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The dairy industry is facing a tough period, getting through this will rely heavily on feeding strategies that protect cow health. This is not an area where corners can be cut without consequence.

Most lambing problems are predictable and preventable. If lamb losses rise, look back at ewe nutrition first. Good feeding doesn’t just improve performance; it prevents disease before it starts.

Last year’s drought was a stark reminder that forage production remains one of the greatest risk areas on livestock farms.

Weather is outside our control, but exposure to risk can be reduced through better cropping choices, closer grassland management and a more considered approach to fertiliser use.

Intestinal worms are a familiar feature in many poultry systems, particularly where birds have access to range or are kept on the same ground for extended periods. Because they are so common, low level worm challenges are often accepted as part of the job.

At the end of last year, Crediton Milling welcomed Zinpro’s Dr Huw McConochie, Research Nutritionist, to the South West for a series of Rumen Roadshow workshops. These interactive sessions challenged traditional thinking around dairy nutrition, focusing on the vital role of rumen health and muscle tissue development in heifers to support long-term lactation success.

Last month Crediton Milling Company were thrilled to host Amy Hughes, EmpowerAg Ltd. in the delivery of a new course that aims to address a critical gap in agricultural training focused on the essential ‘human skills’ needed to run a modern farm business. Supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust, the course invests in farmers as people, moving beyond purely technical training.

Undoubtedly, Avian Influenza (AI) is the biggest challenge facing our industry, and due to its indiscriminate nature, it feels like a lottery as to where it will crop up next. I think everyone would agree that there is so much about AI and its transmission that we don’t understand, especially how it gets into units when we know biosecurity is strong. Whilst it would be impossible to eliminate the risk of AI, what can we do to reduce the risk?

Last month Crediton Milling were delighted to host Zinpro’s Dr Huw McConochie, Research Nutritionist, for a series of ‘Rumen Roadshows’ across the South West. These interactive workshops and discussions challenged traditional beliefs about dairy nutrition, focusing on the critical role of rumen health and muscle tissue development in heifers for long-term lactation success.

How to Spot It, Stop It, and Protect Your Winter Forage Stocks

So, eight months into my first new job in 32 years, how’s it going? It’s a great question and one I’ve been asking myself as I reflect on 2025 so far.