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.

Expanding dairy export markets and increasing consumer interest means processors are tightening up on milk quality standards, which means an effective parlour circulation cleaning routine is more important than ever. This dairy insight looks at getting the most from your parlour chemicals: Why is a circulation clean so important? Achieving the optimum CIP How to […]

This is the third 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 Cow and Calf Behaviour. Providing an environment where dairy cows and calves can exhibit natural behaviour is considered to contribute to a high […]

Continued pressure on dairy incomes forces many businesses to look harder at their cost of production. Labour together with power and machinery costs, account for 36% of the total cost of producing a litre of milk (Kingshay Profit Manager). Armed with cost of production information, farm businesses are able to benchmark costs against similar enterprises, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

What is most commonly targeted by rural crime? How do you reduce your insurance premiums?

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

Calibrating your fertiliser spreader is an essential task to optimise forage and crop yields and maximise the benefit from the cost of fertilisers. As fertiliser products vary between type and supplier it is important to calibrate your spreader for application rate annually, to ensure regulatory compliance. Issued March 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 […]

Slit aeration is promoted as a remediation method for compacted grassland, however, research results are mixed. This Farming Note covers: • What is slit aeration capable of? • What conditions need to be met for slit aeration to have any benefit? • Is slit aeration cost effective? Issued February 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since […]