Dairy
A Guide to Artificial Calf Colostrum
There are many artificial colostrum products available for dairy and beef calves. They are labelled as either colostrum supplements, colostrum replacers or can be classed as both and it is important to know when to use which product. A replacer is there to completely replace the first feed of maternal colostrum. A supplement should be…
Business and Policy September 2025 – Milk
Milk production data While milk production is just about at its lowest point in the milk year, production is still well above this time last year. Despite many parts of the country suffering from drought conditions and limited grass growth, buffer feeding with this year’s winter forage supplies are helping maintain production. However, this will…
The Benefits of Whole Milk for Calves
Feeding dairy replacement heifer calves on saleable whole milk is less common than using calf milk replacer (CMR) but seems to be growing in popularity. While there are a number of good reasons for using CMR, the main one being reduced disease risk to the calf, there are many benefits of feeding whole milk (as…
A Guide to Pre-Weaning Nutrition of Dairy Beef Calves
Dairy beef calves are typically purchased anywhere from 10 days to three weeks of age and so will need to be reared on calf milk replacer (CMR) until weaning at a minimum of eight weeks of age. Good nutrition during the first few weeks of life is critical to support high growth rates and build…
Forage Budgeting Guide for the Dairy Herd
Introduction Forage budgeting is a useful management tool to plan feed stocks ahead for the coming year. It should be carried out six to eight weeks after all forages have been made for the season, allowing time for them to ferment and stabilise prior to sampling for analysis. As well as identifying any shortfalls, it…
Business and Policy August 2025 – Milk
Milk production data While milk production is declining from the spring peak, as it usually does at this time of year; production is still well ahead of the same time last year, despite the very warm dry weather limiting grass availability in some areas. The latest data from AHDB estimates the GB milk volume for…
Findings from Moorepark ’25 – Irish Dairying: Innovating the Future
Every two years Teagasc hold an open day at their dairy research facility, Moorpark, in County Cork. This year’s theme was “Innovating for the Future.” Since the removal of quotas in 2015, the dairy industry in Ireland has undergone huge changes, with an increase in milk solids output of 96%. This has been driven by…
Nature Restoration Fund Returns: A Timely Opportunity for Scotland’s Dairy Sector
Scotland’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) officially reopened for applications in June 2025, offering fresh opportunities for land managers, including those in the dairy sector, to engage in meaningful biodiversity and habitat enhancement projects. Established to support transformative nature projects across the country, the NRF is once again inviting proposals that restore and protect habitats, improve…
Utilising Cow Tracks to Improve your Dairy System
Incorporating cow tracks into a dairy system can have numerous benefits for a business, including: Boosting herd health Productivity Profitability This article will give a quick overview of all the potential benefits of cow tracks, as well as some advice on how to go about installing them and getting the most out of your investment….
Business and Policy July 2025 – Milk
Milk production data The spring flush has now well and truly passed, with peak production occurring on the 4th of May and reaching a record breaking high of 39.02 million litres per day. The latest data from AHDB estimates the GB milk volume for May at 1,186 million litres, 58 million litres more than the…