The optimal dry period length between lactations in dairy cows has been debated for many years. Traditionally, an 8-week dry period was considered the ideal duration - ba...

Testing milk machine and parlour function can highlight problems which are resulting in a less effective milking and damaged udders. Unlike static parlour testing, dynami...

E. coli is one of the primary causes of clinical mastitis in the UK, presenting in various guises from mild cases to severe toxic mastitis that few cows will survive. Wi...

The Effective Bedding Management report provides a guide to choosing an alternative bedding material or managing existing cow bedding. The report includes results of the ...

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 ...

Having more efficient water use and minimising waste will reduce the cost of milk production. On average, a dairy farm will use 5 litres of water for every litre of milk...

Energy is the key nutrient to aid good health, fertility and performance. Low energy intake is the major nutritional factor linked to dairy cow feeding problems. Getting ...

Dirty feed troughs containing spoiled feed will reduce intakes, increase wastage and put animals at risk of disease. Clean troughs can improve daily dry matter intakes by...

With feed costs rising significantly month on month, the instinct is to do something drastic and change feed type or feed rates. However, this may have a negative impact ...

Healthy, fertile cows are the cornerstone to any efficient, productive dairy business. As such, fertility key performance indicators (KPIs) are an essential tool to track...