Publications

Recognising the connection between soil, crops, and animals is essential for achieving successful and sustainable agriculture. This Dairy Insight explores the parameters of the Broad Spectrum Soil Health Analysis and provides information on interpreting the results of this analysis.

The pH status of a soil plays a hugely important role with plant growth and the nutrient content of the plant. Incorrect pH will affect the availability of soil nutrients. This can result in lower crop or forage yield, poorer quality forage and potentially reduced intakes, leading to increased feed costs. This Dairy Insight explores soil pH and the factors that influence it. It aims to challenge current practices and offer new perspectives on achieving optimal nutrient levels in grassland soils.

Soil chemistry plays a critical role in soil health by influencing nutrient availability, pH balance, and the overall environment for micro-organisms, which are essential for maintaining soil structure and biology. For dairy farmers, understanding and managing soil chemistry in conjunction with soil structure and biology is vital for sustaining soil fertility, optimising forage production, and ultimately enhancing farm profitability and long-term sustainability. This Dairy Insight explores the concept of base saturation, its importance in soil health, and how it complements and enhances your understanding of soil pH.

Soil is the most valuable resource on your farm. However, it's often overlooked and underappreciated. By taking the time to better understand your soil, you can adjust your management practices and enjoy the benefits of more productive land. This not only benefits the environment by reducing runoff and nutrient leaching, but it also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of your farm. Healthy soil is characterised by vibrant microbiological activity, having a good physical structure and by being well balanced in nutrients. This Dairy Insight introduces you to nutrient availability and cation exchange capacity and how it impacts your soil health.

In 2018, the Farming Rules for Water, also known as the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) regulations 2018, was introduced in England, its aim was that farmers who carefully planned manure and fertiliser applications (not exceeding crop and soil requirements), could prevent diffuse pollution following application. This Dairy Insight serves as a guide for you to get the full value from both your soils and fertilisers. Additionally, it provides an overview of the rules and helps you understand how to comply with them.

The Environment Agency (EA) is continuing to ramp up on-farm visits following a drive to recruit new inspectors, leading many farmers to confront the consequences of non-compliance. While the repercussions are typically not punitive, the required actions to meet regulatory standards can be extensive. This Dairy Insight explores the proactive measures farmers can take in readiness for impending EA inspections to facilitate both environmental stewardship and business viability.

Have you ever considered the impact of forage quality or compound feed on the overall carbon footprint per kg FPCM (Fat and Protein Corrected Milk)? It may be larger than you first thought and the effects on footprint can be almost immediate, so this is one area to review straight away in order to quickly decrease your carbon footprint per kg FPCM. This Dairy Insight explores how you might achieve this.

In the UK, agriculture is responsible for an estimated 11% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 58% of which comes from methane. Enteric fermentation from ruminant livestock is the most significant source of these methane emissions. The use of methane inhibitors in the ration can also have a significant impact on methane production. This Research Insight explores a field study conducted by Mootral in collaboration with Kingshay, to explore the impact of feeding Mootral Ruminant on commercial dairy farms.

Soils are arguably the most valuable resource on farm – but often taken for granted. Without healthy soils farming is neither profitable nor sustainable. Healthy soils combined with sound forage/crop management are essential in all livestock production systems. By prioritising soil health and implementing appropriate soil management practices, dairy farmers can ensure the long-term productivity and sustainability of their operations while safeguarding the environment.

Dung beetles could be saving the UK cattle industry around £367 million per year and protecting them on your farm could save you another £4.36 per cow. This insight explores why dung beetles are in decline, how to survey for them and how to increase dung beetles on your grassland.

According to data released by the UK government in April 2023, 48% of bird species have shown a decline in the five years between 2015 and 2020. Currently the 2021 index is running at 12% below its 1970 value. Farmers can play a crucial role in helping to improve species loss by implementing various practices […]

Slurries and farm yard manures represent a hugely valuable and often under utilised resource on many dairy farms. Understanding their nutrient values could help reduce reliance on bought in fertiliser and save money.