Publications

The typical method for preventing new infections and treatment of intra-mammary infections during the dry period has historically been the blanket use of Dry Cow Therapy. With the rise of antimicrobial resistance in human as well as veterinary medicine, this prophylactic use of antibiotics (ABs) is now considered unnecessary, as many cows in the herd will be treated with ABs when they don't need it.

Every clinical case of mastitis costs around £290. Currently the top 25% of farmers achieve 22 mastitis cases per 100 cows, while the group average is 41 cases per 100 cows (Kingshay Dairy Costings Focus 2017). These 19 fewer cases achieved savings of £5,510 through reduced treatment costs and increased milk sales. Keeping good mastitis […]

Cross breeding could form part of the solution for those farmers looking to make improvements in herd health, fertility and robustness. Issued Oct 2017. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing Farming Notes on issues critical to the success of a modern dairy farm business. These briefings provide dairy farmers, large […]

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a simple and effective farm management tool. It is a measure of body fat/energy reserves, that can be used to aid decisions or troubleshoot issues as they arise. The fine tuning of nutrition throughout the lactation and dry period improves the overall nutritional status of the herd, leading to improved […]

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 […]

Ketosis is one of the most significant 'hidden' diseases affecting the UK dairy herd. Around 30% of cows are estimated to develop the metabolic disease during the transition period at a cost of about £200 a case. This Farming Note focuses on causes, diagnosis, testing and treatment. Issued August 2017 About Kingshay Farming Notes […]

A diet feeder needs to suit your system and perform well for many years. With a wide range of manufacturers and models to choose from, it is a good idea to demo machines to assess how they fit your farm requirement. This 'Tried and Tested' report provides a useful guide to the main points to […]

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 […]

This year's Kingshay Maize Variety Report emphasises the importance of choosing the right variety to reduce risk and exploit the potential of this valuable crop. With impressive yields of up to 9.2 tonnes dry matter per acre, there were significant differences between the 24 varieties trialled. Taking account of yield and crop quality within an […]

Big bale silage increases flexibility on a grazing platform and creates the opportunity to make a customisable forage for animal groups. This Farming Note covers: Baled silage as a feed for cattle Square or round bales? Chopper balers String or net wrap Wrap colour Bale storage Issued July 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since […]

Well-designed collecting yards save time and reduce stress, whereas poor designs or improper cow handling will compromise cow flow and welfare.

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