Publications

Restrictions on winter slurry spreading to prevent pollution and the greater need to make more efficient use of farm nutrients because of rising fertiliser costs means all dairy farmers should be thinking about whether their slurry storage is optimised. The fact grants for six months' worth of covered storage should become available later this year also means it's an area well worth considering. This dairy insight is designed to be read alongside Slurry Storage – Covers.

Restrictions on winter slurry spreading to prevent pollution and the greater need to make more efficient use of farm nutrients because of rising fertiliser costs means all dairy farmers should be thinking about whether their slurry storage is optimised. The fact grants for six months' worth of covered storage should become available later this year also means it's an area well worth considering. This dairy insight is designed to be read alongside Slurry Storage – Covers.

Fresh grass analysis is essential for formulating a balanced ration when livestock are at grass, to predict silage quality before cutting and to inform decisions on when to cut. This insight is designed to help you read the analysis results quickly. There are several further insights available covering related management aspects.

The use of acidification or pH reduction systems to lower the pH of slurry is increasingly being talked about by Government as a means of hitting ammonia and methane reduction targets. In fact, acidification equipment was listed as one of the big budget items eligible for the Improving Farm Productivity Grant released at the start of the year. Slurry acidification boosts the available nutrient value of slurry, whilst also potentially removing the need to cover slurry stores. However, this high-cost system comes with technical challenges, health and safety risks and needs careful consideration.

Urea fertiliser can be a cost-effective alternative to ammonium nitrate (AN) in some circumstances. However, a recent government consultation has cast doubt on its future role in agriculture following concerns over its contribution to ammonia emissions. Until decisions are made on its future, there are steps farmers can take to optimise its use and reduce environmental risk. This DAIRY insight explores the use of Urea as a source of nitrogen fertiliser.

Zero grazing is the practice of cutting fresh grass daily to feed to housed cows. It is sometimes referred to as 'cut and carry'. With feed and forage accounting for the largest costs on a dairy farm, maximising the use of grass has the ability to reduce costs and increase profitability. One way to improve milk from forage is via zero grazing. This nsight publication aims to help farmers decide whether zero grazing is for them and provide practical advice on best practice.

Calf milk replacers (CMRs) have been available in the UK since the 1950s. Over the last couple of decades there have been significant changes to formulations, with many of the products available today a result of extensive research. With so many CMRs available at a range of prices, ingredients and nutritional quality, finding the correct one for your calves can be difficult. The purpose of this DAIRY insight publication is to help farmers to evaluate a CMR suitable for their rearing system. Though, it is worth remembering that CMRs are only one aspect of successful calf rearing

Understanding the value of home produced nutrients and balancing them with bought-in fertiliser as part of a Nutrient Management Plan has never been so important considering rising input costs. 'Making the most of nitrogen for grass – Part 1' looked at the value of nitrogen and when to apply. This Dairy Insight gives an overview of how to design a Nutrition Management Plan using The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). In doing so, farmers will be able to make efficient use of nitrogen, whilst protecting the environment.

Dramatically reducing nitrogen application rates in an attempt to save costs in light of escalating fertiliser prices could potentially be a false economy compromising forage production and feed costs. Instead, the focus should be on understanding and making the most of home-produced nutrients, together with targeted, early application of nitrogen to achieve the biggest return on investment. This dairy insight explores the benefits of nitrogen for grass and how to apply.

With feed and forage costs increasing substantially in the last few months, it is even more important to have a highly efficient heifer rearing system. Heifer calves are the future of most dairy herds, remember, you don't get a second chance at getting it right! This dairy insight will examine the current cost of calf rearing, best practices and the key to effective management.

Biosecurity is a strategic and integrated approach to managing risk to stop the introduction or spread of harmful organisms on farm. Whilst good farm biosecurity is hard to maintain on working farms where people and machinery are frequently moving on and off, biosecurity protocols should be part of any farm's infectious disease control plan. This DAIRY insight explores simple cost effective measures that when part of the normal farm routine they can vastly reduce the chance of an infectious disease arriving on farm and the associated negative consequences.

With feed costs rising significantly month on month, the instinct is to do something drastic and change feed type or feed rates. However, this may have a negative impact on milk yields. With other variable and overhead costs still needing to be covered, this will negatively impact your costs of production on a pence per litre basis, as costs are spread over fewer litres. This DAIRY insight explores different ways to work with your nutritionist to evaluate and improve feed efficiency.