Coccidiosis is a disease mainly affecting young cattle, causing diarrhoea that can lead to dehydration or even death. The disease comes from parasites found in infected feed, water, or from self-grooming.

Farm dairy effluent systems manage waste from your dairy farm. Choosing the right system requires professional advice, considering future plans, and picking the right person for the job.

Milk cooling is the process of lowering the temperature of milk after milking to maintain its quality.

Building a new dairy farm is a complex, time-consuming process that requires careful planning and consideration. This page guides you through the key decisions and factors involved in choosing the type and size of the dairy and yard.

Sensitivity analysis is a strategy you use to understand how different changes can impact your dairy farm's cash situation and overall business.

Heifer growth, best measured by liveweight, is a vital aspect of dairy farming. Consistent weigh-ins, ideally every 4-8 weeks, help monitor growth and spot issues early on.

Bull management involves ensuring the right number of healthy bulls for your herd, minimising stress and reducing injury risks. A correct ratio depends on your herd's size and percentage of pregnant cows.

Johne’s disease is a long term, infectious disease that affects the gut of cows and reduces their ability to absorb nutrients. There is no cure, so management focuses on reducing the risk of spread.

Good platform design in dairy farming keeps both cows and people safe, while enhancing cow flow into the dairy.

Heifer rearing is essential for your dairy farm's success. The page discusses three basic methods: rearing stock on your dairy farm, contract grazing, and purchasing grown replacements.

Governance in farming involves leading the business and managing its daily operations. This page explains the role of governance in all farming businesses, regardless of size, including small family-owned farms.

Humane on-farm slaughter refers to the practice of ending an animal's life with minimal pain, distress, or suffering.

Financial success in the dairy industry involves five steps. First, you need a motivating dream or purpose. This will encourage you to save money, invest wisely, and work harder.

Drenching is a method you can use during your milking routine to balance your dairy cows' diet and safeguard against metabolic diseases.

Dairy exit and entry races refer to the design of the pathways that lead cows in and out of the milking platform. Good exit and entry design can speed up the milking process and reduce cow injuries.

Once-a-day (OAD) milking is a practice adopted by dairy farmers to manage their herds during late lactation, particularly from Christmas onwards.

Creating a new pasture isn't just about sowing. Good management, especially in the first year, can boost its performance and longevity. It's only successfully established once it's dense and has survived a summer.

Growing heifers well, so that they meet their liveweight targets, can improve farm productivity and profitability. Use this tool to set a plan for the first two years of a heifer's life.

Tony Coltman dairy farms near Dunsandel. At the start of the programme the dairy farm had an effective milking platform area of 335 ha. This was 100% irrigated, at a stocking rate of 4.1 cows/ha.

Alderbrook Farms have focused on continuous improvement over the past 20 years and are always striving to be better.