Environmental mastitis: Control and prevention
Management of bedding and grazing paddocks is crucial to controlling environmental mastitis infections during lactation and in the dry period
Untangling the new farm support system
Post-Brexit farm payment schemes continue to evolve as direct supports in England dwindle and new systems are proposed in Scotland and Wales
To reseed or overseed?
For farmers weighing up the value of rejuvenating fields with a full reseed this summer or instead opting to overseed after one of the most persistently wet periods on record there is a lot to consider
Dairy Talk - Gemma Smale-Rowland: "A small barbed wire cut led to a trip to A&E and resulted in sepsis"
It has been a late season here in Cornwall with the rain and cold weather delaying the progress of everything
Dairy Talk - Ifan Roberts: "With much graft and determination we carved out a result"
Calving got under way without incident this year at Houghton Lodge and by the end of February we had successfully delivered over 60 per cent of our calvings
Advice on salmonella in the dairy herd
Vet, Laura Chesters of LLM 51AVÊÓƵVets, shares her advice on managing, preventing and treating a salmonella outbreak on-farm
Optimistic about future of family dairy farm
Herd numbers have more than doubled over the past decade at Kaemuir Farm, near Falkirk, increasing the emphasis on forage production for the Orr family and prompting an investment in an umbilical slurry handling system
World dairying: Swiss farmer adheres to strict production regime for famous Gruyere cheese
A small herd of 22 Red Holsteins is producing milk to strict standards to be turned into the world-famous Gruyere cheese
Clear objectives needed when investing in technology
Dairy technology can produce a wealth of data, but records must be correctly utilised if they are to improve profitability
What are the opportunities for UK dairy exports?
Dairy production is under pressure in countries that are key suppliers to the UK, which could present opportunities for the British dairy industry
Partner Insight: How Multiminâ„¢ is combating deficiencies in beef herds
Ian Cure, of LLM 51AVÊÓƵVets explains how correcting trace element deficiencies by adopting a new method of supplementation has had a major impact on cow and calf health in the beef suckler herd at Myerscough college farm.
Partner Insight: A closer look at the science behind optimising your herd health
Like a car in need of a top up of oil to ensure optimum performance and a reduced risk of engine damage, cattle trace mineral status also requires effective management.
Partner Insight: Reducing mastitis rates in dairy herds by 23%
Correctly managing the trace mineral status of dairy animals at points of stress, including the weaning and transition periods, is critical to herd productivity and profitability. Kate Ingram, Veterinary Advisor at Virbac, gives expert advice on how dairy farms can achieve this.
Partner Insight: Elevating livestock performance with trace mineral injections
Trace minerals affect profitability because they are production elements, says Sabrina Jordan, 51AVÊÓƵProduct Manager at Virbac.
Roger Evans: "Politicians have inflicted pain and suffering of TB on farmers for years because of their dogma"
This month Roger Evans gives his views on Welsh Government and discusses the recent farming protests, bovine TB, trees and speed limits
Dairy Talk - Becky Fenton: "Rather than risk damaging the fields we've adapted and embraced a zero-grazing system"
As a farmer discussing the weather is an unwritten rule. So, let's start there. Our farming practices have been tested by the relentless weather patterns endured
The lasting effects of heat stress in the dry period
Research has shown heat stress at any point during the dry period can affect the lifetime performance and productivity of the developing foetus
Changes in infrastructure to prevent heat stress on Derbyshire dairy farm
For the Bayley family, changes to the accommodation for their housed herd of cows was made necessary after issues with heat stress in 2022
Welsh farm halves lameness by following AHDB's Healthy Feet Lite programme
Identifying and addressing lameness pinch points as part of a structured review has helped one dairy farming family reduce cases by almost half
Expansion not an option for German dairy farm
Farming in harmony with local residents is important for the future of the farm run by the Gertenbach family
Mixture of dairy breeds on Northern Ireland farm
The Holstein, Ayrshire, Dairy Shorthorn and Jersey each have their breed merits and are milked as one herd on the McLean family's Priestland Farm
Improve calf health and hygiene for the win
Developing standard operating procedures for biosecurity can have a positive impact on hygiene in the calf rearing sheds
The importance of people management in dairy farming
Running two dairy herds and a commercial property enterprise, Mike King has an efficient business, operating at a high level, but it was not always this way
Multi-generational dairy farm in Shropshire invests in future
With a total commitment to dairy farming, the Higgins family are looking at ways to take their business forward and are hoping the AHDB Strategic Dairy 51AVÊÓƵprogramme will help facilitate this
Dairy Matters - Paul Tompkins: "I recognise that the strength of UK dairy farming lies in its diverse production types"
As a dairy farmer I am very familiar with the extreme highs and lows the market throws at us, and the enormous pressures experienced by businesses like my own during downturns
Managing mycoplasma bovis in the dairy herd
Managing the risk factors associated with mycoplasma bovis is key to controlling the disease on-farm and protecting naive youngstock
Protocols key to good heifer rearing on Ceredigion farm
Meticulous planning and attention to detail means all the team involved in calf rearing at Gwarllwyn 51AVÊÓƵin Llandysul, Ceredigion, can work to the same protocols and achieve the best possible results
Dairy Farmer - From the Editor: "At times the rainfall was nothing short of biblical"
From Dairy Farmer editor, Katie Jones.
Over-seeding tired pastures
Once conditions dry out, many farmers will start to think about over-seeding their pastures to improve health and productivity of grassland
Business management key to profitability
Dairy farmers are producing in a new era of higher costs, more price volatility and a smaller safety net, but there are still plenty of opportunities