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There is no muck and magic behind Carbon Farmer of the Year 2025. Stuart Rogers, Partner at Longmoor Farm Ltd, runs a high-yielding Holstein herd in North Dorset on a Duchy of Cornwall tenancy, and the farm was named Farm Carbon Toolkit's Carbon Farmer of the Year in 2025. Stuart and Rob Purdew, Farm Carbon & Soils Advisor at Farm Carbon Toolkit, joined Andrew and Sarah to explain how a herd averaging around 11,000 litres has brought its footprint down to 0.8 kg CO2e per kg of fat and protein corrected milk, against a UK dairy average of about 1.2. 

Stuart talks through the simple changes behind that figure. The hedges are left taller and cut less often, and now sequester around 155 tonnes of carbon a year, up from 14. There has been no fertiliser on the grazing for seven years, the platform is laid out in one-hectare paddocks, and the maize has been strip-tilled into cover crops for six years. Rob explains what Farm Carbon Toolkit measures across the Duchy estate, how soil organic matter can increase up to 60 metres into a field from a healthy hedge, and why he thinks of the topsoil as a current account and the soil beneath it as a savings account.

Both are clear that none of this needs big changes. Stuart's advice is to find someone who has done it, trial it alongside what you already do, and make a start.

Entries for the competition open around the first week of March, and the 2026 awards will be presented at the Carbon Farmer of the Year Awards Day at FarmED, Chipping Norton, on 15 October 2026:

https://farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk/event/carbon-farmer-of-the-year-awards-day/

This episode was recorded in June 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software. Despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece.

If you could make one change on farm this year to cut both costs and carbon, what would it be?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

A year on from one of ChewintheCud's most talked-about episodes, Ian Garner, Head of R&D at Antler Bio, returns to take epigenetics from theory into practice on real dairy farms.

This time the conversation turns to application. John Walsh, Director at Friars Moor Livestock Health and a dairy farmer running 250 cows through four robots, joins to share how his practice used the ADOPT grant to fund EpiHerd testing across three of its own vets' farms. He walks through what the process actually involves on farm, from blood sampling to waiting on results, and how the trial came about in the first place.

Ian explains how Antler Bio's database has grown since last year, now spanning farms across the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia and Canada, and how that extra scale is sharpening the picture on signatures like vitamin D. Sarah and Andrew press both guests on cost, return on investment, and how quickly farmers can expect results back once samples are taken.

For John's own herd, an early look at the results already has inflammation, immunity and protein metabolism high on the list to act on, with a full results meeting still to come. It is a candid look at what it actually takes to bring epigenetics onto a working dairy farm, warts and all.

This episode was recorded in August 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software. Despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece.

Has your herd's genetics ever felt like it was underperforming its potential?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Most farmers know lameness is a problem. Far fewer know what it's actually costing them, and the 2026 Stride survey suggests that gap is exactly what's holding the industry back.

Andrew and Sarah are joined by Matt Dobbs, Vet & CEO of HerdVision, and Ian Lindsay, Business Development Director at LKL Services Ltd, to unpack the results of the newly released Stride survey on UK dairy mobility. With 173 producers responding on behalf of around 55,000 cows, the data lays out where the industry stands: the average cost of a case of lameness is around £330, yet nearly one in five farmers surveyed believed it was costing them under £100. Matt explains why lameness is a hidden cost in a way mastitis rarely is, and what that means for how seriously it gets taken on farm.

Time comes out as the single biggest barrier stopping farms acting, but it's far from the only one. Ian draws a memorable comparison between a modern high-yielding Holstein and a Formula One car: however good the team around her, none of it matters if the tyres, in this case the feet, aren't right. Training, investment, and a lack of clear on-farm responsibility for mobility all feature heavily too, and Matt makes the case for farms appointing someone with the same ownership over mobility that a herd might give a dedicated youngstock manager.

Stride is taking these findings on the road this autumn, with confirmed roadshow events in Somerset on Wednesday 14th October and Staffordshire on Wednesday 28th October, both run in association with the National Association of Cattle Foot Trimmers (NACFT - nacft.co.uk). Search www.stridemobility.co.uk for full details.

This episode was recorded in July 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software. Despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece.

What's the one thing standing between your farm and a proper mobility action plan? Let us know, and if you enjoyed this episode, please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Andrew fed England's new fifty-five-page bovine TB strategy into AI and got nine bullet points back — with no way of knowing whether any of them were actually right. So he called Sarah Tomlinson, Lead Veterinary Science Expert at AHDB and the TB Advisory Service (TBAS), instead.

Sarah Tomlinson chaired one of the working groups behind the strategy, published in June 2026 with input from over a hundred farmers, vets and scientists — a marked shift from the government-led vision behind the original twenty-five-year eradication strategy in 2013/14. The headline that's grabbed attention is cattle vaccination by 2030, but Sarah Tomlinson was clear it's a smaller part of the strategy than the coverage suggests: field trials are largely complete, and the delay comes down to paperwork, trade rules and getting the DIVA test validated for distinguishing vaccinated from infected animals. Badger culling is ending in favour of vaccination, building on pilots like the one in East Sussex, delivered by local farmers and vets.

The change most likely to affect farmers directly is around ancillary testing. Under current rules, a positive animal must be culled within ten working days, triggering movement restrictions and sixty-day testing — which is exactly why farmers haven't wanted more sensitive tests run on their own herds. The strategy proposes letting officially TB-free farmers use these tests without triggering any of that, mirroring how the industry already manages Johne's disease. Herd risk scores will also be shared directly with farmers for the first time, and a new industry-government delivery board will decide priorities and timelines.

Sarah Tomlinson named local ownership as the real theme running through the strategy — government can't deliver this alone, and farmers and vets are already good at managing infectious disease without being told how. She also shared a message from a farmer she'd supported through TBAS that made the human cost of TB breakdowns impossible to ignore alongside the policy detail. The strategy also references Enferplex, the bulk milk test at the centre of a major new GB-wide study — hear the full findings in this week's other episode, Revolutionising TB Testing: Is Bulk Milk the Key?

Additional Help and Resources

For more information on Bovine TB, please see the below links to associated websites:

•      TBAS: https://www.tbas.org.uk/

•      TB Hub: https://tbhub.co.uk/

•      TB Free England: https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/

•      ibTB: https://www.ibtb.co.uk/

•      Defra TB website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb

•      Animal & Plant Health Agency, Recent TB Instruction Updates: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/TB/index.htm

•      Official Veterinarian (OV) Conference: https://officialvet.com

Help & Support

If you, or any of the farm team, are concerned about how dealing with bTB is impacting your mental health, help is available via several organisations including R.A.B.I, Yellow Wellies, FCN and YANA. You are not alone. For help, support, additional information or for someone to just have a chat with please visit the links below:

•      Online mental wellbeing service – RABI: www.rabi.org.uk/how-we-help/mental-wellbeing

•      www.farmwell.org.uk

•      Mind Your Head – YellowWellies.org: www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head

•      YANA: You Are Not Alone – Rural Mental Health Support: www.yanahelp.org

•      www.fcn.org.uk

•      www.thefarminglifecentre.org.uk

This episode was recorded in July 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software. Despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece.

Have you had a chance to read the strategy refresh yet, or are you waiting to hear what it means in practice first?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This conversation was recorded back in December 2025 and sat on for the best part of a year, with Andrew and Sarah Bolt asked to hold it until the findings could be formally released. The wait was worth it: a GB-wide study of five thousand dairy herds found a quarter tested positive for bovine TB at least once during 2023, including a fifth of herds that were officially TB-free at the time and trading with no restrictions in place.

The findings come from Rachel Hayton, Research Lead at Synergy Farm Health in the South West of England, recorded alongside Sarah Tomlinson, Lead Veterinary Science Expert at AHDB and the TB Advisory Service (TBAS). Rachel's team used the Enferplex test, a serological blood and milk test made by Enfer Group, applied for the first time at bulk milk level across whole herds, testing around five thousand herds across England, Wales and Scotland three times through 2023, in partnership with Sure Farm Ltd, National Milk Records (NMR), the UK Agri-Tech Centre and SRUC, with funding from Innovate UK.

The detail that stood out to Rachel was the overlap: 20% of herds with no restriction history in 2023, believing themselves clear, tested Enferplex positive. Sarah Tomlinson said this confirms what vets have long suspected: that officially TB-free status after two clear skin tests doesn't mean infection-free, and that this is exactly how the disease moves into new herds through trade. Both guests want to see infected animals managed out on a realistic timescale rather than removed immediately, mirroring how Johne's disease is already handled.

Since this conversation was recorded, England's bovine TB strategy refresh has been published, setting out exactly this shift. Hear what it actually changes in this week's other episode, TB Strategy Refresh: What Really Changes for You?

Additional Help and Resources

For more information on Bovine TB, please see the below links to associated websites:

•      TBAS: https://www.tbas.org.uk/

•      TB Hub: https://tbhub.co.uk/

•      TB Free England: https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/

•      ibTB: https://www.ibtb.co.uk/

•      Defra TB website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb

•      Animal & Plant Health Agency, Recent TB Instruction Updates: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/TB/index.htm

•      Official Veterinarian (OV) Conference: https://officialvet.com

Help & Support

If you, or any of the farm team, are concerned about how dealing with bTB is impacting your mental health, help is available via several organisations including R.A.B.I, Yellow Wellies, FCN and YANA. You are not alone. For help, support, additional information or for someone to just have a chat with please visit the links below:

•      Online mental wellbeing service – RABI: www.rabi.org.uk/how-we-help/mental-wellbeing

•      www.farmwell.org.uk

•      Mind Your Head – YellowWellies.org: www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head

•      YANA: You Are Not Alone – Rural Mental Health Support: www.yanahelp.org

•      www.fcn.org.uk

•      www.thefarminglifecentre.org.uk

This episode was recorded in December 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software. Despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece.

If a bulk milk test could tell you your herd's TB status without the stress of a skin test, would you want to know?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Calf nutrition has come a long way since we last covered this topic — and in this episode, we catch up with two of Trouw Nutrition's own experts to find out just how far. Georgina Thomas, Young Animal Feed Technical Sales Manager, and Dr Juliette Wilms, a ruminant researcher who did her PhD on fat inclusion in calf milk replacer, join us to talk through the shift from growth-focused feeding to what they call resilience-focused nutrition. We get into why eight litres a day is now considered moderate rather than generous, what a calf would actually drink if left on its dam, and why feeding more only works if you're feeding the right thing.

The heart of the conversation is fat — specifically the short and medium-chain fatty acids that occur naturally in whole milk but have historically been almost impossible to replicate in a calf milk replacer. Juliette explains the science behind restoring these, and why the payoff shows up most clearly in gut and respiratory health, not just growth rates. We also get into the real cost of scours and pneumonia in the calf shed, what Trouw's own research trial found when comparing four litres against eight, and why getting the fat-to-lactose balance right matters just as much as how much you're feeding.

We round things out with a plain-English explanation of osmolality, why whole milk and calf milk replacer each have their place depending on your situation, and where Trouw's research is heading next — including some early findings on dairy beef calves that could reshape how a growing share of the industry rears its animals. As always, it comes back to the basics: get your colostrum, hygiene, and stockmanship right first, then use nutrition to build calves that can cope with whatever a real working farm throws at them.

This episode was recorded in July 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software — despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece. 

What's your own take on feeding more milk versus feeding it right? Share your experience with us, and if you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave a review.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Published abattoir research found over 40% of cull cows had toxic levels of copper in their livers. Pull back to elevated concentrations and Annie Williams, independent mineral nutrition consultant at Mineral Advice Ltd, suggests more than half of UK dairy cows may be above the threshold — potentially suppressing performance in ways that are almost impossible to distinguish from deficiency. In this conversation, we examine why copper excess is a far more widespread problem than most farmers and advisers currently recognise, and what can realistically be done about it.

The conversation covers the limits of blood testing, why liver biopsy is the only reliable measure of copper status, and how to conduct a proper mineral audit that accounts for every copper input across an animal's lifetime — including concentrates, forages, water, injectables, drenches, and boluses. Annie explains the role of antagonists, why grass-based systems carry higher risk than housed TMR, what palm kernel extract means for formulation, and how copper accumulated in the calf shed follows a heifer right into the milking herd.

The area where knowledge is thinnest — and where Annie expects the most significant development — is the pre-ruminant calf. Adult cattle absorb less than 10% of dietary copper; a pre-ruminant calf bypasses the rumen entirely and absorbs somewhere between 60 and 80%. Current guidance recommends 5 mg/kg dry matter in calf milk replacer, five times what whole milk naturally contains, and nobody is entirely sure where that figure originated. Research underway at Harper Adams, led by PhD student Amy Marsh, is trying to establish what the correct formulation targets should be. If you rear your own calves in the UK or Ireland and are willing to supply survey data and have products sampled, the project would welcome your involvement — find out more at www.mineral-advice.com.

This episode was recorded in June 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.  Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software — despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece. 

Are you confident your current mineral programme accounts for the full lifetime copper picture — from calf milk replacer through to the milking herd? Share this episode with someone who might find it useful, and if you enjoy ChewintheCud Podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you listen.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

The transition period is the twenty-one days either side of calving. Get it right and the rest of the lactation follows. Get it wrong and you could spend the next ten months firefighting. To kick off Year Five, we're joined by Vicky Ham, Ruminant Technical Services Manager, Europe for Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, to talk about DCAB — what it actually is, why it still strikes fear into people who should know better, and why the research keeps pointing in the same direction. The work goes back to Dr Elliot Block in the mid-1980s and is reinforced by meta-analyses from J.E.P. Santos: cows fed a negative DCAB diet calve with better calcium status, suffer fewer transition diseases, and eat more dry matter post-calving. The evidence is there. The question is why more people aren't using it.

We cover the basics of acidification and how urine pH testing tells you whether cows are actually where they need to be — and why there is no such thing as a partial DCAB diet. You are either acidified or you are not. On the practical side we talk forage mineral analysis, straw potassium surprises in drought years, protein source selection, palatability, mixing, and why consistency is everything. We also cover what happens post-calving, stocking density, feed space, and why cows need to come off the negative DCAB ration the moment they calve.

We also get into newer thinking on inflammation — the emerging evidence that hypocalcaemia may be less about calcium deficiency and more about an activated immune system demanding calcium and glucose at the expense of everything else. Studies suggest close to sixty per cent of cows at calving show inflammation with no clinical signs whatsoever. Managing that inflammatory load is not a separate conversation from transition nutrition. It is the same conversation. 

This episode was recorded in June 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.  Please note this transcript was generated using AI transcription software — despite best efforts to ensure accuracy, there may be some errors in the final piece. 

Are you running a DCAB diet, and if not, what's holding you back? We'd love to hear from you. Please share, subscribe, and leave us a review — it helps more dairy farmers find us.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Herbal leys can feel like a contradiction: you pay for a carefully chosen seed mix and then it refuses to look the same from month to month. That’s exactly why we wanted a proper, practical conversation about multi-species swards, not the brochure version. Recorded live with a panel of specialists, we dig into what actually happens in the field and how to manage herbal leys for UK dairy systems when the weather turns extreme and the rotation plan stops behaving.

We start with trial insights from Dr Jo Matthews on how different species contribute across the season, why plantain and chicory peak at different times, and what resilience really means when drought hits. We also get into the detail that gets missed: tannins from birdsfoot trefoil, mineral profiles in individual species, and why “more species” only helps if something can persist under your grazing or cutting pressure. If you care about soil health, drought resilience, livestock health and cutting purchased fertiliser, this is the kind of data-led context that helps you choose with confidence.

Then Becci Shrimpton brings the agronomy reality check: soil testing before seed choice, pH and P and K targets, seedbed and drilling depth for tiny seeds, and why weed control is mostly a pre-sowing job because broadleaf sprays can wipe out the mix. Ben Richards rounds it out with a farmer’s view from Cornwall, running a 100% forage, organic, once a day milking herd on herbal leys, explaining grazing covers, residuals, rotation length and why he avoids hammering the sward.

 This podcast was recorded in front of an audience, and once our guests had made their initial presentations, they then took questions directly from those in attendance, asking real questions relevant to farms today!  

This was recorded in February 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.  

If this sparks ideas, share the episode with a farming mate, subscribe, and leave us a review so more people can find ChewintheCud. What’s the one species you would add to your next herbal ley mix?

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

If your robot relies on cake to keep cows moving, ask yourself a blunt question: what happens the day the pellet system breaks? That single point of failure is one of the reasons we wanted this conversation, because Kelli Hutchings and Matt Strickland have gone the other way and proven a “cake-free robot” approach can work on a commercial dairy.

Kelli is a feed and herd management adviser who found herself deep in the world of DeLaval VMS after helping launch large robotic sites across North America. Matt is a fourth-generation dairy farmer in Merced, California, running eight robots milking around 500 cows in a guided flow barn, alongside a larger conventional herd. Together, they explain why feeding concentrate in the robot can be a costly habit, how cows learn expectations fast, and why cow behaviour and facility design matter as much as any dashboard.

We get practical about the change process: starting new heifers with no pellets, weaning conditioned cows slowly, and building a shortlist of KPIs that protect you from rumours and knee-jerk decisions. We talk visits, fetch lists, box time, incompletes, milk components, butterfat, and the commercial headline of income over feed costs. You will also hear the limitations, including why guided or modified guided flow is currently the best fit and why forage quality and TMR palatability are non-negotiable.

If you manage robotic milking, advise UK dairy farms, or are planning a robot investment, this is a rare chance to rethink concentrate strategy with real numbers and honest caveats. 

This was recorded in December 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.  

Subscribe for more practical dairy conversations, share this with someone considering robots, and leave us a review so more farmers can find the show. 

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

AI is creeping into dairy whether we call it that or not, and most of the noise you hear is either hype or horror stories. So, we brought the conversation into the room with our first live event at the UK Agri-Tech Centre and asked a more useful question: what can artificial intelligence and machine learning genuinely do for a working dairy farm today, and where do the risks begin?

We’re joined by Chris Knight from Agribot, Ian Garner from Antler Bio, and Mike Jones from the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Chris pulls the curtain back on the history of AI, why the core ideas are older than most people think, and why large language models feel revolutionary mainly because we can talk to them. Ian shares how AI can speed up development and knowledge work without becoming a source of truth, including building science-grounded recommendations with expert validation to avoid confident nonsense and hallucinated references.

Mike brings it back to the coalface with tools being tested on real farms: earlier lameness detection, consistent body condition scoring, sensors that flag cows needing attention, methane monitoring, and even birdsong analysis for biodiversity benchmarking. Along the way we tackle accuracy versus consistency, predictive tools, data integration across too many apps, trust and privacy, and the awkward question of who really owns farm data.

This podcast was recorded in front of an audience, and once our guests had made their initial presentations, they then took questions directly from those in attendance, asking real questions relevant to farms today! 

This was recorded in February 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording. 

Subscribe for more practical UK dairy conversations, share this with a mate who’s sceptical about AI, and leave us a review if you want more live panels like this.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Sunburn feels like an inconvenience until you connect it to the cancer statistics. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, joins us to explain why a “just a mole” mindset is risky, and why early action can be life-saving. We talk plainly about what melanoma is, how UV damage builds up over time, and why noticing a new or changing mole, or something that simply looks odd is the moment to contact your GP.

We also bring it back to farm life. Outdoor work in agriculture and horticulture means higher exposure, and Susanna shares survey findings showing sunburn is far more common in the sector than in the general public. We dig into the culture piece too, especially why men often skip sunscreen, and how employers can treat sun protection as a health and safety control by providing sunscreen and making reapplication normal on busy days.

You’ll come away with practical guidance you can use straight away: the expanded Slip Slop Slap message (plus shade and sunglasses), how to use the UV index (protect when it is 3 or above), what “broad spectrum” really means, and what to look for on the bottle (SPF 30+ and a high UVA star rating). We also tackle vitamin D without turning sun exposure into a false excuse, and we finish with a clear reminder that nearly nine in ten melanomas are preventable.

Download and share Melanoma Focus' agricultural and horticulture assets:

Agricultural communications Toolkit

This was recorded in January 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

Subscribe for more UK dairy and farming conversations, share this with someone who works outdoors, and leave us a review so more people hear the message.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Silage isn’t just a crop, it’s a high value asset, and the clamp you store it in can quietly decide how much of it you actually get to feed. We sit down with Jeremy Perkins from SiloStop Agri to talk through what good silage pit design looks like in 2026, from the first site visit to the details that protect forage quality for months. If you’re expanding, switching systems, or simply running out of space, this conversation helps you think clearly about layout, access for modern machinery, and how to future proof capacity without creating an unmanageable feed face.

We get practical about the rules as well. We break down SAFO regulations in England and what inspectors are looking for around silage effluent and leachate containment, then compare that with Welsh COPR requirements, including why tarmac floors can be preferred and how features like inspection chambers support compliance. Along the way we discuss earth-bank options, vertical wall systems, drainage falls, and why planning permission and build timelines matter more than most of us want to admit when second cut is looming.

We also zoom into the small stuff that makes a big difference: oxygen barrier film, sidewall film, safer clamp handrails, and cleaner weighting options that replace the misery of tyres. The takeaway is simple: invest once, do it properly, and treat homegrown forage like the foundation of margin and efficiency it really is. 

This was recorded in March 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

Subscribe, share the episode with a mate who’s rebuilding a clamp, and leave us a review so more UK dairy farmers can find the show.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Clover can feel like a gamble until you understand what it’s really doing in the sward and how small management choices decide the outcome. We’re joined by John Spence, Forage Crops Product Manager at Limagrain, to get clear on the practical differences between red clover and white clover, and how to choose the right option for grazing, silage, or a dual-purpose ley on UK dairy farms.

We talk through the big paybacks farmers actually care about: higher home-grown protein, better digestibility, and nitrogen fixation that can cut fertiliser use when prices spike or supply tightens. John explains why clover often carries summer growth when grasses dip, how deep rooting links to drought tolerance and soil structure, and where clover fits alongside SFI options and multi-species or herbal leys.

Then we get into the detail that makes clover work on farm: white clover leaf sizes and why blends matter, red clover longevity expectations, sowing windows based on soil temperature, seedbed and sowing depth, and the realities of overseeding. We also cover bloat risk sensibly, cutting date decisions for quality versus yield, why clover silage can benefit from an additive, and what to do when NIR forage analysis struggles with clover-heavy or mixed swards.

This was recorded in November 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

If you find this useful, subscribe, share the episode with a fellow grassland nerd, and leave a review so more UK dairy farmers can find it.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Numbers make people uncomfortable for a reason: they tell the truth. We’re joined by the EDF UK team to unpack European Dairy Farmers and the EDF Congress heading to Chester on 23 to 25 June, including what it is, who it’s for, and why cost of production benchmarking can turn a good idea into a confident decision.

We talk through the structure of the three day programme at Chester Racecourse, mixing plenary sessions, targeted workshops and tightly run farm visits in one of the UK’s most concentrated dairy regions. The theme “New Challenges, New Opportunities” gives us room to explore what sustainable dairy farming looks like in practice, from the technological revolution of robots, sensors, machine vision and artificial intelligence, to sustainability from the ground up through soil management, forage quality and smarter nutrient use.

You’ll also hear why EDF’s approach stands out: farm visits anchored by real performance figures, workshops that let farmers compare key KPIs like labour efficiency, and the kind of networking that sends you home with at least one “nugget” worth implementing. If you’ve never come across EDF before, this is your route into a Europe wide conversation about efficiency, resilience and adding value in a volatile milk market.

For more information on European Dairy Farmers: European Dairy Farmers – the premier hub for dairy producers across Europe

For more information on the European Dairy Farmers Congress 2026: EDF Congress – European Dairy Farmers 

This was recorded in January 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What if your muck heap could hold onto its nitrogen, keep its carbon, and feed soil life the moment it hits the ground? We sit down with Andrew Sincock of Agriton to demystify Bokashi—an anaerobic, lactic-led fermentation of farmyard manure that turns a “waste problem” into a high-value fertiliser strategy. No turning windrows. No mystical inputs. Just weekly microbes on deep bedding, a sensible handle on carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and a sheet to finish the job.

Andrew takes us from first principles to field results. We compare aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion, and fermentation, and unpack why carbon and nitrogen losses plummet when oxygen is kept out. If you understand silage, you already understand the logic: inoculate, exclude air, and let biology do the heavy lifting. We connect the dots between rumen microbes and soil microbes, showing how pre-digested, fermented FYM accelerates the soil food web, enabling practical moves like applying around eight tonnes per hectare between silage cuts without messy residue at harvest.

This is as practical as it gets. You’ll hear how to apply mixed microbes on bedding once a week, balance materials from straw to woodchip to poultry manure, and decide when to muck out, sheet, and spread. We dig into economics—independent comparisons reported about £15 per treated tonne more NPK against roughly £1 per tonne in treatment cost—and talk through where shortcuts still work and where they don’t. We also address slurry and lime: where microbes help, where acidification looks tempting but risky for soil biology, and why better management beats heavy-handed fixes.

If you’ve written off biological farming as “muck and magic,” this conversation gives you the science and the steps to test it on your own ground. Start small, measure your FYM like you measure your forage, and let the results guide your next move. If it’s simple to explain and easy to fit into chores, you’re more likely to stick with it—and your soils, crops and margins will follow.

Enjoyed this deep dive? Follow, share with a neighbour, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more farmers find practical, no-nonsense ideas that work.

This was recorded in September 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Forget the headline battles over “cow versus climate.” We dig into how livestock, managed within a circular bioeconomy, can actually reduce risk, recover nutrients, and improve the food we eat. With Professor Michael Lee of Harper Adams University, we connect the dots between soil carbon, methane chemistry, and what ends up on your plate, showing why measuring only gross emissions per kilogram misses the true picture of sustainable dairy and beef.

We start by reframing circular farming: crops generate non‑edible biomass and the food industry creates co‑products; ruminants turn those streams into milk and meat while producing organic manures that, with new stripping and separation technologies, return nitrogen and phosphorus to the fields that need them. That reduces dependence on mined phosphate and fossil‑fuel fertiliser and strengthens soil health and biodiversity. We also unpack the geopolitics of nutrients, from export controls to the hidden carbon cost of extraction, and why better manure management is both an agronomy win and a climate hedge.

Then we get precise about methane. Biogenic methane sits in a short‑lived natural cycle; thermogenic methane from fossil sources adds new carbon to the atmosphere. Agriculture must cut emissions, and can, through genetics, feed, and efficiency. But farms are too often judged on gross emissions while their removals through soils, hedgerows, and trees are booked elsewhere. Case studies from Ireland show how net accounting can reveal major improvements and, in some systems, net‑zero performance. The takeaway is clear: measure net, reward verified removals, and avoid a carbon‑only lens that ignores biodiversity, water, and rural livelihoods.

Finally, we get practical about what to eat. We don’t eat by the kilogram; we eat for nutrients. Animal‑source foods provide highly bioavailable protein and hard‑to‑get micronutrients, while plant foods supply the fibre most of us lack. Ultra‑processed “plant” proteins often strip out that fibre. A smarter plate is plant‑rich, fibre‑dense, and includes modest amounts of unprocessed dairy and meat. Using more of the carcass, including offal, cuts waste and boosts nutrient density.

If this conversation changed how you think about livestock, sustainability, and nutrition, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your feedback helps more people find evidence‑based farming stories that matter.

This was recorded in October 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What if the biggest gains in calf health happen after the first feed? We explore the overlooked power of transition milk — the nutrient- and antibody-rich milkings from days two to four — and how feeding it for 10 days can tilt the odds toward healthier, faster-growing calves. With veterinary surgeon Dr Ryan Davies, we follow a spring block-calving herd in West Wales from a farmer’s observation to a structured study, complete with daily passive immunity testing and twice-daily Brix checks on pooled, pasteurised fresh cow milk.

We start with the fundamentals: dialling in colostrum quality, quantity, timing, cleanliness, and stress to hit excellent passive transfer. Then we move beyond day one. Ryan breaks down how calving density drives pool quality, why Brix can fluctuate from bulk-tank levels to true transition milk, and the practical choice every farm faces — maintain quality for the youngest calves or dilute to stretch days. The data make the case: calves receiving higher-quality transition milk grew faster to weaning, and those with low serum IgG at 24–48 hours saw a reduced mortality risk when the quality was strong. It’s a clear demonstration of local gut protection from antibodies and the extra lift from proteins, fats, growth factors, lactoferrin, and prebiotics.

We also address the risks and realities: pooling can spread pathogens, pasteurisation has limits for Johne’s and TB, and over-heating destroys the very bioactives we need. The solution is disciplined herd health plans, careful cow selection for the pool, and routine measurement. Expect straight talk on Brix targets, when to prioritise younger calves, and why prevention beats treatment when disease pressure climbs later in the block. The early signals are promising for beef finishing times and future heifer performance, with full productivity and longevity data to come.

If you’re aiming to reduce antibiotics, protect staff morale, and improve sustainability without adding complexity, this is a practical blueprint: test, pool, pasteurise, protect quality, and feed transition milk for 10 days. Subscribe, share with a fellow calf rearer, and leave a review to help more producers find these insights.

This was recorded in January 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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Fresh grass, quiet robots, and cows that choose their own breakfast. That’s the unexpected picture that emerges when grazing meets automation on modern UK dairy farms. We sit down with Matthew Senior, Farmer & Robot Grazing Consultant and George Dalton, Farmer, who prove robotic milking doesn’t end pasture; it strengthens it, from ABC grazing schedules to leaner labour and sharper decisions.

We unpack why a shift from spring to autumn block calving can fit dry summers, wet winters, and evolving milk contracts. The conversation follows the practical steps: planning lanes and gates, sizing paddocks, sticking to entry covers around 2,800–3,000 and residuals at 1,500–1,600, and letting the grazeway gate cue movement every eight hours. The cows’ driver isn’t sweets in the stall; it’s fresh pasture on the other side of the robot. Average visits hover around two per day, robots stay free for heifers and fresh cows, and the yard stops feeling like a twice-daily stampede.

We also dive into self-feed silage for autumn herds: building a wide pad, layering grass cuts, topping with maize and rape meal, and training cows to eat over a wire without waste. It’s not no work, it’s different work—periodic unsheeting, tidy faces, good wire geometry—and it cuts reliance on mixers and daily diesel. On the data front, collars and robot software deliver fast, focused insight: daily milk records, rumination, activity, and health and heat lists that you act on with judgement, not panic. Many alerts self-resolve; late-lactation cows don’t need three milkings; breeding gets simpler when the gate auto-segregates cows for AI.

The real win is balance. Yields rise with targeted cake, antibiotics fall, and days become more flexible. Visitors see cows roaming by choice, a powerful story for animal welfare and transparency. If you’ve ever wondered whether robots and grazing can coexist, this is a clear, practical roadmap that shows how to get more milk from grass, protect soil and lanes, and reclaim your time.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, share with a dairy friend, and leave a quick review so others can find the show.

This was recorded in January 2026, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

New year, fresh start, better teams. We sit down with Becky Miles from Real Success to map out how UK dairy farms can turn a good hire into a long-term teammate. Not with grand gestures, but with the basics done well: a thoughtful first day, honest safety culture, and the kind of everyday communication that prevents small problems becoming big ones.

We unpack a practical onboarding blueprint you can copy tomorrow—10 a.m. start, warm welcome, terms and conditions on the table, health and safety brief, PPE issued, WhatsApp groups explained, and a mentor assigned. Becky introduces the accountability ladder to shift behaviour from blame and excuses to ownership and solutions, and explains why leaders must provide time, tools, skills, and knowledge before they demand results. We dig into vision, mission, and values, turning them from corporate wallpaper into simple, lived behaviours around animal handling, safety, and respect.

From there, we get specific: weekly breakfast huddles with KPIs, sharing milk tickets and cell count trends, giving credit when it’s due, and handling conflict with cool heads and open questions. We challenge the myth that pay is the main lever, showing how flexible rotas, visible leadership, and small rituals—like a team breakfast after milk recording—carry more weight. Training stays central, with smart ways to protect investment, because the real risk is an untrained person who stays. We also tackle facilities and first impressions; a bright, tidy parlour and fit-for-purpose kit speak louder than any slogan.

If you’re aiming to reduce churn, lift morale, and get more done with less drama, this conversation offers concrete steps and language you can use with your team today. Subscribe, share with a fellow farmer, and leave a review with one retention tactic you’re going to try this month.

This was recorded in November 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What really makes a cow go lame, and why did it take so long to change our minds? We sit down with Professor Jon Huxley—raised on a Welsh dairy, now leading Massey University’s vet school in New Zealand—for a candid tour through research that reshaped mastitis control, lameness prevention, and fresh cow care.

Jon shares the story behind teat sealants becoming a cornerstone of selective dry cow therapy, showing how solid trials helped cut antibiotic use without compromising udder health. We then tackle the big pivot in lameness thinking: moving beyond the old acidosis-laminitis narrative to the digital cushion, body condition, and the brutal role concrete plays in claw horn lesions. The result is a practical blueprint—protect condition around calving, improve surfaces and cow flow, and trim with function in mind.

Treatment gets equal airtime. Randomised trials demonstrate why NSAIDs matter for lame cows, reducing inflammation and pain to speed recovery. Extend that approach to fresh heifers and the benefits often reach into second lactation. From there, we zoom out: are mastitis, metritis, ketosis, and lameness different faces of the same early lactation inflammatory stress? If the transition cow is the most fragile athlete on the farm, then feed space, comfort, calm routines, and energy balance are one system, not a checklist.

We also compare UK housed systems with New Zealand’s pasture-first dairying: longer walks on laneways, fewer hours on concrete, and lower lameness, but rising buffer feeding, new shelters, and tough conversations on nutrient leaching. Along the way, John explains how Massey’s hands-on facilities and the Kiwi “give it a go” mindset produce work-ready vets who can turn evidence into action.

Listen for clear, usable insights on mastitis prevention, lameness treatment, digital cushion management, underfoot design, and the transition period. If you want fewer sore feet, fewer sick fresh cows, and more sustainable milk, this conversation pulls the science onto the yard. Enjoy the ride—and if it helps, share it with a friend, subscribe, and leave a quick review to support the show.

This was recorded in December 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Planning grazing by guesswork is costly; planning it with field‑level satellite insight is a game‑changer. We sit down with Chris Knight of Agribot to unpack how AI, radar, and atmosphere forecasting can measure pasture growth, cut labour, and help UK dairy farms make better, faster decisions.

Chris shares his journey from space and defence systems into agriculture, and why the most powerful shift is modelling each field on its own behaviour. Instead of relying on generic equations and perfect weather data, Agribot blends discrete atmospheric states with optical and radar satellites to read how your sward actually grows over time. Cloud cover isn’t a show‑stopper, because radar sees structure through the gloom. The result is consistent, frequent insight: near‑term dry matter estimates and multi‑week scenarios that flag above‑ or below‑average growth so you can adjust rotations, fertiliser plans, and buffer feeding before the pinch hits.

We also get honest about “accuracy.” Plate meters are useful, but they’re not a gold standard. The win here is consistency and context: a system you can calibrate to your farm that shows change early and keeps watching every field. That opens a bigger conversation about metrics. Should we keep chasing kilos of DM per hectare, or shift towards usable grazing days, megajoules per hectare, or even expected milk from pasture? Different systems need different lenses, and the same data can support them all. What matters is turning complex signals into decisions that raise milk from forage, protect margins, and reduce stress.

There’s a wider story too. With labour tight and weeks long, measurement is the job that slips. Tools that save half a day a week without sacrificing control can lift farmer welfare as much as farm performance. Chris’s team has kept the work mission‑led with support from Innovate UK and Horizon Europe, proving models before monetising and partnering with early adopters to refine accuracy. If you’ve wondered whether satellites can truly help you manage grass in a cloudy country, this conversation gives you the how, the why, and the next steps.

Enjoyed this? Follow and subscribe, share it with a mate who still plate‑meters every paddock, and leave a quick review so more dairy folks can find the show.

This was recorded in October 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

A farm doesn’t pause for grief, and that’s exactly why a clear succession plan matters. We sit down with Old Mill partners Willem Puddy and Philip Kirkpatrick to unpack the human, legal, and financial knots around passing on a family farm—without tearing the business or the family apart. From the first awkward conversation to the final signatures, we walk through what actually works on real farms.

We start with the essentials: who owns what, what sits in the estate, and where the single points of failure hide. Wills, partnership agreements, and up‑to‑date records keep a shock from becoming a crisis. Then we tackle the emotional heart of succession: fairness versus equality, sweat equity, and what to do when one sibling has invested decades on the ground while others haven’t. You’ll hear practical ways to support non‑farming heirs—life insurance, staged gifting, and clear expectations—without forcing sales or starving the business of cash.

Income is the thread that runs through everything. Land values soared while farm returns lagged, creating retirees who hold assets for security and successors who can’t step in. We explore pensions to fund retirement outside the farm, term life cover to protect against the worst‑case, and sensible timelines to hand over control in stages. When divorce risk or control worries loom, trusts can help, but we’re candid about costs, complexity, and bank lending. The rule: let the family plan lead and use tax planning to support it, not drive it.

If inheritance tax changes keep you up at night, we share what to fix first: map ownership, review wills that waste allowances, quantify exposure, and document the business so someone else can find the stopcock, the passwords, and the supplier list. Build your farm’s “board table”—accountant, solicitor, financial planner, land agent—so advice aligns and decisions stick. Take bite‑size actions now and review yearly; strategy and succession should evolve together. If this helped you think differently about keeping your farm in family hands, follow the show, share this with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a quick review to help more UK dairy farmers find us.

This was recorded in November 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Ever wish you could read a shed like a story? We walk through CowSignals® with vet consultant Owen Atkinson and coach-trainer Jo Speed, showing how behaviour becomes your best advisory tool. From the CowSignals® Diamond (feed, water, light, air, rest, and space) to the way cows actually see the world, we translate subtle cues into practical changes that raise performance and lower stress.

We dig into stress-free stockmanship and the Hemsworth cycle, where human tension fuels animal tension and back again. The fix is not force; it is design and timing. More even light across the shed, clean water with space to drink, feed pushed right to the end of the barrier, and fewer dead-ends all reduce “waiting cows.” That frees up time for eating and lying, which protects rumen health, feet, and milk.

We also unpack why cows prefer to see you with their left eye, how shadows and abrupt steps stall flow, and why quiet movement beats speed. Temple Grandin’s curved handling ideas show up here too, giving teams simple ways to keep cattle calm and safe.

Data now backs the craft. Time-lapse studies and emerging AI tools capture lying bouts, feed visits, and crowding so you can prove that a tweak actually worked. The pattern is consistent: fewer queues, more comfort, better time budgets, fewer lame days. That’s good for welfare, good for people, and good for the bottom line. Most importantly, stockmanship can be taught. The initial CowSignals® course gives everyone—from feeder to vet—a shared language to spot problems early and fix them fast, with advanced modules on handling, transition, fertility, youngstock, and hoof health ready when you are.

Subscribe for more practical dairy insights, share this with a colleague who moves cows every day, and drop us a rating if this helped you see your shed through a cow’s eyes.

This was recorded in October 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

A down cow should never mean panic. We sit down with Dorset tenant farmer James Yeatman and Synergy Farm Health’s research lead, vet Rachel Hayton, to unpack a farmer-built “cow ambulance” that turns a stressful emergency into a calm, repeatable procedure. Born from love for cows and sharpened by hard lessons—and yes, a tough Panorama broadcast—this system pairs a purpose-built, rounded-edge, rubber-lined bucket with a simple reel and straps, then anchors it all with a nine-step training method any well-briefed team can follow.

We trace the journey from improvised bucket-rolls and hip lifter misuse to a standard that reduces bruising, cuts secondary injuries, and lowers antibiotic use. James explains the practical design choices: a visible green cross, dedicated storage so nothing goes missing, and a steering-wheel reel for safer operation. Rachel brings the clinical lens and the data: with Innovate UK support, 15 farms logged outcomes from more than a hundred recoveries, revealing fewer people needed, less disruption, and better cow comfort when recovery was realistic. The big picture is compelling—improved welfare, stronger staff safety, and a more professional public image when phones and auditors are watching.

We also talk about culture change. Filming real loadings and critiquing them wasn’t easy, but it accelerated learning across farms. The online training (lifetime access with the kit) helps new staff build confidence fast, and the team is developing guidance on acceptable hip lifter use, nursing, and prevention—because getting off concrete early and onto sure footing can be the difference between standing and giving up. At around £4,995 delivered in mainland UK, the system can pay for itself by saving just a few cows and avoiding injuries, while giving your team a safer, calmer way to work.

Ready to professionalise down cow care on your unit, reduce risk, and protect trust in British dairy? Follow, share, and leave a review so more farm teams can find this conversation—and tell us: what’s the one change that most improved cow recovery on your farm?

This was recorded in September 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

A hard truth: UK farming employs a tiny slice of the workforce yet carries a heavy share of workplace deaths. We don’t say that to point fingers—we say it to spark action. This conversation gets practical about first aid on farms: what the law expects, what good looks like for a working farm, and how to build skills that actually stick when seconds matter.

Emma Hann joins us with a rare blend of A&E, 111 and minor injuries experience, now delivering first aid training shaped for agriculture. We unpack the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 in plain English, then turn that into a simple plan: a needs assessment that considers lone working, visitors, children and ageing teams; well‑placed kits and a clean, private space; clear accident recording; and the right mix of training—from the three‑day First Aid at Work to one‑day essentials and paediatric options. We compare construction’s safety culture with common farm habits and show how tiny changes—quad PPE, short inductions for contractors, a map to the nearest defib—pay back quickly.

You’ll hear the small decisions that change outcomes: cooling a burn for 20 minutes instead of “powering through,” cutting clothing to place defib pads without hesitation, and knowing that adult rescue breaths help while paediatric breaths are vital. We break down CPR basics, defibrillator access quirks, and the social barriers that mean women receive less CPR in public, along with ways to overcome them on farm. The goal is confidence, not perfection: call 999 fast, start compressions, fetch the defib, write it up, rest, and return stronger.

If this episode helped you, share it with your team, map your nearest defibrillator tonight, and subscribe for more practical, no‑nonsense conversations for the UK dairy community. Your next small change might save a life.

This was recorded in September 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Discover how the GB Calf Strategy is transforming British farming by creating purposeful connections between dairy and beef sectors. Join AHDB experts Sarah Tomlinson, Laura Awdry, and Harriet Bunning as they reveal the remarkable progress already made and outline an ambitious five-year vision built on three foundational pillars: Right Calf, Right Start, and Right Route.

The podcast takes you on a journey from the strategy's origins in 2006 following the ban on live calf exports to today's world-leading adoption of sexed semen (88% in Holstein breeds) that's dramatically reduced unwanted dairy bull calves. You'll learn how the UK's unique calving patterns create both challenges and opportunities compared to other dairy-producing nations.

Delve into fascinating discussions about genetic selection that balances calving ease with beef quality, challenging the assumption that small-stature dairy cows can't produce good beef calves. The experts share evidence-based approaches to professionalizing calf rearing while addressing TB-related movement restrictions that have historically complicated the dairy-beef supply chain.

At its heart, this strategy represents a mindset shift—recognizing that dairy farmers are beef farmers too, with approximately 37% of UK prime beef originating from dairy herds. Rather than imposing burdens, the GB Calf Strategy creates frameworks that reward good decisions throughout the supply chain, benefiting animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and farm profitability.

Whether you're a dairy farmer, beef producer, or somewhere in the supply chain, this episode offers practical insights into creating value through better breeding decisions, optimal calf care, and improved data sharing. Take action today by putting sire information on passports and join the movement toward a more integrated, sustainable British farming future.

This was recorded in September 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What if your cows could tell you exactly what they need to thrive? That's the groundbreaking promise of epigenetics, where the frontier of dairy science meets practical farm management. 

In this fascinating deep dive, Ian Garner, Head of R&D at Antler Bio, reveals how gene expression technology is revolutionizing dairy farming by unlocking hidden potential beyond traditional genetics. While genetics provides the blueprint, epigenetics determines whether those genetic instructions are actually followed—and this can be influenced by everything from nutrition to environment.

Through real-world examples, we discover how farms across Europe are seeing remarkable results by giving their cows a voice through RNA sequencing. One Finnish farm doubled milk production after implementing targeted changes, while most see a 7:1 return on investment within months. The beauty lies in the simplicity: sometimes it's as straightforward as adjusting vitamin supplementation or improving water trough placement based on what the cows' gene expression patterns reveal they truly need.

We explore how this technology works practically on farm, from blood sampling to data analysis, and how the recommendations integrate with existing farm management systems. Beyond just boosting production, we discuss the potential for early disease detection, improved fertility, and enhanced animal welfare through preventative intervention based on expression patterns.

For forward-thinking farmers looking to maximize performance and profitability, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into dairy farming's future—where understanding the language of gene expression might be the key to unlocking your herd's full potential. Ready to hear what your cows are trying to tell you?

This was recorded in August 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What happens to your dairy heifers between weaning and calving? This question reveals a critical blind spot on many UK dairy farms. While we meticulously monitor pre-weaning calves and track age at first calving, those crucial months in between often become a forgotten period where potential growth, health, and future productivity can be compromised.

Farm veterinarian Emily Linton takes us through this overlooked phase, revealing eye-opening facts about its impact on your bottom line. The financial stakes are significant - rearing costs range from £1,000-£3,000 per heifer, with each day beyond 24 months adding £2.87. More alarmingly, heifers calving at 30 months are five times more likely to be culled within 50 days, creating a devastating financial loss as they never reach their break-even point in the herd.

We explore practical strategies to optimize this period, from tailoring protein levels in feed (avoiding common overfeeding) to implementing disease monitoring tools like lung scanning that can detect subclinical respiratory issues before they impact growth. Emily shares targeted growth benchmarks, emphasizing that heifers should reach 55-60% of mature bodyweight at breeding and 85% at calving, with first lactation yields at approximately 80% of mature cow production.

The podcast concludes with valuable insights on transitioning heifers into the milking herd, including surprising tips like using vinegar to reduce bullying and scheduling introductions during afternoon milking when established cows are less territorial. Whether you're struggling with inconsistent growth rates, delayed calving, or poor first lactation performance, this episode provides the monitoring tools and management practices to transform your replacement heifer program.

Subscribe to ChewintheCud Podcast for more practical insights that challenge conventional thinking and improve profitability in UK dairy farming. How might your dairy business benefit from giving those "forgotten heifers" the attention they deserve?

This was recorded in July 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Amino acids may be the most underrated nutritional tool for transforming heifer development and health on your dairy farm. In this eye-opening episode, Ken March takes us through his remarkable journey from East London to becoming a dairy nutrition specialist in West Wales, where his thirst for knowledge led him to the cutting edge of amino acid nutrition.

Ken shares results from a ground breaking trial comparing 100 calves on a standard diet against 100 calves receiving an amino acid-balanced diet from birth through first lactation. When salmonella struck both groups, only three calves died in the amino acid group compared to twelve in the control group—a dramatic demonstration of enhanced immunity. The treated calves grew faster (0.8kg/day versus 0.54kg/day), reached breeding weight earlier, and continued producing one litre more milk daily throughout their first lactation, even after both groups were managed identically without amino acid supplementation during lactation.

Perhaps most striking is the farm owner's observation that he couldn't distinguish between first-lactation heifers from the trial group and mature cows when viewed from behind in the parlour—their development was that impressive. This profound finding reinforces Ken's passionate belief that meeting animals' nutritional requirements from birth creates healthier, more productive cows.

The conversation challenges conventional wisdom about protein levels, with Ken sharing examples of herds achieving 39 litres on just 15.5% crude protein diets when properly balanced for amino acids. As Professor Gabriela Varga noted, "Cows do not have a crude protein requirement"—they require specific amino acids in the right proportions.

Whether you're struggling with health challenges in your replacement heifers or looking to optimise your feeding program, this episode offers practical insights into how precise amino acid balancing can transform your herd's performance, health, and ultimately your farm's profitability. Tune in to discover why meeting your animals' nutritional requirements isn't an expense—it's your most valuable investment.

This was recorded in June 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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The transition period is the highest-risk window in a dairy cow's life, with far-reaching consequences for health, productivity, and farm profitability. In this comprehensive episode, we speak with Donald Lawson, head of the ruminant team at Premier Nutrition, who shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience managing transition cow nutrition.

Donald reveals how approximately 80% of health problems in dairy cows originate during the six-week window around calving, and how getting transition management right can save farms an average of 6 pence per litre. Drawing from Premier Nutrition's Transition Management System data covering 200,000 cows, he breaks down the critical factors that determine transition success – from optimal body condition scores to feed space requirements and straw processing techniques.

We explore a wide range of transition approaches, including partial and full DCAD diets, calcium binders, and the highly effective "Goldilocks" diet focusing on optimal forage NDF levels. Donald explains the science behind these strategies while providing practical, farm-level implementation advice that works across different systems.

Perhaps most fascinating is the emerging research showing how transition management affects not just the cow but also her calf, with proper calcium levels at day four post-calving linked to improved calf health outcomes. We also discuss the latest findings on amino acids, choline, and other nutritional interventions that provide returns throughout the entire lactation cycle.

Whether you're struggling with milk fever, ketosis, or simply want to optimize your transition program, this episode offers both technical depth and practical wisdom. Donald's parting advice? "Don't go looking for savings in your dry cow diet. It's the one place you should spend the money."

This was recorded in June 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

What does the UK's third-highest PLI Holstein herd discover when they test every calf born on their farm? Stuart and Helen Rogers of Longmoor Farm reveal how genomic testing transformed not just their breeding decisions, but their entire approach to dairy farming.

When the Rogers family moved their pedigree Holstein herd from Oxfordshire to Dorset in 2011, they wanted to push their genetics forward. What started with tentative use of genomic bulls evolved into a comprehensive strategy where every calf born gets genomically tested at birth. The results challenged their perceptions of which cow families were truly valuable. "The cows that you forget about in a herd are actually your really good earners," Helen explains, "the ones that aren't lame, don't get mastitis, and just do the job without you even worrying about them."

Their seven-year strategy of using sex semen on high-ranking heifers and first lactation animals while directing beef semen to the rest has yielded remarkable results. Their fertility performance outshines most farms with pregnancy rates consistently between 34-38%. Cell counts hover around 70,000, and their antibiotic usage has plummeted to just 5.6mg per PCU—about a quarter of the UK average. Perhaps most impressively, they've eliminated fat supplements from their diet while maintaining 11,500 litres at 4.5% butterfat through pure genetic selection.

For farmers considering genomic testing, the Rogers' advice is straightforward: commit fully rather than dabbling. At approximately £22 per test, the investment quickly pays dividends through improved decision-making. "It's so little money in a lifetime for a cow," Stuart notes, especially when you consider the compounding benefits across health, fertility, and production. Whether you're managing a pedigree or commercial herd, their experience demonstrates how embracing genomics can create a more balanced, resilient and profitable dairy business.

This was recorded in June 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Simon Reeves, Managing Director, Pangea Insurance joins the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with their respective businesses.

Like usual we start with Simon's background to get to where he is today as Managing Director of his own insurance brokering business.

Then we move on to discuss today's topic of how's your insurance cover?

Simon discuss how insurance companies like to win, and the advantages of having a broker on your side.

Often he finds that many people, when he first meets them, are considerably underinsured. Do you realise the risk this exposes you to?

We discuss the advantages of having a good house keeping policy to keep track of all your equipment, what happens when things go wrong and a few stories along the way.

This was recorded in July 2024, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Conner Smith, Product Lead for Diagnostic & Ruminant Specialist, Bimeda and Rachel Hayton, Vet & Research Lead, Synergy Farm Health join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with their respective businesses.

Then we move on to today's topic of Calf Immune Status, and more specifically the development of the ImmunIGY Bovine IgG Test.

We discuss how the idea of the test came about, how the product was developed from the original concept, with some dead ends along the way, to being the product it is today, available for all to use.

We don't just discuss the ImmunIGY product though, we discuss the implications of the results and what this can mean for you on farm.

This was recorded in September 2024, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Robert Morrison, Head of Farms, UK Agri-Tech Centre and Mike Jones, Dairy Technical Manager, UK Agri-Tech Centre join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds, to get them to where they are today with UK Agri-Tech Centre.

It's been a year since we visited the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) with Mike, and so we have a little catch up with how the herd is now doing, but it's also been a year since UK Agri-Tech Centre was formed when three agri-tech centres merged to form one single entity.

A lot has happened in that time with the SWDDC continuing to help develop new technology for the UK dairy industry. It has also received many overseas visitors at its facilities, with its opportunities for innovation having become the envy of the world, with countries looking to duplicate its model, to be able to do the same in their own countries.

This was recorded in April 2025, and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Neil Adams, former Managing Director, Promar International, joins the team.

Like usual we start with Neil's background from a small dairy farm in Shropshire, to (now retired) Managing Director of Promar International.

Then we move on to today's subject of Pursuing Wealth.

We discuss what is wealth? Is it money in the bank? Is it time with your family? Or being happy in what you do?

This was recorded in October 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Jade Toone, Key Account Manager, Buitelaar Group and Jessica Tomley, Buying Manager Livestock, Elite Beef join the team.

Like usual we start with both their backgrounds to get them to where they are today with Buitelaar Group & Elite Beef.

Then we move on to today's subject of Elite Beef.

 Elite Beef is an integrated beef scheme set up in partnership between Buitelaar Group and Myton Food Group to source and supply beef into Morrisons supermarkets. 

Buitelaar Group source and rear the calves, before going to Elite Beef Scheme members, where the animals are grown and finished ready for slaughter and then sale, and consumption, from Morrisons Supermarkets.

We discuss some of the different schemes available, and what different options there are to differentiate, like Shorthorn Beef.

This was recorded in August 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Eric Dorr, Founder, Silage Consulting International joins the team.

Like usual we start with Eric's background, having been in the industry and worked for several companies that are household names within the industry, including Lallemand Animal Nutrition & Chr. Hansen Animal Health. Eric was also the original importer of Silostop into North America before founding his own business Silage Consulting International in 2023.

Then we move on to today's subject of Optimising Silage Production.

We discuss the problems, and therefore solutions, for good silage production worldwide, and talk about the basics of getting it right!

Should you use an additive, what about using an oxygen barrier sheet? It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the world the problems seem to be just the same!

This was recorded in February 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Ollie Simons, Crew Manager, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service joins the team.

Like usual we start with Ollie's background, on the periphery of agriculture before joining Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to be where he is today.

Then we move on to today's subject of fire & rescue!

While we have an expectation of Ollie & his colleagues to deliver a service when we need them, we discuss with Ollie what we can do, to make their life easier & safer when we do need to call them.

From using what3words (w3w), to having an evacuation plan in the event of fire, to calling the vet for when they are needed to rescue livestock from some of the more extreme places livestock get themselves into!

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time Sarah Tomlinson, Technical Director, TB Advisory Service (TBAS), joins the team for an episode of the podcast.

Like usual we start with Sarah's background, graduating as a farm vet to where she is today with TBAS.

Then we discuss the history of TB, and how you used to be rewarded for the voluntarily testing your herd!

We discuss the different skin tests, and why we use the one we do here in the UK, before moving on to discuss the Gamma Test and what this brings for TB detection.

Throughout the podcast we try and dispel some of the rumours and myths about TB while offering some sound practical advise.

Additional Help and Resources

For more information on Bovine TB, please see the below links to associated websites:

• TBAS: https://www.tbas.org.uk/ 
• TB Hub: https://tbhub.co.uk/
• TB Free England: https://www.tbfreeengland.co.uk/
• ibTB: https://www.ibtb.co.uk/
• Defra TB website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb
• Animal & Plant Health Agency, Recent TB Instruction Updates: http://apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/TB/index.htm 
• Official Veterinarian (OV) Conference: https://officialvet.com

Help & Support

If you, or any of the farm team, are concerned about how dealing with bTB is impacting your mental health, help is available via several organisations including R.A.B.I, Yellow Wellies, FCN and YANA

– You are not alone. For help, support, additional information or for someone to just have a chat with please visit the links below:

• Online mental wellbeing service – RABI: www.rabi.org.uk/how-we-help/mental-wellbeing 
• www.farmwell.org.uk 
• Mind Your Head – YellowWellies.org: www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head 
• YANA: You Are Not Alone – Rural Mental Health Support: www.yanahelp.org 
• www.fcn.org.uk 
• www.thefarminglifecentre.org.uk

This was recorded in February 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team are joined by Gabby Emery, Customer Success Manager, HerdVision.

Like usual we start with Gabby's background, from growing up on a farm in Somerset, to where she is today with HerdVision before we move on to today's topic of HerdVision.

Listen as we discuss how HerdVision went from a proof of concept to be developed into the commercial product it is today.

We talk about it's ability to measure body condition score (BCS) and mobility every time an animal walks under the camera, and measures changes in BCS far more accurately than the human eye.

We discuss what measuring these changes can mean on farm, to you, and three outcomes from the all the data already showing what can be affecting the fertility of your herd.

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team are joined by Kathryn Rowland, Senior Farm Services Manager, Kingshay Farming & Conservation Ltd.

Like usual we start with Kathryn's background, from a dairy farm in West Dorset, to where she is today with Kingshay before we move on to today's topic of the Antimicrobial Focus Report.

We take a look at different aspects and discuss the trends of the report, and look at how while the use of antimicrobials on farm is down, the overall health of the herds in the report has not suffered as a consequence.

We take a look at some of the drugs having the biggest impact on the report, regional variations, herd level comparisons and how there is no correlation between antimicrobial usage and calving pattern, milking frequency, housing period or breed.

Along the way we discuss how the results are a "good news" story for the industry and how this needs to be shared with the wider audience.

Download your copy of the report, for free, from the Kingshay website: Dairy Antimicrobial Focus Report 2024 - Shop - Kingshay 

This was recorded in January 2025 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team are joined by Claire Winson, Head of Animal & Environmental Sciences and George Stickly, Farm Manager of Rodway Farm, from Bridgewater & Taunton College - Cannington Campus.

Like usual we start with both Claire & George's backgrounds, before we move on to today's topic of Educational Opportunities in Agriculture.

We discuss the different education options available to students, from Level 1 all the way to Level 6, depending on previous experience & qualifications, how teaching has changed in the last thirty years, to the support students can get when at the college.

We then take a brief tour of the farm and discuss some of the facilities and projects happening, on the farm.

For more details, and to register for their upcoming open day (25th January 2025), please visit Bridgwater & Taunton College

This was recorded in November 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team are joined by Paul Harris, Founder & CEO of Real Success Ltd.

Like usual we start with Paul's background, which was outside the agricultural industry, how he began Real Success and then how he became involved with agriculture to the role he plays within it today.

Then we move on to the main topic of today's episode, People Management.

We discuss the challenges we face today as an industry for recruiting, and then retaining staff, and sometimes how the most basic things can make a difference.

Along the way we discuss little ideas and tips that can help you become an employer of choice.

This was recorded in September 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team, based in the South West of England, are joined by Neil Parish, farmer, former MEP & MP and now podcaster.

Neil started life on the family farm, not far outside Bridgewater, in Somerset and so we initially discuss his life in farming, and how his farm has changed over the years to where it is today.

Then we move on to politics and discuss Neil's time as an MEP in Brussels, before becoming an MP in Westminster. We compare the two parliaments, discuss all the different Prime Ministers we've had during that time and hear a few stories along the way.

Finally we discuss Neil's move, earlier this year, into podcasting  We Can Do Both - Hosted by Neil Parish

Along the way we try not to get to political but talking to a politician we inevitably discuss a few world affairs along the way from Trump to Ukraine and the effect these events have on us all. 

This was recorded in November 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team, based in the South West of England, are joined by Paul Morris, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Oxi-Tech Solutions Limited.

As usual we start with a brief overview of our guest's background to get to where they are today.

Then we move on to the main topic of today's episode, the Oxi-Tech system that uses pulse oxidation to offer a chemical free solution to cleaning your milking equipment.

At the South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) it was attached to the Lely robots on site, but can be fitted to any existing dairy set up and allows the cleaning of the milk plant to be chemical free.

No need to use, or handle, potentially dangerous acid or alkali chemicals to keep your system clean.

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

This time the team, based in the South West of England, are joined by Mickie Blackett, Supply Chain Business Growth Manager & James Taylor, Farm Manager from the Buitelaar Group.

As usual we start with a brief over view of both of our guests' backgrounds to get to where they are today.

Then we move on to today topic of Evidence Based Calf Rearing.

Not only do we take a tour of the farm, but we discuss the continuing development of the farm and it's facilities and how the business is constantly tweaking as they continue to strive for improvement of the system.

Mickie talks about the development of the modular High Health Units, how these have changed over the years and the improvements they see.

James takes us for a tour of the farm where we can see the evidence of these changes as well as discussing the different trials they run on farm, not just for themselves but also with outside partners.

This was recorded in August 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Your hosts Andrew Jones & Sarah Bolt, based in the South West of England, are this time joined by Dr James Wilson, Hoof Health Consultant & PDRA (Post Doctoral Research Associate) at Liverpool University.

As usual we start with a brief over view both of our guest's background from herdsman to where he is today.

Then we move on to today topic of Feet & Mobility.

We first discuss the UK Hoof Health Registry and the benefits of people sharing their data with the AHDB to improve genetic gain with regards to feet & mobility.

Next we talk about the Healthy Feet Programme, and what this actually means for people of farm, what's involved and the benefits it can bring.

Further to this we discuss feet & mobility in general, the benefits regularly mobility scoring brings, should people feed biotin, and for how long, and how often should they be trimming?

This was recorded in October 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Your hosts Andrew Jones & Sarah Bolt, based in the South West of England, are this time joined by Richard Tunnicliffe, Analytical Services Manager and Isabelle England, Technical Account Manager both from Trouw Nutrition.

As usual we start with a brief over view both of our guests backgrounds to get them to where they are today.

Then we move on to today's main topic which is silage sampling. What happens, over the next twenty four hours, once your sample is put in the post to receiving the results the next day.

We then discuss the recent change in method of mineral analysis and the drivers behind this.

This is then followed by a discussion on the results seen so far this season, and what are some of the things you could do to make the most of this year's grass silages.

This was recorded in October 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.

Your hosts Andrew Jones & Neil Greggor, based in the South West of England, are this time joined by Anthony Marsh, Director at Hoofcount Ltd

As usual we start with a brief over view of Anthony's background and how he started Hoofcount.

We then move on to today's main topic which is the development of the PediVue, from Hoofcount. The product was recently Winner of the "Best New Product" competition at the recent UK Dairy Day in September.

This follows on from our podcast in May 2024, where we discuss the project in more detail from concept to reality and everything that has been involved in between before the product was ready for market launch, and discuss what the future holds!

This was recorded in July 2024 and all information was correct at the time of recording.

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For more information about our podcast visit www.chewinthecud.com/podcast or follow us on Instagram @chewinthecudpodcast, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ChewintheCud Ltd . You can also email us at podcast@chewinthecud.com.