Early-maturing maize variety boosts silage yields on Oxfordshire dairy farm

Farming on the northern margins of the North Wessex Downs, Hamish McIntosh has always tried to maximise the contribution maize makes to his milking ration

clock • 5 min read
Hamish McIntosh has a 400-cow milking herd at Hardwell Farm, Oxfordshire.
Image:

Hamish McIntosh has a 400-cow milking herd at Hardwell Farm, Oxfordshire.

Soil types vary across Hardwell Farm, near Knighton, Oxfordshire, where Hamish McIntosh runs a 400-cow milking herd alongside 80 hectares (200 acres) of arable cropping and a similar acreage of grassland....

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

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

 

More on Dairy

How to extend farm forage supplies and boost dairy yields in a drought year

How to extend farm forage supplies and boost dairy yields in a drought year

With winter forage stocks under pressure due to this summer's drought, we hear from Philippa Merchant, blends co-ordinator at Mole Valley Feed Solutions, how adding a moist feed to ration could be the solution

Katie Fallon
clock 14 September 2026 • 2 min read
How 365-day grazing, herbal leys and spring calving have helped reduce costs on a Devon dairy farm

How 365-day grazing, herbal leys and spring calving have helped reduce costs on a Devon dairy farm

Thinking outside the box has seen one Devon-based dairy farm reduce costs by introducing all-year-round grazing to their cross-bred herd

Katie Fallon
clock 13 September 2026 • 7 min read
Opinion: Milk price rollercoaster must be tamed

Opinion: Milk price rollercoaster must be tamed

Farmers Guardian deputy editor Alex Black discusses the ups and downs of the dairy market

Alex Black
clock 11 September 2026 • 2 min read