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The article highlights the severe impact of poisonous plants, particularly Dichapetalum cymosum (gifblaar), on livestock, emphasizing the economic and emotional toll on small-scale farmers in South Africa. It mentions that South African farmer Siphiwe Maphorogo's account of losing multiple cattle to gifblaar underscores the critical need for awareness and management strategies to combat these "silent killers" that can lead to significant livestock losses and financial hardship.

The article focuses on public comments from Predation Management South Africa (PMSA) regarding draft revised regulations for threatened and protected species (TOPS). Topics include the concerns about the time frame for issuing permits to address damage-causing animals, specifically leopards, lions, and brown hyenas, with PMSA proposing an amendment to expedite the permit process within five working days to minimize livestock losses and threats to human life.

The article discusses issues associated with agricultural policy of the U.S. in 2021. It is noted that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has paid out 29.3 billion in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments, the highest farm income reported by farmers in eight years in 2020, biotech acceptance of genetically modified corn and glyphosate under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement.

The article reports on the Oklahoma fires which leave houses in ashes and kill livestock. Discussed is Dewey County rancher Joe Farris which has an 8,000-acre ranch which was in the middle of the Rhea fire on April 19, 2018 who managed to moved about 30 cows and calves away from the fire. Also discussed are the 52 animals that were lost out of the pasture that make Farris felt like losing a part of the family, worrying about the welfare of the animals.

The article offers information on "Farmers Weekly's" Youngstock: Stop the Loss campaign which was launched in conjunction with the National Youngstock Association. The campaign aims to address an increasing problem in the industry and help farmers run better businesses. Its industry partners include BOCM PAULS, Marks and Spencer, Pfizer Animal Health and Tata Steel. It will be publishing a series of articles offering advice on youngstock rearing and farmer case studies.

The article reports that the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has suspended the use of Velactis medicine following reports of recumbency -- where cows lie down and are unable to stand up -- and animals dying. The exact cause of these adverse events is unknown, but farmers are being urged to stop using the medicine and use alternative sources to dry off cows.

The article reports that local farmers helped police after a livestock lorry overturned and killed a number of cattle in North Yorkshire.

The article reports on an online petition started by Danny Bisset of Thurso, Scotland urging Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to change control laws on ravens to allow the birds to be shot to protect livestock on farmlands. The petition by farmers states that increasing attacks in 2016 on in-lamb ewes and newborn lambs have "led to an untold amount of sheep deaths, emotional upset and huge financial losses" for sheep farmers.

The article previews the Dog Line dedicated text alert service for the livestock industry in Wales from National Farmers Union (NFU) Welshpool.

The article reports on the National Farmers Union's (NFU) call on the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and National Fallen Stock Co. to help farmers in Cumbria, England who have suffered heavy livestock losses from blizzards in 2013. The NFU urged the government to provide a temporary, free collection service for livestock killed in the snow. Large replacement bills to be facing the farmers and the absence of compensation for their losses are also cited.

The article focuses on ileitis, a disease in growing pigs, which has a large economic impact. It mentions that financial losses can come from lowered performance including slow average daily gain or poor feed conversion. It adds that the use of commercial vaccine called Enterisol and feed-grade antibiotics are two common control programs for ileitis.

The article discusses how to lower lamb losses in the post-scanning period, particularly in Great Britain. According to the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS), producers can significantly improve their profits by reducing lamb mortality. The opinion of Hybu Cig Cymru's John Richards on the mortality issue is also cited.

The article presents the views of members of the British farming industry who had voiced their support for "Farmers Weekly's" Youngstock: Stop the Loss campaign. Nick Allen of EBLEX cites the importance of ensuring as many calves as possible making it through to finishing. Pfizer Animal Health considers each extra calf that reaches maturity as a victory. Ray Keatinge of DairyCo considers the importance of the campaign in improving overall life chances of calves.

The article focuses on the new risk management options for cattlemen and other livestock producers in the U.S. It mentions programs that protect livestock producers from production losses and price fluctuations such as the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF), the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and the Livestock Tisk Protection (LRP). Moreover, the PRF is based on a rainfall index which is also based on data from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center.

The article reveals that sudden deaths in sheep caused by clostridial bacteria can be difficult to diagnose, according to John and Mary Probert of Wales. A thorough investigation involving soil sampling, faeces testing, water sampling and blood tests revealed lots of bacteria, but no definitive answer. Using a new 10-strain vaccine that does provide protection against C sordellii started immediately, and the following year only one ewe was lost in the run-up to lambing.

The article presents case studies of Clostridium difficile, an emerging pathogen that affects the swine industry in the U.S. It is found in soil, water and gut of mammals and birds. C. difficile is the common cause of diarrhea in piglets ages 1 to 7 days old. A study was conducted on piglets and the result shows that it commonly occurs at weaning. It is important that producers and veterinarian have good communication and coordination to solve, minimize, or totally eradicate the problem.

Reports on the decline in losses from lambs in Great Britain since the weight of boluses used in small ram lambs genotyped for the National Scrapie Plan were increased according to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Percentage of losses recorded before July 2002 when the bolus weight was 9 grams; Number of sheep that retained their 15 gram bolus at a ram sale in 2003.

Provides information on a warning issued by Great Britain Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for farmers concerning the advice of the National Beef Association (NBA) to keep burying fallen stock. Views of NBA on dead stock burial; Legal issues associated with stock burying; Advice of DEFRA to farmers.