New risk level to Johne's certification for cattle
A new level of Johne's disease certification risk is to be launched this autumn to provide greater transparency for farmers and those buying stock
10 October 2024
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4 min read
Lely releases sand flush accessory for robotic manure collectors
Lely has introduced a sand flushing system to its robotic manure collectors to make it easier for dairy farmers who bed on sand
25 September 2024
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1 min read
Dairy Talk - Ifan Roberts: "Although finances are important always remember that your brand is your superpower"
As I flew home from my nine weeks of individual Nuffield travel in New Zealand, China, Chile and North America, studying the topic of ‘Inspiring the next generation of dairy entrepreneurs', I found myself asking: 'What have I learned?'
23 September 2024
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3 min read
Sunflowers a valuable source of protein for Holstein herd near Cardigan
A Welsh dairy farm is companion cropping maize with sunflowers to reduce its purchased protein costs
22 September 2024
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5 min read
Roger Evans: "That cheque, that arrived in December, used to bring with it a lot of comfort"
The big story since I last wrote has to be the decline in the number of dairy farmers. Just to put it into some sort of perspective, when we started First Milk I think we had 3,500 members
20 September 2024
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3 min read
Argentinian dairy farm embraces automation and sees positive impact
El Rancho farm was the first dairy unit in Argentina to install milking robots in 2018 and now the focus is on controlling rising costs
19 September 2024
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5 min read
Dairy Talk - Robert Reed: "Sir Brian's main focus obviously would be to protect the badgers"
I would like to start my first column by talking about what is going well, and what is not going so well, which is how we open things up at the robotics milking discussion group I am involved with
18 September 2024
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4 min read
Dairy Matters: "TB - There is no end in sight for farmers, they are expected to just live with this"
Vets Dr John Gallagher and Roger Blowey give their view on the BBC documentary 'Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me'
18 September 2024
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6 min read
UK Dairy Day: Breeding for healthier feet
Genetics has a bigger role to play in lameness incidence than previously thought, said Prof Georgios Oikonomou, who discussed a research project looking at this topic during one of the day's seminars
18 September 2024
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2 min read
Showring history made at 10th anniversary UK Dairy Day
Two cows made history by claiming back-to-back championships in the cattle show classes at this year's UK Dairy Day. Ellie Layton reports.
12 September 2024
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7 min read
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of UK Dairy Day
The countdown is on to the 10th anniversary of UK Dairy Day, which takes place at the International Centre, Telford, on September 11, 2024
10 September 2024
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2 min read
Opportunity to bring down mastitis infection rate
An analysis of somatic cell count (SCC) figures from 400 recorded herds has revealed that fewer than 8% of cows showed signs of mastitis infection in the top-performing sector, says vet, Dr Tom Chamberlain
10 September 2024
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6 min read
Get ahead of nutrient deficiencies this autumn
Grass and maize crops could have nutrient deficiencies this autumn and winter, due to the wet spring, so farmers should consider getting forage sampled ahead of feeding out
09 September 2024
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5 min read
Showing dairy cows is a family affair on Devon farm
The Rockett family combine their passion for showing with keeping the milking herd at home going
26 August 2024
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7 min read
Managing sub-acute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows
High concentrate diets and acidic clamp silage are some of the main causes of sub-acute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows
23 August 2024
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3 min read
Next generation energises Derbyshire family dairy farm
With the aim of a profitable and sustainable future, Jo and Alex Gidlow are keen to push their family farm on by increasing cow numbers and future-proofing the system
23 August 2024
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5 min read
Safe disposal of spent footbath solutions
A few minor tweaks around the farmyard could help livestock farmers greatly reduce the risk that disposal of spent footbath solutions might cause environmental damage
22 August 2024
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3 min read
Dairy Farmer - from the editor: "It is important we also try look for positives when we can"
In the coming weeks we look forwards to two important dairy industry events – UK Dairy Day, taking place on September 11; followed by the Dairy Show on October 2
21 August 2024
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1 min read
Former accountant starts life as a new entrant dairy farmer on Isle of Man
A former accountant has taken a leap into dairy farming, with milk from his 40-cow herd sold direct to the public on the Isle of Man
21 August 2024
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4 min read
Dairy Matters - Charlie Taverner: "The bigger issue is whether the Government should put so much emphasis on herbal leys"
In April this year, farmers across England were receiving £74.2 million for establishing and maintaining herbal leys – the action known as SAM3
20 August 2024
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4 min read
Competition fuels milk price increases
Milk buyers needing to remain competitive with their producer milk prices, especially in certain pockets of the country such as South Wales and the South West, is setting the scene for producer milk price increases to continue into this autumn.
20 August 2024
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4 min read
Dairy Talk - Becky Fenton: "I'm very honoured and privileged to have been asked to judge the 'Dairy Farmer of the Year' class for The British Farming Awards 2024"
In my last column, I wrote about how we were embracing a zero-grazing system, which initially increased our milk yield but significantly added to our workload. Forget that! A few weeks later, yields dipped, grass quality was poor and we were fed up with the extra tractor work and scraping copious amounts of muck. Also, it eventually stopped raining
18 August 2024
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2 min read
Invest in technology where it makes sense for your business
Big investments in milking technology are not always about chart-topping cow numbers or yields
17 August 2024
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8 min read
Tips for a successful farm job interview
Expert advice on how prospective applicants can stand out in the interview process
16 August 2024
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3 min read
Dairy Talk - Dan Burdett: "There is no doubt the last year has been a challenging time for organic dairy farmers"
It's the time of year again to switch off the vacuum pumps, stop making ice and shut the farm gate as we hit the peak three to four weeks of our summer dry period
12 August 2024
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3 min read
Taking the time to research technology and equipment
When converting beef housing to a brand-new dairy unit Robert Patton carried out a lot of research to find the technology and infrastructure suitable for his needs. Chris McCullough reports
01 August 2024
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4 min read
Accurate application reduces nitrogen reliance
The 2025 splash plate ban has worried some and inspired others and Callum Fernihough has chosen to get ahead and make best use of slurry by using a trailing shoe applicator
30 July 2024
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5 min read
Start with the dam to maximise heifer performance
An all-encompassing approach which starts before a heifer is even born has helped Stowell Farms reduce their average age at first calving by two months in the last three years
30 July 2024
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6 min read
Mitigating the risk of neospora
Vet, Rob Hall of LLM Farm Vets, discusses the cost of abortions caused by neosporosis and best practice for controlling and preventing the disease
30 July 2024
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5 min read
The non-negotiables of calf rearing at Staffordshire dairy farm
A high standard of colostrum management and a slow weaning process are two ‘non-negotiable' elements of calf rearing for Staffordshire-based Dan Lovatt, who milks 1,000 Jersey cross Friesian spring calvers across two site
27 July 2024
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7 min read
