Dairy
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…
Putting Pasture to Work in your Dairy System
For many producers, pushing cows to realise milk yields of over 10,000litres has often relied on housing the herd all year round on a high input system. Margins are tightening in dairying, the average cost of production in 2024/25 was calculated at 48.5ppl with the average farm gate milk price reaching a high of 46.56ppl in October 25. The sharp drop in milk…
Building Resilience in Your Business
Building resilience into your production system helps protect your business from volatility due to factors out with your control. This article outlines practical ways in which you can build resilience, avoid shortages and the resulting price increases of inputs. In a challenging operating environment of dropping milk prices, market volatility and global political instability, building resilience in your dairy business is essential. An analysis…
Automated Calf Feeding
The first three months are among the most critical in a calf’s life, with proper nutrition playing a pivotal role. However, calf rearing can be overlooked, especially during busier times of year. Skilled labour is becoming increasingly hard to find and, as a result, automated feeding systems are becoming increasingly popular. Another major advantage that comes with an automated feeding system is consistency. Staff can vary in their assessment of calf health and may prepare milk with different inclusion rates…
Business and Policy January 2026 – Milk
2025 review: A tale of two halves Milk volumes increased in the second half of 2025 as there was a relatively attractive milk price to feed cost ratio. Following a dry spell, the grazing season for many was extended in 2025 after a period of rain allowed for both improved grass growth and quality…
Rural Roundup – 2. Unsung Heroes – Temples Farm – Data (Genomics)
Welcome to this special episode of the Rural Roundup, one of a six-part series called “Unsung Heroes”. In this episode Calum Johnston visits James Strang at Temples Farm where they discussed Genomics. Through speaking to James Strang, it was clear that on his dairy farm, their unsung hero is data. Data is allowing them to input into their mating programme – selecting best performing cattle for…
Heat Lamps for Neonate Calves
Rearing strong calves is key to business efficiency and profitability. Neonatal, low birth weight, or sick calves have a reduced capacity for thermoregulation. Heat lamps can be used to mitigate cold stress and increase growth rates and immunity. Calves are the future of a dairy herd and providing them with the best start in life is a…
Business and Policy December 2025 – Milk
Milk production data Domestic milk output is still on the rise as we head into the winter months; with a daily GB production figure of 35.74mlitres for the week ending 15th November. This is 0.1% higher than the previous week and 5.1% more than the same week in 2024 equating to an extra 1.82mlitres daily. …
Return of the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme
On Tuesday 7th October this year the Scottish Government Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, attended the first Nature Friendly Farming Summit in Edinburgh. The summit was planned and facilitated by the Nature Friendly Farming Network and supported by the RSPB and a host of other organisations to promote knowledge exchange and land management…
Organic Mineral Supplementation
There is good evidence to support the use of organic trace elements in dairy cow nutrition. While mineral supplementation makes up a very small part of a dairy ration (<1%) it is an essential component, and the majority of trace elements are deficient in forages. What is an organic trace element? Organic trace elements are…