A physical examination of your breeding rams is worth the time, writes Nerys Wright. I hear the saying ‘the ram is half your flock’ but if we were honest with ourselves, sometimes we a little complacent when it comes to checking our rams before the mating season I... Read more

Lamb producers could achieve a three to one return on investment by using specialist supplements before tupping. A productive lambing season relies on a good tupping tupping, says nutrition specialists Rumenco. Recent trials suggest a ewe supplement ahead of tupping can significantly improve the number of live births –... Read more

• Biosecurity ensures profitable production • Growth targets and feed conversion goals • Disinfectant and cleaning delivers results Good biosecurity is helping a Derbyshire broiler producer hit growth targets and feed conversion goals. George Adsetts rears 3.5 million birds annually on all-in-all-out systems across three units – including the... Read more

A challenging season which has played havoc with silage reserves means a fodder budget will be vital on most farms this winter. With both fodder quality and quantity affected by this year’s weather – including a wet spring and dull summer – it is essential to assess forage reserves... Read more

• Spoilage risk in warm wet season • Helps combat yeasts and moulds • Treated silage is more palatable A silage additive to aid maize forage fermentation is likely to pay dividends this autumn – helping to prevent significant mycotoxin accumulation. A good additive will restrict the development of... Read more

Milk producers concerned about winter feedstocks should make the most of maize this year – including seeking out extra supplies. With many arable producers drilling maize due to the difficulty of establishing winter and spring crops in recent months, additional sources of both forage and grain maize could be... Read more

High quality maize fed in a simple forage-based system is helping a Nottinghamshire dairy producer deliver higher margins more efficiently. Supplying high-quality milk for Long Clawson Stilton cheese production, SW & CJ Jukes achieve more than 60% of their milk from forage and a margin over purchased feed (MOPF)... Read more

Poultry producers are being advised to take care when including new season grain in broiler diets – because doing so can impact feed conversion and performance. The variable metabolizable energy content of freshly harvested grain can have a detrimental effect on poultry production, says Elanco technical consultant Alex Sly... Read more

A slow-release feed product aims to provide pig and poultry producers with a cost-effective alternative to fishmeal. While fishmeal can be a valuable protein source in livestock diets, it is becoming limited by cost, availability and sustainability concerns, says Joe Magadi technical manager at nutritional supplement manufacturer UFAC-UK. “Pig... Read more

Farmers facing a lack of home-grown forage this winter could grow an autumn catch-crop – and unlock additional revenue from the Sustainable Farming Incentive. Lack of sunshine has restricted grass and maize growth. But one way to plug the forage gap is to plant a catch crop, suggests Simon... Read more