Publications

What is the most cost-effective dairy system? With Brexit just around the corner, and global dairy markets remaining volatile, farmers are going to have to manage risk more carefully than ever. This demands a critical focus on profitability, which needs a complex blend of technical efficiency and business focus. This report encourages readers to align […]

Tracks play a key role in enabling early turnout and allowing effective use of grazing right through the season. This Farming Note assesses the key practical aspects of a good track infrastructure and includes feedback on track demonstrations at Bridge Farm and Gelli Aur in South Wales. Issued February 2017. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since […]

Underperforming grass swards can occur for a number of reasons, such as inadequate crop nutrition, soil structure issues, weed infestation or plant diseases caused by pathogens. Grass pests and diseases can have a huge effect on both grazing and cutting yield, as well quality and palatability of fresh and conserved forage. Yield losses have been estimated to be as much as 2t fresh-weight per acre.

To improve feed efficiency at grass, fibre supplementation should be considered.

Calibrating your fertiliser spreader is an essential task to optimise forage and crop yields and maximise the benefit from the cost of fertilisers. As fertiliser products vary between type and supplier it is important to calibrate your spreader for application rate annually, to ensure regulatory compliance. Issued March 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 […]

Slit aeration is promoted as a remediation method for compacted grassland, however, research results are mixed. This Farming Note covers: • What is slit aeration capable of? • What conditions need to be met for slit aeration to have any benefit? • Is slit aeration cost effective? Issued February 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since […]

Grazing well is the number one way to improve margins at a time when milk price is low. This needs strategy and planning in advance, and constant adjusting to suit ground and grass conditions. This Farming Note covers: • What you need to set yourself up with • How to make a spring rotation plan […]

Autumn grass can be a high-value feed, and for those squeezed by milk price, maximising use of late season grass can boost margins. This Farming Note covers: how long it is worth grazing for the flexible strategies needed to gain the most from late season grass target pre and post-grazing covers and average covers how […]

Farmers reseed because renovated swards should yield 33% more in the first year and 10% more thereafter, than a 5 year old ley. However, the seed mixture plays a huge part in determining performance and longevity. This Farming Note covers: Growing properties of ryegrass species, other grasses and forage herbs Benefits of including clover Pros […]

This Farming Note follows on from Mid-Season Grazing Management, and covers: Strategies for dealing with a grass excess Methods of reinstating residuals Different types of supplementary feeding Is supplementary feeding detrimental to grazing? Issued May 2015. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing Farming Notes on issues critical to the success of […]

Mid season grazing management presents a challenge. While it's easy to grow grass in spring, as rotations progress, grass quality diminishes if effort is not put in. Maintaining high ME grass is possible, and this Farming Note addresses how to achieve this. Issued May 2015 About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing […]

Nitrates in forage can reduce milk yields and cause fertility problems, can turn silage butyric and even cause death in stock. This Farming Note covers: How to ensure grass nitrate levels are down at a safe level before grazing and cutting What environmental conditions cause grass to have a higher nitrate content than usual How […]