Technical Articles

5 August 2020

Robotic milking and cattle welfare

5 August 2020 Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Robotic milking systems are becoming ever more common within the UK and globally Whilst production and economic gains are a key reason for robotic milking system uptake, farmers should also increasingly...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Dairy

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare

28 July 2020

Rumen fill scoring for monitoring health in dairy cows

28 July 2020 Dr Cate Williams & Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Rumen fill scoring (RFS) is a basic, visual evaluation technique to monitor feed intake and energy balance in dairy cows. Low RFS scores are linked to negative...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Dairy

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare

23 July 2020

The use of wool in compost and other alternative applications

23 July 2020 Dr Cate Williams: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Sheep’s wool offers many benefits when used in a mixture as compost or mulch: as a source of slow-release nitrogen and other trace elements, in weed and pest control, moisture retention...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Sheep

Theme: Land, Livestock

17 July 2020

Factors affecting sheep flock productivity

17 July 2020 Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Sheep farming globally supplies 3 – 4 % of red meat production with the potential to have an increasing role in future due to sheeps’ natural climate adaptability Currently, significant flock...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Sheep

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare

16 July 2020

Managing changing freshwater availability and water scarcity on-farm

16 July 2020 Dr William Stiles: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Take home messages: As a consequence of climate change future rainfall patterns may become increasingly variable This may impact the potential for future farm production Altering on-farm management or using water...

Type: Technical Articles Theme: Business, Land

Key Specialism: Business Management and Planning, Water Quality

14 July 2020

It takes two to tango - genomic testing of female dairy cattle

14 July 2020 Dr Cate Williams: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Genomic testing of dairy bulls has revolutionised sire selection – offering large amounts of accurate and reliable information enabling an informed choice. Testing female animals – particularly heifers – could offer...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Dairy

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare

6 July 2020

Technological prospects for poultry layer productivity

6 July 2020 Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. The poultry industry is currently the fastest-growing meat production sector globally Whilst egg production is a vital source of nutrition, broiler systems have seen far more targeted innovation and development than...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Poultry

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare, Innovation

29 June 2020

Challenges facing the future delivery of services from woodland in Wales

29 June 2020 Ruby Bye: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Current forestry policy outlines many diverse and often indirect woodland benefits, beyond timber, pulp and fuel provision Pest and pathogen outbreaks are occurring in woodlands worldwide with increased frequency, putting these woodland...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Forestry

Theme: Land Key Specialism: Woodland Management

18 June 2020

Beef finishing using homegrown crops

18 June 2020 Dr Cate Williams: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Homegrown crops present a financial and environmental advantage over bought-in concentrates and silage. There are many different options depending on farm location, land and soil type, type of enterprise and nutritional...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Arable, Beef

Theme: Land, Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare, Grassland Management

17 June 2020

Breeding ewe lambs

17 June 2020 Dr David Cutress: IBERS, Aberystwyth University. Ewe lamb breeding is a strategy that has long been discussed for its potential in improving the efficiency and profitability of the sheep farming sector Currently, ewe lamb breeding is under-utilised...

Type: Technical Articles Key Sector: Sheep

Theme: Livestock Key Specialism: Animal Health and Welfare