Nutrition

Monitor rumen efficiency to drive performance (Nov/Dec 24)

We offer some practical tips and pointers on optimising rumen function to make the most of this year’s ‘challenging’ silages, and to...

Big success on a small island (Nov/Dec 24)

Focusing on fertility and longevity, and building good community relations, have formed the foundations of success for one of the largest...

Fine-tune supplementation in dry-cow diets (Sept 24)

Correctly balancing trace nutrients in transition-cow rations will help to reduce stress and improve cow health and performance when they...

Productivity gains from short-term leys (July/Aug 24)

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

Maintaining milk quality at grazing boosts margins (June 24)

Supporting butterfat production at grazing, by adding a rumen conditioner to summer buffer rations, improves milk quality and meets...

Grazing and forage take centre stage (March 24)

Award-winning grassland management is reaping dairy-business rewards on one Pembrokeshire-based dairy unit. And a focus on home-grown...

Unlocking forage potential pays dividends (March 24)

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

Are you feeding enough milk? (March 24)

Calves can be fed elevated levels of milk replacer safely and this approach also offers health and growth-rate benefits, as well as...

Making silage in a changing climate (Feb 24)

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

Test soils and check timings (Feb 24)

Producers can take steps to mitigate extreme weather, and nutrient applications and timings – for both fertiliser spreading and grass...

Fine-tuning optimises herd health and productivity (Feb 24)

Maximising milk production from home-grown feed and optimising dry-cow rations are just two key objectives for one dairy partnership,...

Keep an eye out for eyespot (Jan 24)

We find out why all maize-growing producers, wherever they are in the UK, should monitor weather conditions with potential eyespot...

Growing maize to produce alternative feeds (Jan 24)

An increasing number of producers are growing maize to make alternative feeds to add to TMR rations. So what does it involve and what are...

Technology and data are key to new unit’s success (Nov/Dec 23)

Advances in robotic technology prompted one Scotland-based dairy business to switch from beef to dairy production – and with considerable...

Control the controllables (Sept 23)

Producers can do little about the external factors impacting their herds and businesses, but they can focus on forage quality and feed...

Maize-drilling tips and early-growth pointers (May 23)

Some producers are still waiting for ideal maize-sowing conditions, while others have already drilled. We offer some timely...

Fine-tuning key to staying on track (May 23)

Refining herd feeding using a robotic system and the latest technology means one Somerset-based herd is reaping the rewards of higher...

Profiling key to improving herd performance

Blood testing for metabolic profiling has been well worth the time and investment for one Ayrshire-based herd. We find out more about the...

High-oxygen-barrier film reduces forage waste (March 23)

Thinking more about how silage clamps are sealed could deliver sizeable benefits in terms of forage quality and herd performance, as well...

Weighing up the benefits of multispecies mixtures (March 23)

Are multispecies mixtures a silver bullet or are there other options producers should consider when making reseeding decisions? We spoke...

Plan ahead when purchasing extenders (Feb 23)

Building in flexibility so producers can react to changes will help balance forage rations and protect margins this spring and summer,...

Mind the forage gap (Feb 23)

Careful planning, with continuous monitoring, is key to ensuring forage stocks produced this coming season match next winter’s...

Take early steps to mitigate maize risks (Jan 23)

Forage maize struggled to make the grade on many UK units in 2022. So what steps can growers take this spring to help ensure 2023’s crop...

Fertility improvements drive herd performance (Nov/Dec 22)

Changes to winter rations have seen one Welsh herd’s fertility performance improve, as well as an increase in milk yields. Coupled with a...

Invest in early nutrition to maximise growth efficiency (Sept 22)

Recent calf-rearing events, hosted by AHDB, explored how producers can optimise calf health by focusing on nutrition and weaning. We...

Flexibility key to winter feeding (Sept 22)

The forage situation varies across the UK, but some producers are facing an extremely tight winter when it comes to silage stocks. TEXT...

Maximising grassland production and utilisation (April 22)

Implementing a nutrient management plan and adding heifers to a paddock-based grazing system have allowed one Wales-based producer to ...

Maize option could double dry-matter production (March 22)

Could growing maize after first-cut silage, or an early grazing round, help to lift total forage production on dairy units this season?...

Rise to the ‘challenge’ of reducing forage costs (Feb 22)

Grazed grass and silage are still among the cheapest feeds for cows. And steps can be taken to mitigate the cost of producing quality...

Mitigating climate-change threat boosts herd efficiency (Feb 22)

Environmental challenges faced by one Dorset-based unit have seen dairy management evolve to maintain profitability and increase...

Maize ‘match’ can offer mutual benefits (Jan 22)

Growing maize in partnership with neighbouring arable producers can benefit both parties and increase the quantity and quality of maize...

Maize earlage supports high-yielding herd (Jan 2022)

Maize earlage can help producers reduce the requirement for bought-in feed and aid harvesting in difficult autumn conditions. Read on to...

It pays to keep cows for longer (Nov/Dec 2021)

There is strong evidence to link an increased number of lactations with greater potential profitability. So says Trouw Nutrition GB’s...

Optimising efficiency on a high-yielding system (Sept 2021)

Adopting new technologies and systems to breed and feed cows for great efficiency is the focus on one Derbyshire-based herd. We look at...

Fine-tuning key to make best use of 2021 silages (Sept 2021)

Knowing exactly what’s in the clamp and balancing rations with care will allow producers to maximise milk production from this year’s...

‘Cocktail’ approach optimises rumen function (Sept 2021)

Switching to a more sustainable fat source has improved ration utilisation and cow performance on one Gloucestershire-based unit. TEXT...