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The cost of rations has always been critical to the profitability of the beef enterprise on Jonathan Guilding’s Somerset farm. But this year, in the face of spiralling feed prices,…
Producing a first-cut silage with a metabolisable energy value of 12.76MJ/kg dry matter and 14.7% crude protein does not happen by chance. That level of quality requires attention to detail…
A focus on planning, harvesting and ensiling silage is helping a Wiltshire dairy farmer to optimise feed utilisation and keep costs down. Joe Carter believes you get from cows what…
There are many benefits to outwintering cattle and sheep on a diet of forage grass and beet. We speak to sheep and beef farmer James Drummond in Alnwick and farmer…
Sourcing functional bulls that suit a forage-only, minimal intervention organic system has led one Northumberland suckler unit to consider a three-week heifer bulling period. It has also allowed them to…
Focusing on three key efficiency measures has ensured the pedigree suckler cow and bull beef enterprises at Strathisla Farms, Perthshire, have remained commercially viable. The cattle have made a profit…
A higher proportion of overwintered material means this year’s first-cut silages are tending to have higher fibre and lower energy levels compared with last year. But the trend, shown in…
With feed prices hitting record highs, poultry producers must focus on understanding the birds’ nutritional requirements and getting the most out of every gram of feed to reduce the impact…
A “reset” across pig farms focused on data gathering and pig husbandry is needed for independent producers to thrive as bigger players wait to pounce on opportunities left in the…
Improving pig health and delivering nutrients to pigs more precisely through their different growth stages can reduce cost of production and carbon footprint. This is according to Steve Jagger, senior…
Ketosis is a metabolic disorder affecting dairy cows in early lactation. It happens when they enter negative energy balance caused by the dramatic increase in energy demand for milk production.…
Results from a new survey of maize growers have revealed valuable cropping knowledge which can be shared to help livestock producers get more from their crop. Nearly 100 producers, with…
Cows are getting bigger. UK dairy farmers are feeding and managing the equivalent of nearly five extra cows for every 100 in their herds, compared with 30 years ago. And…
A study has shown that rearing pigs at pasture with a diverse range of grasses in the sward boosts their meat with fatty acids beneficial to human health. The on-farm…
Fat supplements are incorporated into dairy diets to provide energy and enable cows to maintain butterfat levels. Most of those used in the UK are formulated with palm acid oil.…
Immediate steps to ensure sufficient winter forage supply need to be taken by Northern Irish farmers facing unprecedented cost escalation, say farm advisers responding to stark findings of a survey. …
Soya bean is often cited as one of the key contributors of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from pig farms. With all livestock sectors now facing moral- and government-driven pressures to…
Opting for high-oxygen barrier (HOB) films instead of black plastic sheets has been shown to reduce silage clamp losses from 15% to 7%. This could go some way towards protecting…
About 180,000ha of maize is grown in Denmark, with the majority of production concentrated in the South West. However, continuous rotations and a reduced chemical armoury mean weed control is…
A winter grazing crop of Italian ryegrass, berseem clover and forage rape can finish more than twice as many lambs as an equivalent acreage of brassicas, a farm trial has…
This year’s silage is proving to be variable in quality and will need careful and frequent monitoring to make the best use of it. That is the verdict on samples…
It is unsurprising many farmers are switching from bottles to buckets with teats for feeding milk to older calves. Our test, carried out over a four-month period at my family…
Trees offer animals huge benefits, according to Lindsay Whistance, senior livestock researcher at the Organic Research Centre. She sets out the value of silvopasture to livestock systems. See also: Defra…
Soya is almost unique in its qualities as a source of highly digestible, high-protein, plant-based feed with a good amino acid profile. It is also available year round and is…
What’s your TMR costing you? Our studies show that an accurately mixed TMR can lead to an average saving of £23,360* per year. This will be influenced by factors including…
“Wow, time flies!”, Henry Petter says. The first Triomatic feeding robot has been feeding since 2006 at his dairy farm. “It has brought us more than we could have ever…
We’re hearing a great deal about input costs and the on-going price volatility affecting agriculture. With no clear view of how this will play out over the coming 12 months,…
You can have a significant effect on mix quality. With only minor adjustments, you can achieve great results from your diet feeder. This will make your farm more efficient and,…
It is a good idea to regularly check the knives in your diet feeder for wear and tear. Damaged or worn knives may result in a host of unforeseen costs.…
When your business relies on the smooth running of key equipment, it is vital that both planned and unplanned downtime on production lines is kept to a minimum. This puts…
