Publications

So, you want to educate young people about farming? Many farmers recognise the value of educating young people about where their food comes from, but taking it to the next level and actually working with school children can often be a daunting prospect. Yet, it doesn't need to be. There are a host of schemes available that don't necessarily involve physically having young people on farm. The key is to find what works for you and access the free advice and support available to ensure any involvement is well planned, safe, educational and fun. This Dairy Insight provides guidance on educating young people, explores available options, and highlights key considerations to help you make the most of your farm education efforts.

Agriculture is one of the deadliest sectors to work in – with farm workers more than 20 times more likely to be killed on the job than the average for all other industries. The latest HSE figures report 23 farm fatalities from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 – a stark reminder to prioritise safety on every farm. Let's work together to make yours as safe as possible.

Changes to inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2026 have brought succession planning to the fore, underlining the importance of open family discussions and retirement planning. Failure to tackle these issues head on will bring far greater financial repercussions than ever before.

It can be all too easy to get dragged down by the negativity surrounding political changes, tight margins and consumer demands, but there are still so many things to be positive about as a farmer. As we enter a new year, now is the ideal time to sit down and reflect on what you are in control of and think about how you can shape your business to meet your personal and business objectives.

Data shows the proportion of cows being 'selected' to leave the herd is increasing, compared to 'forced' leavers, highlighting improvements in health and fertility. However, there is still huge scope to reduce the risk of cows exiting the herd early, particularly considering half of cows leaving do so within their first 3 lactations. Ultimately, cows with longer, productive lives spread herd depreciation over more lactations. This also lowers replacement rates and costs, whilst also reducing carbon footprint.

Increased milking frequency, whether through a parlour or robots, is often considered as a means of maximising herd genetic potential and income. However, before making any changes it's essential to weigh up the pros and cons of different milking systems and calculate the impact on the milk cheque, staffing and long-term sustainability.

Ongoing investment is essential for any sustainable dairy business, but dramatic changes to borrowing rates and lender attitudes means careful research and planning is essential to secure the best deals. Careful consideration of the type of investment is also a must to deliver the best return on investment and long-term business goals. This Dairy Insight explores different ways to invest in your business and to borrow money to help improve your enterprise.

Having a well-defined vision and focus can provide a roadmap for business success, enhance decision-making, and foster resilience in the face of challenges. Involving the entire farm team in the strategic planning process is a great approach to ensure alignment and commitment. This Dairy Insight provides a step-by-step guide to building a business strategy for your farm.

The need for business resilience has never been more evident than in the last 18 months, when input prices have rocketed, and milk prices shot up … and then started to fall at the start of 2023. Regularly reviewing business performance and evaluating whether you can strip out unnecessary costs will help to build a business that can weather ongoing volatility.

The ability to see short and long-term cash flow challenges and plan for them, whilst also establishing the financial impact of any potential management changes, makes farm budgeting an essential tool. Add to that, the recent gargantuan swings in milk price and input costs, and business budgeting has arguably never been more important. This Dairy Insight explores many of the budgeting tools available to you, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Of the three main milk solid components; fat, protein and lactose, lactose has the highest concentration in bovine milk. However, it has the lowest commercial value per unit of weight, and as a result of this, not much attention has been focused on the quality of milk lactose in the past. More recently, some milk buyers have added lactose to their regular testing suite. This DAIRY insight explores milk lactose levels, what is considered normal and what affects lactose levels in milk, to help you make informed management decisions on farm.

Begin the Year How you Want to Continue! – We all have good intentions to change what we do but setting a new pattern of behaviour can be a challenge. Once established, however, the task will become second nature. Take time this new year to set new objectives for you and your business. This DAIRY insight explores how you can make the most of taking time to reflect on your business and how a change of perspective can result in business progression. We also explore what two ex-employees of Kingshay are now accomplishing and discover their business strategies and plans for the year ahead.