51AVÊÓƵ

The mart closed its doors on September 1

New data from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has revealed a continued reduction in the GB milking herd.

At the start of this year, I said 2020 could be the year of opportunity for dairy. Little did I know at the NFU Conference in February that we would all be facing a global pandemic and the many challenges which have arisen as a result of Covid-19.

Writing this as we enter the last week of August I am reminded of how our industry is at the mercy of the weather.

Joining the grassland monitoring project, GrassCheckGB, and switching to paddock grazing is helping a high-yielding herd in Dorset maximise milk from grazed grass and cut its concentrate costs.

Rugby union referee, TV presenter and farmer Nigel Owens MBE has been elected as the new president of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) following a ‘unanimous’ vote from young farmers.

Farming could ditch its subsidy tag and become a contributor to the public purse post-Brexit, the boss of a large commercial dairy farm has said.Ìý

Public visits to dairy farms during lockdown have all ceased, but milking cows carries on regardless. Chris McCullough looks at how one organic farm in Denmark is coping during the crisis.

The difficulties of maintaining BVD-free status and the need for absolute attention to detail were highlighted by vet Magda Sioukiouroglou in a recent case involving a dairy farm in South Wales. Hannah Park reports.

There were warnings failing to obey rules could close marts at a critical time for the industry