Mastitis severity is often driven by how a cow’s immune system reacts, says Dr James Breen at Nottingham Uni Most producers have had it – a sudden and unexpected case of toxic mastitis in a freshly calved cow, sometimes curable, sometimes fatal. But why are there different responses to treatment, and why do some cows […]
Category Archives: Selected Articles
Parlour Tech: Robotics, Herringbone, Rotary, Milking Equipment and Support Systems, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
The road to robotic milking: Early adoption to wider industry uptake
Batch robotic milking systems are becoming attractive for larger herds Robotic milking has come a long way in the UK over the past three decades. It has moved from niche technology for early adopters to an option many dairy businesses now consider when investing in milking infrastructure. British Dairying finds out more. The UK’s robotic […]
Animal Health: Welbeing, Hygiene, Disease Prevention, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
How precision nutrition is redefining the dry period
Cows mobilise muscle around calving, which then needs to be replaced The dry period is a key phase in a cow’s life, and getting it right is critical for her future success. So how can precision nutrition help? British Dairying reports. For a long time, the dry period was seen simply as a holding period […]
Net zero: Sustainability, Climate Positive, Green Initiatives, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
A focus on dairy efficiency and emissions can support resilience
Improving feed efficiency can help to lower a farm’s carbon footprint Current challenges with high input costs and squeezed margins can open opportunities based around sustainability and a circular economy, as British Dairying discovers. The current geopolitical landscape, combined with a global milk surplus over the past 12 months, has created the perfect storm of […]
Josh Fincham and his wife wouldn’t have been able to take on a tenancy, so it’s been a perfect route for them British Dairying is currently looking at ways to match new entrants with farmers who have no means of succession, following a successful industry round table at the House of Commons. Sarah Peacocke details […]
Feed & Nutrition: Maize, Forage, Grassland, Nutrition, Vitality, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
How to reduce fuel use in the quest to create and store quality silage
Silage is worth more than ever due to the increasing costs of production, says Felipe Amaro at Passion Ag Global fuel prices are soaring, and the resulting higher cost of making silage could easily tempt farmers to cut corners. So how can producers reduce fuel use while still protecting fermentation, feed value and silage quality? […]
Breeding: Genetics, Fertility, AI, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
Herd monitoring techology helps overcome challenges
Lynn Pridham and her husband Ian introduced a smart ear tag system for monitoring the youngstock Making use of technology has enabled two new entrants to save time by monitoring their dairy herd with limited staffing requirements. British Dairying discovers more. Over the past three years, Ian and Lynn Pridham have built a new dairy […]
Animal Health: Welbeing, Hygiene, Disease Prevention, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
Why are lameness levels still so difficult to bring down?
Tackling lameness starts with prevention, clear planning and consistent, proactive herd management Lameness remains a persistent issue on many dairy farms, but a new survey hopes to identify new approaches to tackle the problem. British Dairying reports. Poor mobility and foot health problems are present on all dairy farms, with the national average incidence around […]
The farm matching service could connect aspiring farmers with retiring landowners seeking succession Bringing farmers, banks, consultants, educators and other industry professionals together, British Dairying recently organised a round table at the House of Commons to explore the potential for a new land matching service. Sarah Peacocke reports. Are you looking for a farming opportunity, […]
Animal Health: Welbeing, Hygiene, Disease Prevention, Selected Articles, Uncategorised
Season-long protection against worms and flies at spring turnout
Employing a season-long worm and fly control strategy may not only provide protection, but also result in less labour and reduced animal stress. British Dairying reports. Gut and lung worms can hamper productivity on dairy farms, affecting youngstock weight gain, carcass quality and milk production. The annual cost of worms through lost production and treatment […]