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BETTER GENETICS, STRATEGIC USE OF GENOMICS, IMPROVED CALF NUTRITION AND GREATER UPTAKE OF YOUNGSTOCK VACCINES ARE ALL KEY TO FUTURE DAIRY FARM SUSTAINABILITY

2nd July 2021 | Livestock

More than 80% (83%) of UK dairy farmers see investment in improved genetics, genomics, nutrition and vaccination as being important to producing better quality heifer replacements so that these animals have a more productive life when they enter the adult milking herd. That’s the headline finding from the Herd Futures survey – organised collaboratively by […]

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UNDERSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO A YEAR OF RISING FEED PRICES FOR DAIRY PRODUCERS

25th June 2021 | Livestock

From shipping container shortages to droughts, global analysts explain some of the main contributors to the rising feed prices dairy producers around the world have seen over the last year.   Call it a perfect storm or a series of unfortunate events, dairy producers around the world have seen an uptick in bought-in feed costs […]

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SURGE OF INTEREST IN NON-VET TB TESTING ROLE

22nd June 2021 | Livestock

More than 60 people from across the agricultural community have now registered their interest in training to become an Approved Tuberculin Tester (ATT) of cattle, reports UK Farmcare. These job opportunities have been created following approval by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) last November to allow para-professional staff to support vets in carrying […]

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ENERGY DENSITY ESSENTIAL IN DAIRY RATIONS DURING SUMMER MONTHS

14th June 2021 | Livestock

As summer temperatures begin to increase, dairy producers should combine management and feed strategy changes to mitigate production loss due to heat stress. “Heat stress is a plague impacting dairy herds globally during hotter months. Not only is it detrimental to animal welfare, but it also impacts milk production, feed efficiency, overall health and even […]

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CONSIDER CUTTING GRASS FOR SILAGE EARLY

27th April 2021 | Livestock

It may be worth considering cutting grass for silage early this spring, rather than leaving it for longer if you continue to have a lack of useful rain, says Ecosyl silage specialist, Peter Smith. But where rain has arrived, watch out for luxury uptake of unused nitrogen fertiliser into the crop before cutting, which could […]

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STABILISER CATTLE COMPANY PROGRESSES UK BEEF INDUSTRY WITH FIRST GENOMIC ENHANCED EBVS

27th April 2021 | Livestock

Beef producers can now rapidly accelerate genetic progress with access to the UK’s first genomic enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBVs) for all production traits for beef animals through Stabiliser Cattle Company. “Genomic technology is a game-changer for the beef industry, allowing producers to make data-backed decisions early on in an animal’s life for faster genetic […]

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TRAIN TO BE A CATTLE TB TESTER: NON-VETS WANTED

6th April 2021 | Livestock

Several veterinary practices in England are now looking to recruit people from across the agricultural community to help support them in fulfilling their cattle TB testing responsibilities. These job opportunities are being publicised following approval by the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) last November to allow para-professional staff to carry out TB testing in […]

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OPTIMISING SUCKLER HERD PERFORMANCE WITH STRATEGIC SUPPLEMENTATION IN FINAL STAGES OF PREGNANCY

30th March 2021 | Livestock

The final six weeks of pregnancy are key to supporting short and long-term performance of suckler herds, says Dr Alison Bond, nutritionist for Rumenco. “At this point in time, cows should be maintaining a body condition score of 2.5-3 with the nutritional focus shifting towards supplementation for colostrum development and prevention of  metabolic issues that […]

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SUPPLEMENTING TO SUPPORT FERTILITY AND MILK PRODUCTION ON GRASS

23rd March 2021 | Livestock

Strategic use of rumen-protected fat supplements help meet energy requirements and support milk quality.   As grass growth takes off in the early part of the grazing season, nutrition focus tends to be on completing the transition from the winter TMR to a grass-based diet without succumbing to post-turnout milk fat depression. While this remains important, […]

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CONCERN OVER PROPIONIC ACID SUPPLIES

19th March 2021 | Livestock

Industry concern about a potential shortage of propionic acid this year has been amplified by the fact that many UK mixed farms are planning to feed more home-grown cereals to their livestock to offset rising bought-in feedstock prices, reports Azelis Animal Nutrition. “Consequently, some farms may have to investigate an alternative grain preservation approach this […]

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PROTECT AGAINST EQUINE HERPES

18th March 2021 | Livestock

Simple steps to improve hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of equine herpes. The disease led the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to cancel the show jumping and dressage world cup finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, to prevent it spreading further. To protect horses from diseases, including equine herpes, owners should look to increase levels of hygiene […]

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TRIALS SHOW HOW TO ACHIEVE A FASTER SILAGE WILT

11th March 2021 | Livestock

Selecting the right wilting technique when making grass silage can make wilting speed as much as five times faster, according to results of new Ecosyl UK research. Conducted using farm-scale silage machinery on farms in Wales, the research compared the effects of tedding, time of day of cutting, and crop maturity on the rate of […]

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