Farmers Weekly Mandatory biosecurity measures for poultrykeepers in Northern Ireland are being relaxed as of Friday (2 June), with the lifting of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The move follows the downgrading of the bird flu risk in NI to “low”. See also: Avian influenza prevention tips and how to handle an outbreak While this does […] The post Northern Ireland lifts compulsory bird flu biosecurity rules appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly A High Court judge has rejected a legal challenge brought by animal welfare campaigners over the use of fast-growing broiler chickens for meat consumption. The Humane League UK, which brought the legal challenge, had argued fast-growing breeds suffer health and welfare problems. The campaign group claimed conventional meat birds, which they say grow unnaturally large […] The post High Court rejects legal challenge over fast-growing broilers appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly One of the UK’s largest poultry processors has announced plans to close a turkey factory in Abergavenny by the autumn, putting 400 jobs at risk. Avara Foods blamed rising costs in fuel, commodities and labour since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has driven up pricing, and falling demand for UK-produced turkey in the retail market for […] The post Avara Foods factory closure plan puts 400 jobs at risk appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly Margins are under pressure like never before in the poultry sector, which faces high input costs and static prices, and some businesses are operating at a loss. Could it be the right time, then, to trial innovations that have been developed with improved performance in mind, to double down on cost control? From technology that […] The post 8 new products to enhance layer and broiler performance appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly Many criteria are taken into consideration when deciding who should win each Farmers Weekly Awards category, though for St Ewe Free Range Eggs – last year’s Poultry Farmer of the Year – impressive marketing was one of the standout attributes. It is therefore of little surprise to find that the Cornwall-based producer/packer has continued to […] The post Move into duck eggs aids growth at St Ewe farm appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly The future of modern, fast-growing broiler chickens for meat consumption is being called into question in the High Court in London, as judges consider a claim that their production breaks animal welfare regulations. The legal challenge against Defra has been brought by The Humane League UK, which argues that the use of conventional meat birds, […] The post Future of fast-growing broiler production challenged in High Court appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly Since 2010, the number of cellulitis rejects has increased nearly threefold, according to Food Standards Agency data. “In the early 2000s we were concerned about a 0.5% cellulitis infection rate – now it’s not uncommon to see averages of at least 1%,” says Nathan Hiom, poultry vet at St David’s Poultry Team. See also: 10 […] The post Why organic acids are key to reducing cellulitis rates appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly Restocking on poultry farms following an avian flu infection can now happen less than four months after just one cycle of secondary cleansing and disinfection (C&D). Farms were previously ordered to wait 12 months after a flock was culled before they could repopulate, if they opted for secondary C&D to a standard set by the […] The post Defra eases rules on restocking after avian flu outbreak appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly With the flock housing order lifted on 18 April and avian influenza case numbers dropping, it is hoped the disease will revert to a more traditional spring/summer lull. So as poultry businesses return to free-range production, it is time to ensure ranges are in tip-top order. From repairing damaged fencing, to filling in potholes that […] The post 9 poultry range jobs to do as housing order ends appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more

Farmers Weekly Poultry in England and Wales can range outside again today (18 April) as the mandatory avian influenza housing restrictions are lifted. But, with the virus still circulating, anxiety levels among free-range producers are said to be high. The official infection risk is now classed as “medium” and the threat considered to be sufficiently low to […] The post Free-range birds take first steps outside in five months appeared first on Farmers Weekly ..read more