The 3 weeks before and after calving are arguably the most important in the Dairy Cows calendar. Getting everything right is critical for the cow’s health, fertility, and milk yield. Often referred to as the “transition period” (−21 to +21 days around calving), poorly managed nutrition during this window can directly influence many aspects of cow's health and performance, impacting on future production and calf health.

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.

When the temperature climbs, it’s not just us feeling the heat laying hens can really struggle too. Hot weather knocks their feed intake, stresses them out, and often hits egg production. With summers getting hotter and heatwaves now a regular feature, it’s worth getting ahead of the game. Here are six straightforward ways to help your birds stay healthy and productive through the warmer spells.

April can be a testing time for free-range flocks. As temperatures start to rise and ventilation increases, many producers find themselves juggling air quality, dust levels, and immune challenges—all while trying to maintain strong egg output and shell quality. For systems where birds have outdoor access and a longer lay cycle, managing respiratory health at this stage of the year is critical.

Rumen Balance: The Key to Sustainable Production. Can yeasts, essential oils and buffers be part of this?

Creating and maintaining a productive, long-lasting range for free-range layers starts with careful planning and ongoing management of the herbage and soil.

With longer dry spells becoming a regular feature of the UK climate, (watch it rain now and not stop) we are having to rethink how to grow, manage and conserve forage.

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

Of all the trace minerals likely to spark interest at a dairy nutrition meeting, chromium probably wasn’t top of the list—until now.

Walk across a healthy field after rain, and you’ll notice something different. The soil is firm but not compact, absorbing water instead of it pooling or running off into the ditch.

Dairy farms generate huge amounts of data—some find it invaluable, others struggle to link it to daily decisions. And let’s be honest: a graph on its own never made anything better. But spotting trends and setting trigger points for review, that’s where the value lies.

It’s been a funny old summer for grass. The dry spell earlier on knocked growth back hard, and when the rain finally came, it brought plenty of leafy grass but not much substance to it.

Most dairy farmers know how hard it is to keep cows performing well while trying to cut emissions and manage costs. Feed efficiency, milk quality and sustainability all matter, but so does keeping things practical and workable on farm.

Applied nitrogen from fertiliser, slurry, FYM, biological fixation and purchased feed often exceeds what is actually utilised by crops. That gap, known as nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), is the key to understanding both lost value and environmental impact.

Creep feeding lambs offers significant benefits, particularly for early finishing systems or where forage quality is suboptimal. However, its viability depends on a clear understanding of costs and potential returns.

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.

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?

Farming in the UK has always been a blend of hard graft and tradition but always an early embracer of tech. These days, though, it seems like technology is joining the tractor as a staple on the farm.

Keeping laying hens healthy and productive is crucial for ensuring good egg quality and maintaining profitable flocks. Among the most effective natural options for supporting bird health are prebiotics and probiotics. These feed additives play a key role in promoting gut health, boosting nutrient uptake, and improving overall performance, all without the need for antibiotics.

The CMC Question Time event in Exeter—an important and informative session. Among the many important discussions, the topic of recruitment and retaining farm staff particularly stood out, especially as it’s something I’ve been involved with for over a decade through my work in agricultural apprenticeships.