Publications

Over the last decade the UK dairy industry has seen a phase shift, with a growing contingent of commercial farmers recognising the role of genomics in driving rapid genetic progress as part of everyday breeding programmes. Over 100,000 new females will be genotyped this year alone, with around 70% of Holstein semen used also by genomic young sires. AHDB Dairy highlights a widening gulf between those who buy-in to genomics and those that don't – equating to over £19,000 in lost value for the average herd. Check out this technology to see if it fits your needs.

Opting to have heifers reared on contract by a third party could be an attractive option for those farmers with limited labour, time, interest or facilities. On units where hitting a target age at first calving of 24-months is a challenge, outsourcing to a specialist could also improve heifer rearing efficiencies. This Dairy Insight explores different contract rearing models and health considerations to include when deciding to explore this new enterprise.

Soil is the most valuable resource on your farm. However, it's often overlooked and underappreciated. By taking the time to better understand your soil, you can adjust your management practices and enjoy the benefits of more productive land. This not only benefits the environment by reducing runoff and nutrient leaching, but it also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of your farm. Healthy soil is characterised by vibrant microbiological activity, having a good physical structure and by being well balanced in nutrients. This Dairy Insight introduces you to nutrient availability and cation exchange capacity and how it impacts your soil health.

Ongoing investment is essential for any sustainable dairy business, but dramatic changes to borrowing rates and lender attitudes means careful research and planning is essential to secure the best deals. Careful consideration of the type of investment is also a must to deliver the best return on investment and long-term business goals. This Dairy Insight explores different ways to invest in your business and to borrow money to help improve your enterprise.

This is the third publication in our 'Achieving Milk from Forage Series'. It is designed in a workbook format, so that it can be used as a quick guide to highlight any opportunities for change to increase your milk from forage. It looks at how it is not essential to change system completely to increase your milk from grazing and how changing one thing could increase your net profit.

When it comes to maximising milk from forage there is always a lot of information around the grass plant itself and the infrastructure required to maximise grazing, or how to maximise conserved forages. However, the cow also plays a vital role, this Dairy Insight is therefore dedicated to the cow aspects of maximising milk from forage whilst grazing. This is the 2nd in a series of publications 'Achieving Milk From Forage'

The rumen is a complex fermentation vat which, through muscular contractions and a careful balance of microorganisms, breaks down the plant cell walls into volatile fatty acids and then passes the semi-digested feed on to the rest of the digestive tract. This Dairy Insight explores the importance of monitoring rumen function with particular reference to acidosis and highlights how and early corrective treatment can improve overall herd performance.

In 2018, the Farming Rules for Water, also known as the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) regulations 2018, was introduced in England, its aim was that farmers who carefully planned manure and fertiliser applications (not exceeding crop and soil requirements), could prevent diffuse pollution following application. This Dairy Insight serves as a guide for you to get the full value from both your soils and fertilisers. Additionally, it provides an overview of the rules and helps you understand how to comply with them.

For more than three decades, Kingshay has dedicated its efforts to highlighting the significance of clover in grass leys. Now, amidst escalating fertiliser costs, pressure to reduce dairying's environmental impact as well as the availability of grant payments, integrating clover into swards holds even greater importance. This Dairy Insight explores the reasons to sow clover, how to establish clover, and how to manage clover in swards for success.

Amid general high costs of production, purchased feed costs represented about 26% of total costs and averaged 12.7ppl for the year ending September 2023 – it is therefore essential to think of ways to boost profitability. Efficient use of forage and fodder, and replacing purchased feeds with quality forages therefore remains a sensible approach for most dairy farmers. This Dairy Insight is the first in a series of publications exploring milk from forage and together will provide a comprehensive, yet practical guide to realising your forage potential.

The Environment Agency (EA) is continuing to ramp up on-farm visits following a drive to recruit new inspectors, leading many farmers to confront the consequences of non-compliance. While the repercussions are typically not punitive, the required actions to meet regulatory standards can be extensive. This Dairy Insight explores the proactive measures farmers can take in readiness for impending EA inspections to facilitate both environmental stewardship and business viability.

Undersowing maize with another species could reduce the soil erosion and nutrient leaching risks associated with leaving soils bare over winter. At the same time, additional income is available through The Sustainable Farming Incentive and some local water companies, making it a topic well worth exploring for all maize growers.