Over the past year, Wynnstay’s Dairy Technical Team has collaborated with the University of Nottingham's Centre for Dairy Science Innovation to implement a soya-free diet for the university’s dairy herd. The work conducted at the university’s farm has shown that dairy cows can thrive on this optimised, soya-free diet, not only increasing milk production from forage but also maintaining high milk quality.
Manipulating photoperiods and light for the milking cows is a fairly well researched and discussed topic. However, often we forget to consider the benefits this could have for dry cows.
Inclusion of maize in the dairy ration has long been favoured by many dairy farmers and with the current costs of other crops and inputs, 2022 represents an even better opportunity for maize.
Pica is an abnormal behaviour usually seen in grazing cows, where they lick, chew, or eat inedible materials. This can include licking soil and fence posts, eating stones, drinking urine etc., and while cows may look healthy there is the risk of them ingesting material that can damage their gut and could ultimately lead to death.
With spring turnout fast approaching, it is a crucial time to be thinking about dietary magnesium and making sure that the milkers’ ration is targeted to meet the cow’s production needs.
As a farmer, planning worm control prior to turnout is vital to prevent cattle from becoming infected at grass, which could lead to subsequent production losses. Asking the following questions can help you and your animal health care provider understand when to treat cattle and with what product:
The treatment of your slurry lagoons is highly important for any farmer. Incorporating a good management plan to oversee this process is just as important for the farmer manager to keep up with to ensure slurry is managed safely. Within the Wynnstay Slurry guide, we look at the 3 steps for the treatment of a slurry lagoon.
It is no secret to everyone in agriculture that public perception is putting increasing pressure on running a more sustainable enterprise.
It is fair to say that we have a responsibility to not only be the most sustainably efficient farms possible, but also to publicise and educate the general public.
You may have noticed recurring health problems in your livestock but are not sure of the reasons why? Our Wynnstay Specialists are trained to recognise the symptoms of common mineral deficiencies and are here to help you to get to the root of the problems and to help to rectify them.
