Publications

This Dairy Insight publication explores the importance of analysing silage, when and how to take a sample, and how to interpret your analysis results.

Herbal leys will improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and increase livestock performance through varied rooting depths and producing high-quality nutritional forage for dairy herds. They are becoming more popular as farmers look for ways to bolster production in drier conditions and capitalise on new farming schemes.

In this Dairy Insight we explore the role of sulphur for maximising grass yields, for cutting and grazing.

Extended drought across much of the country has led to reduced grass, maize and cereal yields, pushing many farmers into a forage shortage. Although the forage picture varies greatly depending on location, everyone can benefit from reviewing forage stocks, planning for the winter and looking at ways to extend supplies if necessary.

This Dairy Insight explores how to create the ideal environment for your silage clamp, the different silage sheeting options available, and which choices will best support effective fermentation. Make the right decisions now to save money this winter.

Producing good quality forage is key to the profitability of livestock production systems. Preserving forage for later use is expensive and losses can occur at every stage, from field to the time that it is fed. Some are unavoidable, whist others can be reduced by good management. Minimising the losses in nutritional value through good silage making practice will not only save money and produce cheaper milk but also help to maintain the health of your livestock. This is the fifth publication in the 'Milk from Forage' Dairy Insight series, focusing on producing the highest quality grass silage.

Integrated pest management (IPM) uses a variety of pest management techniques in a coordinated and planned strategy for the prevention, detection and control of pests, weeds, and diseases. IPM has long been associated with crop production and crop pests. However, IPM can also be applied within livestock enterprises through controlling crop pests on forage crops and controlling livestock pests and diseases. This Dairy Insight explores the control of pests on forage crops in an environmentally responsible and economically viable way.

When it comes to maximising milk from forage there is always a lot of information around the grass plant itself and the infrastructure required to maximise grazing, or how to maximise conserved forages. However, the cow also plays a vital role, this Dairy Insight is therefore dedicated to the cow aspects of maximising milk from forage whilst grazing. This is the 2nd in a series of publications 'Achieving Milk From Forage'

Amid general high costs of production, purchased feed costs represented about 26% of total costs and averaged 12.7ppl for the year ending September 2023 – it is therefore essential to think of ways to boost profitability. Efficient use of forage and fodder, and replacing purchased feeds with quality forages therefore remains a sensible approach for most dairy farmers. This Dairy Insight is the first in a series of publications exploring milk from forage and together will provide a comprehensive, yet practical guide to realising your forage potential.

For more than three decades, Kingshay has dedicated its efforts to highlighting the significance of clover in grass leys. Now, amidst escalating fertiliser costs, pressure to reduce dairying's environmental impact as well as the availability of grant payments, integrating clover into swards holds even greater importance. This Dairy Insight explores the reasons to sow clover, how to establish clover, and how to manage clover in swards for success.

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.

With the costs of purchased feeds at record levels, there has never been a more important time to challenge how much milk you can achieve from grazed grass. It is never too early to prepare for turnout and having a plan in place to manage it, helps to ensure that the transition from full housing to grazing is as smooth as possible. This DAIRY insight explores the cost benefits of early season grazed grass and how perfect preparation helps to avoid disruptions to cow health, welfare, and performance.