Publications

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 […]

This Farming Note follows on from Mid-Season Grazing Management, and covers: Strategies for dealing with a grass excess Methods of reinstating residuals Different types of supplementary feeding Is supplementary feeding detrimental to grazing? Issued May 2015. About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing Farming Notes on issues critical to the success of […]

Mid season grazing management presents a challenge. While it's easy to grow grass in spring, as rotations progress, grass quality diminishes if effort is not put in. Maintaining high ME grass is possible, and this Farming Note addresses how to achieve this. Issued May 2015 About Kingshay Farming Notes Since 1991 Kingshay has been publishing […]

This Farming Note explains how to minimise the risk of farm data loss and identity theft.

Kingshay grew five turnip varieties in a preferential grazing trial in the summer of 2014, to determine Which varieties gave the highest yields of dry matter, energy and protein per acre If 'summer' varieties perform better than 'stubble' varieties in summer Of which varieties did cows leave most wastage? Issued March 2015. About Kingshay Farming […]

Nitrates in forage can reduce milk yields and cause fertility problems, can turn silage butyric and even cause death in stock. This Farming Note covers: How to ensure grass nitrate levels are down at a safe level before grazing and cutting What environmental conditions cause grass to have a higher nitrate content than usual How […]

Our maize survey results are back – and we find out what varieties farmers are growing, and the effects of 2014's long, warm summer on crop yields. Does variety really make much of a difference, or is it just where you grow it? Issued Jan 2015

featuring results from the Heat Detection Survey There are numerous and varied products sold in the UK claiming to increase heat detection rates in bulling cows, from tail paint to sophisticated multifunctional accelerometers. Kingshay's Heat Detection Tried and Tested Report details the different products on the market and includes ratings and comments from the farmers […]

Lighting on a dairy farm is important for animal health and production, but can be a significant cost. This Farming Note addresses: Optimum lighting levels and hours of light and dark for both milking and dry cows Advantages of 'long day' and 'short day' photoperiods Comparable costs of buying and running different types of bulbs, […]