Publications

Calf milk replacers (CMRs) have been available in the UK since the 1950s. Over the last couple of decades there have been significant changes to formulations, with many of the products available today a result of extensive research. With so many CMRs available at a range of prices, ingredients and nutritional quality, finding the correct one for your calves can be difficult. The purpose of this DAIRY insight publication is to help farmers to evaluate a CMR suitable for their rearing system. Though, it is worth remembering that CMRs are only one aspect of successful calf rearing

With feed costs rising significantly month on month, the instinct is to do something drastic and change feed type or feed rates. However, this may have a negative impact on milk yields. With other variable and overhead costs still needing to be covered, this will negatively impact your costs of production on a pence per litre basis, as costs are spread over fewer litres. This DAIRY insight explores different ways to work with your nutritionist to evaluate and improve feed efficiency.

Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach to managing risk to stop the introduction or spread of harmful organisms on farm. Whilst good farm biosecurity is hard to maintain on working farms where people and machinery are frequently moving on and off, biosecurity protocols should be part of any farm's infectious disease control plan. This DAIRY insight explores simple cost effective measures that when part of the normal farm routine they can vastly reduce the chance of an infectious disease arriving on farm and the associated negative consequences.

Water quality is an important issue in the production and health of dairy cattle. Water can provide both essential and antagonistic constituents for dairy cows and therefore untreated water from boreholes, rainwater collection, etc., should be assessed for mineral composition and/or microbiological analysis when formulating rations or investigating metabolic disorders. This DAIRY insight looks at the analysis on offer through Kingshay and includes details on how to interpret your results.

Yeasts have the potential to help rumen health, aid forage digestion and boost yields. However, before reaching for the bag, it's essential diets are balanced and delivered correctly and return on investment is carefully assessed. This DAIRY insight explores the uses of yeasts, when to use them and the key things to consider before feeding them.

Mycotoxins are a hidden risk in feeds and forages which can lead to milk suppression, suboptimal fertility and health issues. Once present, they are impossible to remove, so prevention is a must. When issues are suspected, diagnosing the mycotoxins responsible and feeding the correct binder at the right rate is key to success. This dairy insight explores Mycotoxins, how to spot them, prevent them and picking the correct binder when issues are suspected.

Water not only accounts for approximately 87% of milk but will account for between 60 and 70% of a cows' body composition. With this in mind we can understand why water is such an important part of the cow's diet. This DAIRY insight explores why a plentiful, high quality and accessible water supply is fundamental to optimising milk production and animal health.

Imagine looking at a cow and seeing a box appear over her head with all the information you need about her stage of lactation, fertility and health status. An augmented reality (AR) feasibility study is investigating whether such a tool could become a reality. The smARtview project creates a unique collaboration between vets and computer gaming specialists who are working together in a UK first to see if it's possible to develop an AR management tool for dairy farmers.

An average of 13,000 tons of plastic is produced by UK farms each year. Reducing waste on your farm can reduce costs, reduce time as well as being better for the environment. This DAIRY insight covers; ways to reduce plastic waste, the laws surrounding waste, how to reuse and recycle plastic, farm plastic schemes and plastic alternatives.

Cameras are no longer just seen as a security tool; they now have multiple uses on farms from monitoring cows during calving to staff training. Nonetheless, there are key legal obligations to abide by when installing such equipment. This DAIRY insight will look at potential uses, price ranges, camera features and legal requirements

E. coli is one of the primary causes of clinical mastitis in the UK, presenting in various guises from mild cases to severe toxic mastitis that few cows will survive. With that in mind, the emphasis should be on preventing infection by ensuring cows are kept in a clean, dry environment.

Environmental concerns surrounding the production of soya bean and palm means their use in dairy cow diets is becoming increasingly unacceptable. Some supermarkets have already banned their milk suppliers from feeding them; a trend that looks set to continue. Growing pressure to reduce dairy farming's carbon footprint also makes these products even less attractive. As such, as an industry, we must look at alternative feed options. This DAIRY insight explores how soya and palm are used in the industry and what the available alternatives are.