Health

Devon: Bluetongue virus update

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:50:16 GMT

Hear the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on the reproductive performance of cattle.

Liz Nabb from APHA in Starcross (Exeter) will talk about what the APHA has seen across the UK so far this season, including what’s happening in the Southwest.

She’ll also outline the reproductive impacts observed in cattle during last year's BTV activity in the east of England.

The meeting will cover:

Clinical signs in cattle and sheep
Reproductive impact on cattle
The 2025/26 bluetongue season so far
An update on mainland Europe
Risk‑based approach to vaccination and working with your vet
Legal limitations around abortion investigations
Q&A

7pm arrival for light refreshments and 7:30pm start.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
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

Cornwall: Bluetongue virus update

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:24:09 GMT

Hear the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on the reproductive performance of cattle.

Liz Nabb from APHA in Starcross (Exeter) will talk about what the APHA has seen across the UK so far this season, including what’s happening in the Southwest.

She’ll also outline the reproductive impacts observed in cattle during last year's BTV activity in the east of England.

The meeting will cover:

Clinical signs in cattle and sheep
Reproductive impact on cattle
The 2025/26 bluetongue season so far
An update on mainland Europe
Risk‑based approach to vaccination and working with your vet
Legal limitations around abortion investigations
Q&A

1pm arrival for pasty lunch and 1:30pm start.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
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

Position statement on the use of automated detection methods for lameness

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:08:45 GMT

Position statement on the use of automated detection methods for lameness

Somerset: Post-mortem demonstration

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:44:15 GMT

Explore the value of on-farm post-mortem examinations with Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortems Ltd.

Post-mortems are an important tool for the diagnosis and prevention of disease in farm animals and should form part of any herd or flock health plan.

Learn how post-mortems can help you:

Identify common causes of death
Detect herd health issues earlier
Improve disease prevention on farm
Make better management decisions

Refreshments will be available from 6:30pm and the workshop will start at 7:00pm.

To book your place or find out more, contact Wyvern Farm Vets:

T: 01373 451115

E: office@wyvernfarmvets.co.uk

Mycoplasma bovis

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:31:58 GMT

Mycoplasma bovis

NSA Northern Region sheep post-mortem event

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:17:23 GMT

Learn about the internal effects of parasite damage through demonstrations of sheep post-mortems.

The post-mortems will be carried out and explained by Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS of Farm Post Mortems Ltd. Ben is a world-renowned independent vet and farm animal pathologist.

We will discuss:

Why, when and how post-mortems take place and the benefits of them
What organs look like and the common causes of death in lambs
How worms can affect your flock and current best practice advice on effective worm control
The importance of minerals and blousing

Pulled lamb roll and refreshments provided for all registrants.

This event will be taking place on Rebecca Wilson's farm. Rebecca is NSA Northern Region committee member and representative for NSA English Committee.

Bluetongue virus impact: Lambing 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:35:41 GMT

During this webinar we'll share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on lambing.

The speakers and agenda will be confirmed soon.

The webinar will close with a Q&A session and you can also submit questions in advance.

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.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
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

Bluetongue virus impact: Calving 2026

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:35:41 GMT

During this webinar we'll share the latest updates on the current bluetongue virus (BTV) situation and the impact on calving.

The speakers and agenda will be confirmed soon.

The webinar will close with a Q&A session and you can also submit questions in advance.

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.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
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

Dairy housing

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:29:34 GMT

Dairy housing

Derbyshire: Weaning calves to perform at grass and sustaining farm profit in volatile years

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:49:04 GMT

Join us at Rough Grounds Farm for a farmer-led workshop looking at rearing youngstock for the best possible transition into the milking herd with Laura Tennant and Beckie Harrison, Bess Neil and Tony Evans. They will also be discussing resilience with grazing systems to stay profitable during lower milk prices.

Calf growth rates can drop quite dramatically once calves are turned out, and noticeable differences are often seen between batches.

The morning session of this meeting has been set up to focus on closing that gap – supporting lower-performing calves to lift growth rates and improve consistency across the group. The aim is simple: better growth now drives better results later.

We will address:

Improving performance in calves with lower growth rates
Strengthening their development into well-grown replacements
Improving grass quality for calves to support stronger growth rates
Improving first-lactation outcomes – with the spring 2025 first-lactation heifer group performing at around 83% of the third-lactation spring calvers
Highlighting the opportunity to narrow that gap through targeted improvements at the rearing stage

Using real-life examples from the Worsey family, this meeting will help you:

Understand the hidden costs of heifer rearing
Discover the ‘true’ value of successfully transitioning your heifers to the milking herd

The afternoon session will focus on making profit in volatile years.

In today’s climate of fluctuating milk prices and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, maintaining profitability can feel like a moving target. The Worseys have continued to deliver consistent profits despite this volatility – and in this session, Tony will explore how through:

The Worseys’ approach to staying profitable through volatile milk prices
Managing risk in the face of unpredictable weather patterns
Practical decision-making that protects margin, not just output (CFP analysis)
Demonstrating the strategies behind their performance
Clear, practical techniques that you can adopt within your own system

This session is designed to provide practical insight and real figures showing how resilience and profitability can go hand in hand, even in challenging years.

Tea and coffee is served from 10:00, the meeting starts at 10:30.

Speaker profiles

Laura Tennant

Dr Laura Tennant, Young Animal Feed Technical Advisor at Trouw Nutrition GB, graduated with a PhD in ruminant nutrition in 2017. She joined Trouw Nutrition GB in 2019 and is particularly focused on improving hydration in young calves.

Beckie Harrison

Beckie, from Peakfield Farm Vets, has worked with the Worsey family for many years and helped them introduce pneumonia vaccinations and lung scanning, as a part of their healthy calf club.

Neil Bess

Neil, Pasture for Profit consultant at LIC, has spent almost 15 years helping British farmers implement sustainable, profitable grazing systems, drawing on experience gained across three continents.

Tony Evans

Tony Evans is a Partner and Head of Dairy Consultancy at Andersons, and is also a long-standing Forage for Knowledge contributor.

ASF contingency planning: Workshop in a box

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:13:00 GMT

ASF contingency planning: Workshop in a box

Winchester: Regional livestock health and welfare update

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:30:55 GMT

Hear the latest information on bluetongue, parasite control strategies and the support available to you via the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

This event is being hosted by AHDB and Westpoint Farm Vets (Winchester)

Agenda

6:00pm Arrival and tea/coffee
6:15pm AHDB regional update
6:30pm Bluetongue latest news and an update from our Animal Health and Welfare team
7:00pm Cattle and sheep health update, including lamb parasites, BVD and support from the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway – Winchester Farm Vets
7:30pm Food and networking
8:30pm Close

This event is free to attend but please register in advance to ensure you are catered for.

North Yorkshire: Reducing clinical mastitis – Lessons from Willow Tree Farm

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:19:38 GMT

What if reducing mastitis is about giving cows more space not more treatments?

Mastitis infections affect all dairy herds across the country. On average, there are 26 clinical mastitis cases per 100 cows per year equivalent, accounting for around 8% of cows exiting the dairy system (Kingshay’s 2024 Dairy Costings Focus Report).

Over the past three years, the Pattison family at Willow Tree Farm have been working to reduce clinical mastitis levels in their 300‑cow herd by focusing on cow space and improvements to the housed environment.

We will explore how these changes were implemented in practice, alongside insights from James Breen, using Willow Tree Farm as a real‑world case study.

This session will concentrate on reducing the rate of new clinical mastitis cases, drawing on real farm data, Nottingham University research on cow space and practical observations from the unit.

Using examples from Willow Tree Farm, the meeting will help attendees to:

Understand the predominant infection patterns likely to be driving mastitis in their herd
Identify the key environmental changes that can reduce mastitis risk
Analyse key performance metrics to assess mastitis control
Recognise important housing observations and measurements, including ventilation, bedding management and cow space

Whether someone is just beginning to review mastitis control or looking to learn from how another farm has approached the challenge, the event will offer practical tools and ideas they can apply directly.

Speaker profile

James Breen qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Bristol in 1998 and, after working in mixed practice, returned in 2001 to undertake a residency in Farm Animal Medicine.

He later collaborated with Prof Andrew Bradley and Prof Martin Green on a national dairy cow mastitis research project, contributing to the development of the AHDB Mastitis Control Plan.

James went on to complete a three‑year RCVS Trust residency in Production Animal Medicine, balancing dairy practice in Glastonbury with teaching, research, and laboratory consultancy for QMMS Ltd in Somerset.

James now splits his time between teaching at the University of Nottingham and providing veterinary consultancy for Map of Ag, with particular expertise in mastitis control, herd health, and preventive medicine.

Somerset: More from less – making the most of your soils

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:23:30 GMT

Join Terrafarmer and LEAF farmers Rob Addicott and Jeremy Padfield for a practical on‑farm event digging deep into soil biology.

We'll assess the opportunities and potential cost saving and efficiency improvements in the latest biological fertiliser technologies.

Agenda

10:30am Arrival and refreshments

11:00am Stratton Farms background and introduction

Rob and Jeremy will outline their 2350-acre mixed farm partnership with a focus on their 440 acres of permanent pasture, red clover and herb legume leys.

They are advocates of regular testing of nutrients and organic matter in order understand their soils and to help make their businesses more resilient and sustainable.

11:30am Terrafarmer soil biology and Stratton Farms analysis results

Terrafarmer will present the farm’s recent soil analysis results and outline a ‘What next?’ action plan, including:

Identifying opportunities from the soil data
Potential cost savings and efficiency gains from current biological fertiliser technologies
Approaches to nitrogen reduction and nutrient management
Strategies to support soil health improvement and long‑term farm productivity

12:15pm Lunch

12:45pm Farm walk and Q&A

The guided farm walk will provide an opportunity to see practical examples of the systems discussed, including:

Soil structure, biology and nutrient status in different fields
Establishment and performance of herbal leys
Discussion around nutrient cycling, water quality and grazing management
Demonstration of Tow & Fert machinery

2:00pm Event close

This event qualifies for BASIS points.

Cornwall: More from less - making the most of your soils

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:31:50 GMT

Join Terrafarmer and renowned Cornish butcher, James Kittow, for a practical on‑farm event digging deep into soil biology.

We will assess the opportunities and potential cost saving and efficiency improvements in the latest biological fertiliser technologies.

Agenda

10.30 – Arrival and refreshments

11:00 – Kilhallon Farm background and introduction

James Kittow will outline his 130‑acre suckler enterprise and butchery. He will discuss the farm’s current focus on improving productivity on a low input grass-fed system including bale grazing, herbal leys and catch crop kale.

11.30 – Terrafarmer soil biology and Kilhallon Farm analysis results

Terrafarmer will present the farm’s recent soil analysis results and outline a ‘What next?’ action plan, including:

Identifying opportunities from the soil data
Potential cost savings and efficiency gains from current biological fertiliser technologies
Approaches to nitrogen reduction and nutrient management
Strategies to support soil health improvement and long‑term farm productivity

12:15 – Lunch

12:45 – Farm walk and Q&A

The guided farm walk will provide an opportunity to see practical examples of the systems discussed, including:

Soil structure, biology and nutrient status in different fields
Establishment and performance of herbal leys and catch crops
Bale grazing sites and their impact on soil condition
Discussion around nutrient cycling, water quality and grazing management
Demonstration of Tow & Fert machinery

14:00 - Event close

This event qualifies for BASIS points

Gloucestershire: Setting up heifers for a profitable lifetime

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:30:50 GMT

*Sgroliwch i lawr am yr iaith Gymraeg*

How you rear your youngstock today directly shapes the health, productivity and profitability of your herd tomorrow. Getting management, housing and nutrition right early on can save you money, reduce disease and give your heifers the best chance to reach their potential. The good news is that it all starts with the areas you can control on your farm.

Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to make every calf count. You’ll see how small but important decisions, from detecting disease early to managing ventilation and feeding, can have a big impact on growth, health and future milk performance.

You'll hear from consultant Jamie Robertson, who will share his expertise on youngstock health and ventilation. Jamie will provide practical insight into creating the right housing environment to support calf performance, reduce disease pressure and set animals up for long-term success.

What you’ll get from the workshop:

How to spot early signs of disease and protect your herd before problems take hold, which will include a calf lung scanning demonstration showing how to detect respiratory issues early
Practical tips for housing, ventilation and building design to keep calves healthy and growing
Feeding and nutrition strategies that set your heifers up for success, the “non-negotiables” that pay back in growth and performance
Insights from vets and specialists on turning good management into measurable results
Opportunity to ask questions and see demonstrations of best practice in action

You’ll walk away with practical actions you can apply straight away to improve calf health, growth rates, and long-term herd profitability.

Light lunch and refreshments will be included, please include any dietary requirements on booking.

This event is part of the UK Dairy Carbon Network project, which gives you access to practical, farm-tested approaches that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving efficiency and profitability on commercial dairy farms.

Paratoi heffrod ar gyfer oes broffidiol

Mae’r ffordd rydych yn magu eich stoc ifanc heddiw yn effeithio’n uniongyrchol ar iechyd, cynhyrchedd a phroffidioldeb eich buches yfory. Gall mynd ati’n gynnar i ofalu bod y dulliau rheoli, yr adeiladau a’r maeth yn iawn arbed arian, lleihau clefydau, a rhoi’r cyfle gorau i’ch heffrod gyrraedd eu potensial. Y newyddion da yw bod y cyfan yn dechrau gyda’r pethau y gallwch eu rheoli ar eich fferm.

Ymunwch â ni ar gyfer gweithdy ymarferol lle byddwch yn dysgu sut i wneud i bob llo gyfrif. Byddwch yn gweld sut y gall penderfyniadau bach ond pwysig, o ganfod clefydau’n gynnar i reoli’r awyru a’r bwydo, gael effaith fawr ar dwf ac iechyd, a’r gallu i gynhyrchu llaeth yn y dyfodol.

Byddwch yn clywed gan yr ymgynghorydd Jamie Robertson, a fydd yn rhannu ei arbenigedd ar iechyd stoc ifanc ac awyru. Bydd Jamie’n darparu gwybodaeth ymarferol ar greu’r amgylchedd lletya iawn i wella perfformiad lloi, lleihau clefydau, a sicrhau bod anifeiliaid yn ffynnu dros y tymor hir.

Y budd a gewch chi o’r gweithdy:

Sut i adnabod arwyddion cynnar clefydau a gwarchod eich buches cyn i broblemau waethygu, gan gynnwys arddangosiad sganio ysgyfaint lloi yn dangos sut i ganfod problemau resbiradol yn gynnar.
Cynghorion ymarferol ar gyfer lletya, awyru a chynllunio adeiladau i gadw lloi yn iach a sicrhau eu bod yn tyfu
Strategaethau bwydo a maeth a fydd yn paratoi eich heffrod i lwyddo, yr ‘hanfodion’ sy’n sicrhau twf a pherfformiad
Cyngor gan filfeddygon ac arbenigwyr ar droi rheolaeth dda yn ganlyniadau mesuradwy
Cyfle i ofyn cwestiynau a gweld arddangosiadau o arfer da ar waith

Mi fyddwch chi’n gadael gyda chamau ymarferol y gallwch eu rhoi ar waith ar unwaith i wella iechyd a chyfraddau twf eich lloi, a phroffidioldeb hirdymor eich buches

Darperir cinio ysgafn a lluniaeth. Nodwch unrhyw ofynion deietegol wrth archebu os gwelwch yn dda.

Mae’r digwyddiad hwn yn rhan o brosiect Rhwydwaith Carbon Llaeth y DU, sy’n darparu mynediad at ddulliau ymarferol, a brofwyd ar ffermydd, sy’n helpu i leihau allyriadau nwyon tŷ gwydr, gan wella effeithlonrwydd a phroffidioldeb ffermydd llaeth masnachol ar yr un pryd.

Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:37:06 GMT

Save the date for the Sheep Breeders Round Table conference: Breeding solutions for a changing world.

This event provides an opportunity for everyone in the sheep industry to come together and discuss the latest genetic developments and the potential impact these will have on the supply chain.

We'll explore some of the questions that surround the industry such as profitability, sustainability, health, environment and carbon reduction.

Draft programme

Friday 20 November

Breeding for the environment (Part I)
Genomics and sheep breeding

Saturday 21 November

Breeding for the environment (Part II)
To shed or not to shed – is that the question?
Genetics – worth the investment? An interactive session
Measuring performance – phenotype is king
Drinks reception followed by an evening meal

Sunday 22 November

Healthy genetics
The hills are alive with lamb survival

The full programme will be announced in April 2026.

Tickets

You'll be able to buy tickets for the conference from April.

Sponsorship opportunities

AHDB is the headline sponsor of the Sheep Breeders Round Table 2026, however, a range of other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Download the sponsorship booklet

If you'd like to be involved with this event or have questions about sponsorship packages, please get in touch with Bridget Lloyd, SBRT secretary, before 20 March 2026.

Email: bridget@bridget-lloyd.com

Stronger Steps: Unlocking the benefits of AHDB’s Healthy Feet Programme

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:45:21 GMT

Join our conversation with Sara Pederson, Veterinary Consultant at Farm Dynamics Ltd, and discover how AHDB’s Healthy Feet Programme can make a measurable difference to lameness on your farm.

This practical webinar breaks down how the programme works, the support it offers, and the benefits farmers are seeing on the ground. Hear directly from a farmer who has completed the programme and transformed herd mobility, and gain clear, actionable insights you can take back to your own business.

Let’s start building healthier feet and stronger herds.

Dairy-Tech 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:18:55 GMT

We’re proud to be Technical Sponsors at this year’s Dairy-Tech so come and visit our stand to discover how we’re supporting dairy farmers, with knowledgeable staff on hand to explain how your levy is delivering real value on farm.

Learn how we’re promoting British dairy through major campaigns such as Let’s Eat Balanced and our award-winning Milk Every Moment campaign in partnership with the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) – you might even spot our mascot Moovit the cow.

Discover how the levy supports genetic development through independent genetic and genomics data and new indexes like Feed Advantage and EnviroCow, which are helping farmers breed cows that are both economically efficient and environmentally responsible.

Find out how our levy-funded education programme is increasing children’s understanding of food, cooking and nutrition, and how our specialists are developing
overseas markets, supporting more than 30 companies as GB dairy exports head toward another record year.

You can also speak to us about our pioneering environmental baselining pilot to assess the environmental impact of farms across Great Britain. Along with the UK Dairy Carbon Network, which is working with over 50 farms to trial practical, farm-ready solutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Sussex - Safer cattle handling with Owen Atkinson

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:43:55 GMT

All are welcome to this safer cattle handling workshop with farm vet Owen Atkinson.

Owen is delivering a practical and interactive workshop aimed to improve techniques in both day to day and less frequent handling scenarios, making the process low stress for both cows and farm staff. The presentation and farm walk will help you to identify challenges and opportunities with handling facilities to improve cow flow and understand the benefits of heifer acclimatisation into the herd.

The workshop will cover:

Cattle handling principles – cow visual perception, the flight zone, interpreting body language
Demonstration of cow behaviours
Focus on improving personnel safety and cattle welfare in handling situations

Owen Atkinson has been providing CowSignals training since 2008 and he'll open your eyes to new approaches and possibilities.

You’ll leave with a tangible action list of improvements for your herd that can begin straightaway.

This workshop will be of interest and useful to all people working with cattle in practice – young and old, new and experienced.

Light lunch and refreshments will be included, please include any dietary requirements on booking.