Dear Member,

Did you manage to catch the eclipse last week? I was lucky enough to watch the moon cover around three-quarters of the sun, only for a cloud to drift across and block the final moments. What are the chances of that? We have had weeks of blue skies and sunshine, and then the one cloud in Somerset seemed to arrive at exactly the wrong time!

Talking of weather, I have to admit I found myself almost celebrating when I had to walk my dog in the the rain this morning. I can't remember the last time we saw any meaningful rainfall here in Somerset, and while it was certainly welcome, it wasn't heavy enough or long enough to make much difference. Hopefully some of you have been a little luckier and received a decent soaking.

It is still only mid-August, yet I'm already hearing reports of maize harvesters heading into fields. In more than 30 years working in the industry, I can't remember maize being harvested this early. It really does highlight what an extraordinary growing season this has been. As always, it raises plenty of questions about forage quality, yields and planning ahead for the months to come.

One of the things we aim to do through our Dairy Insight publications is encourage you to take a step back and ask a few simple questions: Is there a better way? Could a small change today save time, money or hassle tomorrow? Sometimes it is not about making major investments or completely changing a system, but identifying practical improvements that can make a real difference to farm performance and resilience.

This fortnight we are covering two very different topics, but both are areas where reviewing current practices could bring significant benefits...

In your Mailing,

Rainwater Harvesting Dairy Insight

Our first Dairy Insight looks at Rainwater Harvesting. With increasing pressure on water supplies and rising costs, making the most of the rainfall that lands on your farm may be worth considering. The publication explores how much water could potentially be captured from existing buildings, the practicalities of storage and system design, water quality considerations and whether the economics stack up for your business. Even if a full system isn't right for your farm today, it is a useful opportunity to think about how resilient your water supply is and what options may be available for the future.

Controlling Cryptosporidium Dairy Insight

The second Dairy Insight focuses on Controlling Cryptosporidium, one of the most common and frustrating causes of calf scour. While there is rarely a single solution, the publication highlights the importance of strong calf immunity, effective hygiene and reducing environmental contamination. It also provides practical reminders around colostrum management, housing, cleaning routines and isolating sick calves. For farms experiencing recurring challenges, it may prompt a fresh look at whether small management changes could help reduce disease pressure and improve calf performance.

As always, our aim is to provide practical, evidence-based information that helps you make informed decisions on farm. We know every dairy business is different, but we hope these insights encourage you to review what you're currently doing and consider whether there are opportunities to improve efficiency, resilience and herd health.

If you'd like to discuss any of the topics covered, or if there are areas where you're looking for further support, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to help you get the most from your dairy business.

All the best,

We are keen to hear from as many farmers as possible about the cow brushes you are using; what works well and what does not work quite so well. The results will be published to help farmers make informed decisions when investing in cow equipment, so your input is extremely valuable.

To help reduce paper use, we won’t be sending out printed copies of this survey as standard. However, if you would prefer us to send you a paper version, please contact the office and we will be happy to arrange one for you.

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Contact us with any technical queries on contact.us@kingshay.co.uk or call 01458  851555