Dear Member,
With spring on its way, how well is your grass growing, have you managed to get the cows out yet? Here at Bridge Farm, the cows went out for the first time on Friday 6th, making the most of the drier parts of the farm.
Please find enclosed your latest Dairy Insight publications:
Epigenetics in Dairy Cows - How Management Today Shapes Performance Tomorrow
This issue explores how factors such as nutrition, health, stress and housing can influence gene expression throughout a cow’s life. It explains why early‑life management has long‑lasting effects on resilience, fertility and milk production, and how practical changes on farm can unlock more of each animal’s genetic potential.
SFI 2026 - What You Need to Know
This summary outlines the new Sustainable Farming Incentive offer for 2026, including the revised actions, payment rates, scheme simplifications, updated caps, and what the changes may mean for dairy farms. It highlights where opportunities remain and where key actions have been removed or amended.
We hope you find both publications useful in supporting future planning and decision‑making on your farm.
Enclosed is a Kingshay Training “What to do if you hit a powerline” safety sticker for your tractors. Please display this prominently where all operators can see it. If you would like additional stickers for other farm machinery, do get in touch, we are happy to supply more
PS - Have you used your Kingshay Voucher yet?
Don’t forget, it is a use it or lose it deal! Your £50 voucher expires on 31st March 2026, so make the most of it while you can. It is a great chance to save on Kingshay products and services (check the voucher for any exclusions).
Also enclosed is a flier for the Calf Action Network (CAN) Conference at Hartpury College on 21st April. This practical one‑day event is ideal for anyone involved in calf rearing, with hands‑on workshops and expert guidance focused on giving calves the best start and improving health and welfare on farm. Kingshay will be there throughout the day, so if you are attending, do make sure to pop by and see us, we’d be delighted to catch up with you.
Stride has launched its second national mobility survey to better understand hoof‑health challenges in UK dairy herds, with participants entered into a draw for five pairs of Apple AirPods. The not‑for‑profit initiative, founded in 2024, aims to tackle long‑standing lameness issues that still affect around 30% of cows and cost the sector an estimated £250m annually. Chair Matt Dobbs says new insights and improved management strategies offer real potential for progress, and the 2026 survey seeks to uncover why mobility remains such a persistent problem. The survey runs until 30 April 2026 at stridemobility.co.uk.
To complete the survey, scan the QR code or go to: https://www.stridemobility.co.uk/.
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Contact us with any technical queries on contact.us@kingshay.co.uk or call 01458 851555