Animal Health and Welfare [DA.AHW]

Prevalence of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows – A Summary of the A-SHED Project

The global climate is changing, with the UK experiencing warmer average summer temperatures and an increasing frequency of heatwaves. While Scotland and northern England are not traditionally regions associated with…

Post-calving: Are we getting it right?

Calving is a major event for a cow, ensuring the post-calving period is correctly managed provides the cow with the best opportunity to recover and have good future health. Cows…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…