Hugh Harney

Dairy advice: Prioritising calf health this autumn
Dairy advice: Prioritising calf health this autumn

Calving is well underway for the autumn calving herds, meaning that calf health must be prioritised, as it will ensure...

The importance of regular  footbathing as housing nears
The importance of regular footbathing as housing nears

We are now nearing the housed period for cows. With many herds now housing cattle by night, footbathing your herd...

Drying off: Which cows need to be dried off first?
Drying off: Which cows need to be dried off first?

Drying off should be relatively straightforward, but if you are not prepared for it and haven’t done your homework, it...

Dairy advice: Tail clipping and shaving udders before drying off
Dairy advice: Tail clipping and shaving udders before drying off

Farmers should now place a particular emphasis on tail clipping and shaving udders as we enter into the housing period...

Controlling heifer mastitis as we edge closer to housing
Controlling heifer mastitis as we edge closer to housing

Heifer mastitis can be a serious issue for herds and can have a negative impact on udder health in first...

Dosing cows as they come in for the housing period
Dosing cows as they come in for the housing period

Dosing cows as they come in for housing is essential, as when cows and cattle are indoors, it is the...

Dairy advice: Time to move on cull cows before housing
Dairy advice: Time to move on cull cows before housing

As we progress into the latter end of the lactation, it is time to look at moving on cull cows,...

Testing silage: Getting the most out of your winter milk contract
Testing silage: Getting the most out of your winter milk contract

Testing silage now is crucial, as many cows around the country are going to be milking through the winter months,...

Preventing milk fever in your autumn calving herd
Preventing milk fever in your autumn calving herd

As we progress further into the calving season for the autumn calving herds, the risk of milk fever (hypocalcemia) and...

Seeing out the end of lactation for spring calving cows on a high
Seeing out the end of lactation for spring calving cows on a high

We are now entering the final few months of lactation for spring calving cows and the cows are beginning to...

Autumn calving: Storing and reheating colostrum for calves
Autumn calving: Storing and reheating colostrum for calves

Autumn calving is well and truly underway and it is important that farmers are making sure that their calves are...

Management of calf scour on your farm this autumn
Management of calf scour on your farm this autumn

There are plenty of calves on the ground for the herds that are milking cows over the winter months, and...

Autumn calving: Looking after the freshly calved cow
Autumn calving: Looking after the freshly calved cow

Autumn calving is well underway for many autumn calving herds. Not only should you ensure that calves get the best...

Dairy advice: Management tips with next season in mind
Dairy advice: Management tips with next season in mind

This year has been a difficult one for farmers, but the dairy advice is to plan ahead for next year...

BCS your spring calving cows now before housing
BCS your spring calving cows now before housing

As cows are progressing further into the lactation, closer to drying-off and closer to the housing period, body condition scoring...

Autumn calving: Transition cow management is crucial
Autumn calving: Transition cow management is crucial

Transition cow management has got to be of a high standard, and as many autumn calving herds have started calving...

The importance of colostrum quality for autumn calves
The importance of colostrum quality for autumn calves

As many autumn calving herds have started calving down, it is important for farmers to ensure that calves are receiving...

Dairy advice: Preparing sheds, scrapers and cubicles for winter
Dairy advice: Preparing sheds, scrapers and cubicles for winter

During the month of September, it can be easy to get caught up in other jobs that may seem like...