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

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.

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

Good dry cow management launches them into lactation. Every dairy farmer knows the weeks around calving are critical. The “transition period” (about three weeks before and after calving) is when cows face their toughest metabolic test. Feed intake drops just as energy demands rise, and the cow starts pulling on her fat reserves. Managed well, she glides through this phase and into milk production. Managed poorly, she’s at risk of ketosis, fatty liver, retained placenta, displaced abomasum, or fertility issues later on.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not long ago, dairy herd management relied mostly on stockmanship, a good eye, strong memory, and years of experience. That still counts, but technology is quietly transforming how decisions are made on farm.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trillions of microbes. One fragile peace. The battle for balance begins.

With Kexxtone™ boluses no longer available, transition cow management is facing renewed scrutiny. For many, particularly those managing high-risk or high-yielding herds, the question is: how do we continue to support energy balance and rumen function in the final weeks before calving without relying on monensin?

As daylight hours shorten, lighting becomes one of the most powerful tools in flock management. When handled well, it keeps egg output steady, supports shell quality, and helps maintain calm, stable behaviour.