For the first time, UK researchers will use bespoke animal tracking and environmental sensors to better understand heat stress in dairy cows, as temperatures look set to keep rising in the future.

The £1.24 million project by the Universities of Reading, Essex, Cardiff and Writtle University College, will seek to better understand the interaction between temperature, ‘microclimates’ within farm buildings and cow physiology and behaviour.

Research will be carried out at Reading’s Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) and six commercial dairy farms across the UK.

Individual cow behaviour will be continuously monitored using tracking sensors from Omnisense and Smartbell, that record patterns of movement, activity, and space-use for each animal in the herd.

This approach the team is taking has never been done in this way before.

Detailed observations of barn ‘microclimates’ (temperature, humidity, air quality, ventilation) will also be obtained and combined with physiological data (cow body temperature, milk production, health).

Cows are known to adapt their behaviour to help cope with high temperatures and humidity: they may increase their intake of water, seek shade or areas of increased ventilation, or exhibit other individual and social behavioural responses, all of which can be observed.

The project will bring together experts in animal and dairy sciences, mathematical modelling and statistics, and building design engineering.

Chris Reynolds, Professor of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Reading, said: “Heat stress due to climate change could have severe negative consequences for the health and productivity of dairy cows. Lactating cows have a high rate of metabolism, which makes them less tolerant of high temperatures. Research is essential to inform and shape future cow management strategies and building designs.”

Commenting on the need for fresh solutions in light of climate change, Zhiwen Luo, Professor in Architectural and Urban Science at Cardiff University, said: “We have to respond to the changing environment and through better understanding of how cows interact with building microclimates, design housing and management systems that minimise heat stress and enable more sustainable dairy systems.”

The data collected will inform development of housing designed to reduce heat stress and improve welfare.

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Ed Wright, head of Sustainability at Dale Farm, with the new sustainable bottle cap packaging.

While coloured bottle caps cannot be easily recycled, the move to clear caps means that bottles and caps can now be recycled together into food-grade packaging. The switch is estimated to return nearly 60 million caps – 72 tonnes – to such packaging annually.

According to Ed Wright, head of Sustainability at Dale Farm, the move is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing sustainability across the business.

“At Dale Farm we want to lead the dairy sector on sustainability,” he said. “We constantly assess our processes to see where we can improve, and step by step we are improving packaging sustainability across our product range.

“We’re proud to be the first in Northern Ireland to replace all coloured caps with clear caps on our Dale Farm branded milk bottles as well as those we produce for our retail partners,” he added.

Although a small change, it is hoped the new caps will positively impact the cooperative’s environmental footprint in the long term.

The new clear cap bottles will be launched on shelves in early May 2023. Labels will continue to be colour-coded to allow shoppers to distinguish between different types of milk.

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According to Kingshay’s cost report from December 2022, UK farmers produce just 2,900 litres from forage on average. Meanwhile, there is huge scope for improving this figure and reducing feed costs, with some farms achieving as much as 5,300 litres of milk from forage, Wynnstay’s head of dairy David Howard said.

“Every 1,000 litres of milk from forage equates to approximately 460kg of concentrate feed, and so by increasing homegrown forage quality, you can make some significant savings on total feed costs,” he pointed out.

Mr Howard said the ideal digestibility value for forage is over 70, however, of the 1,228 forage samples analysed by Wynnstay, more than two-thirds had less than 70 digestibility value, with 12% less than 60.

He added forage quality is becoming increasingly important in the dairy industry, with many milk processors now offering producers incentives to reduce soya and improve their total feed efficiency, which is driven by the quality of forage.

“We are launching Forage4Profit, which is a four-point programme to help farmers improve each stage of their forage production from field to feed out. It covers everything from soil health through to seed selection, crop preservation and ration formulation,” Mr Howard revealed.

1. Soil health

Having balanced soils is vital to making good-quality forage, as poor soil health will limit crop growth and quality, Mr Howard pointed out, adding that around 80% of soil samples carried out by Wynnstay are the incorrect pH.

He urged farmers to carry out regular soil sampling and correct any imbalances. “It is also important to identify areas of compaction and aerate soils to combat this, as well as creating bespoke fertiliser plans tailored to individual nutrient requirements,” he stressed.

2. Seed selection

Seed selection will vary with individual farms depending on soil type, rainfall, quality targets, and how much forage farmers are aiming to produce.

“We must remember when we plant a seed in the ground on a dairy farm, the end product is not necessarily a crop – it’s a litre of milk. Milk is the saleable commodity and so seed selection must be linked to what the farmer is trying to produce,” Mr Howard said.

He recommended reseeding fields regularly, particularly under-performing leys, and consulting a grass seed specialist to select the best variety for the farm. He said multi-species leys and crops are great for increasing forage quality because of high-protein crops such as red clover and lucerne,

3. Crop preservation

Getting this aspect right is often challenging because of the UK’s variable weather conditions. According to Mr Howard, grass starts losing energy (sugars) immediately after it is cut until the crop is clamped. Therefore, grass should be cut, tedded, wilted, and picked up in quick succession to minimise the loss of valuable nutrients.

“As a starting point, work out the crop’s nutrient requirements and apply slurry and nitrogen fertiliser accordingly,” he said. “It is also important to ensile the crop quickly to reduce dry matter losses and use an effective inoculant to rapidly drop the pH and reduces losses.”

4. Balanced ration

Last but not least, feeding balanced rations is key when it comes to maximising milk yield from forage. “The complete diet is only as good as the forage foundation; the best results are achieved with high-quality forage and balanced concentrates,” Mr Howard noted.

He suggested working with a nutritionist to establish a good balance between forage and concentrate feed and ensure optimal protein utilisation and efficiency. “Using rumen additives such as Diamond V can help increase feed conversion efficiency,” he added.

To learn more about Forage4Profit, visit: https://www.wynnstay.co.uk/forage-for-profit

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In the latest Mole Valley Farmers’ podcast, nutritionist Dr Robin Hawkey and head of grassland and forage agronomy Lisa Hambly from the farmer cooperative discuss ways farmers can make the most from their grass crop this year. And it all starts with reviewing what happened last year, explained Ms Hambly.

1. Review the previous year’s crop 

“Think about what was good and bad last year and look at what you can do to plan to overcome those challenges. Different farms will have different requirements for their silage – some will want high quality, whereas others may be focussed on getting more bulk from the crop. Planning over the next couple of weeks will be vital,” she said.

2. Test grass pre-cutting 

Dr Hawkey suggested farmers test their grass pre-cutting – ideally once or twice a week in the two to three weeks leading up to harvest. “Pre-cutting testing of grass is an easy test and is free as part of the Mole Valley Farmers service. It gives a good indication of where things are going, allowing you to see what the potential of the crop is and also whether adequate nutrients were applied. This means things can be adjusted if needed ahead of subsequent harvests,” he said.

A fertiliser plan will help farmers achieve desired yields, with slurry testing assisting farmers in planning what additional nutrients are needed. Ms Hambly said the starting point was knowing what you want to achieve and then working back on how to achieve it.

3. Plan with your contractor and set chop lengths 

When using a contractor, it’s important they are on board and are also aware of planned harvest dates. As well as dates, they need to know desired chop length and dry matter (DM).

Dr Hawkey said: “Having a target dry matter will help you plan wilt times. Grass can wilt very quickly, and I have seen some forages achieve 28–30% DM on a decent day in eight hours when the grass is spread effectively and quickly after cutting.

“Deciding the right chop length is also important, depending on what you plan to have in the mix. In general, the drier the silage, the shorter the chop length. Most modern foragers can detect the DM –it’s worth talking to the operator to see if the chop length can be changed ‘on the go’ if required. It’s never too late to make adjustments,” he said.

However, Dr Hawkey warned against cutting too short and being accurate when tedding to avoid contamination.

Ms Hambly said for those with new leys, there’s a greater chance of them having a higher moisture content meaning they could benefit from a longer chop length. However, she warned farmers opting for a longer chop length to plan for extra trailers due to them filling up quicker.

4. Consider an additive 

Additives are also something farmers should consider and are something Dr Hawkey believes everyone should be using.

“It’s important to select an additive most appropriate for the prevailing conditions. For example, some suit drier or wetter silages and some have an enzyme in them, which can be helpful if taking a bulkier cut as the enzymes help break down the fibre and aid digestion by the animal.

“An additive can also come into its own to help reduce dry matter losses and increase nutrient efficiency of a farm,” he said.

Having a stable clamp and reducing losses from spoilage and runoff also comes down to good clamp management at harvest and sheeting using clingfilm-type sheets to reduce waste.

Dr Hawkey explained the implications poor silage had on one of his client’s herds last year. “One farmer I know estimated his poor silage last year cost him tens of thousands of pounds from lost income because the silage wasn’t correct. Quality is key, and it can cost you a lot if you get it wrong by impacting production and fertility,” he said.

Towards the end of the podcast, the experts discussed weed control post-cutting and options such as overseeding to increase yields.

To listen to the podcast in full visit www.moleonline.com/podcasts

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Intestinal integrity is a critical parameter in sustainable broiler production.

The paper, titled ‘Intestinal Integrity – a critical parameter in sustainable broiler production’, incorporates an extensive review of current scientific literature, led by SRUC’s Dr Marwa Hussein, and stresses the importance of closely monitoring and managing poultry intestinal health.

“The broiler industry is under pressure to meet sustainability challenges while increasing access to safe and affordable poultry meat,” said SRUC Professor Jos Houdijk, who co-authored the white paper.

He believes increased focus on intestinal health and integrity will contribute towards resolving these challenges in and advancing the poultry sector. “There have been big sustainability gains made thanks to genetic improvements, but maintaining this advantage is sensitive to gut health.

“A reduction in the Intestinal Integrity (I2) score for a current flock of broilers effectively cancels out years, if not decades of genetic selection,” he warned.

“The paper outlines the negative impact key intestinal diseases – such as coccidiosis, gizzard erosion, necrotic enteritis, and proventriculitis – can have on broiler performance through increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), morbidity and mortality,” the professor explained.

The objectives of the new white paper were to examine factors that affect broiler intestinal health, as well as to assess the value of Elanco’s Health Tracking System (HTSi) and I² index as a robust and practical means of achieving incremental improvements in this area. This will in turn positively impact bird performance and business profitability, Prof Houdijk pointed out.

Explaining how the index works, Elanco’s poultry technical consultant, Louise Ashworth, said: “The I² index is a unique, weighted index that gives flocks a score of between 0 and 100, based on 23 health conditions which are known to negatively impact intestinal health.

“For many farms, a score of 90 or below is an indication that poor intestinal health is having a significant impact on FCR and bird performance, and poorer I² scores are linked to a rise in antibiotic usage as well as an increase in the amount of feed, water and space required per kilo of poultry meat produced.”

Prof Houdijk added the paper provides clear evidence that the underlying conditions within the I² index lead to reduced feed efficiency and increased carbon footprint in poultry production.

“The consequences of this are an increased resource input for the expected output, more manure being produced, and birds taking longer to fatten – all of which contribute to the carbon footprint of poultry production.

“This white paper provides a valuable insight into why flock intestinal health matters and how the I² index can help producers improve the sustainability of poultry production,” he concluded.

The paper can be downloaded at: www.myelanco.co.uk/brand/htsi-intestinal-integrity-white-paper

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Stock photo for illustration only.

As machinery may not have been used for several months, NFU Mutual is advising farmers to carry out machinery maintenance and ensure employees are properly inducted and trained ahead of the silage season.

“Getting high quality silage is vital for farmers who are facing high fertiliser and energy costs, but safety must remain at the forefront of minds this silage-making season,” said Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist.

“Working under pressure to get crops in before the weather changes is a perennial issue for farmers, but it is a well-known fact farm incidents happen when people are tired, machinery is pushed too hard or work continues in unfavourable conditions. No cut of silage is worth someone’s life or limb.”

Checks on brakes, tyres, trailer couplings, hydraulic pipes and lights are an essential part of a pre-cut maintained schedule, said Andy Mason, managing director of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services.

If new people are joining the team, make sure they are trained to operate the machinery they will be using and warn them about any hazards on the farm, such as steep slopes, slippery lanes and blind spots on public roads – as well as the actions to take to combat those hazards.

Staff must also know the safe working laods of trailers and must not allow them to be overfilled.

“You should never compromise on people’s safety and in many parts of the UK police forces are clamping down and making more checks on trailer loads,” Mr Mason concluded.

NFU Mutual silage safety checklist

Before silage harvesting:

• Make sure you have identified and assessed the hazards on the farm, in the field and the tasks that will be conducted during silage harvesting and know how to manage the risks
• Put in place a system for keeping in contact with lone workers

• Make sure new staff are properly inducted and trained for the work you give them – in particular the dangers of working with and around farm machinery
• Teach staff about the principles of “Safe Stop”: Make sure the handbrake is fully applied; controls and equipment are left safe; stop the engine; and remove the key, before leaving the vehicle or accessing the machine.
• Put in place measures to ensure children are kept away from working areas
• Make sure staff know the safe working loads of trailers and don’t allow trailers to be overfilled
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are road legal with fully maintained and working brakes, lights, indicators and flashing beacons. Also check the age, condition and pressures of tyres. Consider using a third party to inspect trailers, with accreditation such as the ‘Tilly Your Trailer’ scheme
• Consider letting local people know when you will be taking silage trailers on local lanes via neighbourhood social media sites to help people reroute journeys as this will cut delays and incident risks

Working in the fields:

• Regularly check moving parts of mowers, tedders, forage harvesters and balers, including guards and PTO shafts for wear or damage
• Switch off engines and ensure parts have stopped before clearing blockages or carrying out maintenance – remove keys as well to prevent accidental starting (Safe Stop!)
• Make sure drivers are aware of the locations and heights of overhead power lines and check that your machinery will safely pass under wires and restrictions
• Take special care to check for vehicles following behind before turning right into fields or yards, as this is a common cause of accidents
• Regularly clear up any mud deposits from roads – warn drivers with signage where mud may be present
• Be aware of potential walkers in fields with public rights of way and stop the vehicle if people are in close proximity
• Keep a mobile phone on you at all times – not left in a tractor or pick-up cab
• Take regular breaks to eat, drink and rest to stave off tiredness

Working on silage clamps:

• Keep people away from moving vehicles
• Ensure a filling plan is followed and that sight rails are visible at all times
• Never overfill a silage clamp as this increases the risk of vehicles overturning when rolling or filling
• Only use vehicles that are suitable for the task – fitted with an approved safety cab or Roll over Protection Structure (RoPS), well-lugged tyres, suitably weighted etc.
• For indoor clamps, keep away for the first 72 hours as this is when dangerous nitrogen dioxide gas can form in large quantities

Keep clear of the edge of the clamp (at least 1m) when (un)sheeting or removing tyres. If possible, use a mobile working platform or a hook or a pole to keep away from the edge of the face

The post How to stay safe during silage season appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Matthew and Pippa Smith have been farming sheep at Trefranck for several years, and currently run a flock of 800 ewes.

Disease caused by gastrointestinal roundworms costs UK sheep farmers an estimated £42m every year in wormer treatments and productivity losses.

To tackle the growing problem of roundworm resistance, Matthew and Pippa Smith, who farm a flock of 800 sheep at Trefranck Farm in Cornwall, have been working alongside CIEL (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock), Moredun Research Institute, and Castle Veterinary Group on a Defra-funded project looking at breeding worm-tolerant sheep.

Passionate about efficient and sustainable grass-based farming systems, Mr Smith said the prospect of worm-tolerant sheep presents an exciting opportunity for farmers in the fight against parasitic nematodes.

“We’re grateful for the support from our partners in this farmer-led study, which provides hope for sheep farmers challenged by worm resistance,” he said.

To provide a platform for farmers and industry professionals to discuss the results of the pilot study, Matthew and Pippa Smith are hosting two events – an Industry Awareness Day on Tuesday May 16 from 4pm to 7pm and a Farmer Awareness Day on Wednesday May 17 from 10am to 2pm – on their farm in Launceston, Cornwall.

“There will be discussion stations with vets, farmers, researchers and practical demonstrations throughout the day and we’re really excited to see what others make of this potential solution and provide us with feedback,” Mr Smith added.

Dr Mark Young, head of innovation at CIEL, commented: “The pilot has identified an efficient system for identifying genetically superior, worm-tolerant sheep. The next step is to define a breeding strategy and to roll this out industry-wide as quickly as possible.

“Selective breeding for worm-tolerant animals could help lead to improved growth rates while reducing anthelmintic use and associated labour needs, leading to increased financial returns.”

Farmers who wish to attend the events must register before Monday 1^st May. For more details and to book free tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/online/worm-tolerant-sheep/?page=1

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Through multi-breed genetic analysis, the National Terminal Sire Evaluation helps ram breeders and commercial ram buyers to identify sheep with the best genetics for growth and carcase traits.

As part of the program, over 20 Estimated Breeding Value (EBVs) are analysed each month, using data from a range of sources including ultrasound scanning and Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, which have significantly enhanced carcase attributes over the last 30 years.

With the inclusion of abattoir records for analysis within the National Terminal Sire Evaluation, AHDB hopes to increase the impact of RamCompare by improving the overall accuracy of data.

RamCompare identifies top-performing rams in the UK by demonstrating the extent to which a lamb’s value at the abattoir is influenced by its sire’s genetics. During seven breeding seasons, the project has recorded over 38,500 lambs sired by 400 rams, using both artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating.

The addition of abattoir traits coincides with the launch of a new economic index, ‘Lamb Value’, which has been developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to identify the most valuable terminal sires based on their breeding values for abattoir traits.

Lamb Value takes into account the value of increasing carcase weights and conformation at an optimum level of finish, but also factors in the savings made via reducing days to slaughter, an element that is often overlooked.

A publication explaining these developments will be available at the National Sheep Association (NSA) regional events, namely Sheep South West, North Sheep and Welsh Sheep.

AHDB board member and Meatlinc breeder George Fell commented: “The inclusion of abattoir data into the industry’s genetic evaluations will take our analyses to a new level of accuracy, providing better predictions of genetic merit for those traits on which commercial producers are paid.

“This is a major step that will increase the value returned to those levy payers investing in performance recorded genetics,” he added.

Meanwhile, AHDB’s breeding specialist Samuel Boon, also pleased by the developments, reminded breeders that RamCompare is not the only sources of abattoir data available.

“Many farmers already send in additional abattoir data to supplement the analysis, which now includes nearly 4,000 Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn carcase records. Interest in this area is increasing considerably and the RamCompare project demonstrates its value,” he added.

RamCompare releases year seven results in online webinar

Each year, RamCompare’s progeny test results are released as an industry webinar with stakeholders in attendance from across the breeding industry to keep abreast with new developments and find out the current year’s leading sires for carcase weight, conformation and days to slaughter.

During the online event, producers will not only learn which ranked highly within the project, but will also be able to view which breeding lines currently lead their breed of interest.

The 2023 webinar will take place on Thursday 11^th May and free tickets can be booked online on the AHDB website.

RamCompare is a joint-levy funded project supported by AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). The project is also supported by Agrisearch in Northern Ireland and works with partners across the food chain.

For more information, please visit www.ramcompare.com

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Frozen, raw and uncooked meat products marked as suitable for sale only in the EU country from which they originated have recently been found at UK retailers during routine inspections by local authorities, a government report has revealed.

Further investigations found the products had been bought by two importers linked to over 280 UK retail outlets. The products were exported commercially, and properly pre-notified on the UK imports system.

The document says: ‘Although the products didn’t test positive for African Swine Fever on this occasion the very fact that these products reached the UK presents a serious and immediate threat to the UK pig industry.

‘These goods would not have made it to the UK if Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls had been in place because they would not have been certified for export by a veterinarian in the originating country.’

The admission was made in a document outlining the government’s plans to introduce new checks on imports from this October, under the Border Target Operating Model, which will be phased in over the following year.

Lack of import checks “massive risk”

Commenting on the revelation in the government’s report, NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: “This is the first we have heard of this, and we are, to say the least, alarmed and shocked, but not altogether surprised.

“We have been saying for a number of years now that the government’s refusal to impose proper checks on EU meat imports poses a massive and unacceptable risk to the UK pork sector.

“This is clear proof of that, as set out by the Government, which has admitted that this lack of controls means meat that has not been properly inspected and could, therefore, spark a devastating ASF outbreak in the UK has potentially been sold in numerous retail outlets in this country.”

She added that this will be “hugely concerning” to all pig producers, whose livelihoods are under threat from AFS. NPA will seek assurances that the government will tighten up controls between now and October 2024 when the new system comes into force.

The issue will also be raised with the National Food Crime Unit, she concluded.

Threat of imported disease

Although UK exporters of meat products to the EU have faced burdensome checks since January 2021, the government has not yet introduced post-Brexit checks on EU imports – prompting concerns over the threat of importing disease such as AFS.

The news comes shortly after recent exposés involving Booths being supplied meat products mislabelled as British, and the pork fraud scandal which revealed a processor to be involved in mislabelling meat and food safety issues.

A Defra spokesperson said:“Since we left the EU, the UK Government has operated controls on goods imported from the EU that pose the highest risk to our biosecurity, including pork and pork products.

“Last year we announced new controls restricting the movement of pork and pork products into Great Britain to help safeguard pigs, and travellers are no longer allowed to bring pork or pork products weighing over 2kg into GB, unless they are produced to the EU’s commercial standards. This measure helps limit possibly infected pig meat being brought into Great Britain through various means, such as in passengers’ luggage or in vehicles.”

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World Animal Vaccination Day recognises the significant impact that vaccines have on protecting livestock and pets from life-threatening disease, improving animal welfare and also playing a part in sustainable farming and production.

Whilst uptake of vaccines in the livestock sector has increased over the past 10 years, it could still be greatly improved, NOAH says.

NOAH highlighted its Livestock Vaccination Guideline for on-farm use, which offers best practice advice to dairy, beef and sheep producers, to help them get the most out of vaccination.

Dawn Howard, chief executive of NOAH said: “On this World Animal Vaccination Day it’s vital that we recognise that livestock vaccination is not just a recommended practice but a critical one, especially as the world faces new challenges such as emerging diseases, climate change, and changing demands.

“We must continue to promote the crucial role of livestock vaccination in ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for animals, farmers, and consumers alike.”

The guidance divides vaccines into category one – high priority – and category two – best practice, based on farmer and vet discussion.

As well as improving animal health and welfare, preventing disease is the most effective way to support responsible antibiotic use, NOAH says. This is done through vaccination, breeding, hygiene, nutrition, optimised accommodation and all aspects of animal husbandry.

Several vaccines including leptospirosis and salmonellosis also protect human health by reducing the risk of zoonotic infection.

With livestock farming under considerable pressure to contribute to the response to climate change, reducing disease also has a role to play in achieving net zero.

The UK Climate Change Committee has proposed cost effective measures to reduce GHG emissions, with specific priorities for endemic cattle disease control. Five of the measures in the prioritised list are vaccinations, for IBR, BVD, salmonella, calf pneumonia and Johne’s disease.

Dawn Howard added: “Livestock vaccination can be complex, but provides huge benefits, not just for animal health and welfare, but also has a positive impact on food, economic and job security in the UK. Having the right tools, medicines and technology to provide adequate prevention, diagnostics, monitoring and treatment has never been more important.”

Read NOAH’s Livestock Vaccination Guideline here: https://www.noah.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NOAH-Livestock-Vaccination-Guideline-August-2022.pdf

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