Weekly Report and Newsletter - 4th July 2025
Have your say in dairy technology survey Digital tools and sensors, including wearable devices that monitor dairy cows 24/7, are now widely available. But just how many dairy farms use precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies and, crucially, to what extent information from these technologies is being used regularly and reliably to support on-farm decision-making is still relatively unknown. To answer these questions and help better understand what impact these tools and sensors have made on farm; for both cows, and the people who manage them, dairy farmers are being asked to take part in a survey being carried out Joanne Sharpe, as part of her PhD at Harper Adams University. Every voice matters and all dairy staff are encouraged to participate in the survey, whether technologies are being used to assist with managing their herd or not. This will help build a clearer picture of what’s happening across dairy farms today and help to best determine what could benefit producers going forward. The survey results will identify ways to help ensure dairy farmers can get the most out of the technologies they choose, both now and in the future. The work will also generate recommendations for manufacturers, farm advisors and industry groups, to enable them to better support farmers in optimising digital technology for decision-making and good cow management. The survey should take just 5-15 minutes to complete, to access scan the QR code below or visit harper.ac.uk/dairyprecisionphd.
J36 Rural Auction Centre: General Sale of Horses, Ponies & Donkeys, Saturday 28th June 2025. SALE OF HORSES, PONIES AND DONKEYS A good entry of 160 horses of all types, breeds and sizes. The sale topped at 5400gns for a 17hh+, 4 year old Shire x piebald gelding from regular consignor of good stock Mr C Anderson. The same home also sold 3 year old dun and coloured cobs at 3600, 3400, 3000, 2900, 2500 and 2400gns. Other cobs sold to 2800gns for a 7 year old cob mare from Mrs M Kenyon and 2700gns for a 5 year old grey roan gelding from Mr G Kenyon. Mr Stoyles sold Hermits Mavros at 2400gns and Mr Mowbray sold Lisa at 2500 and Kinniside Benny at 2050gns Native bred ponies topped at 3000gns for Kirtle Alice a 3 year old, registered Connemara filly, followed by 2000gns for a beautiful palomino Welsh Section C yearling colt from Mr A Halstead, an 8 year old Shetland from D Jordan sold to 1050gns and Fairytail Tia Rumba a 20 year old registered Shetland sold to a local farm home for 520gns. The next Sale of Horses Ponies and Donkeys will be Saturday 15th November.