Herbal forage plants like: lancelot plantain, chicory, sheep’s burnet, caraway and birdsfoot trefoil, are rich in secondary plant compounds, vitamins and minerals. Due to good palatability, they help enhance forage intake. They are deep rooting, increase water-use and plant nutrient-use efficiency and contribute positively to biodiversity. The main options to integrate herbal forage plants and secondary legumes into dairy farms are:

1) As part of a crop rotation: For Central and Northern Europe lancelot plantain, chicory, sheep’s burnet, caraway, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover sown in mixture with less competitive grasses are recommended.

2) Overseeding or reseeding of permanent grassland with seed mixtures containing more competitive species like lancelot plantain, chicory, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover. Unfortunately, these species are not persistent, and overseeding or reseeding has to be repeated.

3) Establishing beds or sub-plots of single species, preceded by cultivation to eliminate competition from other forage species.

In contrast to legumes, herbal forage plants benefit from nitrogen fertilization and tolerate high slurry dressings.

Compared to grasses, herbal forage plants pre-wilt more slowly and contain less sugars. Their development during summer is fast, which is often accompanied by a rapid decrease in forage quality. Grazing systems can cope with this, but silage making can be a challenge.

Further information on the potential of secondary legumes and multispecies mixtures for forage production in North West Europe can be found at https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-the-potential-of-secondary-legum…

Legumes such as white or red clover and alfalfa are self-sufficient in Nitrogen (N), offer high-protein forage and reduce the farm’s dependency on external N-fertilizer. Pure swards of red clover or alfalfa are drought resistant. Here are the main options to integrate forage legumes or grass clover into dairy farms:

1) Overseeding or reseeding of permanent grasslands with white clover. White clover is a perennial and very well suited for grazing. It combines very high concentrations of net-energy and protein.

2) As part of a crop rotation: For Central Europe, deep rooting red clover and alfalfa are recommended. To reach full potential, forage legumes have to be established at the latest in August.

3) As intercrops as part of a crop rotation: Crimson and Persian clover or vetches established as pure stands or in mixture with Westerwolds or Italian ryegrass offer very cheap forage, with the beneficial environmental effects of traditional catch crops.



To exploit the full yield potential, deficiencies in soil pH-value and soil contents of potassium, phosphorous and sulfur should be avoided. Compared to grasses legumes pre-wilt more slowly and contain less sugars, but more protein and minerals. This can lead to challenges in silage making. Use optimal technology: mower conditioners speed up the wilting process, baled silages decrease the risk of bad fermentation.

Further guidance is available two EuroDairy webinars (https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-the-potential-of-secondary-legum… and https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-the-role-of-forages-as-a-protein….

A good knowledge of farm covers, grass growth and grass demand can greatly assist in optimising both grass production and utilisation on farm. Recent developments in online decision support technologies, now available provide farmers with a user-friendly, vital tool to manage grass with greater confidence and knowledge.

Such technologies include online grassland management software and mobile apps that requires farmers to input the following data weekly:

• Field area

• Grass covers (kg of dry matter per hectare)

• Grass seed mixtures

• Soil fertility records

• Fertiliser applications

• Livestock details (numbers, live weight, daily intake)

• Milk tank data



The online support tool then produces the following information throughout the grazing season:

• A spring/autumn rotation planner

• Grazing days ahead

• On-farm stocking rate

• Weekly grass growth rate (kg of dry matter per hectare per day)

• A grass wedge and grass budget - Within the grass budget, ‘What If’ scenarios can be tried, such as: “If I change the stock numbers and grass intake how will this affect the surplus/deficit situation?”

• Annual fertiliser applications rates

• Total tonnes of grass grown per hectare on each paddock - This is to enable soil fertility and reseeding decisions to be considered and made



This data can then be used to make more informed grazing decisions on farm, increase farmers’ confidence and improve grassland management.

A range of services are now becoming commercially available, providing easily understood graphics, often incorporating mobile phone friendly apps.

The feeding and management of Holstein Friesian heifers should target achieving a live weight at first calving of 540-580 kg at 23-25 months of age. Monitoring heifer growth by measuring heifers is key to making informed management decisions. AFBI, Hillsborough over the last 10 years have collected a comprehensive dataset on body size measurements during each stage of the rearing period. Measuring tapes scaled with the live weight of Holstein Friesian heifers have been produced for farmers to monitor heifer growth against targets at key management periods, facilitating a cost effective rearing regime.

When deciding to commence breeding, body size and live weight as well as age are very important selection criteria. Whilst many producers are confident of their ability to identify the optimum size for breeding, research shows there can be a large difference between actual live weight and that predicted by producers using visual assessment. Body sizes used by producers to commence breeding tend to be larger than optimum.

To use the weighband method:

• Restrain the heifer securely in a cattle crush with a locking head-yoke

• Place the weighband over the heifers back just behind the front legs

• Pull the weighband under the heifers belly using a reaching hook

• Read the heifer weight by lining up the reading line with the weight band scale

• Do not overtighten the weighband - just flatten the hair



You can find additional information on heifer rearing at https://www.agrisearch.org/about-grass-check.

Regular grass growth monitoring has been identified as a key mechanism to improve grass utilisation, which in turn carries a financial benefit for farmers. GrassCheck - originally established in 1999, aims to provide high quality, up-to-date grass information to assist farmers with grassland management decisions and support improvements in grass utilisation on Northern Ireland livestock farms.

Operated by AgriSearch and AFBI, the project monitors weekly grass growth and quality and provides 7 and 14 day grass growth rate forecasts to support farmers in managing pasture surpluses and deficits throughout the growing season. Data is generated from four sets of monitored plots, managed under a simulated grazing regime, located at AFBI, Hillsborough and CAFRE, Greenmount. Management notes are also provided to advise farmers on best practice to utilise forecasted grass growth.

In 2017, the project expanded to monitor grass growth and quality data on 48 commercial dairy, beef and sheep farms across Northern Ireland. Each of the farmer co-researchers have been equipped with a rising plate-meter to measure grass covers.

In addition, 48 weather stations have been deployed on these 48 pilot farms to record a wide range of meteorological data from across Northern Ireland. This cutting-edge technology is being used to provide farmers with up-to-date information of grass growing conditions and grass quality in their locality to help them make the most of this valuable resource.

You can find additional information at https://www.agrisearch.org/about-grass-check .

The amount of feed eaten by the cow is an indicator of her health status: rumen fill reflects feed consumed in the past 2-6 hours and is an important day-to-day management tool. The regular use of this scoring system will help the farmer identify cows with poor health and, especially for transition cows, the risk of metabolic disease such as ketosis or left displaced abomasum.



The fill area to assess is located on the left side, between the last rib and the hipbone (the “paralumbar fossa”)

• Score 1. Very hollow area, deeper than a hands’ width after the last rib. When pushed, the rumen content is not firm. The empty rumen is typical of sick cows who haven’t eaten in the last 24h. This condition should always be avoided. Call the veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Score 2. Hollow area, about a hand’s width in the deepest spot. The area looks like a triangle and the rumen offers some resistance when pressed. This condition is typical of freshly calved cows, especially high yielders who do not eat enough after calving. This condition is acceptable only for a few days after calving.

• Score 3. Slight dip in the area, less than a hand’s width. The rumen offers a good resistance when pressed. This is the ideal score for a lactating cow with sufficient feed intake.

• Score 4. Rumen curve is prominent and resistance is high when pressed. This score is ideal for late lactation and dry cows and is the minimum score for pre-calvers.

• Score 5. The dip is not visible in the whole area due to rumen distension. This score is commonly found in dry cows or in cows with a high feed consumption.

Further guidance is available on the rumen fill scorecard at https://dairyveterinaryconsultancy.co.uk/download/rumen-fill-scorecard/ , and via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWo03iteLA8

Slurry from housed livestock contains valuable nutrients that should be recycled back to land, in an environmentally sustainable manner. It is however important to know the application rate of slurry nutrients, to allow an efficient use of inorganic fertiliser to balance the nutrients N, P and K applied for crop demand.

Dry matter content is closely related to the nutrient content of slurry. Based on this, Cafre, in Northern Ireland, has developed a simple, quick and effective to use method to determine slurry dry matter content and by proxy, N, P & K content of cattle slurry on-farm to allow efficient rates of purchased fertilisers to be used.

The technique for determining slurry dry matter content is summarised below:

1. Obtain a well-mixed sample of slurry whilst ensuring your own safety (the easiest way to get a sample is from a just filled slurry tanker)

2. A two-litre sample in a small bucket or plastic jug is adequate

3. Slowly fill a 500ml container with the slurry sample to the correct level

4. Find a clean, level and relatively smooth area of concrete close to the slurry store

5. Slowly empty the 500ml container onto the concrete near ground level

6. Allow a few seconds for the slurry to settle and find its own level

7. Use a tape measure to determine the diameter of the slurry puddle in centimetres – taking a minimum of three measurements

8. Access the online slurry calculator on www.dardni.gov.uk to calculate the average of the diameter readings in centimetres

9. The calculated slurry dry matter will appear in the spreadsheet along with the purchased fertiliser equivalent of slurry nutrients (N, P, K) per acre or per hectare.

For more information watch this practical video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CisQr7q7Euk&feature=youtu.be .

Measuring grass on your whole farm, through regular farm walks, is vital when making pasture management decisions. The Rising Plate Meter (RPM) is the most common tool used to measure perennial ryegrass/white clover swards.

The RPM measures the height and compressed density of the pasture, and then converts it into kilograms of dry matter. Each of the ‘clicks’ represents 0.5cm of compressed height i.e. a reading of 7 “clicks” represents a compressed pasture height of 3.5 cm.

Incorrect operator technique will cause inaccurate readings of the RPM. When taking readings during the farm walk the following needs to be considered to ensure consistent measurement:

• Avoid gateways, troughs and fence lines

• Ensure the walk gives a fair representation of the paddock. To do this either walk diagonally across the paddock or walk a “w” within the paddock

• Once a route is established walk the same route.

• The readings should be random and not biased by the operator looking where to place the RPM. A guide is to take a reading every 2-3 steps.

Weather conditions can impact on the accuracy of the RPM. In extreme conditions, postpone the walk until conditions improve. Factors to consider under different conditions:

• Do not measure when the pasture is frosted

• Strong wind conditions will compress long pasture resulting in lower readings

• In wet conditions, water can accumulate on the plate. This accumulation of water increases the weight of the plate and results in lower readings. Regularly shake the plate to remove any surface water.

• Heavy rain can ‘compress’ pasture resulting in a lower height reading

• Snowfall will “compress” the pasture resulting in lower height readings.

For a step to step video, view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBlUzLeTINA .

Dairy farmers are expected to reduce their reliance on antibiotics, particularly the use of those critically important antimicrobials (CIAs) for human health. To do this, it is necessary to calculate current usage, and better understand which practices or disease conditions are driving antibiotic input. The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine has developed an online calculator, based on a system of calculation standardised across the EU, to evaluate antibiotic use on dairy farms.



The use of this calculator will help farmers and veterinarians monitor antibiotic use, evaluate key critical areas and encourage more responsible use of antibiotics. The following data are required:

• Number of dairy cows and slaughtered cattle (Herd Entry section); from this the tool will calculate the Population Corrected Units (PCU), which includes animal population and estimated weight of each animal at the time of antibiotic treatment.

• Amount of antibiotic used in a 12-month period. To do this, the user will select, from drop down menus, first the administration route of the drug and then the commercial name of the medicine (currently only products available on the UK market).

The calculator will then convert all these entries into the commonly used measurements of antimicrobial use (mg/PCU and Defined Daily Dose – DDD). The tool highlights the use of high priority CIAs, and summarises results by route of administration to identify the key areas of antimicrobial use and potential areas of improvement, for discussion with the farm veterinary surgeon.

You can download the free Excel file at https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/resources-library/technical-information/healt… .

Impaired feed digestion can reduce milk output and production efficiency. Dung consistency is a good indicator of nutritional imbalances or digestive disturbances. A daily assessment of manure in each group of animals can indicate issues in feed digestion (i.e. after a dietary change) and gut health, which can be properly tackled by the nutritionist or veterinarian.



Monitoring manure is very easy, and can be done at any convenient time of the day. It entails looking at the dung, ideally recently produced and undisturbed, and treading it with the boot.

• Score 1. Dung is watery. This critical situation occurs when rumen fermentation is severely impaired (i.e. acute acidosis) or in very sick cows. Call the vet as soon as possible.

• Score 2. Dung is loose but it has some degree of consistency. This is typical of cows fed lush pastures but also in high yielders fed diets rich in concentrates or low in fibre, especially if the dung contains undigested particles. Call the nutritionist to adjust the diet.

• Score 3. Dung forms a pile (2-3 cm depth) with a plopping sound when it hits the floor. The boot will not leave a footprint on the pile. This is the ideal score for lactating cows.

• Score 4. Dung is thick and forms a high pile (6-7 cm depth) with a hard sound when it hits the floor; the boot would leave a visible footprint. It can be observed in dry cows and heifers; check the water availability and call the nutritionist if this is observed in lactating cows.

• Score 5. Very dry dung, similar to horse manure. Can be found in dry cows and heifers. If it occurs in lactating cows, it may indicate a very low water and feed intake. Check with the vet or the nutritionist.

A manure scorecard can be viewed at https://nagonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Manure-score-card.pdf

Excessive water usage on a dairy farm increases cost, and potentially the volume of slurry produced, which has implications for storage and spreading.

The use of smart meters with data loggers can help monitor consumption and quickly identify areas of excessive use.

The first step is to draw a schematic map of the water network on the farm, identifying all water sources and all areas of usage, including storage and existing meters. This map doesn’t need to be highly technical, but it has to be as accurate and complete as possible. Secondly, decide which could be the most appropriate points to install a meter: it could be on a pipe that serves a particular sector (i.e. to monitor the usage in the milking parlour) or a critical area where you suspect there is actual excessive usage or a high likelihood of leaks occurring.

Once smart meters are installed, usage can be monitored or the presence of leaks identified. A leak can be suspected when the meter shows water flowing when there is no real usage: commonly, this measurement is carried out at night when no machinery is working and cows are not drinking. The advantage of smart technology is that the recorded data on water flux are automatically uploaded on a computer and can be easily checked at any convenient time. Data saved on a computer will make it easier to verify the effectiveness of any taken action (good practice or fixing a leak) and to estimate the financial benefits of the action.

Further information on the effective use of water on dairy farms, including examples of water network maps, can be found at https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/media/10351/effectiveuseofwaterondairyfarms.p….

Fresh grass analysis can supply information on grass dry matter, crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates and metabolisable energy content, and is an important tool in managing grazing cow diets throughout the season. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy is a cheap and reliable laboratory technique for analysing the nutritional value of grass. However, between the time of sampling and analysis in the laboratory, plant degradation processes may take effect, resulting in poor analysis results.

Recent AHDB Dairy research investigated the effect of harvesting technique and storage conditions on the nutritional value of fresh grass reported in analysis results. A best practice protocol was generated following this results.

To take a grass sample for analysis follow these steps for a more accurate analysis results:

1. Take samples early in the week to ensure they arrive in time for analysing before the weekend

2. Aim to cut samples immediately before posting

3. Using scissors, cut a large handful of grass to your target post-grazing cover (1500 kg DM/ha) at a minimum of six locations across the paddock

4. Place into a bucket and mix gently

5. Take a subsample from the bucket and place into the sample bag avoiding overfilling the bag

6. Gently squeeze the air out of the bag and seal

7. Send to the lab via first class post.

It is important to remember to store samples which are taken more than two hours before posting should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed bag.

Healthy grassland soils support better plant growth, forage quality and efficient use of nutrients, whilst minimising negative environmental impacts of poor soil management. The Healthy Grassland Soils guide provides guidance on how to assess soil structure and actions required to improve it.

• Step 1. Surface assessment. Look at the sward quality to identify potentially damaged areas. A moderate or poor sward may indicate the need for deeper investigation of soil quality

• Step 2. Soil extraction. Dig out one spade-sized block of soil (depth approx. 30cm). Cut down on three sides and then lever the block out, leaving one side undisturbed. Lay the soil block on a plastic sheet or a tray. A moist topsoil will help to better identify the soil structure.

• Step 3. Soil assessment. Gently open the soil block like a book to break it up. If the structure is uniform, assess the block as a whole. If there are two or more horizontal layers of differing structure, assess the one with the poorest structure (the limiting layer).

• Step 4. Soil scoring. Break up the soil with your hands into smaller aggregates (soil clumps). Assign a score by matching what you see to the descriptions and photos in a guide provided.

Scores 1 (Crumbly) and 2 (Intact) are Good as aggregates easily break apart. Scores 4 (Compact) or 5 (Very compact), requiring effort to break down aggregates, are Poor. Management actions for poor soils include the use of a sward slitter, aerator (if soil structure is poor at less than 10cm depth) or top soiler (if structure is poor at greater than 10cm depth): if the sward is damaged, consider ploughing or reseeding.

You can download guide at http://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/technical-information/grassland-management/hea….

Cut and carry is a feeding system where fresh grass is cut daily and fed directly to housed cows. The fresh grass is cut as a standing crop by a machine which transports the grass directly from the field. Cut and carry crops can be fed with grass silage or TMR.

The system is an alternative to grazing and feeding grass silage or total mix ration (TMR). It increases the amount of home-grown, high-quality forages used throughout the year. Although well-managed grazed grass is the most economical feed for dairy cows, there is growing interest in the role of a cut and carry system and its potential to reduce feed and forage costs.

Over recent years, many dairy farmers have implemented a cut and carry system to increase the proportion of fresh grass included in the diet and as a management tool for fragmented grazing land, increasing herd sizes and expanding robotic milking systems.

The delivery and management of fresh grass is critical. Good practice can improve feed intakes by 10%. Follow these top tips for best feeding management:

• Fresh grass is best fed alone but if using a feeder wagon only mix fresh grass for 2-3 minutes

• Fresh grass should be cut and delivered at least once a day to avoid heating

• Ensure cows have continuous access to feed to help increase dry matter intake

• Avoid over-piling fresh grass in feeding area

• Clean out any refusals daily to avoid deterioration in quality

• Analyse fresh grass for guidance when formulating diets to decide if and what level of supplementation is needed.

More detailed guidance can be found in a webinar (https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-zero-grazing-for-feeding-home-gr…) and booklet (https://www.agrisearch.org/publications/farmer-booklets/zero-grazing-a-…).

Rapid and accurate assessment of colostrum quality is critical to ensure the new-born calf gets the immunity it needs to survive and grow. By regularly testing colostrum quality, the farmer can choose the best colostrum, resulting in improved health and reduced calf mortality due to better immunity. The colostrometer and the refractometer are the two preferred tools for this purpose.



The colostrometer measures antibody content through the specific gravity of the colostrum. To use a colostrometer:

• Fill a cylinder with fresh colostrum at the right temperature for the model you are using (generally 22°C), avoiding froth formation

• Vertically insert the clean colostrometer into the cylinder and let it float for a minute

• Read the colour on the colostrometer at the surface of the colostrum: if it is in the green area, the quality is good and can be used or stored. If the reading is in the red area, it should not be fed to new-born calves.

The refractometer uses light refraction. Although more expensive, it is less fragile and more accurate, as it does not depend on temperature. How to use the refractometer:

• Calibrate the instrument as per manufacturer’s instructions and wipe clean the surface before testing. The right model should measure on the Brix scale with a range of at least 15-25%.

• Put 1-2 drops of fresh colostrum onto the glass surface and lower the flap

• Take a reading by looking through the eye piece or on the screen (digital refractometer)

• If the reading is > 22, the colostrum has a good quality and can be fed.

An instructional video on colostrum testing can be found online at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdt766azjew).

More efficient use of resources (feed and fertilisers) reduces production costs and emissions to the environment. Good management is usually considered the most important factor in improving efficiency. The first step in improving nutrient cycling is knowing current farm nutrient balances. The ANCA model quantifies indicators related to nutrient cycles.

The starting point is the herd component, in which the energy requirements of the herd, including young stock, are estimated on the basis of standard values for each of the animal categories and milk production level. The farm-specific feed ration should be formulated to meet these requirements. Nitrogen and Phosphorous consumption is then estimated based on chemical composition of the feed. Subsequently, ANCA models the soil-crop component. The proportion of home-grown feed is calculated by subtracting the amounts of purchased feed from total feed consumption.

Initiated by the dairy sector in 2015 the ANCA model is used on all commercial farms in the Netherlands. It informs the farmer on the efficiency of utilisation of feed, fertilisers, land and livestock as well as the levels of losses (N, P and GHG) from farm to the environment. When discussing results with other farmers, in farm networks or Operational Groups, the tool enables standardised comparison with values obtained by other farmers. The tool also gives information on where to pursue improvements, and what management actions to take.

More information on the ANCA tool can be found in a EuroDairy webinar (https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-quantifying-the-nutrient-perform… ).

Good cubicle design and appropriate dimensions and are essential for healthy, high performing dairy cows. Most dairy cows are kept in free-standing cubicle housing systems. As cows must be able to lie for about fourteen hours a day they need comfortable bedding. Laying down and standing should not be obstructed.



In practice, not all cubicles offer the adequate lying comfort, which can negatively affect cow health and behavior. If comfort is lacking, cows will lie down less quickly, and once they are lying down, they get up less easily and less frequently to excrete, or to get feed or water.



There is also an increased risk of claw problems, because of the extra time that is spent standing on mostly concrete slatted floors. In the worst cases, some cows may lie down in the passageway and not in the cubicle at all. Inadequate or hard beddings can cause hock problems, while cubicles that are too small increase the risk of skin lesions.



When installing cubicles, it is important not to use standard dimensions for length and width, but rather use cubicle sizes based on the size of cows in the herd.



The following video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZgT2vtkXdY&feature=youtu.be) shows how Dutch dairy farmers Fedde and Wilma van der Meer offer their cows sufficient lying comfort, and prevent problems. 'A longer life for cows, that's easier than you think'.

The Dutch dairy industry uses the 'Defined Daily Dose Animal' per year (DDDA) to monitor and compare the annual use of antimicrobials on dairy farms. To calculate DDDA for a farm, two figures are needed.



1. The total weight of animal (kg) which can be treated with the amount of antimicrobials supplied to the farm, which is derived from the standard dose rate for which the product is licensed. There is a correction factor for long-acting preparations. Intramammary mastitis tubes and intramammary at drying off are counted as one DDDA per teat infused.

2. The average total weight (kg) of animals present on the farm during a year.



The system uses standard animal weights for animals in an each category and of a certain age.

The average DDDA for Dutch dairy farms in 2015 was 2.2. Two benchmark values have been set for action at farm level: a signaling threshold (4 DDDA) and an action threshold (6 DDDA). Farms that use amounts of antibiotics above the action threshold should take immediate action and those above the signaling threshold are advised to take action. Dutch dairy cattle farms achieved a 47% reduction in their national DDDA during the period 2009-2015.



Quality assurance schemes provide farmers with a breakdown by usage of intramammary (lactating; dry cow); dairy cattle >2 years; heifers 1-2 years; yearling cattle (56 days - 1 year) and calves less than 56 days. This breakdown helps identify hotspots of usage, and prioritise areas for action.

Use of critically important antimicrobials is not allowed in animals unless it has been demonstrated that no alternative treatment options are available.

In many countries, farmers are required to grow a catch crop after maize harvest, on soils vulnerable for nitrate leaching, to retain soil nutrients and reduce leaching. New regulations are forthcoming requiring catch crops to be sown before a certain date e.g. in the Netherlands from 2019 onwards this will have to be done before October 1st. However, in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark, the maize harvest is often too late in the season to establish an effective catch crop growth. One option is to grow early ripening maize varieties which can be harvested in time for sowing the catch crop.

An alternative option is under-sowing grass in the maize. In different countries, experiments are on-going for seeding grass together with the maize. Tall fescue is a species suited to that option. Italian ryegrass is a more vigorously developing species; it could be sown later when the maize is at knee (about 40 cm) height. Sowing at the right time is important. When sown too early, grass will dominate and compete too much with the maize, which reduces maize yield. When seeding is too late, the maize will out-compete the grass and after harvest the grass will be too poorly developed to take up residual nitrogen. When sown at the right time, grass will grow rapidly after maize harvest. For best results, farmers and contract workers need to build up experience with undersowing technique.

Video guidance on the practice is available in English, Dutch and German respectively (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgTg87BEQeY; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmzWrtOf0PE ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCHYu_XYYIQ).

Finding alternatives for imported soy is a challenge for farmers across Europe. Farmer motives may differ. Dutch dairy farmer Erik Van Oosterhout believes in closing nutrient cycles as much as possible on his farm, and wants to avoid external inputs. This is also accentuated by the fact that the farm also has a shop and is a site for educational visits, therefore a good farm image is crucial.

Erik has been growing soy for nine years, but still describes it as ‘pretty difficult’. For soy to occupy a full place in the crop rotation on the farm, it would have to produce higher dry matter output per hectare. With the land that he has currently available, he can only feed his cows for part of the year, and still has to supplement with GMO-free feed. Weeds are also a challenge. To be eligible a ‘greening’ top-up under the CAP, weed control is not permitted. Workable alternatives to hand weeding are not yet available. As a result, soy does not fit easily with cultivation plans on many farms.

To overcome some of these challenges, Erik joins forces with other soy growers in the Netherlands. They share knowledge and experiences in a Facebook group. Together, it is a bit easier to than to pioneer alone. Erik will continue in the future with the cultivation of soy, but he can still use some help from others on technical aspects. He would mostly like to join forces with other dairy farmers to process soy, so that the soy can be fed through the automatic feeder, just as is done now with soy meal.

The aim of dry-cow therapy (DCT) is to cure any infections in udder quarters at drying off, and to prevent new infections during the dry period. Selective dry-cow therapy (sDCT) can be used as effectively as blanket DCT to cure existing levels of herd infection. sDCT is less protective than blanket DCT in preventing new infections, but this can be offset by use of internal teat sealants. Teat sealants are a good alternative to antibiotics to protect cows with low somatic cell counts (SCC) from becoming infected during the dry period.

In the Netherlands, preventive use of antimicrobials in dry-cow therapy is no longer allowed. sDCT was introduced in 2013 as an alternative to blanket therapy.

The diagnosis of udder infections is based on SCC, at a maximum of six weeks before drying off. sDCT is an option where the SCC is greater than 150,000 cells/ml in heifers and 50,000 in older cattle. Other diagnostic methods can be used e.g. bacteriological culture; quarter SCC, conductivity measurements.

Use of critically important antimicrobials is only allowed if culture has shown susceptibility and there are no alternatives.

Dutch farmers are expected to review udder management with their vet at least once a year, paying attention to:

• control (objective)

• infection pressure (accommodation and care)

• resistance (food and housing)

• milking (processes and routine)

• treatment (diagnosis and optimal use of antimicrobials)

Video guidance on decision-making in relation to dry cow therapy (https://eurodairy.eu/case-studies/selective-dry-cow-therapy-decision-ma…) and best practice technique https://eurodairy.eu/case-studies/selective-dry-cow-therapy-best-practi… are available online.

Compost bedded pack barns have the potential to improve the health and welfare of (lactating) dairy cows, compared to a cubicle housing system, which is the most commonly used. Compost bedded pack barns consist of a large open resting area, without cubicles, with a soft bedding of materials which are then composted. As cows are free to roam, stand and lie in the resting area this alternative is also called a ‘free walk’ housing system. Contrary to the traditional deep-bedded straw yards, the straw (and other bedding materials) are composted. In compost bedded pack barns area allowance per cow is generally higher (http://www.vrijloopstallen.nl/2014/02/hoe-wil-een-koe-gehuisvest-worden/).



Bed management and the design of the barn are key factors to handle heat and moisture production from the cows, and the composting process itself. Effective composting depends on the frequency of stirring the bedding, ventilation, stock density and renewal/addition of material. Compost bedded pack barns are a valid alternative only where management of the bedding is optimal.



Main reasons stated by farmers who invested in this system, include better animal health and welfare for the cows, resulting in improved longevity and higher milk production, and improved manure quality. Possible disadvantages include higher costs for bedding materials, and, in the case of a suboptimal composting process, potential risks to hygiene and mastitis levels, higher ammonia and methane emissions.



For more information, visit http://www.vrijloopstallen.nl/english/ and https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-compost-bedded-pack-barns-for-da….

Online sales, where the product is sold directly to the consumer, can offer dairy farmers the opportunity to overcome unbalanced value distribution in the supply chain. A number of market places (e.g. Amazon) offer the possibility even for small scale producers to directly interact with consumers to sell product. Various social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) can be used for communication and advertising.



The main steps do not differ from a generic marketing plan:

1) Identify the production structure, and the main selling target to reach under a specific time frame

2) Conduct preliminary studies (e.g. analysis main competitors, SWOT analysis)

3) Identify the unique selling point (what is special about the product/production system?). Identify the main selling platforms and the contract rules for sellers

4) Develop a product brand identity, including main messages for consumers, and packaging material

5) Select sales channels (e-shop or market places) based on results of the preliminary studies

6) Develop logistics to support the marketing strategy in terms of quantity, quality and timing.

7) Install a social media manager



Opting for direct/online sales requires a strong personal commitment from the farmer and a marketing approach to operate in these relatively new environments (internet market places, social media). For these reasons it is highly recommended to get support from web-marketing agencies with prior experience in food web-marketing. The agency should be able to provide in advance a credible cost/benefit analysis of the project.

A video case study is available at https://eurodairy.eu/case-studies/delsante-selling-cheese-through-socia….

“Complementary therapies” are an interesting option to help battle antibiotic resistance and follow the objectives of the EcoAntibio plans, developed in France. Any medicine different from modern medicine, or “allopathy”, is considered an alternative or complementary medicine. The most common complementary medicines in farming are aromatherapy, homeopathy and phytotherapy (herbal medicine). The Haut-Pays Economic and Environmental Interest Grouping (EEIG) has been working on this subject since 2014.



Even though some practices (like homeopathy) are scientifically debatable, farms that apply them can see positive results. In the EEIG, from 2014 to 2016, we observed a decrease of 24% in veterinary fees. Regarding mastitis, leading farmers within the group have reduced their number of antibiotic treatments by 50%.

These practices allow farmers to:

• Limit antibiotic use, and reduce antibiotic resistance risks

• Reduce their costs without negatively impacting their herd health status

• Have a better herd health approach

• Give farming a better public image

These changes in practices force farmers to look for the cause of health issues, which makes it possible to use preventive measures (dietary changes, building design, improved management etc.).



More information can be found on the EEIG website ( http://www.giee.fr/trouver-un-giee/par-region/hauts-de-france/experimen…).

The milking interval (MI) between morning and evening milking in Western France is on average around 10 hours. Although often reluctant to change this, a shorter interval could help dairy farmers to have more flexibility in their work and improve their living conditions. It could also make the job of dairy worker more attractive, if their working day remained below 8 to 9 hours.

An experiment at the Trévarez experimental farm and Knowledge Transfer Center (Brittany, France) assessed the effects of a reduced MI on dairy cows performances. The tested interval was 6.5 hours (vs. a classic 10h MI). The study lasted four months, during two winters, with 2 groups of 30 Holstein cows indoors. Over a full day, cows of the 6.5h group produced 4.5% milk less than the control group during the first month, then the cows adapted to the new MI and the difference disappeared. The effects on fat content and somatic cell count were not significant but the protein content was significantly reduced by 1 g/kg with the shorter MI. Health and behavior were not impacted.

So, to improve socio-economic resilience, the farmer can either choose to keep the same MI and reduce economic loss or reduce the MI, contributing to an improved quality of life. If he hires an employee, a reduced MI can also mean that no overtime may need to be paid, compensating the economic loss due to the reduced protein content. Nevertheless performances should not be affected if the day interval remains over 7 hours, as shown by INRA Research in previous experiments.

More information is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBG46_EOUEQ&t=1s.

2MAINS is a tool that can raise awareness and facilitate discussion about the overall farm situation and strategic balance. It can be a first step to evaluate the « resilience » of a farm, and can help, if needed, to develop and implement a new strategy with an action plan.



"Resilience" was defined by the French EuroDairy Operational Group Hauts-de-France as the "capacity to adapt to insure the continuity of the dairy farm in the context of social, economic and/or environmental challenges".

The tool calculates a score for five main items : strategy, technical issues, economics, human and social aspects and environmental issues. These 5 items, each with an equal weight, together constitute the overall resilience of the farm.



The tool makes it possible to:

• Give a complete and specific picture of the farm;

• Make a simple and quick assessment of the farm’s resilience;

• Use practical indicators for farmers (litres/dairy cow, available income,…);

• Discuss issues which are otherwise rarely discussed with the adviser (like the farmer's welfare, quality of life...);

• Put into words the options for improvement.

The 2MAINS tool can be used in different settings and contexts, depending on the organisation using it. The tool can be for example used in training, one-on-one advisory services, farmer group discussions, etc...

For more details you can contact elisabeth.castellan@idele.fr

From an economic and administrative point of view, a decision to employ labour is not always straightforward. However, to reduce workload on individual farms, a formal alliance between farmer-employers can make it possible to address the issue collaboratively. In such an alliance, employees are shared between different farms within a region. The overall workload and specific farmer needs are assessed individually and collectively. Based on this, a job profile is created for a shared employee.

Several benefits are possible:

• increases the workforce available and increases the flexibility to undertake activities at the most appropriate time, rather than only when there is sufficient time available.

• allows sharing of responsibility and creates opportunities to reinforce skills.

• greater human resources, while sharing the financial risk taken. Administrative work can be distributed, potentially done by one farmer or even by an association carrying out this function.

• links strengthened between farmers, within the rural community, by creating close cooperation, and opportunities for collective discussion and actions.

• creates opportunities for full-time and local employment, more diversified and attractive jobs, creating new energy within a region.

For more information, follow these links to a practical guide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KmiW94aUqY&feature=youtu.be), and to further research on this approach to labour organization (http://idele.fr/reseaux-et-partenariats/reseaux-mixtes-technologiques/r…).

Emphasis is often given to so-called 'extraordinary biodiversity', i.e. endangered species. However, 'ordinary biodiversity' is equally important, and covers insects, fauna, flora and soil micro-organisms that are charac¬teristic of a specific region or area. This biodiversity is essential for ecological regulation and impacts food production.

During the EuroDairy project, biodiversity was assessed on 44 farms, using the Biotex tool, aiming to assess farm-level ordinary biodiversity and to identify routes for improvement at farm level.



We can identify a set of actions that favour the development of ordinary biodiversity:

• The farm can contribute to a more diverse landscape mosaic, by proactively managing for diverse vegetation across the farm, and by considering plot size to limit the number of cultivations on extensive areas.

• By developing landscape heterogeneity, the farm contributes to a stronger ecosystem, by developing ecological corridors, and reconnecting various agro-ecological structures, e.g. hedges can be used by animals for shelter. Restoring these structures also limits wind erosion of soils and creates a local micro-climate to protect crops from frost or soil desiccation.

• By preserving permanent grassland. Restoring flora species diversity is possible by building a grassland use mosaic based on both biodiversity and efficiency objectives, and by applying harvesting and fertilisation practices adapted to the territory. Preserving wet meadow areas will also help to regulate flood problems in agricultural plots and peri-urban areas.

More information on the Biotex tool can be found at: https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-assessing-biodiversity-on-dairy-….

Agriculture and dairy farming are at the centre of more and more debates over controversial issues such as animal care, use of crop protection products, etc. These issues can lead to problems and possible conflicts with neighbours. This is why better communication with non-farmer neighbours is essential.



Some actions are possible at farm-level:

• Hold open days at the farm

• Organise hikes or walks that go through the farm

• Have open communication about farming practices (mailing, social networks, in person,...)

• Post information boards on the sides of the road, for example a board with the cows’ names shows a different side of the farmer to passers-by.

• Communicate better within the locality:

o Set up good neighbourhood rules,

o Inform neighbours and city council of seasonal work,

• Get involved with the city councils regarding some work/situations (hedge trimming, snow removal, etc.)

You can find further ideas and information about building bridges with non-farming neighbours online (https://hautsdefrance.chambres-agriculture.fr/vos-chambres/oise/outils-…), including establishing farm trails (http://randoferme.free.fr/).

The number of farms equipped with a milking robot (AMS) in Europe has increased a lot over the last decade. It often leads to a decrease in grazing, to avoid reductions in milking frequency and even in milk production. Feed self-sufficiency being a major issue, a project was set up in France order to bring technical solutions to breeders who wish to combine automatic milking and grazing.

During 5 years, the experimental farm of Derval tested several traffic options and herd management opportunities while grazing. In 2012 and 2013, the silo of maize silage was closed for respectively 34 and 56 days. The Holstein cows on a 100% grazed diet produced 27.5 kg of milk, on a supplement of 2.8 kg of concentrates on average. The feeding cost was reduced to a third that of the winter ration. Each cow ingested up to 1.5 t of grazed grass. These trials were led on a saturated milking robot (72 cows on average), with guided traffic and pre-selection process. During the same program, 20 French robotic farms were surveyed with various saturation levels, grass growth potential and traffic to multiply and share ideas. These pilot farms had various ways to encourage and accustom cows to move around freely between pasture and robot.

This program shows that grazing with an AMS remains possible as long as the farmer is motivated and implements the right traffic options in relation to the saturation level of the robot, and if there is sufficient area for grazing.



More information on combining robotic milking and grazing can be found in this French leaflet http://idele.fr/fileadmin/user_upload/Souscription_Paturer_avec_un_robo….

Crossbred cows are more healthy and robust, due to heterosis. By using crossbreeding as a management tool, the health and reproduction in the herd can be greatly increased, which also increases the profitability of the herd without any investments costs.

In Denmark 12 % of the cows are crossbred, whilst in New Zealand it is around 50 %. We expect that the proportion of crossbred cows in Denmark will increase significantly over the next decade. New results have shown that crossbreeding works at all management levels. All dairy herds can therefore benefit from crossbreeding.

The average additional profit from a crossbred cow is approximately 70-100 €, due to heterosis. Heterosis is the superiority of crossbreds compared to the average of parent breeds. It has the largest positive impact on functional traits such as fertility, calving, health and longevity. A crossbred cow is therefore a more robust cow, but with production at the same level as a purebred cow. A prerequisite for a profitable crossbreeding is economically equivalent breeds. In Denmark, the three main breeds Holstein, RDC and Jersey were compared, and found to be economically equivalent.

To calculate the effects of different crossbreeding systems in the herd, a Danish simulation program - SimHerd Crossbred has been developed. In SimHerd Crossbred, key figures from the herd are used to predict the effects of different crossbreeding systems. This lets the farmer decide which system will give him the largest revenue, and in which areas he should expect to see improvements.

You can learn more about practical aspects of crossbreeding by following this link https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-crossbreeding-for-improved-profi…

Well-formulated rations suit the demands of the cow, the farmer and the farming system. To translate a well-formulated ration on paper into practice, it is important to focus on feed management, which should be regular and consistent to ensure all cows access the same ration 24/7. To achieve this, six key actions are required. In priority order these are:

1. Distribution of feed along the feeding passage. The feed should be distributed along all parts of the alleyway, including the last hour before next feeding.

2. Feed at the same time each day or adjust the amount according to number of hours before the next feed. Knowing when the next feed is due is essential to prepare the right quantity of feed.

3. Ensure thorough mixing to avoid sorting. With the use of Compact TMR, the cows get access to the same quality of food throughout the day.

4. Weigh ingredients accurately to achieve the target mix. Be exact when filling the mixer. Even small errors can result in altering the composition of nutrients fed to the cows.

5. Adjust feeding according to leftovers and changes in the animal numbers. The feed quantity should be adjusted to the exact number of animals. The target level of leftovers is around 5%, but could be reduced to 2% with Compact TMR.

6. Leftovers should be weighed and evaluated according to stability. Leftovers may be weighed in the mixer. If the leftovers become warm, there might be a need to add acid to the mix.



Further information is reported from a EuroDairy feed efficiency workshop (https://eurodairy.eu/resources/workshop-report-improving-feed-efficienc… ) and via a webinar on compact feeding (https://eurodairy.eu/resources/webinar-compact-tmr-for-improved-feed-ef…).

Sorting is an undesired behaviour that often occurs when cows are fed a total or partial mixed ration (TMR/PMR), and it is usually directed towards small particles that have not adhered to the forage fraction. This behaviour causes inconsistencies in the nutritional quality of the diet consumed and suboptimal rumen health, which can impair milk yield.

The compact feeding technique, designed in Denmark, aims to reduce sorting behaviour by increasing the homogeneity of the TMR. The final mixed ration will have a very compact appearance (concentrates stick to the fibrous components) and should have a dry matter content of 36% - 39%. The leftovers after a feeding bout should be indistinguishable from the original mix.

The technique consists of 3 phases:

• Overnight soaking of dry feeds in the wagon with an equal amount of water.

• Structuring the mix. Add the mineral premix, grass silage and other fibrous components. Mix for 15-20 minutes.

• If maize silage is used, add it at the end and mix for further 15-20 minutes.

The mass in the wagon will be very heavy and compact, so it is recommended to keep power to the mixer running during unloading. Also, monitor the flow to make sure that all feed in the wagon is effectively mixed: if this is not the case, adjust the position and length of the blades or adjust auger appropriately. The high water content can lead to undesirable fermentation, especially during warm weather: if the left-overs show signs of fermentation, add acid (i.e. propionic) to preserve the stability of the mix: talk to your nutritionist to determine the correct amounts of acid to add.

For more information view this EuroDairy webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxR27jpmqpY&index=1&list=PLPchkg1hC6xTE… .

Micro-scale digesters (MSD) produce biogas using only biomass resources originating directly from the farm, where livestock manure is the main substrate. The biogas is mostly utilized for energy generation in combined heat and power (CHP) installations, which produce electricity and heat. With a digester the farms produces enough to cover the own energy demand. The investment costs for a 10 kW digester are € 150.000 for both the digester and the CHP installation. The installation produces 60.000 kWh electricity and 120.000 kWh of heat. With a good working installation an annual net profit of 22.000 euro is possible.

A MSD needs a lot of maintenance and has to be closely monitored, requiring approximately half an hour each day for management of the digester. Several parts need to be changed regularly, so some mechanical and technical knowhow is essential. Maintenance costs are on average €5.000 per year.

Besides technical knowledge, it is also important to have an insight into the biology behind the MSD. It’s essential to detect any problems with the biological functioning at an early stage. If not, and biogas production comes to a halt, it can take up to 2 months before the installation starts producing biogas again. It is thus import to be alert for early indicators, such as lower biogas production, a drop in temperature, foam, etc.

The digested manure can be used as fertilizer, with less unpleasant odours and overall improved quality as a fertilizer, when compared to raw manure.

So a MSD can be profitable, provided you have the right knowhow, both on mechanics and biology, and if you have enough time available. If not, solar panels or mid-sized wind turbines are a better alternative.

More information can be found http://www.bioenergyfarm.eu/en/ .

Northern Europe has strong interrelated food production chains, which lack a long-term vision on sustainable soil management and green production processes. Together with current agricultural production processes this has resulted in degradation and biodiversity loss in soils across Europe. Adopting carbon sequestration techniques in land management (for example, increasing plant residues and root inputs to the soil, minimizing soil disturbance…) can help to reverse these processes and play a crucial role in food security and climate change mitigation.

However, the absence of sound, economically viable, business cases and a lack of awareness of the potential of carbon farming approaches amongst economic players is hindering their adoption. An example of such an approach is the collaboration between farmers and other parties (within or outside food supply chain), where the other party compensates for its impact by paying for additional efforts done by the farmer.

The adoption of such approaches will be a key factor to progress towards greening the agri-food sector. Involvement of actors across the integrated value chain is required to allow this progress to be durable and sustainable.

The Interreg North West Europe project 'Carbon Farming', started in September 2018, aims for a transition in the agri-food supply chains via the rapid adoption of carbon sequestration techniques. Besides looking at the technical aspects on farm, the project facilitates in developing new business models, together with farmers and interested parties inside and outside the food chain. More information can be found at https://northsearegion.eu/carbon-farming/.