Publications

With forage larders bare on many farms, optimising the production of quality grass silage, across all cuts is even more vital this season. With that in mind, it's worthwhile giving yourself a refresher of things to consider following first cut; whether it's forage budgeting, silage making strategy or fertiliser regimes. Issued April 2019. About Kingshay […]

Maize is an excellent feed providing a good source of starch to complement the protein in grass silage, but it is not cheap to grow. It is therefore essential to optimise soil conditions so that maize can achieve its growth potential, along with careful variety selection, timely drilling and the precision use of fertiliser inputs […]

This insight publication is one in a series of three worming publications: Understanding Anthelmintics and Youngstock Worms, that together provide a comprehensive guide for developing a good worming strategy in conjunction with your vet. In the UK, anthelmintic resistance is common in sheep, and while less so in cattle, it is a growing threat to […]

is the buzzword of the moment – but what does it really mean and why is it essential to farmers? This insight publication looks at why natural capital is important in the dairy industry and summarises some dairy farming practices that support natural capital. Issued November 2018. About Kingshay insight publications insight publications […]

As the biggest agricultural contributor to UK ammonia emissions, dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to improve air quality. At present we are not on track to meet targets set, which led to the release of the Draft Clean Air Strategy in May 2018. The strategy gives every indication that farmers will face regulation for ammonia emissions. At the same time, there are also clear signs that post-Brexit financial support will be focused on delivering improvements to the environment, including air quality. This DAIRY insight looks at why ammonia is a problem, what we can learn from Denmark and The Netherlands and how to reduce ammonia emissions.

This is the first issue of our new publication, RESEARCH insight. The aim of the publication is to translate relevant scientific research into useful information for your farm. This issue looks at: Lameness in Dairy Heifers – Randall et al. Lameness in dairy heifers; impacts of hoof lesions present around first calving on future lameness, […]

This is the second issue of our new publication, RESEARCH insight. The aim of the publication is to translate relevant scientific research into useful information for your farm. This issue looks at the impact of heat stress on UK milk production and greenhouse gas emissions.

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. For example, a typical 200 cow dairy herd produces muck containing about 1,750kg of nitrogen, 1,200kg of phosphate and 4,400kg of potash […]

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 […]

The potential to improve fertiliser use efficiency by foliar application of nutrients has been researched for several years. Reducing the length of the nutrient pathway after application can potentially reduce losses of nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), and reduce the time taken for uptake. This Farming Note considers this method of application and reviews a recent […]

In recent months, there have been numerous high-profile farm thefts in the press, including several cases of livestock rustling. According to the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report, rural theft cost an estimated £42.5m in the UK during 2015 – an increase on the previous year's figures. A range of measures can be taken to mitigate […]

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