Across the dairy industry, major milk buyers and farm assurance schemes – including big names like Tesco (TSDG) and First Milk – are continuously evolving their guidelines and sharpening their focus on animal welfare. The latest shift taking centre stage? Rubber matting in standing areas of the parlour. Improving comfort during milking is becoming non-negotiable. […]
As temperatures drop and summer heat stress fades, farming priorities shift. Keeping dairy cows and youngstock safe from heavy rain and severe gales becomes a priority. However, getting your winter livestock ventilation right is essential – you still need steady fresh air moving through the shed to prevent respiratory issues and environmental bacteria. Choosing how […]
Running an efficient dairy farm relies heavily on the people working day-in and day-out in the pit. Because milking routines demand long hours of standing, walking, and operating heavy machinery, the physical well-being of your staff directly impacts overall productivity. One of the most cost-effective upgrades a farm manager can make is installing specialised milking […]
When building or refurbishing a riding surface, attention naturally drifts to the elements you can see and feel: the silica sand, rubber chips, synthetic fibres and fencing. Yet some of the most frustrating arena failures happens completely out of sight. If an arena starts holding water develops boggy patches or pushes sharp sub-base stones into […]
Comfortable cows are vital for a successful dairy system. Choosing the right cow mattress can have a significant impact on lying behaviour, herd health, productivity and everyday cubicle management. For this dairy farm, improving cow comfort was the main priority when replacing their existing cubicle beds. After installing the Soft Mountain Mattress within the main […]
Here at Intershape, we are firm believers that the learning never stops. If there is a way to help our customers improve calf health, streamline their setups, and boost overall efficiency, we want to know about it. That’s why last week, Emily and Jo headed out to the National Youngstock Conference. It was a brilliant, […]
What the Welfare Rules Mean for Farmers and Suppliers Choosing the right calf housing is not only a practical decision, it also affects welfare standards and regulatory compliance. For UK farms, calf housing regulations means meeting specific welfare requirements that govern space, social contact, hygiene, and calf development. Compliance affects day-to-day management for farmers and […]
Practical Ways to Keep Calves Comfortable As temperatures rise, calf housing needs to do more than provide shelter. Ventilation, humidity control, airflow, and shade all play a role in keeping calves comfortable, maintaining feed intake and reducing environmental stress. Warm conditions can quickly increase pressure inside poorly ventilated housing. Damp bedding, stale air, and heat […]
Supporting Cow Welfare in Warmer Weather Grooming is a natural behaviour for dairy cows, but housed systems do not always provide opportunities for animals to scratch, clean, and stimulate hard-to-reach areas. Cow brushes help fill that gap by encouraging natural grooming behaviour, helping cows stay cleaner, calmer, and more comfortable while supporting day-to-day herd management. […]
High-traffic hotspots so cows will actually use them Scratch brushes are a simple way to improve cow comfort and welfare, yet many farms install them in locations where cows rarely use them. A brush placed in a quiet corner of the shed may look like a good addition on paper, but if cows do not […]
