The Essential Steps to Making Top-Quality Silage
Silage plays a crucial role in livestock farming in Northern Ireland, serving as the primary conserved forage for ruminants during the winter months and increasingly throughout the year. It provides a dependable and nutrient-rich feed source when fresh pasture is unavailable. Set Targets Good silage is dependent on the class of livestock you are feeding […]
Test Don’t Guess – Responsible Use of Anthelmintics
Parasitic disease represents the greatest limiting factor to successful and sustainable ruminant livestock production worldwide, and it is a significant challenge for Northern Ireland’s agricultural industry. Anthelmintics are medicines used to remove parasitic worm infections in animals including sheep. Unfortunately, resistance to a lot of these medicines has become a problem in recent years in […]
Maximising Cow Performance at Grass
Grazed grass remains the most cost-effective feed source on dairy farms across the country, however unlocking its full potential requires careful and strategic management. With input costs continuing to rise across the industry, maximising milk production from forage has never been more essential to maximise returns. Maximising Milk from Forage Dairy profitability in grass-based systems […]
Effective Fly Control for Healthy Sheep
Blowflies are the main external parasite affecting sheep in late spring and summer. Blowfly strike can hit fast and hard, especially in warm, humid weather and it can have devastating consequences for sheep welfare and farm productivity. While it is a yearly threat and one that’s entirely preventable, many farmers still get caught out. What […]
Unlock Your Grasslands Potential
As the seasons change and spring arrives, many farmers are considering strategies to enhance their grassland productivity. Spring reseeding is a proven way to boost grassland productivity. By introducing new, varieties of grass, farmers can significantly increase their dry matter (DM) yield. Top-performing farms have achieved yields of over 15 tonnes per hectare after reseeding […]
Test Don’t Guess – Smarter Anthelmintics Use in NI
Parasitic disease represents the greatest limiting factor to successful and sustainable ruminant livestock production worldwide and it is a significant challenge for Northern Ireland’s agricultural industry. Anthelmintics are medicines used to remove parasitic worm infections in animals including sheep. Unfortunately, resistance to a lot of these medicines has become a problem in recent years in […]
Silage Inoculant: Where Science Meets Silos
Using a silage inoculant for grass silage is key to enhance fermentation efficiency preserve feed quality, and minimise nutrient losses. Grass silage often presents challenges during ensiling due to its protein levels, and potential soil contamination, all of which can hinder proper fermentation. Inoculants containing bacteria help drive rapid pH reduction and inhibit spoilage organisms […]
Fuelled by Forage: Unlocking the Power of Top-Quality Silage
As many farmers are preparing for their first cut silage in the coming month, it is important the correct preparations are in place for producing high quality forage. The quality of forage directly influences both the cow’s rumen function and overall health, as well as productivity by driving milk from home grown forage. The Crucial […]
2025 In-Focus: Dairy Herd Costs and Profitability
Reflecting on dairy herd productivity throughout the 2025 winter feeding period, significant transformations to dairy herd costings and profitability have been welcomed across Northern Ireland. Dairy herd profitability remains commodity-driven, with milk price and feed costs the most influential market forces. Recent financial and performance indicators present opportunities for dairy farms to optimise productivity and […]
Top Cereal Management Moves to Make This April
The continued spell of settled weather has been welcomed across all farms with ground in great condition allowing for spring drilling and the timely management of winter cereals as they approach key yield building growth stages. Winter Barley Winter barley crops have tillered well and are now at GS30/31, the onset of stem extension. Management […]