Publications

Calibrating your fertiliser spreader is an essential task to optimise forage and crop yields and maximise the benefit from the cost of fertilisers. As fertiliser products vary between type and supplier it is important to calibrate your spreader for application rate annually, to ensure regulatory compliance. Issued March 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 […]

Grazing well is the number one way to improve margins at a time when milk price is low. This needs strategy and planning in advance, and constant adjusting to suit ground and grass conditions. This Farming Note covers: • What you need to set yourself up with • How to make a spring rotation plan […]

Slit aeration is promoted as a remediation method for compacted grassland, however, research results are mixed. This Farming Note covers: • What is slit aeration capable of? • What conditions need to be met for slit aeration to have any benefit? • Is slit aeration cost effective? Issued February 2016. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since […]

Environmental mastitis pathogens are naturally present in the housed environment, but problems occur when the pathogen pressure becomes too high. This Farming Note covers: What encourages environmental mastitis? Reducing humidity Loose housing risk Which bedding is the most hygienic? Bedding conditioners – prices Issued December 2015. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been […]

There is increasing pressure on producers to use veterinary medicines more sparingly, in particular, antibiotics. Many assurance schemes are striving to prove agriculture is doing its bit to prevent antimicrobial resistance. This Farming Note covers measures that can be taken to use antibiotics more selectively. This Farming Note covers: How antibiotic resistance can develop on […]

In response to member queries about calf jackets and their efficacy, we carried out a Tried & Tested survey and trial in early 2015. The survey was completed by a sample of Kingshay members and other dairy producers. The trial included a comparison of 8 different calf jackets that were put on heifer calves and […]

The Kingshay Cubicle Demonstration Unit has been allowing farmer members to test out different cubicles and mats and mattresses that are on the market since the first section of it was built in 2004. 11 years on, we can make clear judgements on the longevity and performance of the many products in the unit. This […]

At maize harvest, although weather windows dictate play to a large extent, you have control of a number of factors that influence the quality of maize silage.

Autumn grass can be a high-value feed, and for those squeezed by milk price, maximising use of late season grass can boost margins. This Farming Note covers: how long it is worth grazing for the flexible strategies needed to gain the most from late season grass target pre and post-grazing covers and average covers how […]

Traditional calf feeding practice limits milk fed to encourage early intakes of concentrates and promote earlier weaning, to cut feed costs and labour. Recent research however has shown that feeding higher volumes of milk can boost lifetime productivity, but this can make weaning more difficult. This Farming Note discusses how different calf feeding approaches can […]

This Farming Note is the fourth part of the sustainable Soil Management Series. It explains What green manures are How these green manures and other crops benefit soil health When and how to grow the crops Ecological Focus Area qualifications for BPS Issued July 2015. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing […]

Farmers reseed because renovated swards should yield 33% more in the first year and 10% more thereafter, than a 5 year old ley. However, the seed mixture plays a huge part in determining performance and longevity. This Farming Note covers: Growing properties of ryegrass species, other grasses and forage herbs Benefits of including clover Pros […]