Industry Insights & News

As Lamb prices start to strengthen, alongside the upcoming demand for lamb likely to increase ahead of the Islamic festival Ramadan, it is important to plan ahead when considering lambs for finish in the coming weeks. Ramadan starts from Sunday 10th March and continues to Tuesday 9th April, meaning lambs should be selected accordingly to…

As Springtime is fast approaching, it is time to start thinking about your flock and the importance of adequate nutrition for the pregnant ewe. Around 75% of foetal lamb growth occurs in the 6-8 weeks pre-lambing so it is vital to ensure ewes have a diet which meets their requirements during late pregnancy.  As many…

Fane Valley Feeds’ Dry Cow Primer rations have been redesigned to balance 2023 grass silages, ensuring a smooth transition to lactation. As a lot of farms have already started calving down Spring-calving cows and heifers, Matthew Armstrong Technical Support Manager at Fane Valley Feeds outlines some of the key factors to ensure dry cows transition…

With cows now housed, many farmers across Northern Ireland are keen to maximise silage within their milk production systems to help ad herd performance during the coming months. Fane Valley Feeds Sales team have been proactively testing forages throughout the year, with results demonstrating forage quality lower than normal, especially in second cut silages. Subsequently…

Fertility is one of the key performance indicators (KPI) on dairy farms to ensure a constant milk supply. Dr David Johnston evaluates some of the cornerstones of a productive and fertile herd, and how the Fane Valley Feeds Dairy range is tailored to suit every system. The Pre Breeding Period, normally within the first 50-100…

Improving efficiency on dairy farms is the key message from Fane Valley Feeds this winter ensuring that every step of production on your farm is effective to withstand current market pressure from increased commodities. Dr David Johnston, Ruminant Nutritionist with Fane Valley Feeds gives an overview of the transition period and getting fresh cows off…

With the majority of cows housed in recent weeks due to a change in weather conditions, many farmers across Northern Ireland are keen to utilise silage within their milk production systems to help maximise herd performance during the coming months. Fane Valley Feeds Technical team have been proactively testing forages throughout the year, with results…

Correct dry cow nutrition especially during the close-up period, is essential for optimum performance in the next lactation, both in terms of milk yield and fertility, and to reduce the incidence of metabolic disease during the fresh period. The Role of Calcium There are many aspects of dry cow nutrition that need to be considered,…

Reducing the age of first calving (AFC) to 24 months is now the target on most dairy farms, given the associated benefits of reduced rearing costs, higher lifetime yield and increased longevity. This is still a challenge on many farms as NMR’s most recent key performance indicators show that the average AFC is 26.5 months….

Dry matter intake is the key driver to maintaining performance at grass and can fluctuate dramatically due to a multitude of factors. It is essential to take a flexible approach when considering potential ‘litres from grass,’ considering grass quality on the farm and variable weather conditions. Under optimum grazing conditions, cows have the potential to…