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Dry cows must be provided with total comfort at all times, so as to ensure a successful calving, according to Co. Antrim vet Brian O’Donnell. This includes the provision of adequately-sized cubicles, plus ample feed troughs and water space. “Great care must be taken when introducing new animals to a dry cow group, so as to min...

Most EU countries have reported milk production figures for February and indications are available for March. They are still showing a lag compared with last year but with some countries catching up.  France, Europe’s second-largest milk producer, published its full February report last week showing a 3% fall compared with the same month last year. Weekly surveys conducted in March, however,...

There is hesitation in the market as the outlook for currency changes, production levels, and stocks fuels short-term volatility, according to the Rabobank Global Dairy Quarterly. With butter prices continuing to trade at near-record levels, it’s tempting to talk of ‘market spreads’. "The spread between the elevated butter prices and skimmed milk powde...

At the beginning of the third decade of April the mission of the competent authority of the People's Republic of China will stay in Ukraine for the inspection of the domestic system of state control on food safety in the beef production. Volodymyr Lapa – Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, informed on that during a press conference on April, 10th. "Two weeks ago, we had a meeting...

National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said the cattle trade is continuing to drive forward with the base price for steers at €4.00/kg and heifers at €4.10/kg. Mr Woods said €4.05 and €4.15 as a base for steers and heifers have also being paid in places. He said there is a strong demand for cattle from the factories.Mr Woods said young bulls are...

More than 1000 cattle heads infected with brucellosis have been revealed in East Kazakhstan region, said Kazbek Kashimov, head of regional veterinary department. "More than a thousand of cattle heads infected with brucellosis have been revealed in the time of planned examination in West Kazakhstan region," he said. He marked "the size of sick...

The Department of Agriculture has announced the rolling out €6.5m under the first phase of the EU Voluntary Supply Management Scheme.  According to Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, payments to some 3,500 farmers will issue from Tuesday 28 March. Initially, 4,500 farmers had applied to the milk reduction scheme, but accord...

Dairy producers are being reminded to pay close attention to nutritional requirements during peak lactation, to avoid losses in body condition score (BCS) of more than 0.5, which could significantly knock fertility. Dairy producers are being reminded to pay close attention to nutritional requirements during peak lactation, to avoid losses in body condition score (BCS) of more than 0.5, which could significantly k...

There are only a few cattle breeds in existence that have no horns naturally but now American scientists are developing the trait within Holstein cattle. Horned animals provide a threat to other animals, farmers and dog walkers and only a handful of breeds such as Aberdeen Angus and Hereford have no horns. However, scientists in California have come up...

Many dairy farmers are familiar with the CowSignals concept. A recent addition to this training method is stress-free stockmanship. Joep Driessen, founder of this concept told about it more. A cow is constantly giving away signals to the farmer. The way she eats, stands, lies down, ruminates, has her ears positioned, etc. All these signals mean something and can mean discomfort, a disease...