Grazed grass is a very cheap feed, typically with an ME of 11.5-12 and crude protein of 16-20%. Many herd owners and managers underestimate the value of grass and its use...

Heat stress in dairy cows can occur at temperatures of 22oC and above. A cow's digestive process creates a lot of heat energy (1.4 kW/day of heat for a cow producing 30 l...

Maize can be a very valuable and productive crop, however, are you creating unnecessary environmental risks at maize harvest or consistently not hitting yield targets? If...

This issue of DAIRY insight looks at the importance of keeping bacteria out of milk, from a farm, processor and consumer point of view. It examines the main causes of hig...

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 sam...

Most herds have some area of loose housing, whether that is for the dry cows, youngstock or the main miking herd. Well designed and managed loose housing is great for he...

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 sec...

Achieving good, natural cow flow in and out of the parlour will reduce frustrations in the pit and minimise cow stress. Less requirement to push cows in for milking will ...

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 ...

Increased milking frequency, whether through a parlour or robots, is often considered as a means of maximising herd genetic potential and income. However, before making a...