Maximising Yield in Early Lactation – The Role of a Balanced Diet
Many dairy farms across Northern Ireland are now in the midst of a busy calving season. Amidst all the new arrivals, it’s vital not to lose focus on supporting freshly calved cows to ensure a healthy, productive and profitable lactation. The Importance of the Transition Period The transition period, roughly three weeks before and after […]
Are Mites Making Your Sheep Itchy?
Watching your sheep scratching in the field isn’t a pleasant sight for any sheep farmer. But why are they itchy? There are various reasons why sheep suffer itchy skin including lice, flystrike, bacterial infections but most commonly scab. Sheep scab costs the UK sheep industry approximately £100 million every year with an estimated 10,000 outbreaks […]
Improving Feed Efficiency This Winter Amid Falling Milk Prices
As farm gate milk prices face a downward trend, feed efficiency is more critical than ever for dairy farmers aiming to maintain margins this winter. With feed representing the largest variable cost on most farms, making smart, informed decisions can help safeguard both cow performance and farm profitability. Start with Forage Analysis Your forage is […]
Digging Deeper: How Soil Analysis Can Help Your Farm
Soil sampling is a vital practice for farmers in Northern Ireland, laying the foundation for both profitable crop production and responsible environmental stewardship. Regular analysis not only reveals the current nutrient status and fertility of the soil, but also informs precise, sustainable decisions on fertiliser and lime application—both important for maximising yield and protecting farm […]
Colostrum Counts: How to Give Newborn Calves and Lambs the Best Start in Life
For any calf or lamb born on the farm, a good start to life is always the best start. How is this achieved? Through the first feed of colostrum. Colostrum is a nutrient rich energy and protein source produced in the first milk of cows and sheep following giving birth. It plays a pivotal role […]
Tackling Liver Fluke on Farm
Liver fluke remains one of the most persistent health challenges for livestock farmers in Northern Ireland, especially during the autumn and winter seasons when risk typically increases. What is Liver Fluke? Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is a parasitic flatworm affecting both cattle and sheep, with wet and poorly drained ground providing ideal habitats for the […]
Success at Calving with Improved Dry Cow Management
Improving dry cow nutrition has transformed calving outcomes for Co. Antrim dairy farmer, Stephen Cochrane. Up until last year, Stephen had never considered feeding concentrates to dry cows before calving. His herd was generally in good condition, with only the occasional case of milk fever or a retained placenta. But when he introduced Fane Valley […]
Weathering the Transition: Lallemand Powermix Keeps Cattle Thriving Indoors
With the unsettled September weather bringing heavy rain and challenging grazing conditions, many farmers across Northern Ireland have housed cattle earlier than expected. As livestock move indoors, the focus turns to managing diet transitions smoothly and keeping animals healthy during the switch from fresh grass to silage-based diets. The Lallemand Powermix range is based on […]
Improved Silage Quality Sets Dairy Herds up for a Promising Winter Ahead
Silage quality plays a critical role in the performance of dairy herds and a recent comparison between 2024 and 2025 highlights notable differences in feed value and potential impact on productivity. Analysis from Fane Valley silage samples across Northern Ireland shows that 2025 silage is, on average, of higher quality than that produced in 2024, […]
Top Picks for Harvest 2026
The Fane Valley portfolio of winter cereal varieties has been specially selected to help reduce risk on farm, with the key agronomic traits of yield, specific weight, disease and lodging resistance top priorities, providing flexibility for reducing risk across the autumn drilling period. Winter Barley With the winter barley harvest completed early and yields of […]