Publications

Reports of Bovine Ischemic Teat Necrosis (ITN) – which causes cattle to excessively lick and remove their teats – are on the up. The condition was first officially identified in UK herds in 2004, with anecdotal evidence suggesting around half of UK dairy farmers have seen at least one case in their herd. With first […]

Milk urea levels are a useful means of assessing ration balance, with fluctuations typically highlighting a shift in the balance between rumen degradable protein and energy. Elevated milk ureas suggest protein is not being utilised effectively by the cow. This not only has dietary and environmental cost implications but could also negatively impact on fertility. This insight publication looks at how urea is produced, discusses target levels and how to manage urea levels.

The amount of maize grown in the UK has increased significantly over the last decade, due to both the three-crop rule and an increasing use of maize in anaerobic digesters. As this area expands, the disease risk increases as pathogens become more prevalent, evolving and adapting to UK conditions. There are 5 main diseases: Fusarium, Northern Corn Leaf Blight, Common Rust, Smut and Eyespot. These diseases can potentially impact maize silage yields and quality of feed. Early detection and treatment are therefore essential.

Good building ventilation is vital to remove the huge amounts of heat and moisture produced by cows every day. Failure to get it right can lead to heat stress and higher levels of disease due to the build-up of pathogens. Where every step has been taken to improve shed ventilation naturally, the use of mechanical ventilation can help cool cows and improve ventilation.

In the busy day to day running of a dairy farm, it is all too easy to focus attention on the things that you can see and overlook what you can't see. Soil health is one such area. So, what can you do to make sure your soil and therefore your crops and forage, are […]

Many publications focus on the identification and prevention of lameness and much less emphasis has been given to the practical treatment of the animal once it has been identified as lame. Hoof blocks are routinely used as part of the treatment regime. In recent years, more hoof blocks and shoes have become available with innovative […]

As the days start to get longer, it is time once again to turn our attention to fly control. The main months of fly activity in the UK are May to August, but as we all know the seasons in this country can be very variable and so it is worth being prepared to treat […]

With forage larders bare on many farms, optimising the production of quality grass silage, across all cuts is even more vital this season. With that in mind, it's worthwhile giving yourself a refresher of things to consider following first cut; whether it's forage budgeting, silage making strategy or fertiliser regimes. Issued April 2019. About Kingshay […]

Soil health is key to crop yields and quality – but it relies on a complex balance between biological, chemical and physical factors. Whilst best practice to manage soil physics (soil structure) and the basic chemistry (nutrients) are well documented, soil biology is often neglected. This Soil Biology – an introduction DAIRY insight is the […]

Milk cheques are becoming increasingly influenced by milk butterfat levels, which makes avoiding the typical milk fat depression seen at turn-out vital. However, ensuring diets are balanced sufficiently to utilise grazing, whilst meeting milk contract requirements should be a priority. This dairy insight looks at the causes of the butterfat depression and investigates practical solutions, […]

Maize is an excellent feed providing a good source of starch to complement the protein in grass silage, but it is not cheap to grow. It is therefore essential to optimise soil conditions so that maize can achieve its growth potential, along with careful variety selection, timely drilling and the precision use of fertiliser inputs […]

This insight publication is one in a series of three worming publications: Understanding Anthelmintics and Youngstock Worms, that together provide a comprehensive guide for developing a good worming strategy in conjunction with your vet. In the UK, anthelmintic resistance is common in sheep, and while less so in cattle, it is a growing threat to […]