Dairy
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…
Putting Pasture to Work in your Dairy 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 price in November has further tightened these margins with a period of uncertainty looming over 2026. Simultaneously, the vast majority of milk contracts are placing…
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…