Dairy
Using Slurry to Save on Fertiliser and Improve Silage
For several months now, energy prices have been trending upwards after the start of the conflict in the Middle East. This has seen oil reach a peak of $100 US/barrel forcing a significant increase in fuel prices back in the UK. This has had a knock-on effect on fertiliser prices with AHDB reporting prices over £520/tonne for Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser in April. This has seen…
Business and Policy July 2026 – Milk
Milk production data Milk production is declining and the spring flush has well and truly passed. The latest data from AHDB estimates the GB milk volume for May at 1,167m litres, 19m litres less than the previous May. Daily production is currently 35.97m litres for the week ending 20th June, 1.2% less than the previous week and 1.4% less than the same week last…
Business and Policy June 2026 – Milk
Milk production data GB production for the year ending 31st March 2026 is estimated to have reached 13.02 billion litres, a significant increase of 5.0% when compared to the previous season. This is the highest volume recorded for a milk-year. The latest data from AHDB estimates the GB milk volume for April at 1,136 million litres, 5m litres more than the previous April. Daily production is currently 38.12m litres for the week…
Managing and Preventing Udder Oedema
Successfully transitioning heifers into the milking herd is essential for achieving a strong performance in the first lactation, and there are several things to keep an eye out for when making the transition. Udder oedema is one of the most common. This article will talk you through what you need to know about the condition…
Business and Policy May 2026 – Milk
Milk production data Milk production continues to rise, with GB milk deliveries increasing by 0.6% when compared to the week ending 25th April. However, they are running slightly below the same week last year by approximately 0.02m litres. The weather has improved at long last, with drier, warmer days allowing for cows to be turned…
How to Minimise Heat Stress in the Dairy Herd
As the UK sees increasingly prolonged spells of warm weather, managing cattle during the summer months is becoming more challenging for producers. For dairy farmers, heat stress has been found to have a significant impact on both the financials of the business, and the lifetime productivity of their cows. Recent studies indicate that in-utero heat stress reduces growth rates and impairs mammary development during the post-weaning…
Business and Policy April 2026 – Milk
Milk production data Although milk production continues to be greater than this time last year, with daily production currently at 36.67 million litres for the week ending 21st of March, 0.6% more than the previous week; the percentage increase has slowed through March from +3.2% for the week ending the 7th of March down to +2.2% for the week ending the 21st of March 2026. For the UK, February production…
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,…