Welfare

Sir Ddinbych: Canfod buchod gwasod/sy’n gofyn tarw i wella ffrwythlondeb

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:41:05 GMT

Cyngor ymarferol i’ch helpu i ganfod buchod gwasod/sy’n gofyn tarw, cynyddu cyfraddau beichiogi ac adeiladu strategaeth ffrwythlondeb sydd wedi’i theilwra ar gyfer eich buches.

Mae cael buchod yn gyflo mewn ffordd effeithlon yn un o sbardunwyr mwyaf busnes llaeth proffidiol. Serch bod yna fwy o opsiynau ar gael nag erioed o’r blaen i ganfod buchod gwasod/sy’n gofyn tarw, mae dewis y dull iawn ar gyfer eich buches, y llafur sydd ar gael, ac amcanion eich busnes yn allweddol i sicrhau perfformiad ffrwythlondeb cyson.

Ymunwch ag AHDB a Dave Gilbert o Dairy Insight ar gyfer y gweithdy ymarferol, rhyngweithiol hwn lle byddwn ni’n archwilio egwyddorion canfod buchod gwasod yn effeithiol a sut i ddatblygu strategaeth sy’n gweithio ar eich fferm chi.

Byddwn yn edrych ar y ffordd mae buchod yn dangos eu bod yn gofyn tarw, y ffactorau sy’n dylanwadu ar ymddygiad buchod gwasod, cryfderau gwahanol ddulliau o ganfod buchod gwasod a sut i fonitro ac adolygu perfformiad i gael y cyfraddau beichiogi uchaf.

Yn ystod y gweithdy byddwn yn trafod:

Deall y targedau – pam y mae dull effeithiol o ganfod pryd y mae buwch yn gofyn tarw yn hanfodol i sicrhau cyfraddau beichiogi cryf
Adnabod arwyddion gofyn tarw – sut y mae buchod gwasod yn dangos hynny a’r ffactorau all ddylanwadu ar eu hymddygiad
Dewis yr offer iawn – cymharu arsylwi gweledol, cymhorthion canfod buchod gwasod a thechnoleg monitro gweithgarwch
Adeiladu eich strategaeth canfod buchod gwasod – y cyfleusterau, dewis dull sy’n siwtio eich buches, y llafur sydd ar gael a’ch nodau busnes
Mesur llwyddiant – monitro dynodyddion ffrwythlondeb allweddol ac addasu eich strategaeth i gynnal perfformiad

Mae’r sesiwn hon yn bennaf ar gyfer ffermwyr llaeth a rheolwyr buchesi sydd am wella ffrwythlondeb y fuches a phroffidioldeb.

Mae cofrestru yn hanfodol a darperir cinio.

Cefndir Dave Gilbert

Mae Dave Gilbert BVetMed MRCVS yn filfeddyg ymgynghorol â thros 20 mlynedd o brofiad o weithio gyda buchesi llaeth y DU. Ar ôl cymhwyso o’r Coleg Milfeddygaeth Brenhinol yn 2005, mae wedi arbenigo ym maes iechyd a ffrwythlondeb buchesi llaeth, gan gyfuno rôl ymgynghori ymarferol ar ffermydd â rôl addysgu ym Mhrifysgol Harper Adams.

Mae Dave yn gyfarwyddwr Dairy Insight a Horizon Dairy Vets, ac mae’n gweithio gyda ffermwyr ledled y DU i wella ffrwythlondeb, iechyd a phroffidioldeb drwy reolaeth ymarferol, seiliedig ar dystiolaeth.

Mae’n siaradwr rheolaidd yn nigwyddiadau’r diwydiant ac mae wedi cyfrannu at nifer o brosiectau cyfnewid gwybodaeth AHDB ym maes ffrwythlondeb buchesi llaeth.

Sir Gâr: Canfod buchod gwasod/sy’n gofyn tarw i wella ffrwythlondeb

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:22:58 GMT

Cyngor ymarferol i’ch helpu i ganfod buchod gwasod/sy’n gofyn tarw, cynyddu cyfraddau beichiogi ac adeiladu strategaeth ffrwythlondeb sydd wedi’i theilwra ar gyfer eich buches.

Yn ystod y gweithdy byddwn yn trafod:

Deall y targedau – pam y mae dull effeithiol o ganfod pryd y mae buwch yn gofyn tarw yn hanfodol i sicrhau cyfraddau beichiogi cryf
Adnabod arwyddion gofyn tarw – sut y mae buchod gwasod yn dangos hynny a’r ffactorau all ddylanwadu ar eu hymddygiad
Dewis yr offer iawn – cymharu arsylwi gweledol, cymhorthion canfod buchod gwasod a thechnoleg monitro gweithgarwch
Adeiladu eich strategaeth canfod buchod gwasod – y cyfleusterau, dewis dull sy’n siwtio eich buches, y llafur sydd ar gael a’ch nodau busnes
Mesur llwyddiant – monitro dynodyddion ffrwythlondeb allweddol ac addasu eich strategaeth i gynnal perfformiad

Mae’r sesiwn hon yn bennaf ar gyfer ffermwyr llaeth a rheolwyr buchesi sydd am wella ffrwythlondeb y fuches a phroffidioldeb.

Mae cofrestru yn hanfodol a darperir cinio.

Cefndir Dave Gilbert

Mae’n siaradwr rheolaidd yn nigwyddiadau’r diwydiant ac mae wedi cyfrannu at nifer o brosiectau cyfnewid gwybodaeth AHDB ym maes ffrwythlondeb buchesi llaeth.

Somerset: Breeding the right cows for your farm

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:15:12 GMT

Join us to find out how making better use of your herd's genetic information can help you breed the right cows for your farming system.

Good genetics underpin herd performance, productivity and profitability. Whatever your breeding objectives, understanding the genetic tools available can help you make more informed breeding decisions and deliver lasting improvements across your herd.

AHDB Genetics Manager Dr Daniel Pitt will explain how to identify breeding goals, interpret genetic information and make the most of the tools available. You'll also hear from dairy farmers David Cotton and Keith Gue, who will share how a long-term focus on genetics has delivered measurable improvements in herd performance.

You'll leave with a better understanding of how to:

Use genetic evaluations to support breeding decisions
Define breeding goals that work for your business
Compare parent average and genomic results with confidence
Use your herd genetic report to identify opportunities for improvement
Put the latest genomic tools and indexes into practice on your farm

Whether you're just starting your genetic improvement journey or looking to make better use of the data you already have, this practical event will help you understand the options available and give you the confidence to make better breeding decisions.

To find out how genetics can help future-proof your herd and improve performance, book your place now.

How has this year’s drought affected farming?

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 15:29:36 GMT

How has this year’s drought affected farming?

Denbighshire: Heat detection for better fertility

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:22:00 GMT

Practical advice to help improve heat detection, increase pregnancy rates and build a fertility strategy tailored to your herd.

Getting cows in calf efficiently is one of the biggest drivers of a profitable dairy business. While there are more heat detection options available than ever before, choosing the right approach for your herd, labour availability and business objectives is key to achieving consistent fertility performance.

Join AHDB and Dave Gilbert from Dairy Insight for this practical, interactive workshop where we'll explore the principles of effective heat detection and how to develop a strategy that works on your farm.

We'll look at how cows express heat, the factors that influence heat behaviour, the strengths of different heat detection methods, and how to monitor and review performance to maximise pregnancy rates.

During the workshop we'll cover:

Understanding the targets – why effective heat detection is fundamental to achieving strong pregnancy rates
Recognising heat expression – how cows display oestrus and the factors that can influence behaviour
Choosing the right tools – comparing visual observation, heat detection aids and activity monitoring technology
Building your heat detection strategy – selecting an approach that fits your herd, facilities, labour and business goals
Measuring success – monitoring key fertility indicators and adapting your strategy to maintain performance

This session is aimed at dairy farmers and herd managers looking to improve herd fertility and profitability.

Registration is essential and lunch will be provided.

Dave Gilbert bio

Dave Gilbert BVetMed MRCVS is a dairy veterinary consultant with over 20 years' experience working with UK dairy herds. After qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College in 2005, he has specialised in dairy herd health and fertility, combining practical farm consultancy with teaching at Harper Adams University.

Dave is a director of Dairy Insight and Horizon Dairy Vets, and works with farmers across the UK to improve herd fertility, health and profitability through evidence-based, practical management.

He is a regular speaker at industry events and has contributed to a number of AHDB knowledge exchange projects on dairy fertility.

Carmarthenshire: Heat detection for better fertility

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:15:34 GMT

Practical advice to help improve heat detection, increase pregnancy rates and build a fertility strategy tailored to your herd.

During the workshop we'll cover:

Understanding the targets – why effective heat detection is fundamental to achieving strong pregnancy rates
Recognising heat expression – how cows display oestrus and the factors that can influence behaviour
Choosing the right tools – comparing visual observation, heat detection aids and activity monitoring technology
Building your heat detection strategy – selecting an approach that fits your herd, facilities, labour and business goals
Measuring success – monitoring key fertility indicators and adapting your strategy to maintain performance

This session is aimed at dairy farmers and herd managers looking to improve herd fertility and profitability.

Registration is essential and lunch will be provided.

Dave Gilbert bio

Dave Gilbert BVetMed MRCVS is a dairy veterinary consultant with over 20 years' experience working with UK dairy herds.

After qualifying from the Royal Veterinary College in 2005, he has specialised in dairy herd health and fertility, combining practical farm consultancy with teaching at Harper Adams University.

Dave is a director of Dairy Insight and Horizon Dairy Vets, and works with farmers across the UK to improve herd fertility, health and profitability through evidence-based, practical management.

He is a regular speaker at industry events and has contributed to a number of AHDB knowledge exchange projects on dairy fertility.

Berkshire: Halal – dispelling the myths and exploring the market

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:39:21 GMT

Want to learn more about the halal market and what it means for your business?

Join us at this meeting to hear from Dr Awal Fuseini, AHDB Halal Sector Senior Manager, as he talks about market opportunities, busts some myths and answers your questions.

What we'll cover:

The market forces in export and halal markets
Myths that surround the halal market in the UK
Export markets
Health and welfare from a vet perspective

Agenda

10:00 Arrival and tea/coffee
11:00 Welcome and host farm introduction
11:15 Halal – dispelling the myths and exploring the market
12:00 Larkmead Vets – welfare and market demand
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Farm walk
14:30 Close

Webinar: Tackling lameness for healthier, more efficient cows

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:39:36 GMT

Healthy feet are essential for productive, efficient dairy cows and improving foot health plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Join veterinary consultant Sara Pedersen from Farm Dynamics Ltd to discover how a proactive approach to lameness management can benefit both animal welfare and environmental performance.

You’ll hear how Ben Hartley at Mason House Farm made foot health a focus area through the UK Dairy Carbon Network project. He will explain why tackling lameness was a priority for his business and the practical changes made to improve mobility across the herd.

Sara will explain how the Healthy Feet Programme provides a structured approach to identifying areas for improvement and creating a bespoke foot health plan tailored to each individual farm.

Key learning outcomes

Understand the link between improved foot health, cow performance and reducing the carbon footprint of milk production
Discover why Mason House Farm prioritised lameness and the impact of taking action
Learn how the Healthy Feet Programme helps identify key risks and develop a practical farm-specific improvement plan
Explore the changes made at Mason House Farm, including adjustments to foot trimming techniques, routine protocols and mobility scoring
Take away practical ideas to support earlier detection, improve mobility and reduce the impact of lameness in your own herd

Leave with practical insights and proven approaches to help improve foot health, support cow longevity and make positive changes that benefit both your business and the environment.

Bluetongue virus update – 5 August

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:49:34 GMT

Cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) are rapidly increasing in both sheep and cattle. Clinical signs appear to be more severe than previous years, resulting in high mortality in sheep.

During this webinar we'll share the latest updates on the current situation.

Speakers

Chair: Zoe Lloyd, AHDB
Gordon Hickman, Defra
Jenny Schmidt, veterinary surgeon
Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health Ltd.
Neil Shand, NBA
Phil Stocker, NSA
Clare Wise, NFU

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.

You can also submit questions ahead of the webinar.

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

Bluetongue virus update – 19 August

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:49:34 GMT

Find out how bluetongue virus (BTV) is affecting dairy cattle as we share the latest situation in the UK.

Speakers

David Taylor, dairy vet
Christopher Sanders, The Pirbright Institute
Natalie Symonds, the Farming Community Network

Joining instructions

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

You do not need to register to watch this webinar. To join, simply log on using the link above at 5pm on Wednesday 19 August.

If you're unable to attend, look out for the recording on our YouTube channel.

You can also submit questions ahead of the webinar.

Support for farmers

If you’re facing challenges, there are resources and charities ready to help with everything from finances to mental health.

Find business, finance and mental health support

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

Devon: Bluetongue information evening

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:23:03 GMT

Join Torch Farm Vets for a free information evening on bluetongue virus (BTV).

Why attend?

Get the latest guidance
Ask your questions
Protect your livestock

Guest speaker

Liz Nabb BVMS PhD CertAVP MRCVS (APHA) – Veterinary Investigation Officer, Animal & Plant Health Agency

The Farming Community Network (FCN) are attending and supporting this event.

Anthelmintic resistance – keeping your stock healthy

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:43:27 GMT

Learn about anthelmintic resistance and keeping your livestock healthy with Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortems Ltd.

Join us along with Carr's Billington, NFU Skipton and Clitheroe and Elanco for a collaborative event at the CCM Market Skipton as we hear from Ben Strugnell of Farm Post Mortems Ltd. and Roxanne Winstanley, a key account manager at Elanco.

What you'll take away

Knowledge of why it's important to test for worms
A better understanding of the growth stages of worms and worm burdens
First-hand experience looking inside a carcase so you'll know what to look for to identify cause of death
An understanding of how organ and intestinal damage is linked with parasitic invasion

Agenda

6:30pm Arrival
7:00pm Welcome and introduction to the evening – Karl Pendlebury, AHDB
7:15pm Anthelmintic resistance – Roxanne Winstanley, Elanco
- Testing for worm burdens
- Drug rotation
- Timings of worm burden cycles
7:30 Post-mortem of sheep to diagnose cause of death and show what to look for on and in the organs – Ben Strugnell, Farm Post Mortems Ltd.
8:50pm Closing comments – Karl Pendlebury

Speaker information

Farm Post Mortems Ltd. is run by Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS, an independent vet with a particular interest in farm animal pathology. Post-mortems are carried out in a lab facility on site in the north-east of England.

Ben qualified from the vet school at Edinburgh University in 2002 and worked in mixed practice in North Yorkshire for five years, specialising in farm animals. He then went on to work for the Veterinary Laboratory Agency in Thirsk, where he developed his skills in pathology and his belief that an accurate post-mortem can diagnose the majority of diseases in farm animals and can prevent unnecessary losses and improve productivity on farm.

He subsequently set up Farm Post Mortems Ltd. to offer a comprehensive gross post-mortem service and to give vets and farmers a way of diagnosing disease and increasing livestock efficiency, so improving profit margin.

Shropshire: Safe cattle handling and cow flow

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:55:23 GMT

Cow flow describes the movement of individuals and the herd. Good cow flow matters for foot health, low stress, fewer injuries and efficient working.

Join AHDB and Teemore Engineering for this interactive workshop.

Cow flow, and whether handling happens without stress, is governed by both the environment and facilities, and the people working with the herd. During this training, we will discuss stress-free working, routines and facility layout.

It’s also good to understand how cows see the world so we can make handling and herding easier. Cow flow during milking is particularly important because that’s when people and cows are in direct contact every day.

At this workshop, you'll learn CowSignals® skills to understand cow behaviour and interpret their body language.

You will develop a better understanding of how people’s behaviour influences the herd and, bringing it all together, build cattle-handling principles that support greater efficiency and safety.

You’ll leave with practical actions you can start implementing immediately.

This workshop is for anyone working with cattle, whatever your age or experience.

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

Bluetongue virus update: High-risk period

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:55:28 GMT

This webinar will discuss the 2026 bluetongue high-risk period. It will cover the importance of staying vigilant as temperatures rise and the risk of bluetongue transmission increases.

It will also include insights from Europe and the recent lambing survey.

The speakers are:

Rudolf Reichel, APHA Chair
Gordon Hickman, Defra
Fiona Lovatt, Flock Health Ltd
Christopher Sanders, The Pirbright Institute

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're running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you're 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
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

Heatwave pressures on livestock farmers and how we're helping build resilience

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:21:33 GMT

Heatwave pressures on livestock farmers and how we're helping build resilience

Maximising intakes: Getting more into every mouthful

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:23:07 GMT

During this practical on-farm event we'll discuss how to improve intakes and performance in grazing dairy systems.

The event is being kindly hosted by Michael Woods and the team at Babbacombe Dairy.

Topics and speakers

Sustainable parasite control – Reb Cavill and Sophie Elworthy, Torch Farm Vets
Mineral nutrition – Annie Williams, Mineral Nutrition
Sustainable soils and swards – Becky Wilson, Farm Carbon Toolkit

10:00am arrival with refreshments for a 10.30am start.

Please book your place by contacting Charlotte at Torch Farm Vets at events@torch.com

Cumbria: Flock foundations - Early decisions, lasting gains

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:13:12 GMT

Join us to discover how you can apply the findings from our seven-year Challenge Sheep project to improve the performance of your flock.

Through Challenge Sheep, we tracked more than 6,000 ewes across 11 farms to investigate the challenges of mating ewe lambs and shearlings and the management required to optimise lifetime performance.

Why attend?

We’ll discuss key ewe management challenges and how you can manage them to optimise flock performance, including:

How to manage ewe lambs and shearlings to optimise their productivity and lifetime performance
How managing ewe body condition can have a major impact on lamb growth rates and litter size
Gathering, understanding and using data to improve flock performance

You’ll come away with a better understanding of how to handle specific management challenges relevant to your flock.

Find out more about Challenge Sheep

When and where

16 June – Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
25 June – Axminster, Devon
16 July – Redditch, Worcestershire
22 July – Salisbury, Wiltshire
25 August – Bishop Auckland, Co Durham
27 August – Writtle, Essex
8 September – Hepworth, Suffolk
9 September – Alnwick, Northumberland
15 September - Windermere, Cumbria
16 September – Newark, Nottinghamshire

Important information

This is a fully funded event with lunch provided.

Spaces are limited so early booking is advised.

RoSA CPD points are available for attending this event.

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

Speaker

Fiona Lovatt

Fiona is an independent sheep vet who runs Flock Health Ltd., a veterinary consultancy which provides specialist veterinary services to the sheep industry.

She enjoys working with sheep farmers and encouraging them to embrace best practice preventative measures to ensure healthy, productive flocks.

AHDB statement on the refreshed bTB strategy

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:22:09 GMT

AHDB statement on the refreshed bTB strategy

Raise 'em right or pay twice – Farmer-focused session

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:28:33 GMT

Find out how using antibiotics correctly can have a positive impact on your herd.

AHDB and UK-DCN are delighted to be working with Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS (of Farm Post Mortems Ltd.), Kat Hart (George Veterinary Group) and Julia Wadeson (Calf to Cow Consultancy) at Harrison and Hetherington, Borderway Mart.

Ben will complete a practical post-mortem on a calf to look at the issues that contribute to or can be a cause of death, and how using medications in the right way with the correct animals can keep stock healthy.

Our presenters will also be sharing their practical knowledge and showcasing how to keep stock healthy by understanding the importance of correct ventilation, temperature and disease control when managing youngstock – and how these factors can ultimately lead to efficiencies on-farm.

By the end of this meeting, you will know:

Calf management theory, such as colostrum management and vaccination protocols with on-farm case studies
How exercising good calf management practices can help reduce antibiotic use and create efficiencies in other areas that can lower your carbon footprint
The primary causes of illness/mortality

Snacks and refreshments will be available upon arrival. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know on the booking form.

Raise em' right or pay twice – Vet-focused session and livestream

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:22:35 GMT

Find out how using antibiotics correctly can have a positive impact on your herd.

AHDB and UK-DCN are delighted to be working with Ben Strugnell BVM&S Cert PM MRCVS (of Farm Post Mortems Ltd.) and Kat Hart (George Veterinary Group) at Harrison and Hetherington, Borderway Mart.

This event is geared specifically towards vets, SQPs and other professionals within this industry (vet nurses/vet techs), as Ben completes a practical post-mortem on a calf to look at the issues that contribute to or can be a cause of death.

Ben will also be discussing how using medications in the right way with the correct animals can keep stock healthy.

This event will also be livestreamed. If you wish to join online instead of in-person, please still register but select that you will be attending the livestream so we can send out a joining link a few days before the meeting.

By the end of this meeting, you will know:

Calf management theory, such as colostrum management and vaccination protocols with on-farm case studies
How good calf management practices can help reduce antibiotic use and create efficiencies in other areas that can lower your carbon footprint
The primary causes of illness/mortality

Useful information

Food and refreshments available upon arrival. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know on the booking form.

This event will also be livestreamed. If you wish to join online instead of in-person, please still register but select that you wish to attend the livestream, so that we can send out a joining link a few days prior.