51AVÊÓÆµ

Are your youngstock holding back your milk cheque?

If heifers are entering the milking herd underweight and underprepared, the ripple effects could be costing you, says dairy expert

Katie Fallon
Livestock Specialist
clock • 3 min read
If heifers are not in optimal condition when they enter the herd, they could be using their energy for growth rather than milk production in the first lactation.
Image:

If heifers are not in optimal condition when they enter the herd, they could be using their energy for growth rather than milk production in the first lactation.

With recent milk price volatility undoubtedly impacting cash flows on many UK dairy farms, reviewing bottlenecks in heifer performance could help boost business profitability. Speaking on a recent AHDB...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Dairy

How Grassland micronutrients can support livestock health and performance

How Grassland micronutrients can support livestock health and performance

Providing animals with essential micronutrients will help support livestock health and performance, but how can farmers get this nutrition into animals before licks and supplements are required?

clock 31 July 2026 • 5 min read
Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm

Why you should rethink your dairy heifer inventory to boost financial return on-farm

A combination of genomic testing and applying strict targets for the use of sexed semen to control the number of heifers reared and entering the herd can increase the return on investment in heifer rearing

clock 29 July 2026 • 5 min read
How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage

How one Cornish dairy farm is keeping sight of its heritage

From the dairy herd to the ice-cream production, every part of the Parker family's business has evolved to meet changing markets and rising expectations

clock 29 July 2026 • 8 min read