Cowmanagement September 2020

SE P T E M B E R 2020

Bull proofs:

review of the latest top-sire rankings

Epigenetics

and its impact on calf and cow potential Breeding and treatment plan reviews are key to

good udder health

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CONTENT FEATURE S

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From the editor Cow talk Value added: doorstep delivery Roger Evans ForFarmers Nutritional News/ Thompsons Nutritional News NMR Dairy Management News Boehringer Ingelheim Health News CRV Avoncroft Breeding Information Events and contacts

main article epigenetics

MAIN A RT IC L E

8 Get with the epigenetic program REPORT

14 Genomically testing heifers has taken one Lancashire-based herd’s breeding programme to the next level BREEDI N G

20 Longevity reigns, thanks to MRIs 34 August bull proofs UDDER H E A LT H SPE C IA L

23 Mastitis treatment and SCC update

8 special udder health

breeding proof run

HEA LTH

30 Good news on calf rearing protocols 38 Testing to control endemic diseases in dairy cattle FEEDIN G

42 Dry-cow nutrition is key to future health/ Nutrient management starts with the soil

SEPT EMB ER

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2020

Bull proofs:

st review of the late top-sire rankings

Epigenetics

34

Richard Eastham:

Marco Winters:

“Using genomic testing means our heifers are in the UK top 1%, ranked on £PLI”

‘Selecting for udder health results in significant SCC improvements’

calf and its impact on l and cow potentia tment Breeding and trea key to plan reviews are

lth good udder hea

.COW MAN ST NEWS AT WWW GET THE LATE

AGE MEN T.CO

.UK

ON TH E C OV E R

Back to work: cows make their way to late-summer grazing, after milking Picture: Harrie van Leeuwen

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TREATING WITH METACAM CONTINUES TO DELIVER Adding Metacam to standard antibiotic therapy for mastitis is associated with a greater first-service conception rate and a higher probability of pregnancy by 120 days post-calving compared with cows receiving antibiotic therapy alone1.

That’s not all you can expect...

Metacam can be used in cases of acute mastitis*, acute respiratory infections*, diarrhoea in young calves and non-lactating cattle,^ and pain relief following dehorning/disbudding in calves.

Expectations of Metacam treatment are changing. Are yours?

Ask your vet about treating with Metacam

* With appropriate antibiotic therapy. ^ In calves over one week of age and in combination with oral rehydration therapy.

Reference 1. McDougall et al (2016) Addition of meloxicam to the treatment of clinical mastitis improves subsequent reproductive performance. J Dairy Sci 99(3): 2026-2042. Metacam 20 mg/ml solution for injection for cattle, pigs and horses and Metacam 40 mg/ml solution for injection for cattle and horses contain meloxicam. UK: POM-V. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: 01344 746957. Email: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. Metacam is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. Š2019 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. Date of preparation: Jan 2019. AHD 11888. All rights reserved. Use Medicines Responsibly.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Focusing on the future We go to press as many are already assessing silage stocks – maybe weighing down the silage sheet after a final cut or even thinking about taking another – before thinking about the autumn tasks ahead.

Conditions and plans will vary from unit to unit, but all have a few things in common – the need to continually focus on udder health, as well as dry cows and the next generation of milkers.

We’ve information on all these topics in this issue, starting with a look at epigenetics. This is a relatively new area of study – there’s certainly more work to do and things to learn. But what we do know is that dry-cow management, particularly in the close-up period, can impact on the unborn calf, as well as the dam. The difference here is that any ‘in utero’ effects on the calf not only reduce its early growth and performance, but can also impact on milk yield in later life. And they are also permanent. So paying more attention to the unborn calf during the dry period – be that in terms of nutritional, heat or other environmental stress on

the dam – will go a long way towards protecting the calf’s genetic potential. See page 8 to find out more.

And changeable weather, be it hot, humid or wet, can put additional stress on the cow and her udder – predisposing her to an increased somatic cell count or even mastitis infection. Mastitis treatment protocols should be reviewed regularly, to maximise their efficacy and ensure overall herd udder health.

Breeding also plays a key role in preventing udder infections and high SCCs. Both topics are covered in our udder health special, which begins on page 23.

As COVID-19 restrictions continue, we feature a producer, on page 13, who’s seen his business’ on-farm milk processing and delivery round more than double. He shares his plan to retain customers as we enter the ‘new normal’ And Roger Evans shares some of his past silage making habits – not all of them good. He is pleased to discover that he’s still got it when it comes to putting his own forage in the clamp.

RACHAEL PORTER

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19-08-20 13:01

COWTALK

Review hygiene products prior to housing Housed dairy herds have unique hygiene challenges, and Deosan is urging producers to address these now to ensure maximum milk hygiene and superior teat health is achieved throughout the winter.

“Winter housing conditions pose a variety of risks in terms of hygiene,” says the company’s Alison Cox. “There is, potentially, more bacteria in the environment and, therefore, possibly dirtier teats. This leads to a higher risk of environmental mastitis, which can have a negative impact on milk hygiene.”

She adds that milk-price penalties, combined with higher vet and medicine bills, can lead to significant costs for dairy businesses.

“These can easily be avoided with effective teat management protocols in place, which target specific seasonal challenges.

“More than ever, the quality of the product matters. You need to know that it protects milk quality and cow welfare, with limited residues.”

With this in mind, the company is launching a range of teat disinfectants that aim to meet future consumer, milk buyer and producer/ cow requirements.

Deosan Target Pre-Post, the first product in the range, is a pre- and post-milking product for all housed cattle.

It is available as a ready-to-use foam, dip or spray for pre-milking, and as a dip or spray for post milking.

The near-neutral pH also increases active disinfection. The active ingredient in the range, chlorhexidine, has made the headlines this year due to it being an extremely effective disinfectant, favoured by health

bovens bovens regel o

industries around the world, including the NHS. “For dairy herds, it has the benefit of having a strong affinity to skin and ensures rapid bacterial uptake – essential qualities for both pre- and post-milking applications.”

Supplements formulated to optimise cow health Data from more than 18,000 forage mineral analyses, carried out during the past five years, has allowed Trouw Nutrition GB to reformulate its Maxcare range of feed and mineral supplements to optimise cattle health and performance.

“Our evidence-based understanding of how to balance forages, combined with the use of high-quality products, has allowed us to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness with which animals can be fed,” says the company’s Mark Hall.

The mineral range formulated using this strategy

includes powder minerals, molassed lick buckets, salt blocks, protein concentrates and DCAB products, making it suited to a full range of production systems.

“While inorganic sulphate and oxide sources tend to be the cheapest, they can compromise vitamin stability, rumen function and fibre digestibility,” says Mr Hall.

“So we have replaced them with Intellibond hydroxy trace minerals, a high quality, fully traceable and cost-effective alternative.”

The range has been formulated to remove

inorganic sulphates and oxides completely and incorporate optimal sources of mineral supplementation with greater bioavailability.

This allows us to truly meet the needs of the animal and maximise performance.

“By utilising a mix of mineral sources we are able to effectively maximise the delivery of vital trace elements to where they are needed in the animal,” adds Mr Hall.

“And working backwards from our extensive forage mineral analyses service allows us to optimise supply for a range of systems.”

Maize app helps to maximise crop value In a revised and extended version of its successful Maize Manager app, LG Seeds has drawn together the latest information to help growers optimise decision making at all the key stages in producing a quality crop.

“Decisions about which variety to grow, the appropriate seed rate and the optimum harvest date greatly influence the return on investment in a maize crop,” says the company’s Tim Richmond. “And this latest app will help producers make the best decisions, whether they’re growing for forage or AD. Suitable for android and IOS phones, and down loadable from both the Apple and Google Play stores, the app is designed to be quick and easy to use and is subdivided into four sections.

Of immediate interest is the Harvest Manager

section, which assesses the condition of the crop and advises on target harvest date, to ensure the crop is cut at the optimum dry matter and to maximise feed values and fermentation quality.

A separate assessment is made of the dry matter of the cob and of the stem. The app will then determine if the crop is ready for harvest and recommend a cutting date. If harvest is not imminent, the app uses postcode-related weather data to predict when the crop will be ready.

“By improving the precision of harvest timing, the app will help producers to maximise the value of their crop and improve their return on investment,” adds Mr Richmond.

To receive an alert when the Maize Manager app is ready for download, go to: www.maizemanager.com

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MAIN ARTICLE EPIGENETICS

Get with the epig e The genetic potential of an animal is permanently established from conception.

But, under the influence of the environment, how these genes are expressed can change. Research into this phenomenon, called epigenetics, can help producers to ensure that they ‘program’ their cows for better performance.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

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nsuring that calves achieve their genetic potential in the milking herd. So producers should consider the next generation of milkers, as well as ensuring a smooth transition to the milking herd for the dam, when managing dry cows.

“This is due to the epigenetic effect – the impact that the environment can have on the way that genes are expressed,” says Cargill’s calf specialist Bianca Theeruth. “Trials have showed that this impact, if experienced in utero, will affect calf birth weight and size, the ability to absorb colostrum, and her growth rate. And there will also be carry-over effect well into a heifer’s adult life in the milking herd. Epigenetics can even impact this heifers offspring too,” she adds.

Heredity theory “Epigenetics is a relatively new and particularly fascinating branch of heredity theory,” says University of Ghent’s Geert Opsomer. He explains that each cell of an organism contains exactly the same genetic material in its cell nucleus. “Yet a liver cell does something very different to a cell in the kidneys or a cell in the eye. This is due to an ingenious ‘operating system’ that uses chemical compounds to turn on, or off, the functioning of genes.

“This set of chemical compounds and genes is called the epigenome and this explains why cells with the same genetic material can have a different effect,” adds Professor Opsomer.

This operating system also affects genes that determine livestock performance, such as health, fertility, growth, milk production and longevity.

It can also have an effect on the genes transferred to the next generation. Understanding more about epigenetics can help producers avoid setbacks and

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g enetic program Epigenetics: an early example The Dutch Hunger Winter of 1944-1945 saw that children born during or shortly after this famine had an increased risk of problems, such as obesity and high blood pressure, in later life. They were also more likely to suffer from diabetes.

The mothers were hungry during pregnancy and the epigenetic effect

‘programmed’ these children to conserve and store nutrients, and prepare for a life with little food. Because there was enough food after the war, these children grew up in a different situation to one for which they were programmed. This led to an increased risk of welfare diseases, including diabetes, and obesity.

maximise the genetic potential of their offspring.

Miss Theeruth says that the key to prevent a negative epigenetic effect is to minimise stress – typically nutritional or heat – in dry cows. “Not only will this ensure that they calve and transition easily. But it will also ensure that there are no negative effects on the growth, development and, ultimately, the ability of their calves to achieve their genetic potential.”

Research shows that stress during pregnancy, and at calving, can alter the programming between dam and foetus through the placenta. So nutritional or heat stress felt by the dam will have an impact on the unborn calf.

Research on dry cows in the final six to eight weeks before calving, the stage of gestation when the calf puts on weight, showed that those cows under stress had calves that were smaller and lighter and were also less able to absorb immunoglobulins from their dam’s colostrum. They also had reduced daily liveweight gains and reduced milk yield once they joined the milking herd.

Dry-cow rations In a trial where dry cows were fed low energy (5.25MJ/ kg DM), medium (5.88MJ/kg DM) or high energy (6.48MJ/kg DM rations in the final 21 days of the dry period, calves from cows fed the low energy ration had a low level of blood immunoglobin following colostrum feeding. “All calves in the trial were fed the same quality colostrum, so this reduced level in calves whose dams were fed a low energy ration in the late dry period reflected a possible epigenetic effect in that they were less able to absorb immunoglobulins,” says Miss Theeruth.

The work also showed that low maternal energy density diets in the final 21 days of pregnancy resulted in decreased calf birth weight, body height, body length, and girth.

Miss Theeruth says that this underlines the importance of a balanced dry-cow ration, particularly in terms of

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MAIN ARTICLE EPIGENETICS energy density, during the late dry period. “We can say that feeding cows a ration high in energy, around 6.5MJ/kg DM, at this stage of their pregnancy will improve the postnatal growth and health of calves.

“We know that reducing the maternal energy density in this trial, during the final 21 days before calving, had a negative effect on growth and development, immunity in neonatal calves.”

Professor Opsomer says that there are three critical periods in which the genes’ control mechanism can be affected. These are lactation, the colostrum period, and gestation. There is even evidence that a form of genetic programming takes place during the formation of eggs in the ovary. “In early gestation, for example, organ development occurs and dam nutrition during this period therefore has a major epigenetic influence on the performance of the resulting calf in later life,” he explains.

Epigenetic influences

Crucial time: stress at and around calving can have an epigenetic effect on the calf

10

Researchers at Wageningen University, in the Netherlands, are currently investigating the cow’s epigenetic influences on her calf during gestation. The trial is a follow-up to the project ‘Lactation on Size’, during which cows were inseminated from 50, 125 and 200 days respectively in milk. The heifers that were born after this trial are being closely monitored.

“These calves had to deal with a very different environment in the womb,” explains researcher Ariëtte van Knegsel. “The cows that were inseminated early produced a lot of milk and were mostly still in a negative energy balance, while the cows that were

served later had passed their lactation peak and were building up body condition score. As a result, these groups of cows were in a completely different physiological state at the time of insemination.

And we believe that this have had an effect on the developing foetus in the womb.”

The work will follow the development, health and production of each group of heifers and the researchers expect that the calves of early inseminated cows will be programmed for scarcity, and have lower yields, or be less healthy than those from dams inseminated later.

Practical data The plan is to extend the project with practical data and include, for example, the influence of colostrum and milk feeding to calves. “Understanding the effects of epigenetics offers a lot of potential for application on farm,” she says. “With the right management measures, producers can program calves in the right way and thus make better use of their genetic potential. This will improve the productivity, health and sustainability of their herds.”

Miss Theeruth agrees and says that, for now, there’s enough evidence to show that producers should look to create as few ripples as possible during the dry cow and transition period, and at calving.

“So avoiding difficult calvings, ensuring that dry-cow nutrition provides sufficient energy in late lactation, and avoiding heat stress during the dry period are all important – to safeguard the dam and the genetic potential of her calf.” l

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Waste in maize is a consequence of the action of yeasts and moulds found on all crops. When exposed to air the yeasts grow, leading to a loss of the acidic conditions vital for the preservation of silage and so causing waste.

They also burn off energy and feed value, leading to the clamp heating up which can reduce palatability.

Moulds and other opportunistic microorganisms then become active, adding to the spoilage process and resulting in a second increase in silage temperature.

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VALUE ADDED DOORSTEP DELIVERY

Name Carl Grimshaw Herd size 120 cows Adding value on-farm milk processing and and delivery

Bolton

Doorstep delivery demand doubles The COVID-19 lockdown has seen one Lancashire-based dairy business more than double the size of its milk delivery round, with 75% of milk from the 120-cow herd is now processed on farm.

“We began processing milk from our pedigree Holstein Friesian herd two years ago, selling it direct to customers who visited our open farm, in a bid to add some value,” says producer Carl Grimshaw, who manages the business with his partner Louise and his father Anthony.

“We set up our first delivery round in January 2019, purely because a local round was up for sale. It had just 250 customers and, through social media and leafleting, it grew from there.”

Smithills Open Farm, near Bolton, has 45,000 Facebook followers.

It’s been open to the public for 20 years and in 2019, 170,000 people visited the farm. “A big draw is the dairy herd and the viewing gallery, where they can watch the cow being milked,” adds Carl.

Prior to March 2020, they’d grown the doorstep delivery business to nine rounds, reaching customers within a two-mile radius of the farm. Today they have 17 rounds and deliver milk up to 12 miles away. Milk processing used 25% – about 1,000 litres a day – of the herd’s milk prior to lockdown. Now that’s up around 3,000 litres – 75% of the herd’s daily milk yield. And delivery round customers

have increased by 2,200 since the beginning of lockdown in March and Carl says that, although they expect some will go back to their previous shopping habits, he’s hoping 80% will stay with them.

The dairy business has taken on additional staff and invested in five new delivery vehicles. It now has 13 vans and three pick-ups.

The most recent purchase are five second-hand Mercedes-Benz Vito vans, from Ciceley Commercials.

“We worked our socks off for four months, to meet demand and provide people with fresh milk and dairy produce. So it’s heart breaking to see people drifting back to buying milk from the supermarkets. But I think we’ll be able to keep staff on and we can justify the additional investment.

He says that their USP is that all milk is sold in one-litre glass bottles: “We’re plastic free – it’s what our customers said they wanted. And our biggest seller is semi-skimmed milk.”

The business also makes ice-cream, which is sold direct to visitors, and butter and yoghurt, which is sold from the farm shop and via the delivery rounds.

“We also sell orange juice in glass bottles. It’s a big seller. It’s all about giving customers what they want and I hope we’re doing that.”

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HERD REPORT EASTHAM FAMILY

Test investment

pays genetic dividends Genomically testing heifers has taken one Lancashire-based herd’s breeding programme to the next level. We spoke to a family of early adopters to find out more.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

I

Next generation: heifers are in the UK’s top 1%, ranked on £PLI

magine breeding heifers that are in the top 1% of the UK population, ranked on £PLI – and selling surplus replacements that would also leave 60% of the UK herd well behind. This is the position that Richard Eastham, who manages his 370-cow dairy unit in partnership with his father John, is in. With help and encouragement from his brother – vet and Nuffield Scholar Neil Eastham – all replacement heifers (there are 260 on the unit at any one time) are genomically tested, as calves, to allow for more targeted breeding decisions.

Neil, from Bishopton Vet Group and RAFT Solutions, has always had an interest in the link between breeding, genetics and dairy health. And this led to his scholarship to study genomically testing heifers.

“We were early adopters with genomically tested sires, so it was a natural progression to extend that to females.

“And this takes dairy breeding – particularly for health traits – a step further,” he says, adding that it didn’t take much persuasion to get Richard and John on board.

“Particularly when they started to see the results in the milking herd.”

Walmsley Fold Farm, near Preston, is home to the

pedigree Holstein Samlea herd, which is currently averaging 10,507kg of milk, at 4.29% butterfat and 3.24% protein, with a SCC of 116,000 cells/ml. The Easthams have long been into breeding good cattle and their breeding objectives are aligned with the requirements of their milk contract, an appraisal of the herd’s genetic merit (using AHDB’s Herd Genetic Report), and a review of herd health issues that could be in part improved through breeding.

The main breeding objectives include: improve Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI); increase milk yield, but not at the detriment of fat and protein percentage where they target 4% and 3.2% respectively and improve fertility and udder health. Avoiding extremes in stature is also an important goal.

“The whole herd, which is housed and calves all year round, is fed a flat-rate TMR, comprising potatoes, brewers’ grains, meal, protected fat and grass silage. “So excellent fertility is paramount to avoid late lactation cows getting fat,” explains Richard.

He adds that they ‘run a tight ship’ and problems with health and fertility are few. “But we do recognise that there are further improvements to be made through management and breeding.”

Heifer selection Prior to genomically testing females, they were selecting replacement heifers based on traditional parent average predicted transmitting abilities (PTAs), as well as looking at dam milk records, health performance and classification data. But since 2015 the entire heifer crop has been genomically tested and, so far, more than 650 heifers have now been tested. “We were among the first UK herds to genomically test all our females,” says Neil.

“In 2015 we had the opportunity to use Zoetis’ Clarifide test. We now use Clarifide Plus, by taking an ear-notch sample before heifer calves are weaned, so we have the results back in time to make timely selection, management and breeding decisions.”

The test, which is supplied to vets in the UK through NMR, includes the dairy wellness profit (DWP) index.

This is a selection index that’s similar to PLI but with more emphasis on health and wellness traits. “It ranks

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COMPANY PROFILE Herd size 370 cows, plus 260 followers Average yield 10,507kg milk, at 4.29% butterfat and 3.24% protein SCC 116,000 cells/ml Heifers tested so far 650 head Heifer ranking on £PLI top 1% in UK)

Preston

From left to right: Neil, John and Richard Eastham

the heifers accordingly and tells us exactly what we want to know,” adds Richard.

“We do compare the heifers’ DWP index to PLI and we use a combination of the two indices to rank the heifers.”

Based on the ranking, the top 80% are bred to sexed semen and the bottom 20% are bred to a beef bull. The aim is to have a 10% surplus of heifers, which are sold, privately before calving. Such is the herd’s rate of progress that heifers are in top 1% of the UK national herd for £PLI and the genetic merit of surplus heifers sold still places them in the top 40% of the national population for £PLI.

Breeding strategy When it comes to the cows, 65% of the adult herd are bred to beef (British Blue) compared to 40% prior to genomic testing. And 35% are bred using sexed semen, versus 10% prior to genomic testing. Genetic data shows that these cows rank higher than some heifers, so the Easthams look to use the best to breed replacements from.

“It’s safe to say that female genomic testing at our unit is now tried and tested,” says Neil. Completed first-lactation performance data, from more than 200 tested heifers, shows that those in the top quartile, ranked on their genomic PTA for milk (gPTA), produced 1,300 litres more in their first lactation than those in the bottom quartile.

“And those ranked in the top quartile based on their gPTA for fertility, or Fertility Index, had a calving-to-conception figure some 16 days shorter than those ranked in the bottom quartile for fertility. This is particularly impressive given that the top animals were bred to sexed semen while those at the bottom went straight back to beef.”

Neil adds that it’s very much a tool for commercial herds: “It helps producers to ensure that they’re milking and breeding from the best cows and heifers in their herds.

This will go a long way to maximising the overall efficiency of the business – in terms of health, fertility and productivity.”

He argues that some pedigree producers are actually sticking their heads in the sand when it comes to the technology. “I think some are afraid of how their herd’s results might read. We’re pedigree and we have had some surprising outliers – at both ends of the spectrum.

It can be disappointing and rewarding. But it’s better to know what’s going on.”

Neil says that key to the success of genomically testing females is having a plan. “If you’re going to do it, you must use the data that it harvests. If you don’t, it’s a pointless exercise and a wasted investment.”

His Nuffield scholarship, which he undertook in 2018 and saw him travel to US, Canada and across Europe, focused on exploring how producers could realise a return on investment with genomic testing. “And it’s very much about having a plan of action when using the data. It’s not just about selecting the top females either – it’s also about

‘deselecting’ the lower end and making sure you only breed replacements from your best animals.”

Neil adds that one of the toughest but quickest lessons they learned was to take the emotion out of breeding decisions. “We can’t have favourites – we have to judge cows and heifers by their figures. If the test shows that she’s not going to produce much milk, or meet our other breeding criteria, then we have to put her to a beef sire.”

But Richard and John were soon on board when they saw the results in the tank – and in the improvement of the all-round performance of the herd.

The Easthams are proud of their herd’s ‘block and whisker’ graph, which shows the PLI of cows in each lactation. “The block is the average PLI for cows in each lactation and, if improvements are being made, this will move upwards as we head from older to younger cows.

“The whiskers show the range in PLI for each lactation group. We’d look for the whiskers to get a little shorter, as the genomic programme allows us to target the best heifers to breed from and breed a more uniform herd.”

As well as continuing to test heifers and further accelerate their herd’s rate of genetic gain, the family is also looking to increase milking cow numbers, up to around 400 head, during the next 12 months.

“We’re just in the process of putting up a new shed, that should make space for another 50 cows,” says Richard.

“And we know we’ll be filling those spaces with good cows – the best we can breed. We’ll be getting maximum milk yields from healthy, fertile cows that will remain the in herd for many lactations. This certainly helps us to feel more secure about our investment – in buildings, facilities, genomic testing, heifer rearing and, in fact, the entire dairy business.” l

Ear-notch sample: heifer calves are tested early

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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MONDAY - FRIDAY 08:300 - 17:00

09-01-20 15:10

19-08-20 15:37

A FEW WORDS FROM ROGER EVANS

Award-winning columnist and Shropshirebased producer Roger Evans shares tales of silaging – past and present.

Less haste ... more speed An old friend asked me, ‘Do you remember the first silage you ever made?’ If you cut twice around a field, about 10 feet, you could get a big buckrakes that picked up those two swathes of grass and then you carried it back to the clamp.

Like life itself, it didn’t always work out as you had planned.

Sometimes the grass didn’t flow into the buckrake as it should have and you would only get half a load. But you had to take that back to the clamp because if you tried to get more onto the load then the grass would only ‘push up’ and spoil your chances on the next visit.

If you managed to grab a really good load, the tractor’s front wheels never touched the ground – I only had a little Dexta. And I didn’t have a clamp, so it was just a pile of grass. The theory was that you dropped the buckrake down and pulled forward and left the load behind – very much as you would scrape something horrible off your shoe.

Also within this theory was the idea that you had help tending this ‘clamp’ and that while you went back to the field to collect more grass, someone else would shake out the grass and fork it to where it was needed. I didn’t have any help so I used to try and drop the load where it should go. But I was not as clever as I thought, because next time I often had to back over this heap it would fit neatly between the front and back wheels. The Dexta would get stuck so I’d have to fork the grass anyway. It was hard work forking the grass. It wasn’t chopped, it had gone into the buckrake in a sort of roll, and now it had a tractor parked on it. More haste, less speed!

I think it took me two weeks to cut four hectares. I don’t remember it as being arduous, but perhaps I was just full of youthful enthusiasm.

If we move on a few years we had more cows and were making silage with a flail machine with a trailer fixed behind. And that certainly was arduous. Still with just one tractor, I used to cut all day and go out after tea and put 30-odd loads into the pit. One year I bought a new forage harvester, a new trailer and hired a new tractor. That was luxury.

Years later we switched to using a contractor to do the lot. When he finished it was all so easy that I felt guilty. This year we did first cut with a contractor, as usual, but the second cut was all close to the pit so we did it with a forage wagon. That was a first. We have a forage wagon that we use for zero grazing, so we did it ourselves. In these times of upheaval it’s good to know that we’re still able to do things ourselves.

“It took me two weeks to cut four hectares. I don’t remember it being arduous”

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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FORFARMERS FOCUS

Feed supplement supports herd fertility, health and productivity Good fertility performance is crucial for herd efficiency but UK research shows that around 75% of developing embryos are lost within the first 21 days of pregnancy and that many dairy herds are a way off achieving the 370-day calving interval target.

So it is clear that steps need to be taken on some units to improve. Omega-3 fatty acids have long been recognised as having an important role in helping to support cow fertility and, traditionally, producers have relied on grass to provide the bulk of a cow’s intake. But at certain times of the year, or depending on a farm’s specific feeding system, grass alone will not provide the omega-3 required to ensure optimal fertility performance.

Lintec is a linseed feed supplement made from a specific strain of linseed that has been thermo-extruded. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is proven to support fertility in dairy herds, as well as improve overall cow health and milk production.

The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in Lintec rebalance cow hormones, boost progesterone levels and suppress prostaglandin levels.

This all helps the cow to maintain her pregnancy once in calf. Lintec also aids heat detection. Cows supplemented with Lintec display stronger – and longer – signs of heat.

Milk quality and quantity are also improved by adding Lintec to cow rations. It helps to reduce energy wasted in the rumen, as methane, and in the udder, as the process of producing saturated requires energy that could be used for milk production.

High levels of starch and sugars in cow rations can lead to impaired rumen performance due to a build-up of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), resulting in acidosis.

By removing VFAs from the rumen, Lintec helps increase rumen pH, stabilise the rumen environment, and combat the negative impact of acidosis.

Thermo-extruded linseed is used as a feed supplement to support dairy cow fertility

Measure and manage grass After spring’s mixed weather, where grass leys experienced extremely wet followed by dry conditions, it is important to review the condition of swards and consider both the importance of reseeding and the species used.

Grass leys that are reseeded or overseeded regularly will not only provide a greater yield but also, more importantly, better quality. Using PLUSGrasses, which are a cross between a fescue and an Italian hybrid or the new perennial ryegrass variant, adds longevity to leys, as well as stress tolerance in both dry and wet conditions.

PLUS-Grasses combine the properties of the two grass types. The fescue contributes high dry matter yield, resistance to cold, drought tolerance and persistence. The ryegrass contributes rapid establishment, good spring growth, digestibility, high sugar content, and palatability.

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cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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BREEDING MRI BENEFITS

Longevity reins, thanks to MRIs MRIs are stealing the limelight in one Cleveland-based herd – and for a myriad of well-deserved reasons. We spoke to two breed enthusiasts to find out why they have a firm place in their herd.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

T Dairyness and strength: MRIs are the preferred breed in the Sunmersons’ herd

20

he MRIs in Martin and Claire Summerson’s pedigree herd are the apple of their eye. The breed, managed alongside British Friesians and Ayrshires, make up half of the 60-cow herd, which keeps this couple busy at Bog House Farm, near Saltburn. “We milk more MRIs, compared to the other breeds, for several reasons and not least because we just prefer them. They’re a bit different and add new and refreshing aspects to cow management,” says Martin.

Claire’s a fan too. “I really do love the MRIs and I’ve even been ‘told off’ for talking about them at inappropriate times,” says Claire who admits to waxing lyrical about them at an Ayrshire Cattle Society dinner.

So what is it about the breed that has captured the imagination – and passion – of the Mickleby-based couple?

“They’re quiet cattle, which is a real bonus when handling them,” says Claire. “ I do all the AI – I went off and did the training five years ago. And the MRI’s temperament certainly makes them easy to serve.”

Martin agrees that MRIs are calm and quiet, adding that they also have plenty of dairy strength, good feet and legs, and high yields.

The all-year-round calving herd, which also comprises 10 Ayrshires and 20 British Friesian milkers, plus 20 followers, is managed on a simple system. Cows are grazed from March through to November and round-bale grass

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Good grazers: the mixed herd performs well on the Cleveland-based unit

silage is fed during the winter, with individual cows topped up with concentrates through the parlour. Milk from forage stands at 3,779 litres and Martin is working hard on forage quality to push that up closer to 4,500 litres within the next few years.

Today’s herd has an average 305-day lactation yield of 6,350 litres, at 4.40% butterfat and 3.61% protein, with a somatic cell count of 130,000 cells/ml. Milk is sold to Meadow Foods. “We feed a 16% protein cake in the summer and an 18% protein cake in the winter,” he adds.

“We have a good strip of grazing land along the coast here,” says Martin, adding that they’re less than a mile from the sea. The unit comprises 53 hectares of varying soil type, from clay through to peat. And altitude also undulates and is up to 152 metres above sea level.

“It’s a good area for grass growth and for grazing and can cope with both wet and dry conditions.”

Longevity Martin’s granddad, Robert, founded the herd in the 1930s with Dairy Shorthorns, before he later switched to British Friesians. “In the 1990s, everyone started taking the Holstein route, but we didn’t think they’d suit our system or our set up,” says Martin. “That wasn’t the direction we wanted to go in.

“So, in 1994, we decided to introduce some MRIs to the herd. We saw some good yields, but the cattle were a little ‘beefy’. But today’s MRIs are very different. Their dairy type has increased as the years have gone by and we’re milking MRIs that are a long way from those that we milked 25 years ago. The breed has come a long way – certainly in our herd.”

The herd is also different because it was wiped out by foot-and-mouth disease in 2001. “We lost them all. But we restocked with pedigree MRIs and British Friesian MRI crosses. They’re all milking well. Longevity is certainly the same across the board, averaging eight lactations.”

Where the MRIs really stand out is their feet and legs.

“They also have fantastic calves. We certainly see extra value in the bull calves. We rear them to 10 weeks and get a good price for them.” He adds that cull cow value is also extremely good. “The MRIs typically realise around £1,200 per cull cow. We dry them off and feed them for three months to get them up to a good weight, and then we see a decent price.”

Martin and Claire Summerson

‘Good’ is a word that Martin and Claire use a lot when describing the MRIs: “Good grazers, good temperament, good fertility, good calves.” Choice of sires has had an impact on herd performance. They have been using MRI sires from CRV for the past four years and have seen an improvement in dairyness among the MRI heifers and some first lactation cows.

“Prior to that we were struggling to find MRI sires – the supply of semen was limited. And we’d started to use more British Friesian sires, as a result. But then we saw an advertisement in CowManagement for CRV’s catalogue. We requested one and we were thrilled with the selection of MRI sires on offer,” says Martin.

Sexed MRI semen He’s now also using CRV’s SireMatch to help making breeding decisions and avoid inbreeding. “There is quite a small gene pool in MRI breeding, so it’s important to be extra careful here. This programme really helps me to make the best possible matches without spending too much time sifting through sire catalogues and bull data – and running the risk of making a mistake.”

MRI sires recently used on the Summerson’s herd, and still in the AI flask, include Flavio and Rudo. “We have cows and heifers in calf to these bulls and we also have some Constant daughters on the ground. Merlin is another sire we’ve used.

“We’ve also just started using sexed MRI semen too, because we have struggled to produce enough heifer replacements in the past. It’s important to maintain the numbers of each breed in the herd. We like the diversity,” explains Martin. “Running the three different breeds together in one herd works for us. Dad is 79 now, but he’s still involved and his passion is the British Friesians. The Ayrshires arrived in 2006 because we were short on cows and a local breeder had some to sell. He sold up in 2017 and we bought some more as we liked them so much.

“We’re aiming to keep the mix the same,” says Martin, adding that they are pushing cow numbers up to between 80 and 90 milkers. “And the growth will be in the MRI proportion of the herd – we’ll take it up to between 50 and 60 MRIs. We want to build and manage a sustainable herd that we’re proud of – and one that our young sons may decide to take on one day. I think the MRIs will allow us to do that.” l

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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UDDER HEALTH 24 Mastitis treatment Plans and protocols should be regularly reviewed.

26 SCC update Breeding continues to play key role in improving udder health.

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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UDDER HEALTH SPECIAL MASTITIS TREATMENT

Routine review can pay udder health dividends Changes in tube availability mean that many producers are currently reviewing the causes and treatment of mastitis. These are essential routine procedures that are required to maintain and improve udder health. We spoke to two vets to find out more.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

S

ome mastitis tubes are in short supply and some producers have been forced to make a switch from their usual lactating cow treatment. Enforced change is never welcome, but this should be viewed as an opportunity to review mastitis treatment protocols and improve udder health, rather than seeing it as a problem. So says Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s vet Kath Aplin.

“Some producers have been reluctant to change because they’ve used a particular product for several years to good effect. But they may well find that this is a good opportunity to review their protocol and potentially improve cure rates.”

One key change on some units is a switch to a steroidfree lactating cow (LC) tube. “The steroid has antiinflammatory properties, so the visual response to treatment with a steroid-free tube can look different, but producers should be assured that the antibiotic in the tube will still be working. Steroids were included in LC tubes to reduce inflammation within the udder, but NSAID injections are now available, and these control pain as well as tackling inflammation.

Treatment policy Producers may also be now discussing with their vet whether broad or narrow spectrum LC treatment is most appropriate for their herd. This, according to Mrs Aplin, is where the opportunity to review the herd’s mastitis treatment policy, with a bottom-up approach, lies.

“This review should include identifying what the mastitis-causing pathogens are on their unit. Some investigations will reveal that gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, are the main issue. So, under the advice of their vet, they might switch to using a narrow spectrum tube.”

She adds that most clinical cases of mastitis caused by gram-negative infections, such as E Coli, will selfcure. “But the cow will benefit from a NSAID for pain relief and to reduce swelling.”

24

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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Treatment frequency and duration will vary with different tubes – as will milk withdrawal periods. “So it’s important to follow the label. Using a tube off label can only be done under veterinary instruction for specific reasons, and milk withdrawal times will be affected,” adds Mrs Aplin.

She says it can take a while for producers to adapt to tubing a mastitic cow once a day after a switch of tubes when they’ve been used to doing it twice. “But many producers quickly appreciate the benefits of fewer treatments, once they see successful cure rates.”

Cure rates So, how can producers measure their mastitis cure rate?

“Thorough recording of all clinical cases is the start point, ideally viewed alongside individual and herd somatic cell count data. Milk recording organisations, such as NMR, can do this automatically – it’s part of their basic milk recording package.

“If a cow’s somatic cell count returns to normal and stays low for three months after treatment, and there’s no recurrence of mastitis, that’s classed as a complete cure.”

She adds that it’s difficult to say what the target cure rate should be. “It varies considerably between farms and there are many different ways of measuring cure rate, so it’s hard to put a figure on it.”

According to TotalVet data, 40% of mastitis cases, on average, result in a complete cure. “This average would, typically, be lower for Staph aureus infections, which are more difficult to cure,” adds Mrs Aplin.

“And it would be higher for gram negative infections, such as E Coli. So this cure rate, and the bar to measure how effective treatment is, will vary from unit to unit and depends very much on the mastitis-causing bugs within the herd,” says Mrs Aplin, adding that this underlines, once again, the importance of knowing what mastitis-causing bugs are problematic on your unit.

Mastitis monitoring NMR vet Karen Bond agrees that testing somatic cell counts – which is part of the basic NMR package – is the best way to monitor effective cure rates.

“All the data on clinical mastitis cases can be passed to the recorder and, once the milk sample has been tested, the SCC will tell you all you need to know.”

Herd Companion is an easy tool to look at cure rates. It produces various reports that can help producers to monitor new and repeat cases, cows with chronic infections and those that successfully cure.

“And all the producer has to do is make sure that the recorder has all the relevant information – NMR does the rest.”

She adds that, in her opinion, many producers could be making better use of this information to help them better monitor and control mastitis in their herds.

“Those that are making the best use of it are often doing so in conjunction with their vet.

“It’s there – and it’s easy to understand. And it can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining and improving udder health.”

Dr Bond adds that, regardless of tube availability,

Mastitis control checklist • Know the mastitis causing pathogens on your unit and review clinical cases and cure rates every six months with your vet and also check that the bacterial profile hasn’t changed • Take samples from all clinical mastitis cases, label and freeze • Keep detailed and accurate mastitis records and share with your milk recorder • Make full use of milk records data and reports to check cure rates and mastitis infection patterns • When treating mastitis, your vet may recommend using a NSAID to help reduce pain and inflammation • Follow label directions carefully when treating and withholding milk – not all tubes are the same

Kath Aplin: “It’s vital to know the mastitis-causing bugs on your unit” producers should undertake regular mastitis management and treatment reviews – even when there’s no imminent change to the mastitis treatment tubes being used on farm.

“It’s important that producers know which pathogens are causing mastitis in their herd, because this isn’t a static situation and it can change – even in just a matter of months.”

Freeze samples Dr Bond recommends that producers culture mastitic milk samples and review their treatment plans at least every six months.

“It’s always a good idea to take a sterile sample from clinical cases and put it in the freezer, clearly labelled, before you begin treatment.

“That way, if treatment is ineffective you can culture the sample – or samples – to find out what’s going on,” says Dr Bond.

“This belt-and-braces approach will pay dividends in the long run and also offers peace of mind. If clinical or subclinical mastitis cases start to increase, or become difficult to treat, you’ve already got a batch of samples to investigate what’s going on.

It may be the trigger to a review of lactating cow – or indeed dry cow – treatment again. Regardless of tube availability pressures. l

Karen Bond: “Many producers could be making better use of records” cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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UDDER HEALTH SPECIAL BREEDING FOR UDDER HEALTH

Data shows breeding is

key to udder health The UK herd average SCC is still improving, overall, despite a recent blip in the figures.

And much of this is down to breeding for better udder health.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

B

reeding has had a significant impact when it comes to improving udder health in UK herd and there’s more progress to be made – thanks to the continued use of the SCC index and the more recent addition of the mastitis index. Figures show that since 2008, when the average somatic cell count peaked, there’s been a sustained and significant reduction.

“Looking at the analysis for SCC, there’s definitely a downward genetic trend,” says AHDB’s Marco Winters.

“We saw a steep drop in 2012/2013,” says Mr Winters. “More than we expected from genetics alone, so there are always some environmental and management factors at play. But selection for udder health – be that using the SCC index or the mastitis

index – has made, and continues to make, a big difference here.”

The past two years (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) AHDB figures have shown a surprising blip – particularly in 2018/2019. NMR figures paint a similar picture, according to NMR’s Karen Bond.

“The downward trend looks to have slowed, but we also saw a rapid improvement in SCC across dairy herds annually, from 2013 to 2016. During the past three years we have seen a small increase and now the levels have reached a plateau,” she says, adding that the UK average is a still a respectable 173,000 cells/ml (April 2019 to April 2020 data).

“Like any aspect of dairy management, there will be producers who are ‘on it’ when it comes to SCC and udder health. And there will be those that are less so.

And the latter will always, to some extent, push up the average figure.”

Expected level She adds that some producers may have lost cows to diseases, such as bTB, during the past three years and, as a result, have made fewer voluntary culls due to high SCC. “And the weather may have also played a role.

We’ve seen a few years of extremely wet and then hot and humid conditions, which will impact on udder health and SCC.”

Figure 1: Expected (based on cows’ average genetic merit for SCC) and actual average UK herd somatic cell counts since 2003 actual SCC

expected SCC

200

SCC (x 1000 cells/ml)

190

180

170

160

150 2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

year

26

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“Overall, the UK herd average SCC is still at the expected level,” agrees Mr Winters.

“I suspect that the anomalies we’ve seen during the past two years were down to management and environmental factors. Perhaps producers were not culling high SCC cows so hard, since their herd average has fallen to a more acceptable level?” says Mr Winters.

“It’s something to keep an eye on. Breeding for good udder health – reduced SCC and fewer mastitis cases – will go a long way and the potential is there for the average to continue to fall. But management has a key role to play.

From a genetic point of view, SCC can never be too low.

But there is still a perception and a real concern that SCC can be too low and render cows defenceless again udder infection. “There is a belief that if a herd is ‘too clean’ and it’s then exposed to a mastitis causing pathogen that this could create a lot of udder health issues. But we’re a way off reaching that level with breeding.”

Too low?

Mrs Bond says that producers shouldn’t be concerned about low SCC cows. “It’s an age-old question – is there such a thing as ‘too low’ when it comes to SCC? “I don’t believe that there is. Even low SCC cows – some can be down to 10,000 cells/ml or fewer – should be more than capable of fighting off udder infection. It’s about how quickly the cow’s immune system can direct the white blood cells to the site of infection when needed, rather than the number that are there in the first place.”

And she believes that there’s still plenty more progress to be made in UK herds. “The average, through breeding and careful udder health management, could still be significantly reduced.

“Let’s get to a place where we can actually start to have those debates about how low we should go with SCC. That’d be a huge achievement and also entirely possible.

That said, most herds will always have one or two cows

Marco Winters: “Selection for udder health has made – and is making – a huge impact” that will pull up their average – regardless of breeding or management.”

Back to breeding and Mr Winter’s says that looking at the best and worst sires, ranked on SCC and mastitis index, during the past 30 years is an eye opener (see Table 1) and serves to highlight just how far dairy breeding has progressed in terms of tackling udder health issues.

Around 7.3% of daughters by the top five sires, ranked on SCC and mastitis index, saw a raised SCC in their first lactation, compared to 18.3% incidence in daughters of the worst five sires.

“The probability of daughters by the worst sires developing udder health problems in their first lactation was double that of the best sires. And this gap widens in subsequent lactations. Some of the daughters of the worst ranking sires probably don’t even make it to a second or third lactation.”

The good news is that the sires used in this example are ‘old’ sires and no longer in use.

“Things have moved on a lot since the 1990s – these lower-end sires would be unmarketable today. SCC index are used by most – if not all – producers. And awareness of the mastitis index is also growing.

“More producers could be making use if it, if they’re looking at individual sire PTAs and specifically want to select for better udder health.

“SCC and mastitis index are now included in £PLI so, by default, if producers are selecting on £PLI they’re also selecting for improved udder health.” l

Table 1: Proportion of heifers and cows with a SCC test greater than 200,000 cells/ml, by sires ranked on SCC and Mastitis Index

lactation 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

top five sires

bottom five sires

7.3% 8.9% 12.6% 16.1% 19.7%

18.3% 24.9% 32.4% 38.0% 41.5%

Table 2: Top SCC and Mastitis Index sires from CRV Avoncroft

sire Starmaker Podcast Fisherman Wirdum Abundant P Bouncer Skyline

SCC index

mastitis index

–30 –18 –16 –20 –21 –30 –8

–3 –1 –2 –3 –3 –3 –1

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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DAIRY MANAGEMENT NEWS

bovens bovens regel o

Uniform licence covers more users

Virtual tag offer NMR and Nordic Star are offering NMR customers a 10% discount on all tags on four key event dates this autumn. Those placing their first order with Nordic Star will also be sent an applicator free of charge.

The company is not attending any autumn events due to its COVID-19 policy, where protecting its staff and customers and ensuring

the integrity of its business are priorities.

Those placing orders on September 16 (UK Dairy Day), October 7 (The Dairy Show), November 18 (AgriScot) and December 10 (Winter Fair, Lisburn) should add the offer code SHOWS 2020 on the Nordic Star website: www.nordicstar.co.uk or quote it with telephone orders on 0800 7319465.

3-for-2 genomics offer NMR is offering new Clarifide Plus customers three tests for the price of two on a single batch of genomic tests until November 19, 2020, with a maximum of 40 free tests. There is no minimum order, but it is recommended to test at least 20 heifers to derive meaningful test results.

The offer also includes, as part of the service, one-to-one consultancy, online or by telephone, to help use the data in making accurate management decisions for the herd.

Clarifide Plus, which is also available through vets in the UK, is an added value genomic test based on standard testing combined with 12 adult and three calf health traits.

These key health traits are combined into the Dairy Wellness Profit index (DWP). Heifers that combine high levels of productivity, functionality and health can then be easily identified.

More information is available from NMR Customer Services on 03330 043043.

New to the field NMR has added two new area field managers to its team.

Amy Mepham is responsible for field operations in Wiltshire and parts of Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset. Geraint May is responsible for north Wales, from the Cheshire/Welsh border Amy Mepham

Geraint May

Uniform Pro Consultants, the version of Uniform designed for vets and consultants and marketed through NMR, is increasing the number of registered users per licence from two to five with immediate effect. The monthly charge per licence is unchanged.

“This allows for more flexibility,” says NMR software trainer Cath Smith, “particularly where more vets and advisers are working from a home office and need access to their producer clients’ records.”

Uniform software is the leading dairy management system on UK dairy units.

It links directly with the Pro Consultants version allowing consultants and vets to access herd information directly.

More information is available from Software Orders, 03330 043043 softwareorders@nmrp.com

Entries up The RABDF has received a record number of entries for the 100th Gold Cup award. A total of 39 entries are being reviewed by judges. This is an increase of around 40% on 2019.

The 2020 Gold Cup winner will be announced at Dairy-Tech in February 2021. Judges will aim to visit the shortlisted farms – possibly virtually or in person – late 2020.

GeneTracker dates to Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula.

Sally Hughlock is the new NMR customer account manager in Scotland. Based in Dumfries, she is focussing on sales, marketing and customer queries relating to products and services.

Sally Hughlock

The next genomic sample submission and results publication dates on Herd Companion (or on Search Point) are: • September 17, published November 3 (November 4) • October 15, published December 1 (December 2) • November 19, published January 5, 2021 (January 6)

For more information about NMR products and services contact customer services: 03330 043 043, email: customerservices@nmrp.com www.nmr.co.uk

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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HEALTH CALF REARING

Good news on

calf rearing protocols

Key messages on the importance of colostrum management, vaccination against pneumonia, and reducing antibiotic use are hitting home, according to the latest #Calfmatters survey results.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

P

roducers are definitely upping their game when it comes to calf rearing and tackling disease, including pneumonia or bovine respiratory disease. And this has been underlined by the responses from the 2020 #Calfmatters survey, which Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s vet Ailsa Milnes has analysed.

“There’s plenty of good news in there, not least that more producers are improving calf rearing protocols and systems and also vaccinating calves, as an added insurance to prevent pneumonia,” she says. “This

30

means that an increased percentage of producers are also treating less than 5% of their calves for respiratory disease.”

This is the fourth consecutive year that the survey has been carried out. “So we are able to look back at the pattern of responses, which as well as giving us a snapshot of what’s happening now, allows us compare the results to what producers have said and done in previous years.

“Firstly, we had an increased number of responses to our survey in 2020 with almost 500 completed forms.

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This indicates a greater interest and awareness of calf health,” says Dr Milnes, adding that many responses also came from #Calfmatters followers.

Of all the respondents, more than half (54%) were dairy producers, with the rest being beef and specialist contract rearers, and their average herd size was 195 milkers. “It’s slightly higher than the average UK dairy herd size of 148, and it’s a good representation of the modern UK dairy unit.”

Preventing disease

calf temp monitoring (ear mounted device) growth tracking by monitoring calf weights group antibiotic treatment for prevention calf jackets calf vaccination vaccination of in-calf dams colostrum intake ensured

One of the most positive findings is that more producers are vaccinating their calves to protect them from BRD – 47% of producers stated that they vaccinated some or all calves on farm. “This is higher than the national average, which is around 40% according to industry figures, and marks a yearon-year increase from our survey responses,” says Dr Milnes.

“There’s been a big drive by RUMA during the past few years to encourage producers to vaccinate, where appropriate, to prevent disease and to reduce the use of antibiotics that are needed to treat sick animals,” says Dr Milnes. “Producers are seeing the benefits of using vaccination that includes the reduced incidence of pneumonia, improved calf health and wellbeing, reduced antibiotic use, and fewer vet visits. Our survey results also show that there’s an increased awareness of the role that vaccines play in increasing animal health and welfare – and in reducing antibiotic use. So the message is getting through.”

She adds that producers are motivated to use vaccines because they see these benefits and they also witness better staff motivation. “Treating is not only time consuming – it’s also demoralising. Seeing your antibiotic use and vet and medicine bills falling year on year is highly motivating, as is looking after healthy and thriving calves.”

Reduced incidence In 2020’s survey, 67% of respondents stated that they had to treat fewer than 5% of their calves (see Table 1) and this is a figure that has improved in recent years, from 61% in 2019 and 56% in 2018). “The ‘more than 25%’ box has always been ticked by the minority and that number continues to fall,” adds Dr Milnes.

The survey also highlights that the colostrum ‘message’– its vital role in protecting calf health and getting them off to the best possible start, is also getting through. “Respondents showed that they have a firm grasp on the importance of colostrum – quality, timing and quantity – and have good protocols in place. We can see an increase in producers testing colostrum quality, with 38% routinely testing in 2020.”

Table 1: Percentage of calves treated for pneumonia (BVD) by survey respondents during the past year

percentage of calves treated for pneumonia percentage below 5% 5-10% 10-25% more than 25%

calf temperature monitoring (other)

67 20 9 4

optimal housing conditions calves housed in similar age groups 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 number of respondents

Table 2: Management methods used by survey respondents to reduce calf pneumonia

Dr Milnes said that producers also appear to be more aware of the role of management – particularly the calf environment – when it comes to maximising health and growth rates, and preventing disease.

“When we asked them what their priority was, going forward, to improve their current calf rearing system, the top answer was to house calves in similar age groups, followed by managing colostrum intakes, and monitoring calf housing conditions.

“So there’s an awareness that mixing different aged calves also poses a disease risk. And this could be the reason why producers also say that they need to invest in additional or upgrading calf housing facilities.”

Identifying ‘bottlenecks’ Dr Milnes says that it’s encouraging that producers are assessing all aspects of their calf rearing systems and identifying ‘bottlenecks’ (see Table 2). “They’re certainly aware that management and husbandry has to be tip-top to prevent disease and maximise health and welfare. And they’re using vaccination as part of a complete care package. It’s not a panacea and it isn’t being used as such. Vaccination should be used as part of the overall strategy.”

The survey also asked what the impact of pneumonia is on their business and the top answer was increased vet and medicine bills, followed by the loss of income from less productive calves and dead/culls. “And 29% of respondents also highlighted personal or staff stress as a significant impact, due to the additional work created by sick calves.”

“This question has been asked every year of the survey and the responses have been fairly consistent, but with an increased perception of the impact.

Producers are increasingly seeing that BRD effects calf growth and productivity and is not just related to the cost of dead or sick calves.”

When asked what, if any changes to farm policy had been made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the top answer was to review farm biosecurity. “The threat of this virus has focused minds a little here – both in terms of human and cattle and calf health.

And that’s a positive outcome, despite the on-going difficulties faced by producers and the wider industry,” adds Dr Milnes. l

Ailsa Milnes: “Producers are using vaccination as part of a complete care package”

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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Breeding for udder health

34% reduc in mastitis

UDDER HEALTH

60.0%

2003 Introduction of udder he in NVI

50.0% 40.0%

544-20 Spread-CM UK-AUG-ALG.indd 2

0.0%

2007

10.0%

2005

20.0%

2003

Subclinical mastitis

30.0%

20-08-20 08:06

duction titis!

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UDDER HEALTH HOOF HEALTH

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A breeding value of 104 means: • 10,000 lower somatic cell score • 2% less clinical mastitis • 3% less subclinical mastitis

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20-08-20 08:07

BULL PROOFS

Widen the net

when selecting sires The latest sire rankings have captured twice runner up in the NMR/RABDF Gold Cup competition and renowned pedigree breeder James Tomlinson’s imagination this time around.

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

M

ore established sires, as well as those outside the top 10, have caught Lancashire-based producer James Tomlinson’s eye in the latest sires rankings. Not least is the new number-one daughter-proven Holstein, with a Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) of £737, Westcoast Guarantee.

“This Boastful son is improving as daughters are added to his proof and I’ve seen some of them. They’re big, black and strong – very good looking,” says James.

He also passes on an excellent cross-section of health, fertility and efficiency traits. These include –25 SCC Index, –4 Mastitis Index, favourable maintenance feed costs (–7), and excellent Fertility Index (+13.8). “His type merit, at –0.83, and linear traits are below where I’d ike to see them. But everything else is so good that he’s hard to ignore.”

The only new entrant in the top 10 proven-bull list is Westcoast Yamaska. This Afterburner son has a PLI of £696, which confirms his young sire genomic credentials as a components improver (+0.23% fat, +0.16% protein).

He also has the best TB Advantage in the top 20 proven sires, at +4.9, and a Type Merit of +1.97. “But he’s a little low on milk for me,” says James.

Third placed Welcome Silver Griff moves up from 10th

Westcoast Yamaska

34

Peak Alta Plinko

position in April, transmitting outstanding weights of fat and protein (49.4kg fat, 31.9kg protein) and earning a PLI of £688. “His milk, at 760kg, looks good but then you glance across at his SCC score, which is +10. So that’s a massive no-no for me.”

James has been thorough, as always, with his analysis of the list and explains that he always looks at the top 75, if not the top 100, sires. “Even that far down there are some incredible bulls and there’s so little between them – particularly on the genomic list.”

It’s not until he’s out of the top 20 that he sees a couple of sires he can relate to. The first is DG Charley, with a PLI of £617. He’s –22 for SCC and +10.3 for fertility, with a good balanced linear. James used him two years ago, as a genomic sire, and already has some heifers milking in the herd.

Genetic gain “He’s come into his own – it’s good to see him in the rankings. And his daughters are super and they are certainly fertile. They all got back in calf quickly.”

He’s also pleased to see Agronaut in the rankings, with a PLI of £613 and +2.87 for type merit. “He’s also –25 for SCC and +10.8 for fertility. I haven’t used him yet, but I would like to. He was out of my price range as a young sire. Genomic bulls, particularly the top ones, are a little pricey.

“But I can see that it would definitely be money well spent now – and probably more affordable.”

Yet another fast genetic gain has promoted seven new young sires into the top-10 ranking for genomic bulls but the previous frontrunner, Genosource Captain, is still in number-one position.

With a PLI of £861, Captain transmits high fat (50kg, +0.14%) and excellent feed savings seen through a negative Maintenance Index (–15). And his Fertility Index is also an impressive +10.7. “There’s no doubt that Genosource Captain

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he has really good figures,” says James. “And he also has a good modern sire stack. He’s not a bad bull at all, but I am wary about his chest width, body depth and stature, as well as his condition score. That’s the whole cow, so he’s not for me.”

In second place is new entry, Peak Alta Plinko (PLI £857).

This son of Progenesis Marius, from a Bomaz Alta Topshot dam, is the highest transmitter of combined fat and protein (47.6kg fat and +40.3kg protein) and also transmits an impressive 1,038kg milk. “That’s huge – there’s no denying that. And his SCC and fertility scores are good. But he’s only 0.64 for type, which isn’t enough for my herd.”

Cow family It’s the next sire on the list, a close relative (also a Marius x Alta Topshot but from a different cow family), Peak Alta Zazzle, who is James’ pick of the top 10. “I’d choose him over the number-two sire. He has slightly better figures and is from a more solid cow family – Rudolph.

“I have made enquires and the price is a little high, but I’ll go back and ask again. I would like him in my AI flask.”

Denovo 15848 Kenmore ranks fourth (PLI £811), transmitting good improvements to somatic cell count (SCC –24) and good calf survival (CS +3.8). He too is newly available since the previous genetic evaluations in April.

“For me he’s ‘just OK’ – I’m not blown away. He’s from a decent cow family but there are sires in the list that would be better suited to my breeding policy.”

In fifth place is DG Charley son, Denovo 14566 Crosby (PLI £806), with excellent udder health figures (–27 SCC, –4 Mastitis) as well as outstanding Lameness Advantage

James Tomlinson: “There’s been a resurgence of sires from strong cow families, which is good news” (+4.3). “I’ve used some semen already and have a small crop of good calves on the ground. They’ve only just been weaned but they’re strong and are already showing promise. I really like what I see.”

Skipping to seventh place, Progenesis Banksy, with a PLI of £794 and transmitting high milk (+1,006kg), is another Mario son with a modern sire stack that’s caught James’ eye. “He’s just what I’m looking for and I will be getting a price.”

Rounding off the top 10 is Aardema Pistolero (PLI £782), offering the best daughter Fertility Index in the top 10 (+11.9). And he’s another sire that’s whet James’ appetite.

“He’s a sire that I’ve been looking for, with a strong cow family line and a modern sire stack. He has really high fertility and he ticks all the boxes for me.

“There does seem to be a resurgence in strong cow families again, which is good news. That dropped away for a while, but it’s come back. And there’s more to choose from, as a result.”

Looking further down the list, Nortonhill R2D2, with a PLI of £713, stood out for James. “Mainly because he’s a UK-bred bull. But also because he’s an early Skywalker son off a Superhero. He’s plus on teat length and has a solid linear. I will be looking at getting a price for him too.” l

calf su rvival

fertility ind.

maint.

% prote in

kg pro tein

kg mil k

conformation

0.83 –0.31 0.66 –0.20 –0.32 –0.27 0.25 0.27 0.72 0.11

proven sires Westcoast Guarantee Westcoast Yamaska Welcome Silver Griff View-Home Littlerock Hoanster Zanzibar Progenesis Unicorn Seagull-Bay Jo Dancer Bellemont Perks Pine-Tree Verona Cookiecutter Harper

Boastful x Tango Afterburner x Yoder Silver x Supersire Cashcoin x Robust Armitage x Bowser Spring x Tango Josuper x Headliner Pesky x Esquire Spring x Supersire Balisto x Epic

Semex Semex WWS UK Semex Semex Semex Genus Cogent Genus Genus

78 69 80 92 95 77 93 89 87 92

119 13.8 –0.6 95 7.9 –1.2 52 8.6 –0.6 146 8.5 0.9 131 15.6 0.0 113 15.2 –0.3 85 0.3 –0.4 12 8.0 –0.3 49 9.1 –1.7 85 4.1 0.0

2.0 2.3 1.7 1.5 2.7 2.6 1.5 2.8 2.0 0.7

–0.95 –0.87 –0.05 –0.83 –0.83 1.92 1.50 1.97 0.42 1.08 0.75 1.11 1.38 0.06 0.86 0.69 –0.94 –0.98 –0.50 –0.80 –0.60 0.60 0.99 0.50 1.55 0.81 0.71 1.29 0.33 –0.93 0.53 0.00 1.69 0.46 1.13 1.25 0.82 0.90 1.04 1.23

+718 +397 +760 +717 +565 +499 +688 +434 +672 +428

+31.5 +35.7 +49.4 +28.9 +27.0 +25.0 +49.0 +36.3 +40.2 +33.2

+28.4 +26.6 +31.9 +25.8 +24.0 +20.3 +25.8 +28.6 +26.7 +29.9

+0.03 +0.23 +0.21 +0.00 +0.05 +0.06 +0.24 +0.22 +0.15 +0.18

+0.05 +0.16 +0.08 +0.02 +0.06 +0.04 +0.04 +0.16 +0.05 +0.18

737 –7 –25 696 10 –15 688 3 10 672 –20 –14 666 5 –18 666 –8 –19 664 4 –21 663 –8 –4 655 0 –9 651 9 –8

0.89 0.64 0.45 0.91 1.50 1.02 0.47 0.45 0.51 0.60

0.76 0.12 1.51 1.43 0.31 1.24 0.67 1.06 1.78 1.19

TM

1.2 1.4 1.8 3.8 2.1 2.5 1.5 2.2 1.7 1.8

udder

153 10.7 0.5 85 6.5 0.7 125 4.4 0.0 119 7.5 0.5 143 4.3 –0.7 101 9.2 0.0 131 5.4 –0.6 168 2.0 0.0 140 5.3 1.2 156 11.9 0.6

F&L

63 +927 +50.0 +32.8 +0.14 +0.03 861 –15 –12 63 +1038 +47.6 +40.3 +0.06 +0.07 857 –7 –17 63 +842 +53.2 +33.0 +0.21 +0.06 817 –2 –18 63 +862 +39.3 +33.1 +0.05 +0.05 811 –2 –24 66 +934 +40.6 +32.7 +0.03 +0.02 806 –4 –27 63 +374 +41.8 +28.4 +0.31 +0.19 798 9 –20 63 +1006 +41.9 +38.6 +0.02 +0.06 794 2 –19 63 +675 +44.9 +27.8 +0.20 +0.06 793 –17 –22 63 +656 +42.1 +29.5 +0.18 +0.09 788 –13 –17 64 +775 +36.3 +29.2 +0.06 +0.04 782 –6 –19

dCE

Cogent Alta Alta Genus Genus Genus Semex Alta Genus Semex

SCC

Charl x Sabre Marius x Topshot Marius x Topshot Kenobi x Frazzled Charley x Rubicon Glitz x Verona Marius x Imax Samsung x Frazzled Kenobi x Raiden Guarantee x Commander

£PLI

supplier

genomic sires Genosource Captain Peak Alta Plinko Peak Alta Zazzle Denovo 15848 Kenmore Denovo 14566 Crosby Denovo 3150 Generate Progenesis Banksy Co-Op Dd Alta Hotmail Denovo 15826 Knight Aardema Pistolero

% fat

sire x mat. grandsire

kg fat

name

rel.

lifespa n

functional traits

production

milkin g spee d

Table 1: Top 10 genomic and top 10 daughter-proven sires available in the UK ranked on PLI (source: AHDB Dairy and Holstein UK)

1.20 0.64 1.36 1.51 1.19 1.35 0.82 1.15 1.81 0.93

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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HEALTH NEWS

Check for worms before treating at housing Producers are being urged to assess cattle for worm burdens at housing, and to implement a risk-based approach to treatment, avoiding routine blanket treatments.

Grazed replacement heifers would ideally have had their growth tracked against daily live-weight gain targets, since this is a helpful method to identify a worm burden. “Growing cattle that have access to sufficient nutrition but are not making their growth targets are likely to be carrying a worm burden, which is hampering their performance,” says Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s Sioned Timothy.

“Regularly assessing individuals against targets can be used as a decision making tool during the grazing season to determine whether wormer treatments are required.

“Using this information, and reviewing treatment rates, can help to determine what treatment should be given at housing,” she adds.

“Remember to take account of other parasites that are also present on the farm – including liver fluke, lungworm and ectoparasites – when planning treatments.”

Lactating adult cows can be assessed as a group through bulk milk tank tests for the presence of Ostertagia ostertagi antibodies.

Improved vaccine bottle launched

This gutworm is known to reduce milk yield and impair fertility, The bulk milk test can show what level of challenge the group has experienced during the grazing period, but not identify that challenge for individuals. A high test result suggests that treatment of the group is required. Remember that antibody levels are a measure of exposure, so will remain elevated following treatment.

“Diagnostic tests and growth assessments help to ensure producers only use wormers when necessary. By targeting worm treatments at individual animals or small groups, producers can save money while also reducing the risk of selecting for anthelmintic resistance,” says Ms Timothy.

BVDzero case studies available to view online Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s 2020 BVDzero case study award scheme culminated with two virtual online sessions, where the vets and authors of the top 10 studies presented their cases.

The awards aim to promote vets’ proactive investigation and management of both clinical and sub-clinical bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle. The case studies are judged by an independent expert panel and information from each is collated and can be an invaluable resource for vets and producers.

Five of the top 10 case studies came from the UK and covered a wide range of subjects.

Short films of each vet presenting their case study are on the BVDzero YouTube channel.

Some of the 2018 case studies are also available to view.

“BVD eradication programmes, both voluntary and compulsory, have been in place for several years in the UK and Ireland,” says Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s Matt Yarnall. “But we know from studies, such as

bovens bovens regel o

the National BVD Survey, that it is not always plain sailing.”

The survey is coordinated by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, which makes Bovela – the UK’s number-one selling BVD vaccine.

Case study topics BVDzero case study topics covered by UK vets included: • The hidden risks of the show ring,

by Magda Sioukiouroglou, Carmarthen • The cost of not vaccinating, by Paul Crawford, Co Antrim • BVD ‘Stamp it Out’: the impact on 150 farms in north west England, by Laura Donovan, Cheshire • Outbreak of BVD in a vaccinated herd, by Becky Gay, Somerset • Infection of sheep and cattle with BVD virus on a mixed farm, by Nikki Moore, Northamptonshire Watch the BVDzero YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BVDzero

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has introduced an improved bottle for its respiratory vaccine, which can be used in calves from 10 days of age.

As an intranasal vaccine, Bovalto Respi IN triggers mucosal immunity in the nasal passages and throat area. It can be delivered from 10 days of age without the need for a booster and provides immunity for 12 weeks, from 10 days after vaccination. It has also been shown to be effective in the face of maternally derived antibodies.

In order to assist with effective administration, the Respisafe applicator and nozzle have been developed.

Following feedback from producers and vets, the bottle features a wider neck that allows a better applicator fit.

“The applicator ensures that vaccination is a comfortable process for both producer and calf, and the improved fit will make the job easier,” says brand manager Matt Yarnall.

“With an intranasal vaccine, it is important that the vaccine droplets coat the mucosa of the nasal passages, where they can begin to work,” he explains. “The applicator system ensures that the optimum size of droplet is administered to the right place in an efficient and easy way.”

Bovalto Respi Intranasal protects against the two main respiratory viruses, RSV and PI3, and during its development it was tested against current strains that are associated with causing disease in cattle.

The new bottles will start to enter circulation with vets from mid-July, with an expectation that the existing version will still be available until early 2021.

For more information about Boehringer Ingelheim’s products: www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk www.calfmatters.com Telephone: 01344 74 69 60 Email address: ukcustomersupport @boehringer-ingelheim.com

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HEALTH TESTING

Test, test, test The World Health Organisation is encouraging more widespread testing in the global effort to control COVID-19. It’s the message that NMR has been driving home for years in the effort to control endemic diseases in dairy cattle, says NMR’s managing director Andy Warne.

TEXT KAREN WRIGHT

O

n March 16, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic gained momentum, we all looked to the scientists and global health authorities for answers. The director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, had one simple answer to control the virus – ‘test, test, test’. His message is one that reflects NMR’s message to dairy producers as they’ve tackled endemic diseases like BVD, Johne’s and Neospora.

“We have seen positive results in the dairy industry,” says Andy Warne. “But there’s still work to do. The WHO’s plea, to ‘test, test, test’ should resonate with those producers who still need to integrate routine testing into their herd management and make inroads

38

into controlling some of the diseases, which are still affecting the dairy industry.”

Testing for diseases like BVD has proved to be the first vital step in reducing losses. “Once producers know the status in their herds and work with their vet on control protocols, the rest should follow,” he adds.

And this is much the same with COVID-19 control.

Mr Adhanom’s call was for an urgent escalation in COVID-19 testing capacity as the framework for the global response. His clear message was that we have to know the extent of the pandemic and where infections are. As he said: ‘It is not possible to fight a fire blindfolded’. And prior to the development of a vaccine the ‘test, track and trace’ system is the only

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weapon governments have to fight the virus.

Unlike the WHO, producers are not fighting a novel virus on a global scale to protect human life and the global economy. But the profound economic effects of endemic bovine diseases, such as Johne’s, BVD and Neospora, can have the same debilitating effect on the finances of a dairy business. It is estimated that BVD alone could be costing between £13 and £31 per cow in Britain.

“Whether it is the WHO fighting COVID-19 or a producer fighting Johne’s disease, testing is vital,” adds Andy Warne.

The success of testing, tracking and tracing to control bovine disease has been demonstrated in national BVD schemes throughout Europe and the British Isles. In the first five years of the BVD scheme in Ireland, the incidence of BVD was reduced to just 53 individual animals in the entire country.

Similar dramatic reductions have been seen in Scotland and Northern Ireland where compulsory testing for BVD has been coupled with tracking using a central database.

And there are local BVD initiatives in England and Wales being run by some retail provenance schemes, such as Sainsbury’s, breed societies and individual vet practices.

All these initiatives show clearly that testing works.

SCC reduction

Andy Warne: “Whether it’s the WHO fighting COVID-19, or a producer fighting Johne’s, testing is vital” day. The daily capacity today is more than 250,000 tests.

“The other key missing component for the UK Government is the central database to collate the test results and provide a sensible and credible track-and-trace system,” says Mr Warne. “The recent decision to move COVID-19 test-and-trace responsibility to local health authorities demonstrates that it failed to find a quick solution to this problem.”

Again, he reflects on the examples in testing and tracking facilities already in place in the UK dairy industry.

“Earlier in 2020, NMR invested £350,000 in a state-ofthe-art robotic machine that is integrated into the ELISA testing procedure for our Johne’s disease screening services. We’ve also invested in PCR testing capacity for BVD. PCR is the same testing process used for COVID-19.”

Dairy test-and-trace

Figure 1: Average SCC for all NMR milk samples

New NMR robot improves Johne’s disease testing facility

somatic cell count (x 1000 cells/ml milk)

Somatic cell count (SCC) reduction across the national dairy herd is another success story where testing has been at the core of producers’ progress in tackling disease. Data produced by the University of Reading compares NMR annual average cell counts and shows that the average, from 2009 to 2019, has fallen from 221,000 cells/ml to 183,000 cells/ml, as shown in Figure 1.

“This improvement has come about through individual cow SCC testing or through the increase in the proportion of testing on all bulk milk samples,” he adds.

“The adage of ‘if you don’t measure it you can’t manage it’ applies. That said, more testing doesn’t deliver better management, but it certainly enables it.”

And SCC data for individual cows continues to be used in the AHDB genetic evaluation process that enables selection of the genetic traits for improved animal health.

The improvement in inherent genetic resistance to mastitis and the ability to breed healthier cows is a result of routine testing. The major challenges faced by the UK Government in the control of COVID-19 was testing capacity and the lack of a central database to run an effective track and trace system. At the start of the pandemic the UK struggled to complete 20,000 tests a

The NMR database has been operating for decades to provide producers with test-and-trace functionality required to manage endemic bovine diseases within dairy herds. When it comes to Johne’s monitoring, the routine screening service HerdWise holds a database of all tested animals and their on-going classification based on infection status.

“This service, and its database provision, is regarded as world leading and provides a credible tool for the Johne’s Action Group to instigate national control strategies,” adds Mr Warne. “It’s yet another example of the testing and tracking tools that the UK dairy industry has in place.

In many ways it is ahead of the Government in terms of endemic disease control. The dairy industry is a good example of the success of testing, but there’s still more to be done.”

It’s hoped that the WHO’s ‘test, test, test’ campaign might resonate with those producers still needing to take advantage of the dairy disease testing services available.

Whether it’s Tedros Adhanom at the WHO or the farm’s vet or adviser speaking, the answer to controlling endemic diseases is clear, and it starts with testing. l

250 230 210 190 170 150

’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

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BREEDING INFORMATION

Double W Ranger daughters live up to expectations Brown Swiss additions

Ranger daughters Franzy 3 and Delta Rietje 10

Double W Ranger (by Reflector) has been the most used CRV bull in recent years.

With 500 daughters in milk production in the Netherlands and Flanders, he far exceeds his genomic breeding values. He shows a significant increase for longevity (+549 days) in combination with an increase in milk production (+338 kg). And the Reflector son succeeds in maintaining his high contents (+0.12% fat, +0.09% protein). Ranger is an allround bull with a high score for total conformation (112).

Delta Nippon P Genomic bull Delta Nippon P is seen as the heir apparent to Ranger. Nippon P is a ground-breaking, polled bull with a fresh bloodline (Hotspot x Bernell). His phenomenal daughter fertility (109) is an additional striking feature. Nippon daughters will grow into cows of average stature (101), with good feet and

legs (103) and fantastic udders (114). He transmits 392kg of milk with a high fat and protein percentage (+0.15%).

Delta Nominator Delta Nominator from the successful Jacuzzi x Finder combination hails from the same proven-cow family as Nippon P. He combines impressive production with a positive fat and protein content. The Jacuzzi son delivers efficient persistent (115) and trouble-free cows with fantastic udders (110) and low somatic cell counts (110).

Nominator also scores exceptionally well on all health traits (CRV Health + 6%) and delivers efficient daughters (+ 16% CRV Efficiency).

That makes him a striking example of the balance between health and efficiency, which the CRV breeding programme stands for.

Semen from Nippon P and Nominator is available both conventional and sexed.

CRV Avoncroft has added two Brown Swiss bulls to its stud: Bloomberg and Veritas. Bloomberg is currently the highest Blooming son in the list, according to total merit index and particularly functional traits. His mother, Prohuvo-Rehpro, achieved an average lactation performance of 10,501kg of milk at 4.33% fat and 3.73% protein. The enormous longevity of this cow family is also worth mentioning. In the past six generations, three cows have calved 10 times.

Strong fitness traits, where longevity, persistency and daughter fertility really stand out, in combination with good conformation complete the breeding pattern of this young Brown Swiss sire.

Veritas (Verdi x Vasir) improved his production and health figures this proof run by adding around 20 daughters.

He inherits positive protein content, strong fertility and good rumps. He also is an A2A2 bull.

Semen from Bloomberg and Veritas is available both conventional and sexed.

For more information on products and services of CRV Avoncroft: phone: 01562 861582 www.crvavoncroft.com www.facebook.com/CRVAvoncroft/

Addison daughter breaks 200,000-kg barrier Dutch Addison daughter De Rith Nora 265 smashed through the 200-tonnes-of-milk barrier in early July. The 19-year-old cow is owned by Adrion and Lisette van Beek, from Breda. She is the fourth cow in the Netherlands to achieve this milestone.

Nora has clocked up 12 lactations and took a total of 5,457 days to reach this lifetime yield, at 4.04% fat and 3.30% protein. Nora was bred by Jos Peeters, Lisette van Beek’s father.

She has spent her entire life in the De Rith herd.

Measuring just 143cm tall, she is now the smallest cow in the herd, but her limited stature has never stood in the way of her performance. “Quite the opposite in fact,”

says Adrion. “She has always been extremely fit and agile.” And her secret to success, according to Adrion? “She’s much cleverer than her herd mates. She avoids getting caught up in the crowd, and carefully plans her route in advance.”

With a pedigree that includes Addison, Marconi, Sunny Boy, Botermijn 728, Ned Boy and Rocket, Nora was destined for durability.

“There are plenty of Dutch bulls with American milk producing genes in her pedigree,” adds Adrion, who heaps praise on Nora for her strong legs and impressive udder.

Addison daughter De Rith Nora 265

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FEEDING SOIL ANALYSIS

Nutrient management starts with the soil

To improve grass quality and produce more milk from forage, one Welsh producer is using soil analysis results to hone his nutrient management plan and has seen a significant improvement in palatability.

TEXT KENDRA HALL

Grazing mob: the herd is split into high and low yielding groups

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A

s one of the cheapest sources of quality forage on UK farms, growing plenty of highquality grass can have a significant impact on the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of dairy businesses. But with fertiliser costs being one of the biggest expenses on farm, it is essential to know what nutrients are needed before application begins.

Third-generation producer David Rowlands manages 147 hectares in Anglesey, Wales, with his parents Ken and Helen. On the home farm, Bryn Bella, the family milks a 200-cow herd, which is averaging 8,200 litres, at 3.99% fat and 3.29% protein. The Holstein Friesians calve all year round with an autumn block.

“We grow winter and spring wheat and take four cuts of grass silage each year,” says David. “During the winter, we feed a TMR comprising wholecrop wheat, grass silage and a blend, with concentrate fed to yield through the parlour.

“While we are grazing, the milking herd is split into high and low groups. The highs are fed for 30 litres of milk, the lows for 20 litres, and all are topped up in the parlour,” he adds.

He aims to graze the herd for 190 days each year and conditions on the farm allow for grass to grow nearly all year round, so David looks to maximise the value of that forage.

Grass palatability With a view to improving grass palatability, a few years ago he added concentrated sodium to fertiliser applications. “I really liked how the cows grazed it and wanted to replicate that result, but was concerned about extra product and additional applications,” he explains.

David discussed this issue with ForFarmers’ Dyfrig Hughes, who suggested that he speak to one of the company’s forage experts.

ForFarmers’ Gary Sanderson used the farm’s soil analysis to build a bespoke nutrient management programme. The soil had good phosphate levels, but needed a boost of nitrogen and sulphur, so he suggested ForFarmers’ fertilisers EarlyStart and Sweet Grass to help with grass growth and palatability.

EarlyStart is a high-nitrogen fertiliser, which is applied in February to kick start root development.

This helps to maximise early grass growth and efficient nutrient uptake.

As the season progresses, Sweet Grass is then applied after each rotation. This dressing includes: nitrogen, for the production of protein; sulphur, to improve dry matter content; and sodium, which raises sugar levels in the grass and helps to drive intakes.

Soil analysis “By starting with soil analysis to inform a targeted nutrient management plan, we ended up with a superior end product, which also allows us to ensure good environmental practice,” says Dyfrig.

“David is a good grassland farmer, so his grass was already good quality. Only in the first year of using this targeted approach, we are already seeing

Grazing ley: clover increases palatability and fixes nitrogen

parameters DM % ME (MJ/kg) D value (g/kg) CP % sugar (g/kg)

amount 29.1 12.3 771 16.7 218

Table 1: Bryn Bella grass analysis from early June 2020

higher sugar levels in the grass, which the cows are eating well.

“The programme has also encouraged more clover in the swards, which has the combined benefits of increasing palatability and fixing nitrogen,” he adds.

David has always been conscious of his nutrient use on the farm. “We are trying to be more targeted and not use more fertiliser than necessary. It’s something every producer should care about,” he says.

“I don’t change a lot, and I’m loyal to my supplier, so making this move was a big step. But when I spoke to Gary, I could tell he knew what he was doing and what he said made sense. Fertiliser is a big expense for us so it’s important that we use the lowest volume for the biggest return. And I’ve been happy with the outcome so far.

“We had a really difficult, dry spring this year, so it’s hard to make direct comparisons to previous growing seasons. But once the rain came, the grass grew quickly and the cows and heifers have been cleaning it up really well.

“We also didn’t run out of grass in what’s been a slow growing season, which has happened before.

And we are currently producing 4,000 litres of milk from forage, which is just under 50%, and I’m extremely happy with that,” concludes David. l

David Rowlands: “We are trying to be more targeted with our fertiliser use” cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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4 ways ways 4 activity activity monitors monitors can pay for can pay for themselves themselves

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Improved labor efficiency Improved labor efficiency Activity monitoring systems can detect heats Activity monitoring systems can detect heats 24/7. Nedap CowControl can even help you find 24/7. Nedap CowControl can even help you find cows quickly by telling exactly where they are in cows quickly by telling exactly where they are in the pen. A few extra minutes here and there the pen. A few extra minutes here and there quickly add up, and saved time can be spent doing quickly add up, and saved time can be spent doing more productive farm tasks. Or even help you get more productive farm tasks. Or even help you get the kids to sports on time. the kids to sports on time.

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You can quickly detect diseases days before a cow You can quickly detect diseases days before a cow shows symptoms. Finding and addressing shows symptoms. Finding and addressing potentially sick cows saves you time and money potentially sick cows saves you time and money because the cows can bounce back quickly and because the cows can bounce back quickly and return to peak milk sooner. return to peak milk sooner.

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Improved conception rates Improved conception rates Don’t guess the optimal breeding time.

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Improved cow comfort and longevity Improved cow comfort and longevity Comfortable cows produce more milk.

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Nedap CowControl offers insights to help you Nedap CowControl offers insights to help you improve housing, handling, nutrition and employee improve housing, handling, nutrition and employee performance. For example, if you see chewing time performance. For example, if you see chewing time drop in a whole group of cows, it could indicate drop in a whole group of cows, it could indicate their ration is imbalanced. Improvements based their ration is imbalanced. Improvements based on these insights pay off in terms of cow on these insights pay off in terms of cow production, health and longevity. production, health and longevity.

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Alta 18 Advanced Ruminant Nutrition Ltd 22 Bath & West 44 Berry’s Agriculture 44 Boehringer Ingelheim 4 Calibre Control International Ltd 28 Cowcare systems 36 Concept Cowhouse Ltd 44 CRV Avoncroft Ltd/CRV 32, 33, 48 Dairy Spares 36 DP Agri 16, 30 Farmplus 22 FCG Accounting Ltd 22 ForFarmers/Thompsons 2 Huesker UK Ltd 28 Intershape Ltd 22 Lallemand 12 Nedap 45 NWF Agriculture 15 NMR 6, 47 Trouw 11 VDK 16 Quill Productions 16 Volac 40

SHOWS AND EVENTS 2020

October 7 The Dairy Show, Shepton Mallet, Somerset December 10 Royal Ulster Winter Fair, Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn (NI) November 11 British Mastitis Conference, Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Worcester

2021

February 3

Dairy-Tech, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, Warwickshire

COMING UP

OCTOBER YOUNG STOCK October 23 – Our autumn issue will include our young-stock supplement and we’ll also take a close look at some of the different options available to reduce energy use and electricity bills.

CONTACTS CowManagement is published eight times per year by CRV BV, Publishing Department Editorial team Chief Editor Jaap van der Knaap Editor Rachael Porter Phone: 01394 270587 E-mail: rachael@reporterjournalism.co.uk Editing, design and production CRV Publishing Contributing writers Emily Ball, Roger Evans, Kendra Hall, Allison Matthews, and Karen Wright Publisher Rochus Kingmans Chief editor’s address P.O. Box 454, 6800 AL Arnhem, The Netherlands Phone: 0031 26 38 98 821 E-mail: cm.office@crv4all.com CowManagement online Facebook: www.facebook.com/CowManagementUK/ Twitter: @cowmanagement Website: www.cowmanagement.co.uk

46

Subscriptions CowManagement is available free of charge to: NMR, CRV Avoncroft, Thompsons, ForFarmers and Boehringer Ingelheim customers.

If you think you are eligible, or if you wish to no longer receive CowManagement, then please contact: National Milk Records plc, Fox Talbot House, Greenways Business Park, Bellinger Close, Chippenham SN15 1BN Phone 03330 043043 E-mail: customerservices@nmrp.com www.isubscribe.co.uk Advertisements Jannet Fokkert, Froukje Visser, Hilda van der Wal P.O. Box 454, 6800 AL Arnhem, The Netherlands, E-mail: hilda.van.der.wal@crv4all.com

Disclaimer CowManagement does not necessarily share the views expressed by contributors. No responsibility is accepted for the claims made by advertisers. No responsibility can be accepted by CRV BV for the opinions expressed by contributors. While every effort is made to obtain reliable and accurate information, liability cannot be accepted for errors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher.

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Illustrations/pictures Photographs by Veeteelt Photography, Mark Pasveer (8-10), Mercedes-Benz Vans (13), Neil Eastham (14-15), Lizzie Bland (20-21) and Alger Meekma (41).

cowmanagement SEPTEMBER 2020

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One stop reporting through www.herdcompanion.co.uk

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Free Taggers with new orders over 100 tags if required

Phone for up to date prices, which include freepost envelopes for the tissue samples - simply put in the post box.

0800 731 9465

19-08-20 15:14

Double W Ranger Reflector x Snowfever

Sire of sons

Most heavily used bull in the Netherlands in 2018 and 2019

Sire of daughters

Abundant P Rc Ranger x Fun P

High components Excellent udders Excellent feet & legs Great daughter fertility Jantina 281 (s. Ranger)...

Wirdum Ranger x Jorben

High components Average sized cows Great feet & legs Ideal for robots

...and Jantina 282 (s. Ranger). Full sisters, both owned by mts. J. G. & A. G. Sturkenboom, Schalkwijk (the Netherlands)

CRV offers the perfect solution for your herd.

Check out CRVavoncroft.com

544-20 Ad CM UK-ranger-AUG-ENG.indd 2

20-08-20 08:10