Simple steps to improving hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of diseases on farm. Animals gathered together in sheds are highly vulnerable to diseases and whilst the nation looks to maintain a good level of human hygiene, farmers can also take steps to protect their livestock too. Sorgene® Xtra is a Defra approved, broad spectrum […]
Read Article
A new high biomass annual clover, included in spring-sown catch crop mixtures alongside short term ryegrasses, could offer dual benefits for farmers struggling with ground that has been waterlogged and left uncropped over winter. According to forage crop specialist Germinal, the fast-growing Fixation clover – launched by the company in the UK this season – […]
Read Article
How to wilt grass rapidly in order to minimise nutrient losses in the field once it has been cut for silage? That is a key question being addressed by Volac at this year’s Grassland and Muck Event (Ragley Estate, Warwickshire, 20-21 May, 2020). According to Peter Smith, Ecosyl silage specialist for Volac, wilting grass to […]
Read Article
Significant increases in grass energy yield/ha – and the improved milk from forage potential resulting – were highlighted in the findings of two new research projects presented at a recent industry briefing. Work on the value of sward quality and a separate study on multi-cut silage, carried out by Germinal and Volac respectively, were revealed […]
Read Article
Sowing a high performance ryegrass catch crop this spring could offer a flexible low risk solution for farmers with bare ground following aborted autumn drilling. Specialist catch crop mixtures tested in Field Options’ trials programme at Harper Adams University (HAU) have the potential to produce more than 10tDM/ha in the season immediately following spring sowing. […]
Read Article
A 200 head dairy farm on the Devon Cornwall border will open its gates to show fellow dairy farmers how installing DeLaval milking robots have helped create a future for the family and the herd. Newlands Farm is owned by Robert and Elizabeth Haworth. Their daughter Sarah manages the farm with her partner David Luxton […]
Read Article
Dairy farmers opting for a modern multi cut approach to grass silage making should prioritise ley mixture selection, timings and nutrient management in order to ensure best results, according to Germinal GB’s Helen Mathieu. Speaking at Dairy-Tech 2020, Ms Mathieu reported growing popularity of earlier and more frequent cutting strategies but said that best practice […]
Read Article
Dairy farms can now receive text messages alerting up to five mobile contacts about low levels of hygiene chemical. Ecolab Textomatic from UK hygiene chemical distributor, Progiene, is an electronic, low-level alarm system that can monitor six containers at a time for the early detection and intervention for all farm cleaning chemicals, teat dips and […]
Read Article
Shepherds are being urged to feed newborn surplus lambs more good quality colostrum during the crucial first 24 hours of life because up to 80% of UK sheep producers may not be feeding enough. According to results from the annual Volac Lamlac surplus lamb rearing intentions survey, carried out at the end of 2019, only […]
Read Article
The high rainfall and saturated ground conditions throughout autumn and into early winter have left pastures lacking in nutrients for out-wintered suckler cows and ewes. “In many areas of the country, rainfall has been so substantial that out-wintering sheep and beef cattle are grazing nothing more than ‘green water’. Grass may look plentiful at the […]
Read Article
Opportunities for Scotland’s livestock farmers to improve performance from forage are at unprecedented heights, thanks in large part to significant advancements in perennial ryegrass genetics over the past decade. This was a key message from William Fleming, speaking at an agricultural merchant herbage training event at SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), Edinburgh, organised […]
Read Article
The University of Reading is offering an online animal science course to raise awareness of livestock production issues, especially antimicrobial resistance. The course, entitled ‘Contemporary Issues in Animal Science’, is an easily accessible way for anybody working with livestock, at any point in the supply chain, to develop their understanding of animal science and its […]
Read Article
