Article archive

Recruiting and retaining staff are ongoing issues for many dairy businesses. So a recent industry panel discussion offered some insights and solutions to help producer building stronger teams.   TEXT KAREN WRIGHT   Attracting dedicated people to work on dairy units and building a happy and resilient team is a ‘universal’ aim across the industry. And a panel of specialists at September’s UK Dairy Day shared their own experiences and offered visitors some valuable tips.   It s

Investing in automation is just part of the plan to protect one family-run business. But even the best laid plans could be derailed by tax legislation TEXT RACHAEL PORTER Investing generations of time and passion, as well as capital, in developing a 90-cow pedigree herd has been key to the continued success of Tom Barrett’s family’s Buckinghamshire-based dairy business. Tom’s grandfather, Ray, milked cows on his farm in Warwickshire and was joined by Tom’s father, Reg, when h

This year’s maize growing season has been atypical, yielding an early harvest and good quality silage on many units. But producers should remain steadfast with their future cropping and agronomy plans.   TEXT WENDY SHORT   The exception, rather than the rule, is how producers should view this year’s maize crop and growers should stick to current strategies, and resist the temptation to tinker, to ensure future crop success.   So says KWS’ agronomist Andrew Cook, explaining th

Systemic inflammation, often linked to gut issues, can also weaken hoof-horn quality and taking a closer look at manure can help identify risk factors. TEXT EMMA MILLAR Leaky gut occurs when the gut lining, a filter for nutrients, becomes damaged and allows harmful substances, including toxins and bacteria, to enter into the cow’s bloodstream. It can be the result of stress caused by diet changes, heat, or calving. The result is inflammation, which diverts nutrients away fro

One US-based family-run dairy unit is taking steps to future-proof its herd and business by adopting crossbreeding and robotic milking. And it’s on course to build a resilient set-up for the next generation of producers. TEXT RHIAN PRICE Running a UK-sized dairy herd in the vast and intensive landscape of American agriculture may seem like swimming against the tide—but one US-based operation is proving that small can be successful and progressive. Dornacker Prairies is a 360

Accessing advanced and accurate management data generated by genomic testing is supporting improved herd health, efficiency and productivity on one Northern Ireland-based unit. TEXT KAREN WRIGHT There’s no standing still for Stephen Morrison and his father David when it comes to embracing new technology that will promote genetic potential, and sustain productive, healthy and longer-lasting cows. They run the 220-cow Holstein herd at Armoy, County Antrim. These high productio

Changing the consistency of concentrates fed through robots can improve automatic-milking-system efficiency and increase milk yield. And...

Maximising milk produced from forage is high up the agenda for one South Wales-based dairy business, run by two young brothers. We...

The recent Stride report, which drew on the findings of a nationwide mobility survey, underlines the need for preventative foot trimming...

Switching to a natural teat spray has reduced mastitis incidence and it’s also helping to keep flies away from cows during milking on one...

Neogen’s Rob Hall and Zinpro’s Huw McConochie consider some of the actions that can be taken to build whole-herd resilience to mobility...

Unfavourable weather impacted forage production on many UK-based units in 2024 – including Gloucestershire-based Lydney Park. So, what...

Entries are open for this year’s Calf Rearer of the Year award, which recognises and rewards the industry’s top talent and dedication to...

As producers look ahead and prepare for the 2025 maize-growing season we share some timely advice on varietal choice and seedbed...

Understanding the rumen’s microbial shift when herds transition from silage to grazing-based rations is key to maximizing milk production...

A significant change of direction has seen one producer develop a brand new dairy business, with a high-health-status Jersey herd and...

Smart technology has the potential to support youngstock health and productivity. We find out more about a data-based management tool....

Beef-cross calf-rearing decisions are resulting in assured, high-value sales for two dairy businesses and freeing up time to focus on cow...

A range of seed mixtures has been launched that offer increased performance, as well as helping to meet climate-change mitigation...

Inbreeding presents producers with a greater conundrum than it has previously, so advice on how to avoid it has been updated. A leading...

Genomic testing is just the start. Accessing and understanding the data is key to the successful use and application of this technology....

One Cumbria-based partnership has swapped beef and sheep for a dairy enterprise, investing more than £1 million to create a high-welfare...

All cattle – milkers, fresh calvers and calves – can benefit from hydration support, and strategic use of products to replace lost fluids...

Crimped maize is growing in popularity. We outline the feed’s potential benefits, including adding flexibility to forage plans, and offer...