The spring calving index has had an upgrade that will push sires that breed larger, higher production daughters further down the rankings. We find out how this will benefit producers with low-input systems TEXT ANN HARDY Producers running spring-calving grass-based systems will have a refined breeding tool at their fingertips from April, when AHDB launches an update to its spring calving index. Although the formula of the spring calving index (£SCI) will remain substantially the same –...

Moving away from routine wormer treatments and taking a targeted evidence-based approach are key to parasite control and protecting anthelmintic efficacy. So what steps should producers take? TEXT REBECCA DAWSON Parasite control in dairy systems is entering a period of significant change. With no new anthelmintic actives expected in the near future and growing evidence of resistance on UK units, producers are being encouraged to move away from routine treatments and towards a more targeted...

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. So for many...