Dairy Farmer

Hunt family takes sustainability accolade

Livestock

Hunt family takes sustainability accolade

A Leicestershire farm which generates 85% of its power requirements from a wind turbine has recently been announced as winner of a sustainability award. Jonathan Wheeler reports.

clock 29 July 2022 • 7 min read
DAIRY MATTERS: 'The massive range in efficiency across systems is wider than ever'

Livestock

DAIRY MATTERS: 'The massive range in efficiency across systems is wider than ever'

Kathryn Rowland has been at Kingshay for 20 years and originally hails from a dairy farming family. Heading up Kingshay’s farm services team, she has overseen the recent publication of the 11th edition of the annual Dairy Costings Focus Report.

clock 28 July 2022 • 4 min read
Gearing up for taxing times

Livestock

Gearing up for taxing times

Managing the farm’s accounts is likely to be one of the most important tasks a dairy farmer can do this year as farms look set to lurch from profits to loss. Cedric Porter reports

clock 28 May 2022 • 5 min read
Achieving sustainable silage profit

Livestock

Achieving sustainable silage profit

Using technology to produce silage more efficiently and sustainably is paying off both financially and environmentally for one Yorkshire farm. Dairy Farmer reports.

clock 28 May 2022 • 6 min read
Software manages robot concentrate feeding system

Livestock

Software manages robot concentrate feeding system

A computer program is being used to fine-tune concentrate feed levels in Russell Boyce’s robotic milking system. It has cut usage by about 9%, without affecting the performance of the high-yielding herd. Wendy Short reports.

clock 27 May 2022 • 5 min read
Managing dry cows at grass

Livestock

Managing dry cows at grass

Monitoring dry cow condition will be particularly important this year with farmers looking to make more use of grazing. Dairy Farmer reports.

clock 27 May 2022 • 4 min read
Every picture tells a story

Livestock

Every picture tells a story

By automating processes and improving accuracy of data, new 3D camera technology is helping improve welfare and management. Dairy Farmer reports.

clock 27 May 2022 • 5 min read
Dairy Matters: "It needs effectively communicating how rewarding working in the sector is"

Livestock

Dairy Matters: "It needs effectively communicating how rewarding working in the sector is"

Fraser Jones milks 1,450 Holstein Friesians and employs 37 people across three sites near Welshpool. Herd health, sustainability and welfare are key priorities for Fraser, who is a Disease? Not On My Farm! ambassador for MSD Animal Health.

clock 26 May 2022 • 6 min read
Understanding heifer fertility

Livestock

Understanding heifer fertility

Being aware of the factors influencing puberty and how a heifer’s oestrus cycle works is key to successful heifer fertility, explains Jenny Bellini and Rob Hall, of LLM Farm Vets. Katie Fallon reports.

clock 26 May 2022 • 4 min read
Dairy Talk: "The comparison between the soil in the field and under the hedge is stark"

Livestock

Dairy Talk: "The comparison between the soil in the field and under the hedge is stark"

Dan Burdett and his family own and run the 300-hectare (741-acre) Cockhaise Farm, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The farm is home to an organic autumn-calving herd of 240 Holstein and Friesian crosses. He also contract farms another organic autumn-calving herd of 220 cows at Bore Place near Edenbridge, Kent.

clock 25 May 2022 • 3 min read