What if Nutrition was the Key to your Staffing Challenges?

This article was originally published in the November/December issue of the Cow Management – UK magazine.

Across the UK, dairy farmers are facing unprecedented challenges. Labour shortages, rising feed costs, unpredictable weather, and tightening environmental regulations are stretching teams thin and making herd management more complex than ever.

A recent Arla UK survey, reported by The Guardian, revealed that five in six dairy farmers received “zero or very few” applications for job vacancies. As a result, many farms are operating with fewer experienced workers than ever before. With limited skilled labour, tasks that once ran smoothly now demand more time and attention; from monitoring transition cows and managing metabolic issues like ketosis to maintaining consistent milk production. Each additional challenge adds pressure to already overextended teams, draining both time and resources that dairy operations can’t afford to lose.

Over time, this strains the reliability of the food supply chain and raises serious concerns about the future of food security in the UK, as voiced by dairy farmers themselves in the survey. In this context, producers are left asking: How can herds stay healthy and productive when skilled labour is harder to find?

That’s where Jefo comes in.

Reliable nutrition for unreliable conditions 

Jefo’s dairy solutions are designed to deliver consistent, measurable improvements that ease the pressure on dairy operations. By simplifying herd management and stabilising performance, they help producers focus their time where it counts most. 

Across farms, producers using Jefo’s dairy solutions have reported: 

• More predictable milk production, even under changing environmental conditions
• Fewer ration adjustments, reducing the need for daily fine-tuning
• Improved metabolic resilience, especially during transition and peak lactation
• Reduced need for close monitoring, freeing up time for other essential tasks 

These measurable outcomes directly address the realities of farms facing workforce shortages, proving that precision nutrition can, in many cases, do the work of extra hands. 

Results and testimonials from the field

The numbers speak for themselves: herds supplemented with Jefo’s solutions have seen an average increase of 4 kg of milk per cow per day, an 87% drop in mastitis cases, and a 55% reduction in subclinical ketosis during heat stress, a condition that often undermines fresh cow stability. 

At Comestar Holstein, a renowned dairy operation in Quebec, Canada, Steve Comtois shared: “We started using Jefo solutions 15 years ago, and we never stopped. We have seen major improvements, particularly in retained placenta […]. We hardly see ketosis problems now. Jefo solutions “clean the liver” (remove fat from the liver), as we provide B12 vitamin to the cows.” 

At Ferme Gillette, a long-time Jefo customer based in France, the results tell a similar story: “We’ve been using Jefo’s solutions since 2006. The expertise and support have been a major asset to our success. We used to expect 10,500 kg of milk per cow [over the lactation], now we’re above 11,630 kg.” 

Together, these examples illustrate how Jefo’s commitment to practical, science-based nutrition translates into proven impact. 

How it works: Jefo Matrix Technology

Behind these consistent results lies the Jefo Matrix Technology (JMT), a precision microencapsulation system that protects sensitive nutrients, such as B vitamins, from degradation and premature release. This ensures that nutrients are delivered exactly where they’re needed in the digestive system, bypassing the rumen, improving absorption and reducing variability in performance.  

This practical, results-driven approach reflects Jefo’s mission to envision, develop and share the next era of Precision Intestinal Nutrition.  

Protected B Vitamins: The dual solution for transition and lactation

Transition and lactation are the most demanding phases of a cow’s production cycle, often requiring the most skilled attention. Jefo’s protected blends of selected B vitamins, along with protected methionine, lysine, and an energy supplement, provide an integrated nutritional strategy, from calving to peak lactation.

During the transition period, Jefo’s protected blend of B vitamins for transition supports liver function and energy metabolism, helping reduce the risk of metabolic disorders, such as ketosis and retained placenta. Fewer emergencies and smoother recoveries mean less hands-on intervention and more stable performance.

As cows move into peak lactation, Jefo’s protected blend of B vitamins for lactation takes over. It stabilises digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to more consistent milk yields and fewer ration adjustments.

Together, these complementary solutions create a seamless, integrated approach to herd management. This reflects Jefo’s core belief that each stage of life should be just a little less complicated, with lower risk and greater peace of mind, a philosophy captured in its promise: Life, made easier.

Looking ahead: Feeding the future

Jefo’s entry into the UK market marks the beginning of a strong and collaborative chapter. The company partners closely with nutritionists, feed advisers, and producers to develop programs that deliver consistent performance under real-world conditions.

And Jefo’s commitment goes beyond day-to-day challenges. The team is there for the entire life cycle of the animal, in addition to critical production stages. From calf to high-producing cow, Jefo’s solutions are designed to simplify nutrition, reduce risk, and support long-term herd success.

This vision — a healthier circle of life on a more sustainable planet — guides every innovation Jefo brings to the farm. Because at a time when skilled labour is scarce, keeping animals healthy through optimal nutrition isn’t just an advantage; it’s essential.