesday, June 10 at Wedderlie, Berwickshire

National Sheep Association (NSA)

Lambing gears up another notch at Wedderlie in preparation for Scot Sheep

Blake Brad, director of Asbestus UK

Blake Brad, director of Asbestus UK

What's the legal position on asbestos on Scottish farms?

A good consistent marker is cruicial to Gareth Wyn Jones

A good consistent marker is cruicial to Gareth Wyn Jones

Reliable branding fluid keeps 4000 ewes on track

Wide range of colour options to suit any farm building

Wide range of colour options to suit any farm building

Cardinal Steels

Cardinal Steels delivers tailored roofing for farm buildings

Moving freshly calved cows protects calf health

Moving freshly calved cows protects calf health

Why group changes after calving matter

Maximising cow comfort and health is central to the success of the high-performing 1000-cow pedigree Holstein herd

Maximising cow comfort and health is central to the success of the high-performing 1000-cow pedigree Holstein herd

Cow Comfort Wins

Comfort key to longevity and performance at Meldrum

Cells (blue grey) infected with C abortus (purple)

Cells (blue grey) infected with C abortus (purple)

Moredun Research Institute

Chlamydia Abortus risks to animals and humans

A new precision-formulated calf milk replacer has been product to improve healthy growth in pre-weaned beef calves

A new precision-formulated calf milk replacer has been product to improve healthy growth in pre-weaned beef calves

Stronger Starts

Switch to new milk replacer causes calves to grow 'excellent' rates

Kevin Lawrie with wife Alison and daughters Lottie and Sophie

Kevin Lawrie with wife Alison and daughters Lottie and Sophie

Borderway UK Dairy Expo

Conception rates boosted by bespoke flush mix

The Moray Coast Vets practice

The Moray Coast Vets practice

Moray Coast Vets secures independence through employee ownership trust

Beef farmers are being encouraged to prioritise calving ease

Beef farmers are being encouraged to prioritise calving ease

Prioritise calving ease for a more productive suckler herd

Dr Katie Denholm, academic researcher in veterinary medicine at Glasgow University.

Dr Katie Denholm, academic researcher in veterinary medicine at Glasgow University.

Study uncovers hidden colostrum failures behind costly calf scours

Dr Craig Lewis, commercial director for Northern Europe

Dr Craig Lewis, commercial director for Northern Europe

Innovate or be left behind, farmers warned