Livestock

NSA Central Region Field Day

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 11:12:31 GMT

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, in partnership with NSA Central Region, invites you to a free Sheep Industry Field Day at the Lincolnshire Showground.

Open to all with an interest in the sheep industry, the day will explore how collaboration, shared knowledge and industry expertise can help improve flock health, profitability and sustainability.

What to expect

Expert talks, practical workshops and demonstrations
Industry trade stands
An interactive panel discussion, chaired by AHDB, focusing on working together and building strong relationships at farm level
Networking with farmers and industry professionals
A presentation from the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society
Free lunch

Supporting organisations include: AHDB, Pickstock Foods, British Wool, Gallagher Fencing, MSD, Agrimin, Elanco, Minexcel, Phillips Animal Health and Shearwell Data Ltd.

Programme

10:00am: Arrival, registration and trade stands
10.45am: Talks, workshops and demonstrations
12:00 noon: Free lunch and networking
1:30pm: Afternoon sessions and demonstrations
2.30pm: Panel discussion, chaired by AHDB
3.30pm: Close

Join us for a valuable day of learning, sharing ideas and building connections across the sheep industry.

See more details, including speakers and the full programme, on the NSA website.

Bluetongue virus update – fertility impact

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:38:16 GMT

During this webinar, we will share the latest updates on animal fertility and the current bluetongue virus situation.

It is open to farmers, vets and other stakeholders. The agenda and speakers will be confirmed shortly.

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you are unable to attend, please still register and you will be sent a recording following the event.

Please note this webinar's start time is scheduled for BST. Your device might inadvertently change it to another time zone, please check your joining link to make sure this hasn't happened.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for cattle
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for dairy cattle
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Northumberland: Suckler beef – stronger herds for stronger returns

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:52:26 GMT

Join us and Farmer Network as we bring farmers and industry experts together for a farm walk and to look at how the suckler beef sector can remain profitable, efficient and sustainable for the future.

The meeting is part of our 'Stronger herds for stronger returns' campaign to recognise the value of suckler beef and build a productive and resilient future for the sector.

Each event includes a discussion on cattle health, nutrition and genetics, with opportunities to share experiences and consider how suckler beef systems can adapt for the future.

What to expect

Beef nutritionist Rebecca Moore will share practical advice on efficient, simple feeding systems to optimise performance
Capontree Vets will discuss how to identify issues affecting herd performance
Our analyst genetics expert will explain how to select genetics that suit your system and introduce our available tools available to support your decisions
An opportunity for interactive discussions, to ask the experts questions and share experiences with fellow beef farmers

What you’ll take away

You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of:

The nutritional needs of your herd at different points in the production year
How to improve herd performance through animal health planning
Approaches to using genetic data to support herd improvement decisions
New insights, perspectives and contacts from talking to fellow producers and technical experts

Others in the series

Important information

This event is kindly supported by Northumberland Farmer Network and is a fully funded event with food and refreshments provided throughout the meeting.

Spaces are limited so early booking is advised.

If you have any questions about these events, contact your regional knowledge exchange manager.

UK strengthens global lead in sexed dairy semen uptake

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:32:30 GMT

UK strengthens global lead in sexed dairy semen uptake

New genomic breeding values help sheep producers accelerate flock improvement

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:24:38 GMT

New genomic breeding values help sheep producers accelerate flock improvement

Castle Douglas: Unlocking slurry nutrients for healthier soils

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:06:39 GMT

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating fertiliser prices and pressure on forage production mean your soil productivity and the nutrients you’re applying matter more than ever. But do you know what's really in your slurry or whether your soils are making the most of it?

Join us at one of our dairy soils events to discover how slurry and soil testing can help you make informed nutrient decisions, reduce reliance on bought-in fertiliser and build healthier, more resilient soils.

We'll explore:

How slurry testing can provide more specific nutrient information than average RB209 book values
Why slurry values vary between farms and what that means for nutrient planning
The role of soil condition and soil indices in nutrient use efficiency
How sustainable soil management practices and improved nutrient use can maximise forage production
How leading farmers are using soil and slurry information to improve decision-making

Our nutrient management guide (RB209) provides average nutrient values for slurry and livestock manures. However, each farm is unique and the best information you can use is what’s actually in your slurry.

By sampling slurry and understanding your individual soil profile, you can tailor your applications to create the healthiest productive soils.

Whether you're already soil and slurry testing or just getting started, this farm event will help you make every nutrient count while optimising your soils, extending your grazing season and maximising forage output.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:45am, prompt 11am start.

Relocating to local pub for lunch and afternoon session.

London Economics to deliver African swine fever economic impact assessment

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:26:52 GMT

London Economics to deliver African swine fever economic impact assessment

Cheshire: Unlocking slurry nutrients for healthier soils

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:07:35 GMT

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating fertiliser prices and pressure on forage production mean your soil productivity and the nutrients you’re applying matter more than ever. But do you know what's really in your slurry, or whether your soils are making the most of it?

We'll explore:

How slurry testing can provide more specific nutrient information than average RB209 book values
Why slurry values vary between farms and what that means for nutrient planning
The role of soil condition and soil indices in nutrient use efficiency
How sustainable soil management practices and improved nutrient use can maximise forage production
How leading farmers are using soil and slurry information to improve decision-making

The nutrient management guide (RB209) provides average nutrient values for slurry and livestock manures. However, each farm is unique, and the best information you can use is what’s actually in your slurry.

By sampling slurry and understanding your individual soil profile, you can tailor your applications to create the healthiest productive soils.

Whether you're already soil and slurry testing or just getting started, this farm event will help you make every nutrient count whilst optimising your soils, extending your grazing season and maximising forage output.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:30am. A light lunch will be provided.

New industry group to tackle environmental risks in outdoor pig production

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:32:15 GMT

New industry group to tackle environmental risks in outdoor pig production

Warwickshire: Stress-free cattle handling and CowSignals® training

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:02:49 GMT

How a farm team handles cattle affects everything: cow welfare, staff safety, and how efficiently the work gets done. Good handling isn’t a nicety; it's a foundation stone for dairy farming.

Join us for an insightful session on cattle handling with Jo Speed, a CowSignals® Master Trainer. Every interaction between a person and a cow either builds trust or erodes it.

Where handling goes wrong, whether through poor facilities, rushing, or people not reading cow behaviour, bad things can soon happen: injuries to people and cows, cows that don’t co-operate, tasks that take longer than they should and frustration.

This training is designed to get a whole farm team working from the same understanding of how cattle perceive the world and how that knowledge can transform the way they work together.

We will cover:

Stress-free handling techniques: How to move cattle calmly and confidently, using cow psychology rather than force
How cows perceive their world: Understanding how cows see, hear and smell. They are different to humans, and knowing this makes handling more predictable
Communication: Body language is everything; cows read ours all the time, and it's very useful to be able to read theirs, and our fellow workers’
Cow flow: The layout, routines and human behaviour that determine whether cattle move well or badly, especially during milking when people and cows are in contact multiple times a day
Safety for the team: Recognising warning signs before they become incidents, and working in ways that protect handlers as well as stock

The result is a team that handles cattle more safely, cows that are easier to work with, and routines that run measurably smoother. Better cow flow means less time, less stress and less risk of injury.

This training is practical, not theoretical. Everyone will leave with actions they can put into practice immediately.

Important info:

Spaces are limited; please book early
10:30am arrival for a prompt 11:00am start
Refreshments and lunch provided

Jo Speed biography

Jo has over 30 years of experience in the dairy industry, from herd management in New Zealand and Portugal to national knowledge transfer programmes at AHDB Dairy, seven years at Kite Consulting and her own independent practice established in 2023.

She is one of a small number of CowSignals® Master Trainers in the UK, certified since 2011, and holds a PGCert in Psychology alongside qualifications as a Life Coach and NLP Practitioner.

A Nuffield Farming Scholar, Jo’s scholarship focused on lameness and cattle handling globally, and directly shaped her understanding of the connection between how farm teams work with cattle and the welfare and performance outcomes of the herd.

She also holds specialist training in People Signals, understanding human behaviour and group dynamics in farming contexts.

Jo’s goal is to help farm teams find practical, low-cost solutions by seeing life through the eyes of the cow and understanding the people who care for them.

CowSignals® Certified Master Trainer

CowSignals® is a training approach based on closely observing cows and their surroundings to find simple, practical solutions. The Stress Free Handling module covers cow flow, handling technique and the influence of human behaviour on stock.

Jo is certified as a CowSignals® Master Trainer, meaning she is authorised to deliver the full CowSignals® training programme to farm teams, organisations and supply chain groups.

Staffordshire: Stress-free cattle handling and CowSignals® training

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:57:06 GMT

How a farm team handles cattle affects everything: cow welfare, staff safety, and how efficiently the work gets done. Good handling isn’t a nicety; it's a foundation stone for dairy farming.

Join us for an insightful session on cattle handling with Jo Speed, a CowSignals® Master Trainer. Every interaction between a person and a cow either builds trust or erodes it.

This training is designed to get a whole farm team working from the same understanding of how cattle perceive the world and how that knowledge can transform the way they work together.

We will cover:

Stress-free handling techniques: How to move cattle calmly and confidently, using cow psychology rather than force
How cows perceive their world: Understanding how cows see, hear and smell. They are different to humans, and knowing this makes handling more predictable
Communication: Body language is everything; cows read ours all the time, and it's very useful to be able to read theirs, and our fellow workers’
Cow flow: The layout, routines and human behaviour that determine whether cattle move well or badly, especially during milking when people and cows are in contact multiple times a day
Safety for the team: Recognising warning signs before they become incidents, and working in ways that protect handlers as well as stock

This training is practical, not theoretical. Everyone will leave with actions they can put into practice immediately.

Important info:

Spaces are limited; please book early
10:30am arrival for a prompt 11:00am start
Refreshments and lunch provided

Jo Speed biography

She is one of a small number of CowSignals® Master Trainers in the UK, certified since 2011, and holds a PGCert in Psychology alongside qualifications as a Life Coach and NLP Practitioner.

She also holds specialist training in People Signals, understanding human behaviour and group dynamics in farming contexts.

Jo’s goal is to help farm teams find practical, low-cost solutions by seeing life through the eyes of the cow and understanding the people who care for them.

CowSignals® Certified Master Trainer

Jo is certified as a CowSignals® Master Trainer, meaning she is authorised to deliver the full CowSignals® training programme to farm teams, organisations and supply chain groups.

UK dairy farmers ramp up activity to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:42:26 GMT

UK dairy farmers ramp up activity to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Cumbria: Unlocking slurry nutrients for healthier soils

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:25:16 GMT

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating fertiliser prices and pressure on forage production means your soil productivity and the nutrients you’re applying matter more than ever. But do you know what's really in your slurry, or whether your soils are making the most of it?

We'll explore:

How slurry testing can provide more specific nutrient information than average RB209 book values
Why slurry values vary between farms and what that means for nutrient planning
The role of soil condition and soil indices in nutrient use efficiency
How sustainable soil management practices and improved nutrient use can maximise forage production
How leading farmers are using soil and slurry information to improve decision-making

The nutrient management guide (RB209) provides average nutrient values for slurry and livestock manures. However, each farm is unique and the best information you can use is what’s actually in your slurry.

By sampling slurry and understanding your individual soil profile you can tailor your applications to create the healthiest productive soils.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:30am. A light lunch will be provided.

From drought recovery to winter planning: Making the most of autumn grass

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 10:46:08 GMT

From drought recovery to winter planning: Making the most of autumn grass

The impact of overgrazing on forage production

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:17:03 GMT

The impact of overgrazing on forage production

Lessons from the drought – how to build a more resilient grazing system

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:27:22 GMT

During this webinar we'll explore the key lessons learned from this season's drought and provide practical actions you can take to improve grazing system resilience, maintain productivity and prepare for future weather challenges.

You'll gain insights into how soil function, rooting depth, grazing management, plant species diversity and enterprise decisions can strengthen business performance during periods of weather variability.

What the webinar will cover

Lessons learned from the 2026 grazing season and drought conditions
How soil health and soil function influence grass growth and resilience
The importance of rooting depth in maintaining forage production during dry periods
Grazing management strategies to improve pasture performance and recovery
The role of plant species diversity in resilient grazing systems
Enterprise management considerations, including:

Stocking rates
Mating dates
Weaning strategies
Livestock sales and purchases

Practical actions to help maximise spring grass availability and prepare for future weather extremes
Live audience questions and discussion

Speakers

Katie Evans, Senior Engagement Manager, AHDB (chair)
James Daniel, Precision Grazing

James Daniel

James is an independent grazing consultant who works with livestock farmers across the UK to improve grassland management, grazing performance and business resilience.

He's dedicated to driving innovation in pasture-based production and works with farmers across the UK, implementing pasture-based systems that deliver measurable results.

GREATsoils events

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:42:00 GMT

GREATsoils events

An evening with AHDB Beef & Lamb: Your levy, your industry, your future

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:51:16 GMT

Join us for an opportunity to meet Prys Morgan, our new Beef & Lamb Sector Director, and hear how your levy is being used to benefit the beef and sheep sectors.

Hear about Prys' priorities for the sector and what’s ahead, alongside insights into our work to support the beef and sheep industry – from opening up international markets to championing the role of red meat in a healthy, balanced diet.

It’s also your chance to ask questions, meet the team and find out more about how your levy is being invested to support the industry now and for the future.

What the meeting will cover

Meet Prys Morgan, AHDB Beef & Lamb Sector Director, and hear his priorities for the sector
Hear how we're creating opportunities for British beef and lamb in international markets
Find out how we're promoting the role of red meat in a healthy, balanced diet
See how your levy is being invested to support the beef and sheep industry
Put your questions to the team and share your views

Speakers

Prys Morgan, Beef & Lamb Sector Director, AHDB
Jonathan Eckley, International Trade Development Director, AHDB
Kate Arthur, Head of Nutrition & Health, Domestic Marketing, AHDB

Timings

6:30pm Arrival and light supper
7:00pm Event begins
9:00pm Event closes

Important information

This is a fully funded event with a light supper provided.

Spaces are limited so early booking is advised.

Devon: Unlocking slurry nutrients for healthier soils

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:26:47 GMT

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating fertiliser prices and pressure on forage production means your soil productivity and the nutrients you’re applying matter more than ever. But do you know what's really in your slurry, or whether your soils are making the most of it?

We'll explore:

How slurry testing can provide more specific nutrient information than average RB209 book values
Why slurry values vary between farms and what that means for nutrient planning
The role of soil condition and soil indices in nutrient use efficiency
How sustainable soil management practices and improved nutrient use can maximise forage production
How leading farmers are using soil and slurry information to improve decision-making

By sampling slurry and understanding your individual soil profile you can tailor your applications to create the healthiest productive soils.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:30am. A light lunch will be provided.

Speaker bio:

John Morgan, Creedy Associates director

John has over 30 years’ experience as an agribusiness advisor, having worked as a senior consultant for Genus Management (Promar) and ADAS before founding Creedy Associates in 2001. He works across the South of England providing face-to-face, and virtual advice to a range of rural-focused businesses. This includes national and regional companies and individual farm businesses. Alongside his commitments with Creedy Associates LTD, John supports wife, Suzi, in the running of their diversified farm, which includes holiday cottages and a renewable energy business encompassing solar and biomass technologies.

Carmarthenshire: Unlocking slurry nutrients for healthier soils

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:18:31 GMT

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating fertiliser prices and pressure on forage production means your soil productivity and the nutrients you’re applying matter more than ever. But do you know what's really in your slurry, or whether your soils are making the most of it?

We'll explore:

How slurry testing can provide more specific nutrient information than average RB209 book values
Why slurry values vary between farms and what that means for nutrient planning
The role of soil condition and soil indices in nutrient use efficiency
How sustainable soil management practices and improved nutrient use can maximise forage production
How leading farmers are using soil and slurry information to improve decision-making

By sampling slurry and understanding your individual soil profile you can tailor your applications to create the healthiest productive soils.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:30am. A light lunch will be provided.

Speaker Bio:

Professor Andrew Neal, Director of research at Centre for Dynamic Soils

Professor Andy Neal's research looks at how soil biology, organic matter and soil structure interact to create healthy, productive soils. He has published over 80 research papers and is well known for helping explain how soils function as living systems. Andy regularly works with farmers, policymakers and industry groups and is passionate about promoting the value of healthy, living soils.