rumen

We are a mixed arable / dairy farm. Last year split the farm between two partners, one doing the dairy and us doing the arable side. Last year was a walk in the park combining wise, this year… not so much. we’ve got just about 500 acres of cereals to go at, (over double previous years due to...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland Sodium has been recommended as an integral component of all grassland (grazing and silage) fertiliser programmes. The benefits of the nutrient in improving palatability and mineral balances are relevant at all times of the season. According to Origin...

Harper are taking significant sums of money (certainly 6 figures, possibly 7) from Defra to research a problem that doesn't exist. Rumenco are backing this to the hilt - cash possibly, resources certainly - as there will be plenty of money to be made in solving that problem that doesn't exist...

Trials are underway to discover if an extract from daffodil plants, called haemanthamine, could hold the secret to cutting methane levels produced by livestock. Researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) found that under laboratory conditions, using an artificial cow’s stomach, emissions...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland Trials are underway to discover if an extract from daffodil plants, called haemanthamine, could hold the secret to cutting methane levels produced by livestock according to new reports. Researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Scotland’s Rural...

Míchéal Kelly, Drystock Advisor, asks if kale or rape as a winter forage crop is worth it? As the age old saying goes – ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. This could not ring more true for winter feeding. Many farmers are enquiring in the office here about the effectiveness of using a forage...

Heat stress can disrupt average daily gain (ADG) in beef cattle, but new tools are available to help nutritionists and farmers around the world estimate losses — and take steps to regain production. Plus, recent research investigates the specific critical temperature for beef cattle linked to...

Taking steps to mitigate the impact of heat stress on dairy cows will help avoid production losses when temperatures rise Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s ruminant technical support manager, Nico Vreeburg, shares his top tips on how to prevent heat stress in housed dairy cows. How much does heat...

Currently feeding maize, barley soya and straw and urea to beef cattle. But the maize is going fast and im looking at options to bridge the gap til next maize harvest. Usual options of Hay more straw etc. but is there another cost effective route? I appreciate different parts of the country...

Written by Richard Halleron from Agriland Ruminant methane inhibitors must not just address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions challenges but also deliver improved animal performance, according to one of the largest red meat processors in the UK. Foyle Food Group’s Andrew Clarke told the Northern...

Looking to buy in some low quality meadow grass for dry cow feeding. Price per acre was too rich for my blood so I suggested a price per bale which he agreed to in principle. What would others offer? I think I’ve done £8-£10 in the past.

so which is it ? 'Grassland, as grazed by ruminants, is our most stable store of carbon. Which makes cows part of the solution not part of the problem. And by producing as much food as we can in the UK, to reduce our reliance on imports, we cut emissions from transportation". or "This climate...

How dry(DM) is to dry for clamp silage?

Been asked to look at clearing 130 acres of basically overgrown ,docks ,nettles grass etc . It wax prime grazing ground 3 yrs ago but has been given to a charity who have let it get seriously out of hand. Question .... If I mow it and bale it , is it any good to go into a digester ?

Wallace and James Hendrie are always looking for ways to improve efficiency and maximise output. As part of AHDB’s strategic dairy farm programme, the team identified fertility as a significant challenge and have been exploring a range of options to improve the performance of the herd. Based in...

We’ve got about 30 water troughs on the mains supply on a couple blocks of ground we own and some we rent, and always have algae in the, some worse than others, and after putting in a brand new trough get algae within a month, wondering if fish would be a potential solution or if anyone has has...

Have a sick steer at the moment with BRD, vet has prescribed oxytet and metacam. Poor buggers breathing is not great but still standing, eating and drinking a little. Will call vet today, but is tubing in some electrolyte a good idea to keep some nutrients in him?? 280kg angus, alwys been a...

I know it's very early still, but looks like my neighbour is making a bit of hay on a small field that he lets people camp on. Couple of others seem to be underway with haylage. I've just been and mowed 8 acres that is going to be haylage for a chap this evening. It will be at least 10...

None of the apps are showing any rain for the next fortnight, I’m already worried!

Research trials have shown that feeding higher volumes of milk can lead to many benefits for calf, heifer and cow performance as well as the farmer. However, as we encourage higher litres there is often some reluctance due to the following myths. Read more: The benefits of feeding calves a...