Dairy: Herd Management
Find out about all aspects of herd management; breeding, milking performance, calf/youngstock management and infrastructure and technology
Milk Manager News January 2023 – Key Performance Indicators for Measuring Fertility
Keeping up-to-date records and monitoring performance is key to identifying fertility issues within the herd. Addressing problems early on will keep you on track to meet your herd’s breeding and…
Select by an area of interest
Losses at Calving – should I investigate?
March 29, 2023Calf loss is costly and can occur as soon as a pregnancy is established. While very early losses can be challenging to investigate as often...
Read more >
Milk Manager News March 2023 – Future Technology on Show at Low Carbon Agriculture Conference
March 10, 2023I recently attended the Low Carbon Agriculture Conference at the NAEC in Stoneleigh Park. There were several technology demonstrations across the conference, where companies presented...
Read more >
Milk Manager News March 2023 – Are Your Heifers Ready For Spring Turnout?
March 10, 2023As the days lengthen, thoughts begin to turn to spring turnout and getting heifers ready for the transition from a forage-based diet to a grass-based...
Read more >
Agribusiness News February 2023 – Management Matters: Not a Lot of Bull!
February 2, 2023Jobs for the boys! There aren’t many jobs advertised where you get your board and lodgings, lots of fresh air and exercise and only need...
Read more >
Milk Manager News January 2023 – Key Performance Indicators for Measuring Fertility
January 13, 2023Keeping up-to-date records and monitoring performance is key to identifying fertility issues within the herd. Addressing problems early on will keep you on track to...
Read more >
Milk Manager News January 2023 – How Does Cold Weather Affect Milking Cows?
January 13, 2023We hear a lot over the winter months about the impact of cold weather on calf health and growth performance, but how does cold weather...
Read more >
Milk Manager News January 2023 – Planning for Youngstock Grazing this Spring
January 13, 2023Regardless of the management of the milking herd, the majority of dairy youngstock will be turned out to grass this spring. By planning your grazing...
Read more >
Performance Targets for Small Herds
November 17, 2022Benchmarking is as an important tool for small herds as it is for larger herds. However, due to mathematics – many of the standard industry...
Read more >
Dry Cow Nutrition for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
November 17, 2022This video focuses on the importance of nutrition of dairy cows during the dry period and covers targets for body condition score, energy and protein...
Read more >
Dry Cow Management for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
November 17, 2022This video discusses the key management factors that are important for a successful transition into the milking herd. Topics covered include feeding space, cow comfort...
Read more >
Milk Manager News November 2022 – Mating Programs for Breed Improvement
November 14, 2022Twenty-five years ago, the average size of the dairy herd in the UK was around 70 cows, and back then most farmers would know each...
Read more >
Milk Manager News November 2022 – Cystic Ovaries: Causes, Prevention and Treatment
November 14, 2022Cystic Ovaries: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Cystic ovaries are most common in the first two months after calving when most health issues occur, and cows...
Read more >
Milk Manager News November 2022 – Thoracic Ultrasound Scanning in Calves
November 14, 2022Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a very common and costly disease in dairy calves and early detection and treatment is vital to minimise the impact...
Read more >
Autumn/Winter Pneumonia Solutions
October 31, 2022At this time of year, with the mild weather we have seen, weaning of spring born calves and the movement of these calves to markets...
Read more >
Thrill of the Hill – Virtually Stockproof
October 21, 2022Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #6 – Virtually Stockproof. In this episode we hear from SAC Consulting’s Malcolm Macdonald & Robert Ramsay...
Read more >
Dry Cow Management for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
September 15, 2022This factsheet focuses on the non-nutritional factors that are important to help dry dairy cows achieve a trouble free-calving and successful transition into the milking...
Read more >
Milk Manager News September 2022
September 13, 2022The September 2022 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update; this month...
Read more >
Milk Manager News January 2022
January 14, 2022The January 2022 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update, this month...
Read more >
Are You At Risk Of Long Bone Deformity?
November 3, 2021Long bone deformity appears to have a higher occurrence amongst beef suckler herds. Calves are born with a dwarf like appearance as a result of...
Read more >
Checking Heifers Pre-Breeding
October 22, 2021Difficult calvings are a major drain on resources at calving time, both in terms of labour and finances. While completely eliminating dystocia in cattle is...
Read more >
Reviewing your Concentrate use per Litre
October 18, 2021Concentrate use per litre is a key measure of feeding efficiency in the dairy cow. The less concentrate required for a given level of milk...
Read more >
Disbudding Calves
August 24, 2021Disbudding calves is a common management procedure on many beef and dairy farms. Horns pose as a potential welfare issue to cattle as well as...
Read more >
Rumen Drinking in Calves – What is it and how to avoid it?
August 18, 2021Rumen drinking is one of the main causes of mortality that SRUC vets see in dairy calves. It can be the sole cause of death...
Read more >
Milk Manager News July 2021
July 13, 2021The July 2021 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the usual articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update, this month...
Read more >
Controlling Cryptosporidia in Calves
June 26, 2021Cryptosporidia is a common cause of scour in dairy calves. Katrina Henderson of SRUC Veterinary Services discusses the main symptoms, how to diagnosis the disease...
Read more >
How Are Your Cows Coping with the Warmer Weather?
June 21, 2021As temperatures increase with the summer weather, it is important to think about heat stress in your cattle and what you can do to reduce...
Read more >
Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 2
May 28, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare,...
Read more >
Health Considerations of Youngstock at Summer Grazing
May 19, 2021Many producers are preparing to turn cattle out to rented summer grass. Before doing so, it is important to consider the herd health implications when summering youngstock away from home.
Read more >
Reducing Stress in Cows at Calving
April 28, 2021Improving cow comfort and reducing cow stress is now seen as a given route to improving production as well as animal welfare. One of the...
Read more >
Livestock Monthly: Dairy
March 26, 2021Welcome to the March 2021 episode of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, in this episode we...
Read more >
Technology for Improved Animal Welfare – The South West Dairy Development Centre
January 26, 2021In this 2-part mini-series of podcasts based on Animal Health & Welfare we are speaking with the head of dairy, Duncan Forbes from the Agri-Epi...
Read more >
Keeping Male Calves Entire?
January 18, 2021With calving either started or not far away, on many farms, now is the time for breeders to consider whether they castrate their bull calves...
Read more >
Milk Manager News January 2021
January 13, 2021The January 2021 edition of Milk Manager News is now available to download and read. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and...
Read more >
What should your Voluntary Waiting Period be?
December 7, 2020The Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP) is defined as the interval after calving during which producers decide not to breed cows, even if they are seen...
Read more >Are Your Calves Prepared for Winter?
November 13, 2020Now is the time to consider the thermal comfort of your dairy calves as the winter months approach. The effect of cold on calf health,...
Read more >
Rotational Grazing Vlog: Grazing Dairy Heifers
July 7, 2020Previously set stocked, the heifers are now rotationally grazed at Forest Farm which has led to more consistency in their growth rates ready...
Read more >
Feed Space and Milk Output
June 9, 2020The natural behaviour of cows is to synchronise certain habits so that the majority of animals in the herd feed, rest and ruminate at the...
Read more >
Technical Note (TN730): Construction of a Cow Track for Access to Grazing
September 28, 2019Summary Cow tracks can lengthen the grazing season from reduced damage to pasture and improved field access in poor weather Correctly constructed cow tracks can...
Read more >
Milk Manager News September 2019
September 11, 2019Read the September issue of Milk Manager News here.
Read more >
More in FAS Problem Solver
Select by an area of interest
Losses at Calving – should I investigate?
March 29, 2023Calf loss is costly and can occur as soon as a pregnancy is established. While very early losses can be challenging to investigate as often...
Read more >Milk Manager News March 2023 – Future Technology on Show at Low Carbon Agriculture Conference
March 10, 2023I recently attended the Low Carbon Agriculture Conference at the NAEC in Stoneleigh Park. There were several technology demonstrations across the conference, where companies presented...
Read more >Milk Manager News March 2023 – Are Your Heifers Ready For Spring Turnout?
March 10, 2023As the days lengthen, thoughts begin to turn to spring turnout and getting heifers ready for the transition from a forage-based diet to a grass-based...
Read more >Agribusiness News February 2023 – Management Matters: Not a Lot of Bull!
February 2, 2023Jobs for the boys! There aren’t many jobs advertised where you get your board and lodgings, lots of fresh air and exercise and only need...
Read more >Milk Manager News January 2023 – Key Performance Indicators for Measuring Fertility
January 13, 2023Keeping up-to-date records and monitoring performance is key to identifying fertility issues within the herd. Addressing problems early on will keep you on track to...
Read more >Milk Manager News January 2023 – How Does Cold Weather Affect Milking Cows?
January 13, 2023We hear a lot over the winter months about the impact of cold weather on calf health and growth performance, but how does cold weather...
Read more >Milk Manager News January 2023 – Planning for Youngstock Grazing this Spring
January 13, 2023Regardless of the management of the milking herd, the majority of dairy youngstock will be turned out to grass this spring. By planning your grazing...
Read more >Performance Targets for Small Herds
November 17, 2022Benchmarking is as an important tool for small herds as it is for larger herds. However, due to mathematics – many of the standard industry...
Read more >Dry Cow Nutrition for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
November 17, 2022This video focuses on the importance of nutrition of dairy cows during the dry period and covers targets for body condition score, energy and protein...
Read more >Dry Cow Management for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
November 17, 2022This video discusses the key management factors that are important for a successful transition into the milking herd. Topics covered include feeding space, cow comfort...
Read more >Milk Manager News November 2022 – Mating Programs for Breed Improvement
November 14, 2022Twenty-five years ago, the average size of the dairy herd in the UK was around 70 cows, and back then most farmers would know each...
Read more >Milk Manager News November 2022 – Cystic Ovaries: Causes, Prevention and Treatment
November 14, 2022Cystic Ovaries: Causes, Prevention and Treatment Cystic ovaries are most common in the first two months after calving when most health issues occur, and cows...
Read more >Milk Manager News November 2022 – Thoracic Ultrasound Scanning in Calves
November 14, 2022Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a very common and costly disease in dairy calves and early detection and treatment is vital to minimise the impact...
Read more >Autumn/Winter Pneumonia Solutions
October 31, 2022At this time of year, with the mild weather we have seen, weaning of spring born calves and the movement of these calves to markets...
Read more >Thrill of the Hill – Virtually Stockproof
October 21, 2022Thrill of the Hill is back! Season 3 #6 – Virtually Stockproof. In this episode we hear from SAC Consulting’s Malcolm Macdonald & Robert Ramsay...
Read more >Dry Cow Management for a Successful Transition into the Milking Herd
September 15, 2022This factsheet focuses on the non-nutritional factors that are important to help dry dairy cows achieve a trouble free-calving and successful transition into the milking...
Read more >Milk Manager News September 2022
September 13, 2022The September 2022 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update; this month...
Read more >Milk Manager News January 2022
January 14, 2022The January 2022 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update, this month...
Read more >Are You At Risk Of Long Bone Deformity?
November 3, 2021Long bone deformity appears to have a higher occurrence amongst beef suckler herds. Calves are born with a dwarf like appearance as a result of...
Read more >Checking Heifers Pre-Breeding
October 22, 2021Difficult calvings are a major drain on resources at calving time, both in terms of labour and finances. While completely eliminating dystocia in cattle is...
Read more >Reviewing your Concentrate use per Litre
October 18, 2021Concentrate use per litre is a key measure of feeding efficiency in the dairy cow. The less concentrate required for a given level of milk...
Read more >Disbudding Calves
August 24, 2021Disbudding calves is a common management procedure on many beef and dairy farms. Horns pose as a potential welfare issue to cattle as well as...
Read more >Rumen Drinking in Calves – What is it and how to avoid it?
August 18, 2021Rumen drinking is one of the main causes of mortality that SRUC vets see in dairy calves. It can be the sole cause of death...
Read more >Milk Manager News July 2021
July 13, 2021The July 2021 edition of Milk Manager News is now available. Along with the usual articles on Milk Market Update and Straights Update, this month...
Read more >Controlling Cryptosporidia in Calves
June 26, 2021Cryptosporidia is a common cause of scour in dairy calves. Katrina Henderson of SRUC Veterinary Services discusses the main symptoms, how to diagnosis the disease...
Read more >How Are Your Cows Coping with the Warmer Weather?
June 21, 2021As temperatures increase with the summer weather, it is important to think about heat stress in your cattle and what you can do to reduce...
Read more >Precision solutions to animal health & welfare: episode 2
May 28, 2021Welcome along to our animal health & welfare series of eight podcasts. Each podcast will look at the latest research around animal health & welfare,...
Read more >Health Considerations of Youngstock at Summer Grazing
May 19, 2021Many producers are preparing to turn cattle out to rented summer grass. Before doing so, it is important to consider the herd health implications when summering youngstock away from home.
Read more >Reducing Stress in Cows at Calving
April 28, 2021Improving cow comfort and reducing cow stress is now seen as a given route to improving production as well as animal welfare. One of the...
Read more >Livestock Monthly: Dairy
March 26, 2021Welcome to the March 2021 episode of our livestock monthly podcasts episodes hosted by Beef Specialist Robert Ramsay of SAC Consulting, in this episode we...
Read more >Technology for Improved Animal Welfare – The South West Dairy Development Centre
January 26, 2021In this 2-part mini-series of podcasts based on Animal Health & Welfare we are speaking with the head of dairy, Duncan Forbes from the Agri-Epi...
Read more >Keeping Male Calves Entire?
January 18, 2021With calving either started or not far away, on many farms, now is the time for breeders to consider whether they castrate their bull calves...
Read more >Milk Manager News January 2021
January 13, 2021The January 2021 edition of Milk Manager News is now available to download and read. Along with the regular articles on Milk Market Update and...
Read more >What should your Voluntary Waiting Period be?
December 7, 2020The Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP) is defined as the interval after calving during which producers decide not to breed cows, even if they are seen...
Read more >Are Your Calves Prepared for Winter?
November 13, 2020Now is the time to consider the thermal comfort of your dairy calves as the winter months approach. The effect of cold on calf health,...
Read more >Rotational Grazing Vlog: Grazing Dairy Heifers
July 7, 2020Previously set stocked, the heifers are now rotationally grazed at Forest Farm which has led to more consistency in their growth rates ready...
Read more >Feed Space and Milk Output
June 9, 2020The natural behaviour of cows is to synchronise certain habits so that the majority of animals in the herd feed, rest and ruminate at the...
Read more >Technical Note (TN730): Construction of a Cow Track for Access to Grazing
September 28, 2019Summary Cow tracks can lengthen the grazing season from reduced damage to pasture and improved field access in poor weather Correctly constructed cow tracks can...
Read more >Milk Manager News September 2019
September 11, 2019Read the September issue of Milk Manager News here.
Read more >