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Presents news briefs on livestock as of September 2004. Information on a research by Milo Wiltbank at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the duration of cows in standing heat; Benefits of the Welsh Black Cattle Society's herd health scheme; Initiative suggested by beef economist Duncan Sinclair to achieve profitability in selling English beef finishers; Report of Tom Overton on dry cow management during a trial at Cornell University.

The article discusses the benefits of extending the grazing season and efficient grassland management to dairy farm profitability in Great Britain. Livestock Improvement Corp. consultant Mike Bailey explains that feed budgeting and planning late season rotation lengths are required in planning an extended season. Kingshay development director Richard Simpson advises farmers to be realistic in terms of the grass to be provided. Bailey cites the importance of using a feed budget calculator.

The article discusses how things have changed with regards to profitability in the farming industry. Three key actions are currently being implemented to boost the chances of staying in profit. The arrival of sugar beet quota, adding a brand new crop to the rotation, with all the issues of agronomy and contractor negotiations, and the challenge of growing a new crop. There is a fresh focus on getting to grips with the rising burden of red tape.

Spring-calving suckler and arable farmer Mike Powley is adapting his business to improve labour efficiency and environmental sustainability. "We want ghost cows - those you see once at service and [they] disappear back into the herd until calving", Mr Powley says. [Extracted from the article]

Rising pork prices are bringing relief to hard-pressed pig producers and mean many of them are close to a return to profitability. AHDB analyst Charlie Reeve suggested that good export demand, driven by China's ongoing African swine fever (ASF) crisis, and higher import prices had started an upward momentum in prices. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the statement of Patrick Muller at the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference in central London, England that the liquid milk industry is at tipping point due to a lack of profitability. He adds that milk consumption is in decline thus supermarkets, processors and farmers need to work together to create more value-added products and export more if they are all to remain profitable.

The article offers suggestions to select a sire with the right genetics and impact on both performance and profitability of suckler herds. It mentions farmers narrow down their decisions when it comes to obtaining a bull Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) which measure genetic potential and expressing the difference between an individual animal and the individual breed benchmark. It also mentions comparisons can be made between bulls of the same breed.

The article discusses the results of farm diversification survey, which highlighted alternative enterprise on farm led to profitability.

The article reports on the plans of British dairy company Muller UK to find savings within the company to improve profitability.

The article reports on the decline of the Total Income From Farming (TIFF), the official measure of profitability of the farming industry in Scotland, in 2018 due to poor weather and high feed costs. It states that TIFF was also put under pressure from higher labour costs, lower lamb and beef and dairy cattle numbers and smaller cereal area and yield.

The article discusses impact of Brexit over farm profits as well as employment rates in Great Britain. Topics discussed include adverse impact of declining social security payments leading to high-profile retail failures in 2018; information regarding forecasts about profitability for 2019 despite impact of Brexit; and adverse impact of weather-related issues of 2018 over agriculture.

The article reports that farmers of Great Britain are forecast to see lower profits in 2018 as the result of the increasing spending on agricultural goods and services. Topics discussed include increase in the spending over animal feed; rise in the costs of fuel and fertilizers; and information on decline in profitability of livestock farmers.

The article reports on strategies to be adopted for protecting future of bull calves and calf export business. It mentions information on use of total mixed ration (TMR) in dairy farm for improving calf health. It mentions that consistent product as well and maximized beef production from herd, will help in raising profitability of dairy industry.

The article reports that the concept of once-a-day milking is starting to gain traction within the dairy industry, particularly for those looking to improve their work-life balance and increase profitability. It mentions that Farmers need to think about whether they can cope with reduced income, particularly in that first year, and financial forecasting needs to be accurate and realistic.

The article offers information on the Prince's Resilience Fund that is offering one-to-one business advice and group workshops for dairy, beef and sheep farmers around Great Britain. It mentions that the aim of the fund is to help farming families make changes that will improve their profitability and the service will include an on-farm business health check.

The article focuses on the report "Dairy Costings Focus 2018" by independent dairy specialist Kingshay which cites summer drought as threat to higher returns for dairy farmers in Great Britain. The reports discussed factors to influence dairy farmers including the continual increase of feed costs, forage shortage, and increasing concentrate costs. Kingshay services development manager Richard Miller notes the impact of such factors on higher milk prices.

The article discusses the six key areas for farmers to focus on when benchmarking arable performance as outlined by Alex Smith, rural business advisor at Sentry Farming Ltd. These areas include seed, fertiliser and sprays, total fungicide cost on a tonnage basis, and labour and machinery costs. Also included are enterprising, data trends and input balance.

The article reports that the weak pound has helped British agriculture to be profitable in a four-year high.

The article discusses the importance of clarity and profitability in Scotland's agriculture industry.

The article reports on how Cambridgeshire beef farmer Dan Burling increased his herd profitability by more than 360 pounds a cow per year through estimated breeding values. Burling admits that he committed a mistake when he switched to Stabilisers in 2007 from 70 Saler-cross cows in favour of their easy management capabilities. He cites the factors that affect profit which include the number of live calves and maternal traits.

The article offers information on Country Land & Business Association's (CLA) rural business conference on held on November 28, 2017, which focused on need for farmers to use high welfare and environmental standards to promote exports. Topics discussed include need for agricultural policies ensuring environmental benefits, focus on profitability of food and agriculture for the future, and views of Christopher Price, CLA director, regarding the same.

The article focuses on efficient management of labour and machinery costs and working to continually improve technical performance are the key to improved dairy profitability. It mentions operating profit from more efficient overhead cost management and labour efficiency and machinery-related costs and inflation and oil prices increasing and a shortage of quality labour. It also mentions management of grassland and forage crops and financial performance.

The article focuses on the concerns related to Brexit in respect to agriculture such as grower naked oats and oilseed rape and yield variability of these spring-drilled crops is less than their autumn. It mentions Spring crops have increased in popularity among farmers who need to control blackgrass, spread workloads, and improve rotations and getting close to the profitability of top-performing winter wheat and oilseed rape. It also mentions growers gain by reducing machinery and labour costs.

The article presents the author's insights on the profitability in Great Britain agriculture due to autumn spray. Topics discussed include the damage caused by bruchid beetle damage on beans despite the absence use of insecticides, the reduction in reliance on the method of pest, disease and weed control, and the need for good quality science to improve sustainability in agriculture.

The article focuses on findings the new John Nix Pocketbook for Farm Management, which refers to the best profitability outlook for most farming sectors in 2018. It highlights a feed wheat gross margin for an average producer at 744 pound/ha and winter oilseed rape gross margin at a high of 662 pound/ha on an average yield of 3.5t/ha.

The article offers news briefs related to livestock. Topics discussed include the potential improvement of herd profitability by Limousin cattle breeders through adoption of genomic tests for maternal traits to be included in genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) and the tips from ruminant technical manager Sioned Timothy at Merial Animal Health on how to deal with worms in lambs.

The article reports on the sale of the Woodlark Farming Ltd. which has been under the administration of Pricewaterhouse Cooper LLP (PwC) since February 1, 2011. It mentions that the sale of Woodlark involves three sites with the capacity for 2,400 breeding sows and 27,500 fattening pigs. It adds that the farm has a further 286 acres of arable land and produces a diverse income stream that involves rental income and anaerobic digestion feedstock.

The article offers the author's insights on the planned use of early nitrogen for backward-looking wheat. Topics discussed include the profitability of agriculture in Great Britain, the high green area indexes of oilseed rape, and the grazing of cover crops with ewes and lambs. It also mentioned the reduction of area for peas in spring cropping.

The author offers insights on profit from dairy farming. He discusses the challenges facing dairy businesses, the cost of producing milk, the influence of oil price and exchange rates on milk prices, and cost comparison of dairy farm machinery and different feed options, like grass silage, cow cake and grazed grass.

This article focuses on a cultural shift among the farm team at Norbreck Farm to improve farm profitability. It discusses the team's refocus on farm budgets using the lean management principles, the increase in the farm's production, the aim of lean management at the farm and the implications of general inconsistencies with feeding discussed by the farm team.

The article reports on the finished lamb trade in Great Britain that continues to strengthen despite higher numbers and competition from cheaper meats. Figures presented indicate the prices of old and new season lambs sold in the market and the increased number of lambs on market sale. A forecast on the domestic supply and demand for lambs and the growth in business confidence, including the issue of profitability and support systems, in 2014 is offered.

The author talks about grass-based milk production in England. He cites the complexity in dairying and the factors driving milk production. He believes that the level and robustness of profitability should drive any business strategy. He adds that a business with marginal profitability becomes unprofitable when volatility comes. He also mentions the calving season at Dolphenby.

The author focuses on dairy farmers in Great Britain. He argues that members of the Institute of Grocery Development make it difficult for these farmers to succeed in their business. He contends that dairy farmers have the potential to improve the rural economy during the economic crisis. He blames government, farmers and their leaders in allowing large companies in the grocery industry to control the profitability of these producers.

The article highlights the significance of a collaboration between mustard grower and processor to mustard growing for Colman's in England in 2011. Among the challenges facing mustard growers are crop profitability and quality. New contract terms were implemented as a result of a review of the trading relationship between grower and processor. Some of the benefits of the collaboration include an improvement in organisation, planning and returns.

The article shares the lessons that the beef sector could learn from the poultry sector when it comes to management, effective approach to performance and cost control to increase production. Monitoring costs and production is cited as an essential aspect of management. Making every part of the production chain integrated and working together as well as cooperation in the supply chain are also considered important measures to keep the business profitable.

The article examines the economics of lowland and upland shooting on business. Results of a 2010-2011 benchmarking survey by rural consulting firm Smiths Gore and shooting brokerage Guns on Pegs show that commercial shoots maintained prices yet experienced difficulty in controlling rising costs. Survey indicates that profitability was kept marginal with 42% of shoots posting a loss. David Steel, sporting head of the consultant, believes that the shoots cannot absorb costs for another season.

The article urges potato growers to reduce the carbon footprint of their potato crops to increase crop profitability, as told by senior agronomist Eric Anderson of Scottish Agronomy. Anderson reminds growers to pay attention to soil structure, soil management and water management and to consider the timing of ploughing operations. He refers to diesel usage foe mechanical operations and water usage within the crop as the factors that influence carbon footprint.

The article discusses the impact of increased grain prices on the cropping decisions of farmers in Great Britain in 2011. It says that input costs could caused a change in the relative profitability of individual crops in the country. According to the author, it is possible that farmers be less liberal with the use of fertilizer applications in the remaining seasons of the year.

The article reports that the non-chemical methods of controlling blackgrass will need greater uptake on farm in order to keep crop production profitable and sustainable in the face of decreasing chemical control, which is based on a new study using the Farmers Weekly Virtual Farm model in 2011. It says that the model had been adapted to forecast the impact of mitigating non-chemical strategies and declining herbicide performance. The impact of delayed drilling on blackgrass is also discussed.

The article discusses the goal of farmer Adam Henson to farm with conservation in mind on his farm in Gloucestershire, England. Henson and other farmers reportedly need to balance commercial decisions about farming profitability with environmental management. An overview of the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) agreement signed by Henson in 1994 as his farm was covered by the Cotswold Hills Environmentally Sensitive Area is provided.

The article focuses on colostrum management and supplementation in piglets, as discussed at the 2011 British Pig Executive's (BPEX) Focus on Farrowing conference held at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, England. According to Phiip van den Brink of Dutch company Zarkos-Smith Associates and SwiNco, good colostrum management is one of the main ways to improve farm profitability. The cross-feeding for newborn piglets is also discussed.

The article reports on the latest developments in the British livestock industry, particularly on feed issues, as of February 2011. It features Irish dairy farmer Philip Donohoe, who focuses on weekly pasture monitoring, particularly on grass covers, to enhance profitability. The grazing practices by Donohoe on his New Zealand Friesian cows are also examined.

The article reports on how Simon Frost, livestock farmer at Hopping Farm in Youlgreave, Derbyshire, England, maximizes production efficiency to achieve profitability. Based on figures benchmarked against EBLEX recorded producers, the weight of calves from the Hopping Farm are higher than average. Frost believes that top quality breeding, feeding and health are critical to increasing profitability. According to Frost, factors that can influence profitability are the weight gain of young livestock, high growth rates and calving interval.

The article discusses farming investment opportunities in eastern Europe. After the previous global economic recession, an increased number of individuals and companies started to invest in the agricultural sector with hopes that global commodity prices will encourage enhanced returns from farming operations. In regions like Romania, the lack of land ownership restrictions and farm soil quality inspire investors to pursue farming business. Agricultural investment suggestions from Carl Atkin of Bidwells Agribusiness are also presented.

The article discusses how Tregeiriog Farm in Llangollen, Wales, owned by Rupert Greenwell and farmed under contract by Aled Jones, is improving its profitability. The farm carriers 1,275 breeding ewes and 300 ewe lambs. Jones claims he plans to increase the chicory area in 2011. He also plans to expand the use of high-index rams. Meanwhile, nutrition is a vital part of the preparations for winter at the farm. All ewes have received three trace element boluses from Animax.

The article provides information on aspects related to forecast for 2017 farm profitability including views of head of business research Richard King on the same. Topics discussed include poultry production and dairy farming, Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), and Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

The article examines profitability of arable farm businesses in Great Britain.

The article presents the author's opinion on running a successful farm business which makes profits. The author believes that people farm for number of reasons such as passion, family tradition, but basically farms are businesses which need to make profit. The author presents insights on expanding a farm business to make profits.

The article reports that the Scottish Sheep Sector Review has identified several changes which it believes could add at least 26m pound a year to the Scottish sheep sector. The review group has laid out a 24-point action plan which aims to improve profitability at farm level, stimulate demand for sheepmeat and add value. The review group, chaired by former Farmers Weekly Awards Sheep Farmer of the Year John Scott, said surveys of sheep enterprises showed large variation in profitability.

The article presents the author's views on the for a guaranteed supply of food. He opines that productivity has almost stagnated on the supply side. He comments that the confidence, incentives and profitability to ramp up food production is lacked by farmers. He remarks that as a result of various food scares and animal health disasters self-sufficiency has also suffered over the years.