The transition from winter housing to spring pasture, often referred to as "turnout," requires careful planning to ensure the well-being of the livestock involved. A successful turnout is dependent on thorough preparation.
Working dogs play an incredibly vital role, from herding livestock and assisting law enforcement to aiding individuals with disabilities and performing search and rescue, their contributions are immeasurable. However, their demanding work environments and outdoor lifestyles put them at a significantly increased risk of encountering ticks.
Ticks pose a significant risk to pets, primarily through the transmission of various diseases, in this blog we explore ways in which you can reduce the risk.
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.
Sheep show season is well and truly on us, and many of us will be starting to get our sheep show ready. Not only do you want your prize ewe to look its best, you also want to highlight its best qualities.
Preparing the wool for sheep showing is an art and can be perfected through trial and error. Everybody has their preferred way of preparing their show sheep but here are some tips we have found.
A successful turnout requires careful preparation to prevent health issues and ensure animal well-being. A gradual transition from winter feed to lush pasture is essential, allowing the rumen to adapt and prevent digestive upset.
Mineral supplementation, particularly magnesium, is crucial during the spring grazing period amongst other seasons to avoid deficiencies like grass tetany, also referred to as grass staggers. Well-maintained pastures with adequate grass and water, coupled with close health monitoring, contribute to a smooth turnout, minimising stress and maximising health and productivity.
Working dogs experience physical demands that can strain their bodies. Supplements can help support joints, muscles, and overall health. They do this by fixing nutritional gaps and providing essential vitamins and minerals. This helps them stay healthy, active, and perform well.
Even the best diets may not fulfill the specific needs of working dogs facing unique challenges. This is where supplements come in, offering targeted support based on the type of work a dog performs and the conditions they work in.
Spring barley has been and will continue to be a valuable tool for farmers, the numerous reasons for growing spring barley are well documented which I won’t go into now. However, you’ve got to this point its now important to make it profitable for your business.
Our dogs deserve to look and feel their best, and grooming is key to their health and happiness. Neglecting dog grooming leads to more than just a shaggy appearance. Matting causes pain, skin infections, and restricted movement. Untrimmed nails lead to discomfort and joint problems. Uncleaned ears invite infections, and poor dental hygiene results in gum disease and bad breath. Overall, lack of grooming diminishes a dog's quality of life, increases parasite risk, and makes it harder to detect health issues. Regular grooming is vital for a dog's health and well-being.
A survey carried out by Wynnstay and Alltech involved the mycotoxin analysis of fresh maize silage from farms across England and Wales.
Several samples were collected and analysed using the Alltech 37+ mycotoxin test which identified the differing types and concentrations present in the maize silage. The results also predicted the milk yield reduction and somatic cell count increase as a result of feeding contaminated maize silage.
Fluctuations in weather conditions across the UK have correlated with high levels of mycotoxins present in maize silage, particularly that of Fusarium mycotoxins. The contamination of animal feeds and forages can negatively impact cow health and performance.
Incorporation of spring varieties into rotations can enhance farm business resilience, especially in the face of increased input costs or weed burdens. When selecting the best variety for your farm business, end market, agronomic packages and consistency of performance are the most important factors to consider.
Autumn 2024 was a tough planting year, prolonged rainfall and waterlogged land in many areas led to delayed or even missed drilling. This spring brings the opportunity to sow fallow ground with spring cereals or pulses either as a cash crop or as feed. Or if you have opted for an overwintered cover crop such as SAM2/SW6, following with a spring cereal crop in the rotation can improve soil structure and nutrient retention.
