51AVÊÓƵ

More and more dairy farmers are appreciating the overall benefits of cow monitoring technology which gives them intelligence and awareness of the cow’s overall health, as well as their readiness to conceive. Such systems are proving their worth, particularly during the critical transition period.

Using data from its Transition Management System, Premier Nutrition has developed a series of key targets for transition including ‘alarm rates’ when action is urgently called for.

Welsh dairy farmer Andrew Thomas says that making small changes to his transition cow management is delivering dividends in terms of cow health, performance and productivity.

Paying attention to details and making lots of practical, small changes is the way to improve transition management and overall herd performance, according to Dr Huw McConochie, dairy nutritionist with Zinpro Corporation.

Premier Nutrition’s Transition Management System is helping farmers and feed advisers improve cow health and production by evaluating performance during the transition period (30 days pre-calving to 30 days post-calving).

A skilled and professional workforce is vital for a thriving, competitive and confident UK dairy sector.

The launch of the Government’s second Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill has failed to consider the availability and capacity of UK abattoirs, National Sheep Association chief executive Phil StockerÌýhas warned.

On this mission we all share towards net zero carbon, two critical questions are ‘where to start?’ and ‘in which direction?’, writes former cowman and agri-marketing contractor Phil Christopher.

The industry’s updated Dairy Roadmap will help to demonstrate that dairy is part of a sustainable and nutritious diet in light of evolving environmental and climate policy, farm groups have said.

Van Dairy was at the centre of controversy following claims of breaching animal health and welfare as well as environmental regulations. By Bruce Jobson.