Michael Priestley

England, North Yorkshire

Livestock Reporter at Farmers Weekly

Trying to make sense of the livestock sector for farmers. Reporter at Farmers Weekly

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Articles

Unapproved dwellings

2 days ago | echo.net.au | Michael Priestley

Finally, some common sense regarding unapproved dwellings in the Byron Shire.
What role do sentinel lambs play in liver fluke control?

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

Testing young lambs through their first grazing season is becoming an increasingly popular technique to monitor fluke risk, say animal health experts. Focusing on these “sentinel” lambs for signs of liver fluke infection can save time, effort and money by informing flockmasters of the disease challenge. In the face of increasing resistance to the widely used active triclabendazole, they have called for vigilance from farmers before the 2025 grazing season, urging them to “test, don’t guess”.
Grazier cuts winter costs to £112 a cow and £6.30 a ewe

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

Rethinking how hill ground is utilised is unlocking profit potential for an upland mixed tenant farm. Combined with a move to recorded maternal genetics (and doubling the number of fields on the holding) the approach has saved the Black family of Drochil Castle, Peebles, thousands of pounds. The business shows a profit after rent and before all subsidies (see “Benefits of changes at Drochil Castle”).
Lifting kit launched to help with downer cows

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

Animal and human welfare will both benefit from a cow lifting device launched in a partnership between a farmer, vet and engineer. North Dorset dairy farmer James Yeatman devised the handling system – which trades as CowRecovery – in February 2022 to help the challenging job of moving downer animals in a welfare-friendly manner. See also: How a Dorset dairy farmer cut antibiotics usage by 80% Launched at Dairy-Tech earlier this month, CowRecovery is based on a modified telehandler bucket.
How to get the most out of “Battle Bluetongue” campaign

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

Efforts to arm farmers with tools and knowledge to battle bluetongue are ramping up across the country in an industry-wide vaccination campaign. Led by vets, “Battle Bluetongue” urges farmers to consult with their vet about vaccinating their flock or herd against bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) this spring. With no treatment available, prevention is only possible through vaccination, and this is currently only permitted in England, say senior vets.
Post-weaning cattle growth rates double with natural spot-on

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

A family butcher is expecting to see days to slaughter fall in cattle treated with a topical pheromone that has improved growth rates after weaning and castration. When Steve Conisbee’s vets suggested he trial an American maternal bovine appeasing substance (MBAS) on his 2024-born calf crop to see if they would grow better, he was very cynical.
Auto lamb weighers to give in-field trial insights

2 months ago | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

A lamb performance project gathering growth rate data automatically through in-field weigh crates is under way. Four farms are trialling the low-stress method, which combines a walk-over weigher, creep feed attractant, and climb-on platform. A data-handling app has been developed alongside the weighers in the Defra- and Innovate UK-funded initiative being co-ordinated through the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the National Sheep Association (NSA).
Hill flock beats high-profit ewes amid suckler expansion

Feb 10, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

A hill flock has survived a major enterprise restructure on an Exmoor farm, which saw cow numbers increased at the expense of a profitable in-bye sheep system. Only 150 shearlings remain from a flock of 1,150 in-bye ewes at Oaremead Farm, near Lynton, where the Burge family are doubling their 80-cow herd to 160-head.
20 tips for lambing from award-winning sheep farmers

Feb 6, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

Each year, the UK sheep industry lambs 15m breeding ewes in a huge variety of systems and locations. From sea level to hill top, they lamb in every month of the year. “Out-of-season” breeds might opt for an autumn crop, while hill flocks lamb in May and June. Farmers Weekly spoke to to two past Sheep Farmer of the Year winners – one, an indoor lamber, the other, outdoor – to get their tricks of the trade.
Sheep and cattle new entrant shares 4 key lessons

Feb 5, 2025 | fwi.co.uk | Michael Priestley

A small grassland farm is turning profits from sheep, sucklers and dairy heifer rearing for a dairy breeding consultant come part-time farmer. Tom Sellers runs a 25ha (62-acre) Powys County Council farm, with the help of family, friends and contractors, alongside working as UK fertility specialist for breeding company Cogent. He moved to Penybryn, near Newtown, in November 2020, and gained a further 25ha (62 acres) on a two-year agreement with Powys council in 2024.