Meat & Livestock News

Gene Editing Produces Chickens Unaffected by Avian Flu 

In an unprecedented scientific stride, a research group has engineered chickens that are not susceptible to avian influenza, widely known as bird flu. Utilising state-of-the-art genetic manipulation methods, the goal is to alleviate the burden of this infectious ailment, which has been a recurring challenge for poultry producers. Innovative Genetic Approaches The team harnessed the […]

Year-on-Year Rise in Irish Food Production Marred by Quarterly Slip

Fresh figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in Ireland offer a complex narrative for the nation’s food production landscape. While a 5.6% increase was recorded for the June to August 2023 period compared to the same months in the previous year, the sector also registered a 2.3% dip when set against the immediate preceding […]

USDA’s NIFA Allocates $7.6 Million for Data Science Research in Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has earmarked $7.6 million for research projects focused on leveraging data science and artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. The funding aims to enhance crop yields and improve animal farming practices. Research Focus and Objectives NIFA’s Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems […]

U.S. Cattle Industry Faces Three Pivotal Questions for Herd Rebuilding

By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist The U.S. cattle industry is at a critical juncture, confronted with the pressing dilemma of how and when to kickstart herd rebuilding. This intricate issue is encapsulated in three core questions: What measures are essential? What is realistically achievable? And what are the producers’ […]

Weekly Update on Australian Cattle and Sheep Markets

Rainfall Boosts Southern Australia Last week, southern Australia experienced significant rainfall, with some regions in Victoria and New South Wales receiving more precipitation than they did in the entire month of September. In contrast, southeast Queensland, South Australia, and southwest Western Australia also received some rain, breaking the trend of a relatively dry winter. Cattle […]

Fine-Tuning Cows for a Grazing-Based System: A Shift Towards Sustainable Dairy Farming

Introduction David Homer, a lifelong tenant farmer, along with his sons Chris and Geoff, have embarked on a transformative journey in dairy farming. They have shifted their focus from high-yield Holstein cows to a more sustainable, grazing-based system at their new tenancy at Warren Farm, near Marlborough and the Wiltshire Downs. The New Farming Approach […]

Lamb Market Update: Steady Prices Amid Fluctuating Supply

Overview The lamb market in Great Britain has shown resilience, with both store and finished lamb prices holding firm. Despite some fluctuations in supply and demand, the market remains relatively stable compared to last year’s figures. Finished Lamb Prices The average price for new season lambs in Great Britain, measured by the Standard Quality Quotation […]

Defra Survey Reveals Lowest English Sheep Flock Numbers in Over a Decade

Overview The latest annual livestock survey by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) indicates that the English sheep flock has reached its lowest numbers in twelve years. The data, collected in June 2023, shows a year-on-year decline of 3.2% in the overall sheep population. Breeding Flock Statistics The female breeding flock experienced […]

UK Grain Futures Remain Unaffected by US Market Fluctuations

Introduction Despite recent price increases in the Chicago grain markets, UK feed wheat futures have not followed the same trend. The UK and European grain futures have remained relatively stable, with the sterling-dollar exchange rate showing variability as key economic data from the US is awaited. UK Market Stability As of 1:00 pm on Friday, […]