Publications

Farmers aim for a quick efficient milking. But can milking be done too quickly? This DAIRY insight explores the concept of bimodal milking and what practical actions you and your staff can take on farm to reduce it, whilst speeding up the milking process. This insight includes a case study into changing milking routine to reduce bimodal milking.

Dietary fats have been subject to intense dairy cattle research over the last 30 years, leading to increasing evidence that demonstrates that fatty acids can have both positive and negative effects on production and animal welfare. This DAIRY insight on 'The Role of Fat Supplements for Dairy Cattle' explores these issues. For example, some positives show that fatty acids can improve yields, BCS and fertility. But farmers need to aware that adding a 39MJ/ME/Kg DM fat supplement might look good on the computer screen, but often disappoints. One reason is that not all that energy is available to the cow as saturated fat are less digestible than unsaturated fat. This insight also discusses the make up of fats, the digestion of fats and the relationship between fat and milk production. Issued August 2020

In twenty-century Britain, all professional businesses are expected to have a web presence and farming should be no exception. Creating a website can help with the recruitment process on the farm by attracting staff, but also spread positive messages about farming. Online platforms like WordPress can be used when designing a website yourself, but it's worth using a website designer to help with technical aspects of web design and upkeep. Social media is another great way to spread positive messages about dairy farming but remember when using photos on social media and on websites, think about the context and consumer perception behind the photos. This BUSINESS insight explores how you can improve your farm profile by having a suitable online presence.

As environmental awareness is coming more prominent and rules and regulations are being created for farmers to reduce their environmental impact, lowering concentration of protein fed to cattle is worth considering to decrease environmental impact, but also increase protein efficiency in dairy cows. 75% of all nitrogen consumed by cattle is excreted as urine or faeces and responsible for environmental damage from production of ammonia gases and nitrous oxide. Soya also creates another issue, soya being a key protein source for dairy cattle but being linked to deforestation of rain forest, suggest another reason to reduce protein concentration. This DAIRY insight publication explores how low can you go in protein concentration, discusses the new NRC recommendations set to come out later this year, as well as looking into how microbial proteins provide the most balanced form of amino acids for a dairy cow.

This is the second in the 2-part series of publications covering Nitrogen. In this publication we look at the on-farm solutions to reduce nitrogen losses. The first publication provides an introduction to the Nitrogen Cycle and where nitrogen is lost in the system. The agricultural industry will shortly be operating under a new regulatory framework focusing on producing clean air, water, lower carbon emissions, as well as supplying food to feed the nation. Nitrogen helps greatly to feed the nation, but its effect on air and water quality can be negative and difficult to manage. Applying too much or the wrong type of fertiliser can lead to an increase of Nitrogen losses through Ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrate (NO3?) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil.

Last published in 2017, this NEW edition of the Forage Costings Report has been fully updated to provide a detailed insight into the costs of producing forage. Using this report enables the reader to compare the cost of a range of different forages and to see how they compare on the basis of their relative value, benchmarked against soya and wheat.

As the world accustoms to living with the threat of Covid-19, it becomes apparent we will all be adjusting what we do for some time to come. Lockdown may be easing, but changes to everyday life and within everyone's working environments will have been modified, in some instances forever. The use of technology for video meetings or conference calls in the dairy industry until now, has been rare. This DAIRY insight: explores the opportunities for video meetings and how to get the most from them

Adding value to milk and selling direct to consumers through a milk vending machine is increasing in popularity, with the trend for buying local gaining impetus during the coronavirus pandemic. Selling direct creates the opportunity for added income, whilst helping promote the dairy industry. However, it's not something to venture into lightly. Location, marketing and legislation are all areas worth considering before investing. This DAIRY insight explores these topics to help you decide whether this may be an opportunity for your business.

Poor fertility is one of the largest economic problems on dairy farms. Data from Kingshay Dairy Manager puts the losses as a result of poor fertility at £197 per cow, or the equivalent of 2.31p/litre which for an average 150-cow herd equates to £20,250/year. This RESEARCH insight looks at the latest developments in automatic heat aids and what can impact accurate heat detection.

This is the first part of a 2-part series of publications covering Nitrogen. In this publication we look at the Nitrogen Cycle and where nitrogen is lost in the system. The second publication examines the on-farm solutions to nitrogen losses. The agricultural industry will shortly be operating under a new regulatory framework focusing on producing clean air, water, lower carbon emissions, as well as supplying food to feed the nation. Nitrogen helps greatly to feed the nation, but its effect on air and water quality can be negative and difficult to manage. Applying too much or the wrong type of fertiliser can lead to an increase of Nitrogen losses through Ammonia (NH3) volatilization, nitrate (NO3?) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil.

Heifer calves are the future of your dairy herd, you don't get a second chance at getting it right. Therefore, time taken for attention to detail pays dividends not only for the calf but for the lifetime of the animal – time and money that could be recouped many times over. This dairy insight summarises best practice in colostrum hygiene and storage to get your calves off to the best possible start.

Agroforestry is increasingly being talked about as a means of helping agriculture meet net zero targets, with DEFRA planning to support farmers with the integration of trees as part of Environmental Land Management and Wales proposing 10% tree cover as part of The Sustainable Farming Scheme. Although the details are not yet known, getting ahead of the curve and working out how trees can fit into a dairy farming system could bring big benefits, extending to animal health & welfare and farm productivity. This Dairy Insight explores the different types of agroforestry that are available and takes a look at how you can incorporate trees into your dairy system.