Dairy
Managing Mastitis Risk During the Grazing Season
Mastitis is often associated with the housing period, when the risk of infection is typically higher. However, the grazing season also presents challenges. Environmental and clinical mastitis can occur at pasture, and somatic cell counts may increase. With fly populations rising and often peaking in the warmer months, it is important to manage these risks….
Automated Milking Systems
Labour shortages are leading to an increase in the number of producers turning to Automated Milking Systems (AMS) to reduce the long and often anti-social hours associated with milking twice or three times a day. FAS has delivered several meetings and webinars on AMS production throughout 2025 for existing producers and those thinking about converting. This note condenses the key points from those…
The Value of the Cull Cow to Dairy Businesses – Is She Covering Her Costs?
With milk margins under pressure and beef prices remaining strong, every cow must justify her place in the herd. Animals that are infertile, underperforming, or carrying recurring health issues can quickly diminish financial returns. A disciplined culling policy protects cash flow and ensures the herd is built around cows that are genuinely contributing to margin,…
Too Much of a Good Thing? Copper Oversupply in Dairy Herds
Trace minerals are essential for reproductive performance, immunity, and productivity in dairy herds. They play a key role in maintaining enzyme systems and immune defences. Traditionally, mineral supplementation strategies have focused on preventing deficiencies whilst accounting for interactions that may reduce absorption. However, this approach alongside increased tolerance levels has led to widespread oversupply. In many herds, copper levels now exceed requirements. And research has shown that there is thin line between safe amounts of copper and potentially toxic oversupply. Getting the…
Regenerative Dairying – Planning Now for Resilient Milk Production
Regenerative farming and its principles are increasingly appearing in milk contracts, buyer discussions, and supply chain sustainability strategies. For many dairy businesses, the question is no longer if it will feature in future requirements, but how to approach it in a way that strengthens your farm system. At its core, regenerative agriculture is a spectrum,…
Nutritional Opportunities from EFA Greening
With EFA greening changes coming into place in 2026, many farms will grow new crops that can be utilised as home grown feed for dairy cattle. These crops include nitrogen fixing plants like clover, lucerne and beans, whilst others include forage crops such as kale, forage rape and stubble turnips. All provide valuable sources of energy and protein; however correct feeding management is essential. Nitrogen Fixing Plants Improve Milk Production Nitrogen-fixing…
Business and Policy March 2026 – Milk
Milk production data Milk production continues to stay ahead of last year, with GB milk volumes for January 2026 reported at an estimated 1,330 mlitres. This is a 0.9% decrease on December 2025 and a 4.1% increase on January 2025. The latest data from AHDB puts daily production at 35.07mlitres for the week ending 14th February. This is 0.6% higher than the previous week and 4.2% higher than…
How Dynamic Herd Health Plans Improve Farm Management
AHDB reports that variable costs including vet and med and purchased feeds can account for around 56% of total agricultural costs in a dairying system and can be directly influenced by herd health. A well-structured, dynamic health plan is an effective management tool for disease prevention and performance improvements in a dairy herd. These factors combined can boost your enterprise output and profitability. What makes an…
Business and Policy February 2026 – Milk
Milk production data Domestic milk production continues to rise, with a GB production figure of 34.87mlitres for the week ending 17th January 2026. This is 0.6% higher than the previous week and 3.5% higher than the same week in 2025 (an extra 1.18 mlitres daily). While the estimated GB milk volume for December 2025 was 1,343 million litres; the realised production figure was a million litres higher at 1,344million litres. This is an increase of 4.3% on the November 2025 production figures, and…
The Dairy Labour Crisis – Who will Milk the Cows Tomorrow?
Across the dairy sector, margins are under increasing pressure. Following the recent milk price drops and ongoing market volatility, rising input costs and heightened environmental regulations often dominate headlines. For many producers, labour is no longer just a cost, it is a limiting factor threatening long-term viability. Dairy farming is particularly vulnerable to labour shortages due to the demands of animal husbandry. Cows…