Publications

Cameras are no longer just seen as a security tool; they now have multiple uses on farms from monitoring cows during calving to staff training. Nonetheless, there are key legal obligations to abide by when installing such equipment. This DAIRY insight will look at potential uses, price ranges, camera features and legal requirements

Working with livestock will always involve a level of risk. One risk area that is often overlooked is zoonotic diseases (pathogens that are passed from animals to humans). These can threaten both your heath and the well-being of your staff. In an era of a global pandemic with a zoonotic origin, it highlights the need for understanding more about disease transmission from animals to humans. This DAIRY insight looks at some of the main zoonotic diseases in cattle and considers how you can protect yourself and your staff.

This DAIRY insight examines how to avoid antibiotic failures and looks at the on-farm test kits available and helps you choose the right one for your farm.

Milk fever (or hypocalcaemia) is a potentially fatal metabolic disorder where dairy cows experience calcium (Ca) deficiency. With the estimated economic cost per case between £200 to £250, this DAIRY insight looks at symptoms, investigates risk factors and highlights key areas to consider when managing milk fever.

Bedding conditioners form an important part of a mastitis control strategy by drying the cubicle beds and making an inhospitable environment for bacteria. However, their use is no substitute for good bed management. Correct application is also a must to ensure optimum efficacy and to avoid both human health and safety issues and animal welfare challenges. With little independent research surrounding individual products, caution is also advised. This DAIRY insight explores the types of conditioners available, when to use and how to get the most out of conditioners.

Antibiotics (AB) have played a major role in the health and welfare of cattle; they are vital for the treatment and control of bacterial infections. The increasing emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human medicine led the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2014 to categorise antimicrobials used in human health as 'critically important', 'highly important' and 'important'. Whilst the use of antibiotics in farm animals has continued to fall (use has dropped by over 50% since 2014), they have persisted to come under heightened scrutiny. This DAIRY insight looks at the changes in AB usage since the introduction of the RUMA targets in 2017, summarises the new EMA categories and reviews the new RUMA targets for dairy.

In recent years, the term Regenerative Farming has become more widespread in its use. This interest has not only been within the industry, but regenerative agriculture has also received attention from consumers, mainstream media and even politicians, particularly around the possibilities for positive impact on climate change. As such, it should not be ignored. In this DAIRY insight we look at what regenerative farming is, and what practices can be adopted on-farm for a sustainable profitable future.

Environmental concerns surrounding the production of soya bean and palm means their use in dairy cow diets is becoming increasingly unacceptable. Some supermarkets have already banned their milk suppliers from feeding them; a trend that looks set to continue. Growing pressure to reduce dairy farming's carbon footprint also makes these products even less attractive. As such, as an industry, we must look at alternative feed options. This DAIRY insight explores how soya and palm are used in the industry and what the available alternatives are.

Achieving good, natural cow flow in and out of the parlour will reduce frustrations in the pit and minimise cow stress. Less requirement to push cows in for milking will also reduce pressure on the feet and help foot health. The key is to ensure every aspect of management and cow environment is set up to make the most of the cow's natural behaviour. This DAIRY insight explores practical changes that you can make on your farm to improve cow flow at milking time.

Liver fluke is a highly pathogenic flatworm parasite called Fasciola hepatica. Infected mud snails (Galba truncatula) shed liver fluke cysts onto pasture, where cattle graze, causing cow infections. Liver fluke can be an issue all year round, but the most problematic time is late summer and autumn, particularly in the wetter regions. Preventing animals from becoming infected with fluke is vital, from both a welfare and economic point of view, with a case costing £192 from milk losses alone. This DAIRY insight explores diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of liver fluke in dairy cows.

Navigating succession can be difficult and even more so if you do not have anyone to take over the business. When it comes to farmers without an immediate successor, few options exist – the farm can be sold, let as a farm or letting land on cropping or grazing licences. However, many producers still want to play an active part in the farm whilst taking a step back. So, what options are there? Two routes in particular are becoming increasingly common: Contract farming and share farming. This DAIRY insight publication explores the options and how it may work for you and your business.

Labour is often one of the biggest sources of complaint on dairy farms. However, having a motivated team that works hard to achieve high levels of business performance ultimately comes down to making them feel valued and empowered. That means listening to their individual motivators, investing in their skills and creating a positive working environment. Do that, and people will work hard and stay working for you. It will also set you apart as a good employer and attract the right people in the future. This DAIRY insight looks at the opportunities to empower and motivate staff on your farm and explores different ways to reward good performance.