Livestock
Northumberland Bird Flu: H5N1 Near Belford and What the Zones Mean
Northumberland bird flu: H5N1 confirmed at a commercial poultry farm near Belford on 19 October. What the 3km and 10km zones mean for keepers.
From the fields and beyond
Livestock farming in the UK
UK livestock coverage from an editor’s seat: beef, sheep, dairy and pigs — gate-price policy, bTB testing changes, antibiotic targets and the welfare standards under debate. Tim Harfield doesn’t run livestock himself, but livestock policy sets the rural-economy weather for every farm.
Livestock
UK Milk Prices: Why Butter Is Falling While Milk Supply Drops
UK milk prices explained: farmgate at 36.89ppl, butter down £240/t and SMP up £200/t. Why fat and protein are moving apart, and what it means for farmers.
Livestock
Bovine TB: What Happens When Your Herd Goes Down
When a herd has a bovine TB breakdown, it is put under movement restrictions and loses its officially TB free (OTF) status. Reactors are isolated, valued and…
Livestock
Liver Fluke in Sheep and Cattle: Autumn–Winter 2026 Risk, Signs and Treatment
Published 17 October 2026 · Updated 17 October 2026 · By Tim Harfield Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is a parasitic flatworm that sheep and cattle pick up…
Livestock
Valais Blacknose Sheep: UK Breed Guide, Lambs, Fleece and Care
Valais Blacknose sheep explained: Swiss origin, UK imports since 2014, markings, twice-yearly shearing, lambing and what to check when buying lambs.
Livestock
Dexter Cattle: Breed Guide to Britain’s Smallest Cow
Dexter cattle explained: Irish origins, size, short-legged and non-short types, beef and milk, the bulldog gene and what to check before you buy.
Livestock
Herdwick Sheep: Breed Guide to the Lake District’s Fell Sheep
Herdwick sheep explained: Lake District origins, hefting, fleece that greys with age, Beatrix Potter, Lakeland Herdwick PDO meat and 2001 foot and mouth.
Livestock
UK Sheep Breeds: A to Z Guide to British Sheep and How They Fit Together
UK sheep breeds explained: hill, crossing and terminal sire breeds, how the stratified system produces the Mule, which breeds are most common, rare breeds.
Livestock
Limousin Cattle: UK Breed Profile for Beef Farmers
Limousin cattle explained: French origins, arrival in the UK in 1971, size and colour, carcase and calving traits, temperament, pros, cons and buying tips.
Livestock
Aberdeen Angus Cattle: UK Breed Profile and Buying Guide
Aberdeen Angus cattle explained: Scottish origins, polled black and red cattle, maternal traits, beef-on-dairy role, Sire Verification and buying tips.
