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Following weather extremes that led many livestock farms to have a shortage of forage over winter, the outlook for soil health and forage quality and quantity this year is full of challenges. Dairy Farmer asked three industry experts what can be done to better understand and improve forage in 2026

Getting cow nutrition right this spring is more critical than ever, given the low milk price. By feeding to maximise butterfat and protein, while optimising animal health, producers can claw back much-needed value

Silas Hedley–Lawrence is a farmer, coach and consultant with a decade of hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture. With a background rooted in both commercial and direct selling models, he champions lean, profitable farming systems that increase biodiversity and soil health. Silas is an Integrity Soils trained agroecological coach from the Yellowstone 2024 cohort

Balanced energy and rumen stability at turnout are vital to protect butterfat levels and fertility

Optimising dairy beef calf rearing and finishing to meet market requirements is close to Laura Awdry’s heart and was the topic of her Nuffield Scholarship, inspired by her own farm enterprise

A first UK on-farm trial has shown no significant differences in milk yield or milk solids when grazing herbal leys

Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162-hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, with 130 milking cows, supplying Saputo. Alan, also a Parish Councillor, and his wife Sarah, have two children, Ross and Dana

Silas Hedley-Lawrence is a farmer, coach and consultant with a decade of hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture. With a background rooted in both commercial and direct selling models, he champions lean, profitable farming systems that increase biodiversity and soil health. Silas is an Integrity Soils trained agroecological coach from the Yellowstone 2024 cohort

At Rough Grounds Farm, Derbyshire, Graham and Justine Worsey have transformed their 96-hectare (237-acre) milking platform by reseeding every acre into herbal leys

Turning cows out early – if only for part of the day – could help dairy farmers deal with the twin pressures of dwindling forage stocks and falling milk prices, said Tony Evans of Andersons