Dairy

August 2026 dairy market review

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:53:55 GMT

August 2026 dairy market review

UK dairy sector unites behind shared pathway to a resilient, sustainable future

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:48:17 GMT

UK dairy sector unites behind shared pathway to a resilient, sustainable future

Bluetongue virus update: Scottish policy update

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:00:56 GMT

Cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) are rapidly increasing in both sheep and cattle. During this webinar we'll provide an update on bluetongue case numbers, as well as an overview of movement controls in Scotland from 10 September 2026.

Speakers

Neil Shand, NBA (Chair)
Estevao Simoes, Scottish Government
Jim Jack, Scottish Government
Louise Thompson, Quality Meat Scotland
Alistair Padkin, Nithsdale Farm Vets
Neil Wilson, Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland

There will also be a Q&A session at the end of the webinar, and you can submit questions ahead of this.

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we are running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

If you are unable to attend, please still register and you will be sent a recording following the event.

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for cattle
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for dairy cattle
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Dumfries: What makes a calf thrive?

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:09:11 GMT

Join us for a practical on-farm session exploring how nutrition, housing and performance monitoring can help improve calf health, growth and long-term performance.

We'll get hands-on with the host farm's calf system, looking at how to:

Spot housing and ventilation issues that could be holding calves back
Get nutrition right to support healthy, consistent growth
Use monitoring and technology to identify problems early and assess whether calves are meeting their targets

Hear from Julia Wadeson, independent nutritionist, David Ball from AHDB and MSD Animal Health, and take the opportunity to ask questions, compare approaches with other calf rearers and discuss practical ideas to apply on your farm.

Whether you're rearing dairy replacements, dairy-beef calves or contract rearing, this event will help you assess calf performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:00am. A light lunch will be provided.

Speakers

David Ball

David is AHDB's Technical Manager specialising in livestock buildings and the farm environment. With extensive practical dairy experience, including managing dairy herds, David's work focuses on livestock housing, ventilation and creating environments that support animal health and performance. For this event, David will look at how to assess calf housing and identify practical improvements.

Julia Wadeson

Julia is an independent youngstock consultant and founder of Calf To Cow Consultancy, specialising in practical calf and youngstock nutrition and management. With postgraduate study in ruminant nutrition and production, Julia works directly with farmers to improve calf health, growth and performance through practical, evidence-based approaches. She is also a signatory to the GB Calf Strategy 2025–2030.

MSD Animal Health

MSD Animal Health will focus on how technology can help farmers understand whether calves are genuinely thriving. The session will demonstrate SenseHub Dairy Youngstock, which uses electronic ear tags to monitor youngstock behaviour around the clock, helping farmers identify animals that may require attention and providing another tool for monitoring health and performance.

GB dairy population: The GB milking herd sees lowest level on record

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:00:49 GMT

GB dairy population: The GB milking herd sees lowest level on record

Cumbria: What makes a calf thrive?

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:42:56 GMT

Join us for a practical on-farm session exploring how nutrition, housing and performance monitoring can help improve calf health, growth and long-term performance.

We'll get hands-on with the host farm's calf system, looking at how to:

Spot housing and ventilation issues that could be holding calves back
Get nutrition right to support healthy, consistent growth
Use monitoring and technology to identify problems early and assess whether calves are meeting their targets

Whether you're rearing dairy replacements, dairy-beef calves or contract rearing, this event will help you assess calf performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Arrival and refreshments from 10:00am. A light lunch will be provided.

Speakers

David Ball

Julia Wadeson

MSD Animal Health

Digging deeper: Understanding soils for crop performance and long-term resilience

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:42:58 GMT

Soil is one of the farm's most valuable assets, influencing crop performance, nutrient availability, resilience to weather extremes and long-term profitability.

Join soil specialist David Purdy for an interactive AHDB field event exploring how to:

Assess soil condition
Understand the relationship between soil chemistry and plant nutrition
Identify practical management changes that support healthier soils

Through a combination of field-based demonstrations, discussion and technical insight, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how soil structure, biology, pH and redox conditions influence nutrient cycling, root development and crop performance

Whether you are looking to improve nutrient use efficiency, build resilience into cropping systems or better understand the processes occurring beneath the soil surface, this event will provide practical take-home messages that can be applied on farm.

Key learning outcomes:

Assess soil structure and function in the field
Understand how soil conditions influence nutrient availability and uptake
Explore the role of pH and redox processes in crop nutrition
Identify practical management actions that support soil health and productivity
Improve decision-making around cultivation, nutrition and organic matter management

Please register to book your place.

A light buffet lunch will be provided at The Vine.

Please bring suitable footwear and clothing for a field walk.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be available.

David Hunter
Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager - National Engagement - Cereals & Oilseeds

Dairy retail performance – 8 August 2026

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:50:19 GMT

Dairy retail performance – 8 August 2026

July 2026 dairy market review

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:02:23 GMT

July 2026 dairy market review

Farmer study tour: Explore the Danish approach to profit through prevention

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:20:00 GMT

Farmer study tour: Explore the Danish approach to profit through prevention

What do you want your soil to deliver?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:09:21 GMT

What do you want your soil to deliver?

GB milk deliveries: Milk volumes decline as high heat continues

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:22:48 GMT

GB milk deliveries: Milk volumes decline as high heat continues

What is next for dairy markets?

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:00:44 GMT

What is next for dairy markets?

Webinar: Tackling lameness for healthier, more efficient cows

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:39:36 GMT

Healthy feet are essential for productive, efficient dairy cows and improving foot health plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Join veterinary consultant Sara Pedersen from Farm Dynamics Ltd to discover how a proactive approach to lameness management can benefit both animal welfare and environmental performance.

You’ll hear how Ben Hartley at Mason House Farm made foot health a focus area through the UK Dairy Carbon Network project. He will explain why tackling lameness was a priority for his business and the practical changes made to improve mobility across the herd.

Sara will explain how the Healthy Feet Programme provides a structured approach to identifying areas for improvement and creating a bespoke foot health plan tailored to each individual farm.

Key learning outcomes

Understand the link between improved foot health, cow performance and reducing the carbon footprint of milk production
Discover why Mason House Farm prioritised lameness and the impact of taking action
Learn how the Healthy Feet Programme helps identify key risks and develop a practical farm-specific improvement plan
Explore the changes made at Mason House Farm, including adjustments to foot trimming techniques, routine protocols and mobility scoring
Take away practical ideas to support earlier detection, improve mobility and reduce the impact of lameness in your own herd

Leave with practical insights and proven approaches to help improve foot health, support cow longevity and make positive changes that benefit both your business and the environment.

Bluetongue virus update – 19 August

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 12:49:34 GMT

Find out how bluetongue virus (BTV) is affecting dairy cattle as we share the latest situation in the UK.

Join the live event at 5:00pm

Speakers

Gordon Hickman, Defra
Estevao Simoes and Alastair Douglas, Scottish Government
David Taylor, dairy vet
Christopher Sanders, The Pirbright Institute
Natalie Symonds, the Farming Community Network

Joining instructions

This event forms part of a series of webinars that we're running to share timely and accurate information to help you understand what the latest updates mean for the UK.

You do not need to register or provide any details to watch this webinar, simply join the webinar at 5:00pm on Wednesday 19 August.

If you're unable to attend, look out for the recording on our YouTube channel.

You can also submit questions ahead of the webinar.

Support for farmers

If you’re facing challenges, there are resources and charities ready to help with everything from finances to mental health.

Find business, finance and mental health support

Further information

Bluetongue movements checker tool
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for sheep
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for cattle
Download the BTV vaccination cost calculator for dairy cattle
Find out more about bluetongue virus on our website or visit ruminanthw.org.uk for advice and support
If you have concerns or questions, contact the AHDB bluetongue virus helpline on: 0247 771 0386
Sign up to receive the latest information from AHDB

Dairy retail performance - 11 July 2026

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:33:20 GMT

Dairy retail performance - 11 July 2026

How could proposed extensification measures in the Netherlands affect the UK market?

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:22:42 GMT

How could proposed extensification measures in the Netherlands affect the UK market?

Devon: Bluetongue information evening

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:23:03 GMT

Join Torch Farm Vets for a free information evening on bluetongue virus (BTV).

Why attend?

Get the latest guidance
Ask your questions
Protect your livestock

Guest speaker

Liz Nabb BVMS PhD CertAVP MRCVS (APHA) – Veterinary Investigation Officer, Animal & Plant Health Agency

The Farming Community Network (FCN) are attending and supporting this event.

Webinar: Making the most of homegrown forage and protein

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:31:57 GMT

Discover how making the most of the forage and protein already available on your farm can improve feed efficiency and reduce reliance on purchased feeds.

Feed is one of the biggest costs on a dairy farm, so getting more from the resources you already produce can make a real difference to both profitability and environmental performance.

AHDB and the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) will be joined by livestock consultant James Husband (Map of Ag), who has more than 28 years' experience in cattle health and production.

James will explain how reviewing sward performance, forage quality and homegrown protein sources can help you identify opportunities to improve productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

What you'll learn

How to get more value from your homegrown forage and protein
How to identify opportunities to improve sward performance and forage quality
Practical ways to improve feed efficiency and reduce purchased feed costs
How better use of on-farm feed resources can support lower greenhouse gas emissions
Actions you can take to improve both business resilience and environmental performance

Whether you're looking to improve forage utilisation, reduce input costs or understand how homegrown feeds can reduce emissions, this webinar will provide practical ideas and advice that you can take away and apply on your own farm.

Q2 2026 dairy market review

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:31:29 GMT

Q2 2026 dairy market review