Dairy
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,…
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…