Publications

For more than three decades, Kingshay has dedicated its efforts to highlighting the significance of clover in grass leys. Now, amidst escalating fertiliser costs, pressure to reduce dairying's environmental impact as well as the availability of grant payments, integrating clover into swards holds even greater importance. This Dairy Insight explores the reasons to sow clover, how to establish clover, and how to manage clover in swards for success.

The UK does not often experience the hot temperatures faced this season, the duration of the heat and lack of rain is almost unprecedented. However, it is likely that with climate change, we will encounter these conditions more frequently, as extreme weather events are projected to become more intense and more regular. Adjusting our farming systems in both the short and long term will be necessary. So, what additional considerations need to be taken into account to deal with hot weather and drought? This dairy insight looks at the effect of hot weather and drought on dairy grazing systems and explores ways farmers can increase their resilience to hot dry weather.

Gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are produced as part of the normal process of digestion in cattle. These gases are usually discharged by eructation (belching). If the animal is unable to remove the excess gas it builds up causing bloat, a distention of the ruminoreticulum. This DAIRY insight explores the causes of bloat, and how it can be treated – and first and foremost, how to prevent bloat from being an issue for your stock.

As bought-in feed costs show no sign of abatement, choosing to feed home-grown cereals rather than sell them could be a wise decision. The variety of treatment options available also creates flexibility to either produce a concentrate or forage replacer, depending on requirements. However, before making decisions, it's important to sit down, weigh up the options and calculate what's best for an individual farm. This DAIRY insight explores the options for you to consider.

Last published in 2017, this NEW edition of the Forage Costings Report has been fully updated to provide a detailed insight into the costs of producing forage. Using this report enables the reader to compare the cost of a range of different forages and to see how they compare on the basis of their relative value, benchmarked against soya and wheat.

The amount of maize grown in the UK has increased significantly over the last decade, due to both the three-crop rule and an increasing use of maize in anaerobic digesters. As this area expands, the disease risk increases as pathogens become more prevalent, evolving and adapting to UK conditions. There are 5 main diseases: Fusarium, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Common Rust, Smut and Eyespot. These diseases can potentially impact maize silage yields and quality of feed. Early detection and treatment are therefore essential.

A timely maize harvest this season could provide the perfect window of opportunity to plant a highly productive, cost effective, catch crop grass ley. Doing so would provide additional dry matter yield, reduce environmental issues and potentially give cows an early spring bite. Issued September 2017 About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been […]

Harvesting maize at the correct time is crucial to get that all important balance between starch and digestibility. At the same time, top notch management at ensiling is a must to minimise losses, promote intakes and drive cost effective production from forage. In this Note we look at assessing dry matter, setting up the forager […]

In Spring 2015, Kingshay drilled their first red clover monocultures trial in light of their use as an EFA for greening.

Bulbing turnips, leafy turnips, forage rape, rape/kale hybrids – which brassica should you grow for your summer catch crop?

At maize harvest, although weather windows dictate play to a large extent, you have control of a number of factors that influence the quality of maize silage.

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 […]