Written by Dr James Wilson PhD It is estimated across a range of dairy systems that approximately 1 in 3 cows are lame at any given time (Randall et al. 2019). This has come from numerous studies examining prevalence across a range of dairy systems, meaning that this is not a condition unique to the … Read more
The growing threat of Johne’s Disease is encouraging significant numbers of dairy farmers to offer bespoke colostrum replacements to newborn calves. A case in point is Katesbridge milk producer John McGaffin, who farms with his father Hubert. The pair milk 125, mainly autumn calving cows, a mix of Holstein and Ayrshires. The herd is currently … Read more
Recent research has shown that dry matter losses are costing farmers on average £26 per tonne of DM, with this figure likely to be considerably more in 2022 based on current input costs. Simple changes in silage making practices like ensuring a rapid wilt to a target of 30% DM as quickly as possible to … Read more
Dr T.B Barragry PhD, MSc, MVB, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT. Veterinary pharmacologist. The aim in making good silage and indeed in storing any crop, is to keep its nutritional quality as close as possible to that of the original harvested crop and to avoid losses during silage making. This means minimizing losses of dry matter and … Read more