EID Weighing Drafting Race Integration EID weighing drafting race integration – Integrating hardware into a cattle race requires careful attention to spatial ordering and structural placement. Mounting EID antennas directly onto heavy galvanised steel frames can detune the EID reader signal and cause missed tag reads. [ Forcing Tub ] ──► [ Curved Race ]…
PG Forcing Tub vs. HD Forcing Tub PG Forcing Tub vs. HD Forcing Tub – A forcing tub acts as the funnel of your cattle handling system, using natural cattle behaviour to encourage movement into the race. Choosing between the PG Forcing Tub and the HD Forcing Tub comes down to herd size, handling frequency,…
The 2026 Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) Optional Capital: Production & Efficiency Grant offers beef and dairy producers across Wales up to 40% grant funding (excluding VAT) on standard-specification livestock handling equipment. With public funding capped at £15,000 per Customer Reference Number (CRN) per financial year, structuring your application correctly is key to transforming your yard…
The spread of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) poses a critical threat to UK sheep and cattle producers. Passive monitoring and regional restrictions alone are no longer enough to protect livestock health, farm productivity, and rural livelihoods. To prevent widespread economic damage and safeguard animal welfare, Farming Solutions Ltd is calling on Defra and the…
On-Farm Biosecurity: Designing Effective Isolation Housing & Quarantine Pens Cattle isolation housing: Bovine TB – Managing livestock movements is a critical line of defense against Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB). Unscreened, newly purchased stock or animals returning from shared grazing can unwittingly introduce Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) into a clean herd. Following our recommendations on physical barriers…
On-Farm Disinfection Protocols: Implementing DEFRA-Approved Standards for Bovine TB Bovine TB Disinfection Protocols – Establishing physical wildlife barriers protects your farm boundary, but robust cleansing and bovine TB disinfection protocols are required to eliminate Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) within the holding. The bacterium that causes Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) can survive for months in organic matter,…
Securing Your Farm: Effective Wildlife Barriers for Bovine TB Deterrence Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) transmission isn’t limited to direct cattle contact; environmental contamination via wildlife vectors is a major risk factor. Badgers and other wild mammals can harbour and spread M. bovis, contaminating feed, water, and grazing land. The previous post outlined the fundamental risk vectors…
Bovine TB risk assessment Bovine TB risk assessment – Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) remains one of the most significant financial and operational threats to cattle herds. Implementing an effective biosecurity plan requires identifying where transmission risks occur on your farm. This self-assessment checklist breaks down the primary risk vectors for Bovine TB introduction and spread, helping…
FDX vs HDX Tags FDX vs HDX Tags – When investing in electronic identification (EID) hardware for cattle or sheep, most attention naturally goes to the EID readers, loadbars, and weighing indicators. However, the foundation of any reliable data capture system starts right at the ear: the EID tag itself. As UK livestock systems shift…
Cattle vs Sheep EID Cattle vs Sheep EID – Implementing an effective Electronic Identification (EID) system requires more than just choosing a highly rated EID reader; it demands selecting hardware tailored to the unique physical behaviours, handling methods, and operational requirements of the species you manage. While standard ISO technology underpins all livestock EID, a…