Article archive

Silage quality starts with careful grass species selection. Ley longevity, yield and quality are all important factors to consider when deciding which variety makes the cut. TEXT RHIAN PRICE When selecting grass and legumes for multi-cut silage leys, one of the first considerations is how long the ley is expected to persist. And yield and forage quality are equally important, according to Germinal’s William Fleming. “Producers should aim for a tight heading date range of

An AI tool is adding value to robotic milking data to support efficient and effective herd management. So how does it work and what does it mean for producers? TEXT PAUL JENNINGS Modern dairy units quietly gather an extraordinary amount of information and none more so than herds that are milked using robotic systems. Every time a cow walks into a robot stall, it generates a wealth of information – from milking speed and attachment times to visit behaviour and milk-flow curves

We find out more about a producer-focused app that’s been developed to reduce paperwork and dig deeper into dairy costs TEXT BEN PIKE Mention the term ‘efficiency’ and most producers will relate it to feed intake, energy use, or getting the most value from other key inputs But the same mindset rarely applies when it comes to the daily running of dairy businesses, particularly the back-office admin that occupies so much of producers’ headspace. At a time when the milk market

Feed is too valuable to waste, particularly this winter. So we shares some pointers on how to maintain forage and feed quality and maximise intakes. TEXT PHIL EADES Focusing on reducing feed waste will underpin margins and preserve feed stocks at a time when milk prices are under pressure. “Recent movements in milk pricing have come at the worst time possible for milk producers,” says Trouw Nutrition GB’s Alicia Wilson. “Producers are faced with having to juggle the pressure

What steps should producers take before making the change to robotic milking? We highlight some points to consider for a smooth transition TEXT MELISSA WOOD There’s more to consider than potential labour savings and cow health and productivity benefits when making the switch from conventional to robotic milking. Before investing in an automatic setup it’s essential that producers first clearly define objectives and set goals, a ccording to Advanced Ruminant Nutrition’s Eogha

The individual-cow milk sample ‘tells all’, from herd management to cutting edge research, as ongoing on-farm and cutting-edge research in Scotland highlights. TEXT KAREN WRIGHT Measuring methane and monitoring progress as part of the UK dairy farms’ carbon footprint score continues to be an important focus on UK dairy units. The development of an accurate tool to help map progress will be invaluable. And it is what researchers on a project, being carried out at SRUC’s Bar

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

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

Share milking partnerships take wannabe producers a step closer to owning and running their own herd. We find out more about how it works...

Applying biodynamic farming principles to herd and unit management is bringing myriad benefits to one Nuffield Scholar’s dairy business....

Containerised anaerobic digestion plants offer an affordable option for producers looking to generate biogas from herd waste and cut...

Milking is a well-oiled operation for one large Devon-based herd, since the installation of a new rotary parlour. Cow flow has improved,...

Sowing grass immediately after maize has helped one West Sussex-based producer to increase overall forage output, as well as make...

Reducing total nitrogen inputs on grassland, by as much as 15%, without impacting returns is possible. And producers can reduce emissions...

Investing in milking robots, and other labour-saving automated tech, has helped one family-run unit improve milk yields and cow health....

Hiring staff can be a headache for dairy managers and producers. So what is the best approach to find and recruit the best employees, and...

Mitigating high-dry matter in maize forage has been key to improving margins for one Derbyshire-based herd. Using an inoculant offers...

Successful dairying in a changing in climate requires agility, flexibility, and building more resilience into the silage-making systems....

Body condition scoring could be the next management task to be automated using technology, offering greater accuracy and potentially big...

Optimising lighting in housing, for both milkers and dry cows, will improve health, welfare and productivity. We spoke to an independent...

Many producers missed out on the latest round of grant funding, but investing in tech can still be justified if the figures stack up....

Using genomic data and genetic tools to support breeding decisions can help to significantly – and quickly – reduce greenhouse gas...

The drive to reduce dairy emissions is essential for the future of the industry – and the planet. But should methane really be...

Challenging traditional approaches, to find ways to improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability, was the theme of this year’s...