Cowmanagement UK September 2017

V O LU M E 15 N O 6 SE PTE MBE R 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

NE W E N T R A N T

M ILKIN G EQ U IPM EN T

C O W HANDLI NG

Debutant’s firm foothold on dairying ladder

Energy-saving pointers for efficient milk cooling

Make it safer and ‘low stress’ – for you and your herd

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CO NTENT

FEATURES

Cow Talk Overalls off: cake decorator Roger Evans CRV Avoncroft Breeding Information ForFarmers’ Forage Focus/ Thompsons Nutritional News 33 Vet column: pica 37 NMR Dairy Management News 42 Events and contacts 4 9 15 19 29

REPORT

10 Sheep open door to dairying FEEDING

16 The marginal litre – Feeding for health and fertility H E A LT H

30 Real-time data entry prompts real time actions BREEDING

34 Careful management realises genetic potential

Michael Houlden “For me, milk production is about quality – not quantity” 10

Editor Rachael Porter Positive vibe

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K Dairy Day had an air of optimism this year – and it was extremely busy too. Thank you to everyone who came along to the CowManagement stand to say ‘hello’, enter our competition and make positive comments about the magazine. Competition winners will soon be notified and we’ll have details about who scooped our star prize – a DairySpares cow brush – in the next issue.

But what of this issue? Staying with the optimistic theme, we have an inspiring article about a new entrant. It takes guts, determination, drive and plenty of positivity to get a firm foothold on the dairying ladder. Find out how Michael Houlden did it on page 10.

Prospects for winter feeding are also looking good, with grass silage analyses revealing that there is some top quality forage on units around the UK. But whatever the analysis, maximising silage potential is only possible with careful and balanced ration formulation.

We’ve several articles on feeding to get your teeth into this issue, whether you’re looking to reduce the risk of acidosis or maximise dry matter intakes.

Stress can also impact on productivity and we’ve the first of two articles that takes a close look at a Dutch concept called low-stress management.

Further investigation reveals that this is all about creating a calm environment and understanding life on the dairy unit from the cows’ perspective. Did you know, for example, that they see things in slow motion? I certainly didn’t. Find out more on page 6.

We also have some tips and pointers on assessing and improving milk cooling efficiency in our special, which begins on page 21.

Roger Evans tells us why he dreams of improving overall herd management efficiency, with a new cow-house set up.

And why he doesn’t expect his wish to come true any time soon. Find out why in his regular column on page 15.

Main article Reducing stress

Special Milking equipment

Photo story Calcified seaweed

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Move cows safely and quietly with ‘low-stress’ stockmanship

We look at milk cooling, a simple parlour installation, and some new products

Where does it come from and how is it processed?

We report from Iceland

COW MAN AG E ME N T

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TA L K

Greener maize crops may need preservation rethink More than 75% of long-term forage maize growers are now harvesting the crop greener than they used to. Yet a substantial number have not changed how they preserve their crops.

These were among the key findings of an Ecosyl survey of how producers approach forage maize harvest and how the crop is ensiled.

Involving more than 100 UK producers, the results revealed that, among longerterm maize growers, 77% said the crops that they now cut for silage are greener and less brown compared to crops harvested 10 and 20 years ago.

However, of these growers, more than a third (37%) had made no or little change

to the way they preserved their crops.

And of those who had made a change, most (49%) had put more emphasis on preventing aerobic spoilage or silage heating, with fewer than half (45%) putting more emphasis on achieving a good fermentation.

“With the rise in popularity of harvesting maize while it’s still green, there could be different requirements when it comes to silage preservation,” says Ecosyl’s Colin Callender.

“Maize crops that are harvested as they die back and become brown and drier are likely to contain higher populations of moulds. These are the microbes that cause problems of aerobic spoilage or

silage heating. By comparison, crops harvested greener are likely to contain higher levels of moisture,” Mr Callender explains.

“In these situations, achieving a good fermentation to preserve the silage against the growth of undesirable bacteria can become an additional challenge.

“This isn’t to say that greener crops won’t also be at risk from aerobic spoilage. As a high energy silage, maize can be prone to this. But with greener crops, it could be even more important to consider both problems – which can result in losses in silage feed quality and in tonnes of dry matter.”

Calf feeder offers teat cleaning with disinfection Producers can now rear calves more hygienically and deliver any necessary specific feed additives into a target animal’s individual milk portion, thanks to the launch of a versatile new automatic feeding machine.

The Urban Alma Pro is available, exclusively in the UK, from Volac and it represents the latest in computerised calf feeding technology, according to the company.

It can feed up to 120 calves during the pre-weaned milk feeding period.

“This machine can help to protect calves from teat-transmitted infections – thanks to an improved hygiene system that incorporates automatic teat cleaning with disinfection after every calf feed,” said Volac’s Jason Short.

The system can also deliver the right dose of any necessary medications, such as electrolytes, to the right calf and at

the right time. And the computerised feeder is also equipped with touchscreen technology, giving users an overview of calf health and welfare.

It will alert rearers to any management issues and allow for timely intervention.

Volac calculates that, compared with bucket feeding, the new machine will save producers 190 hours of labour time for every 120 calves reared.

Boost spring growth by ‘shattering’ compaction Act now to remove soil compaction in grassland and gain next spring from an earlier turnout and increased grass production. That’s the advice from agronomist Ian Robertson, of Sustainable Soil Management. “The deeper soil compaction caused by heavy machinery can reduce grass dry matter yields by up to 25%. This problem requires subsoiling or sward-lifting to restore soil structure,” explains Mr Robertson.

“The autumn months are the ideal time to sward-lift ground. This produces a ‘shatter’ that, in turn, creates fissures through the soil profile and allows the movement of air and water.”

While soil temperatures are above 10°C, this stimulates microbial activity and fixes nitrogen and mobilises phosphate.

These are key for plant growth, and this

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extra nutrient supply encourages the growth of new roots into the gaps created by the shatter.

“Another benefit of autumn subsoiling is that winter rain can then flush iron particles in the soil profile away from plant roots. Iron is an antagonist that locks up phosphate and manganese and it can reduce levels of these key nutrients in grass and forage,” says Mr Robertson.

“Removing compaction in advance of the winter will also prevent waterlogging and the consequent plant root death.

In the spring, fields will dry out and warm up sooner.

“Don’t leave it too late though,” he warns. “And don’t sward-lift if the ground is wet – it will ‘smear’. The profile needs to be dry enough to ‘shatter’.”

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Award success for County Durham-based herd The Pounder family, of Stainton Hill Farm in County Durham, were awarded the Milkminder Manager of the Year award 2017 at September’s UK Dairy Day. Andrew and Pam Pounder run a 200-cow herd, which is averaging 9,226 litres at 4.19% butterfat and 3.3% protein, and they saw off tough competition from two other regional finalists to be recognised as top of their field.

The family impressed judge James Dunn, Promar’s managing director, with their attention to detail and clear succession plan. “Andrew knows his business inside and out, and his attention to detail sees impressive results being realised on farm,” he said. “Grassland management

is one of Andrew’s strong points, which was further acknowledged when he was also named as a finalist in this year’s British Grassland Society competition.

“Reseeding grass leys within the farm rotation has seen good quality forage being produced every year. And the herd produces 4,754 litres of milk from forage – around 55% of total milk yield. This is well above our recommended starting point of 30%.”

Mr Dunn stressed that, in a volatile market, risk spreading and forward planning are essential for farm businesses to remain sustainable. “The Pounders have been careful with investment in recent years, prioritising areas where it has been most needed.”

From left to right: Promar’s James Dunn, and Pam and Andrew Pounder

Vaccination awareness campaign launched

A national vaccination awareness campaign was launched at UK Dairy Day to encourage producers to takes steps to protect calves against calf pneumonia.

The campaign follows the results of a national cattle survey, which showed that calf pneumonia remains prevalent on many farms and that fewer than 25%

of producers use calf vaccination as a preventative measure.

Calf pneumonia is a cause of major economic loss for the cattle industry – affecting an estimated 1.9 million animals and costing the UK cattle industry around £60 million. At farm level, the losses are also significant, with costs in the region of £43 per dairy calf.

A UK-wide cattle survey, carried out in July and August 2017, investigated calf pneumonia control practices on UK beef and dairy farms. It found that 98% of cattle farms surveyed had at least one case of calf pneumonia during the past year.

In smaller herds of 100 cows or fewer, 90% of producers reported between one and 10 cases of calf pneumonia during

the past year. In medium-sized herds, of between 101 and 250 cows, 82% of producers reported between one and 20 cases.

“Calf pneumonia continues to be a serious issue for the cattle industry,” said Merial Animal Health’s Sioned Timothy.

“In recent years, producers have taken great strides in improving housing wand calf husbandry to reduce disease outbreaks, but incidence remains high.

“While 38% of producers surveyed said cases of calf pneumonia had decreased during the past three years, 41% said that the number had stayed the same and 21% said they had seen an increase in the number of cases. This suggests that they need to re-evaluate the steps they are taking to combat the disease.”

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COW MAN AG E ME N T

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SERIES COW HANDLING

Move cows safely and quietly with

Slow and stead y Here, in the first of two articles, we take a closer look at cow Cow handling: reducing herd and staff stress In this two-part series we take a look at ‘low-stress’ cow handling and management.

Part 1: Cow psychology and behaviour Part 2: Cow communication

behaviour and psychology in a bid to reduce cow – and producer – stress levels when moving cattle and to improve productivity. text Alice Booij

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oving stock is instinctive for producers, who draw on many years of experience when handling their herds. Yet stories of stock – and not just bulls – turning on producers are all too common. Cows can cause serious injury too. And much of this is down to poor ‘communication’ or a lack of understanding when it comes to the cow’s perspective, according to Netherlands-based dairy specialist Ronald Rongen, from Netherlands-based Low Stress Stockmanship.

“This approach isn’t about teaching grandma to suck eggs. Producers know how to drive cattle – how to move them to where they want them to be. But what they’re not always so good at is moving them easily and safely – and in a low-stress way,” he says.

When moving animals, there are – according to Mr Rongen – some golden rules. “The first is allowing the cow to see you. She wants to see who’s driving her, so make sure you are in her line of sight of the cow and make eye contact,” he says, adding that the cow must feel that she is moving of her own free will. “The old thinking is ‘fast from A to B’, the new thinking is, when you want to do it quickly, you have to slow it down.”

Comfort zone Mr Rongen explains that for a cow to move she must feel a certain amount of ‘pressure’ to do so. “She’ll feel this when you get into her inner circle, or her comfort zone. The cow doesn’t like this pressure, she will try to avoid it by walking away. Compare it to someone who comes very close to you, then you’ll also take a step back,” he says.

Taking a step back and reducing pressure causes the cow to walk in the desired direction. “She walks the way her eyes look. Working in this way takes practice. Try it and see what happens.”

With calm ‘driving’ you will teach animals to ‘obey’.

“Cattle breeders teach animals to accept authority by driving. And the best way to drive also requires some practice. When you approach a cow at shoulder height she will stop and, if you’re behind her, you run the risk of getting kicked,” explains Mr Rongen.

“So the ideal position to approach from is in the middle, about the loins, and on the left side of the

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cow. If you move quietly towards the cow at a 40° to 45° angle, she will respond when you get into her comfort zone. That distance can be different for each cow.”

Walk slowly Time is also an important factor. Although cows can move at high speeds, they feel most comfortable walking at pace of 2.5km/hour. The optimal walking speed for humans is between four and five kilometres per hour. “So that means you really have to walk very slowly and at her reduced pace.”

The response time of cows is also seven times slower than that of humans. “When you move, cows see that in slow motion.” Also, in the transition from a light to a dark room or the other way around, a cow responds slowly. “Just give her some more time to adapt,” says Mr Rongen. Producers are the leaders of their herd and the cows accept that and, on the whole, ‘respect’ them. “And that’s really important.

Animals without respect are the most dangerous.

That’s particularly true with bulls.”

Respect is earned by the producer as they rear their cattle. And here Mr Rongen is insistent that producers should never allow cows or calves to lick them: “This is lower ranking behaviour and, affectionate as it may seem, it’s quite damaging in terms of commanding respect.”

Sniffing and ‘smelling’ is allowed, but stroking heads is not. “There are a lot of nerve endings in the head. And you stimulate and activate them through stroking,” explains Mr Rongen. “In bulls, you will also develop the use of their head and this could have disastrous effects when they are older. They’ll get aggressive. Stroking is allowed, but under the head or across the neck.”

Blind spots Another biological fact about cows is that they have both two- and three-dimensional visibility, because the eyes of a cow are on the side of their head. “And she also has two blind spots,” says Mr Rongen.

“These are directly behind the animal and straight in front of the nose.”

What about colour blindness? “That has been said

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etly with ‘low-stress’ stockmanship

ad y wins the race Ronald Rongen: “It’s important to slow down and move at the cows’ pace”

about cows, but was mainly because nobody really knew. Today there is more reliable information and we now know that cows can distinguish the colours green, blue and yellow. “That is, of course, both clever and essential – grass is green, the sky is blue and some poisonous plants are yellow,” adds Mr Rongen.

Smooth flow In a practical sense, the ‘slow’ driving technique can be used effectively to move cows out of cubicles and other areas. “Find the cow’s comfort zone, exert pressure and take a step back,” reiterates Mr Rongen. “It really does work so much better than ‘pushing’ or slapping the cow.”

And for a smooth flow through the milk parlour this technique also works. And there’s the promise of additional milk yield due to reduced stress levels – studies have measured as much as an additional 1.5 litres per cow per day.

“When cows leave the parlour, try to get out of the cow’s comfort zone,” explains Mr Rongen. “Don’t walk along the parlour pit from tail to head, because cow flow will stop.

Moving from head to tail in one line and then move back as far as possible from the cows,” he adds. He says that this can be difficult to do in some parlours because the pit is too narrow: “This makes it difficult to stay out of the cow’s comfort zone. As far as I am concerned, parlour pits should be designed to be considerably wider.”

This way of moving cattle requires some practice. “But eventually it saves time, it improves cow welfare and milk production should increase, because there is less stress. That’s beneficial to the cow and the producer.” l

COW MAN AG E ME N T

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O V E R A L L S

Name: Location: Herd size: Hobby/enterprise:

O F F

Charlotte Pearman Belbroughton, Worcestershire 450 cows Cake decorator

Charlotte Pearman: “I can make a cow using fondant icing in five minutes”

Cake-based creations text Rachael Porter

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harlotte Pearman is particularly good at scraping up, according to her family. But that’s probably not the reason why you’ll also find her scraping cake mixture and icing from bowls in her kitchen-cum-cake decorating unit, which is set up at the bottom of the garden at the family’s Belbroughtonbased unit.

Charlotte made her first cake – for her mum for Mother’s Day – when she was just six years old. “And I’ve loved baking and cake decorating ever since,” she says. After completing a threeyear baking course at Birmingham Food College in 2015 she set up her cake-making enterprise and moved into her own purpose-built kitchen in February 2017. “It’s a Portakabin with two ovens, a hob, a fridge and lots of baking equipment.

And I’ve already had to expand it a little – things are really taking off,” she says. Eventually she’d like to turn what started as a hobby into a full-time job. “I do have busy months when I’m flat out. But there are also quiet periods when I work on the family farm, with milking and other day-to-day tasks.”

So far she’s made 16 wedding cakes this year and she’s lost count of the number of other celebratory cakes. “I do prefer making wedding cakes – they’re more challenging. It’s a huge responsibility making what is, for most couples, the centre piece of their big day.”

By her own admission, cows are her speciality. “I’ve made so many cow-themed cakes that I can now make a threedimensional cow with fondant icing in about five minutes!”

The most memorable cake, so far, has been a Gruffalo-themed wedding cake. “And what made it really special for me was the look on people’s faces when it was ‘revealed’ at the wedding,” says Charlotte. “The family was expecting a ‘boring’ traditional cake. It was covered and the looks of surprise on the guests faces when it was unveiled will stay with me,” she adds. “All the hard work was worth it for that moment.”

And it’s a moment she strives to recreate every time she makes a cake. “It’s always good to get a reaction. I had a lady cry just the other week when she picked up her daughter’s first birthday cake. She loved it. If I can make someone feel like that then I’ve done a good job.”

Charlotte is hoping to do a good job with her next big challenge – a seven-tier themed wedding cake. “It’s a castle design and it’s going to take me at least 150 hours. A little daunting, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck into that.” Little wonder that she needs a bigger kitchen!

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Building a sheep enterprise and buying pockets of land opened dairying door

Michael Houlden This new entrant has a firm dairying foothold after three years in the business. He shares his immediate dairying plans, as well as those for the future.

Determination realises dairy dream A decade of hard work has paid off for one Carmarthenshire-

St Clears

based producer. A new entrant to dairying, he’s spent the past three years building a pedigree Jersey herd and is part way into

Herd size: 52 Followers: 30 Average milk yield: 4,500 litres (5.67% fat & 4.12% protein) Unit size: 52 hectares

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organic conversion. We caught up with him to find out more. text Rachael Porter

tarting any business is hard work.

And it’s particularly tough when the price paid for your product plummets and the pressure is on to squeeze

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every penny you can out of the limited working capital available. But 32-yearold Michael Houlden has managed to keep his business going.

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He’s from a non-farming family – his father is an academic. But Michael’s mother is a dairy producer’s daughter.

So, he says, farming is in his genes. “I’ve

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always been interested in farming – from a very young age. I think some of it comes from my childhood and growing up close to the Blackdown Hills in Devon.”

Michael went to Bridgewater College (formerly known as Cannington College) and studied agriculture before gaining skills on his uncle’s dairy unit, close to Wells in Somerset.

His first independent foray into farming was as a sheep producer. During a 10year period he bought and rented a total of 37 hectares of land and built up a 320ewe breeding flock. “Capital was the limiting factor – I knew I couldn’t raise what I needed to get into dairying overnight. So sheep provided a way in and a means of gradually building up some assets.”

Big break His big break came when a neighbouring county council holding came up for sale giving him the opportunity to acquire some land. “The council holding was broken up into several lots and I was able to acquire 15 hectares. But then I

Expanding herd: Michael is on track to be milking 70 cows, using an organic system, by the end of 2018

Reseeding policy: investing in grass/clover leys has been a top priority

was in a position where my owned and rented land was spread all over the place.”

So Michael sold the land and the buildings he’d invested in on his grandparent’s unit. This gave him the opportunity to take the next step on the dairying ladder.” He set up a farming partnership with his parents, James and Lorraine.

Michael kept 320-head of his Poll Dorsets, which lamb in February. And in October 2012, with the capital he’d released, as well as a loan from Lloyds Bank and financial help from his parents, he bought 52 hectares of land close to St Clears in Carmarthenshire.

This is predominantly grassland – around 43 hectares. The rest is woodland and rougher land.

He bought his first cows – eight freshcalved Jerseys – in May 2014. “I felt this breed was best suited to the farm – with its undulating topography – and the type of dairy system that I wanted to operate,” says Michael. “They’re good grazers and offer good feet, legs and fertility. The only downside is that their bull calves are not particularly valuable.”

He then got in 2016 the opportunity to take on a neighbouring 22-hectare block of land on a Farm Business Tenancy.

“This was the opportunity I’d be waiting for – it gave me the security I needed to allow me to commit to organic conversion,” he explains.

Organic conversion at Plas-y-Cerdin Farm began on October 1, 2016 and is on

track to be completed on October 1, 2018. “I’ve always wanted to run an organic, extensively managed herd that maximises milk from forage. For me, milk production is about quality – not quantity. And the Jerseys also suit this type of system too, with their high butterfat and protein yield.”

Organic conversion Today Michael runs a 52-cow herd, plus 30 followers. Calving is all year round to produce a level supply of milk for buyer Glanbia Cheese. Once conversion is complete, he’ll switch to supplying Rachel’s Dairies with organic milk. And he’s expecting to see at least a 20% increase in milk price.

The Plascerdin pedigree herd has been built up through buying in cows and incalve heifers from several local Jersey herds. “I prefer the traditional Channel Island breeding and am using predominantly British Jersey sires, as well as some Danish and Kiwi genetics.

From now on I will be using home-bred heifers as replacements. I’m aiming to get to 70 head in the next year or two and I think I’m on track to achieve that.

“It has taken longer to get to this point than I expected – that’s why I’ve kept the sheep enterprise. It’s been a welcome buffer – particularly during the milk price slump, when we saw it dip by 18 ppl. That was tough. Having a few lamb cheques coming in has really helped me to stay afloat and continue to develop the business.”

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Next generation: some of Michael’s home-bred heifer calves

The past three years have been all about improving grassland at the unit and generating enough cashflow to invest in stock – as well as the 14-hour days to keep on top of both enterprises.

But Michael is happy and he says he has moments where he can hardly believe that he’s almost at 70 cows and dairying in his own right. “We have had a few setbacks – the milk price slump was particularly worrying because it came when we were just starting up. And we’ve also had a disproportionate number of bull calves. But we faced those challenges and still managed to move forward so I’m really optimistic about the future.”

He stresses that the unwavering support of his partner Jodie McGregor has also be invaluable. “I’ve been working extremely long days for several years to get this up and running. It’s been relentless. And she’s always there to help when needed.”

16-hour interval Michael’s just started NMR milk recording the herd, which is currently averaging around 4,500 litres, at 5.76% butterfat and 4.12% protein, with a somatic cell count of 185,000 cells/ml.

Cows are milked, every 16 hours – through an 8:8 herringbone parlour. “It works out that we milk three times every two days,” says Michael.

He took the decision to switch to this

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Ideal breed: Jerseys suit the unit’s undulating grassland

routine in October 2015, when the milk price dropped. “I needed to reduce our costs – both time and inputs. I didn’t want to switch to once-a-day milking.

I felt a 16-hour interval was a good compromise. It extends the conventional 12-hour period by just four hours.”

Steady yields And milk yield didn’t drop significantly.

“We may lose a little milk from the fresh cows, but milk yields have remained steady so we’ve maintained milking every 16 hours, even though milk price has risen. This routine works for me and the herd.”

Michael says that the only downside is the occasional extra-long working day.

Milking at 6 am means that the following milking is due at 10 pm. But he does employ a relief milker, so that helps.

And this routine also frees up time for managing the sheep enterprise, field work and all the other important daytoday tasks.

The unit is sown with grass/clover leys – key to the success of organic conversion, according to Michael. Reseeding has been at the top of his list of investment priorities. “Whipping the grassland into a good productive state has been very important, not least because we only feed chopped big-bale silage in the winter – topped up with concentrates fed to yield through the parlour. So

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we’ve carried out a lot of reseeding in a bid to help maximise milk from forage.”

Cows are turned out to graze, during the day, from March. They’re out day and night come April. And Michael extends the grazing season as late as possible, with cows still out during the day in October. “They’re in day and night come November though, because conditions are too wet by then.”

Looking longer term is difficult: “I don’t know how I’ll feel or what challenges or opportunities I’ll be facing when I get to 70 cows and the organic conversion is complete. I think my focus will be on consolidation. Making a decent living from dairying will be a good start and trying to build some cash reserves, and making sure the business is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.”

Michael admits that he’s ‘ambitious’, but that’s no surprise considering his determination to set up his dairy business. “I know that once I achieve my goal I’ll be looking to see what’s next.

But I’ll also be assessing any risks and reviewing where I am. The future very much depends on what opportunities there are out there and that’s changing all the time.

“I need to focus on what I’m doing now.

It’s been hard work, but I also know that it’s been worth it. And, tough as it’s been, it’s really satisfying to be so close to realising my dairying dream.” l

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Shropshire-based producer and award-winning columnist Roger Evans shares his memories of winters past and his hopes for a new cubicle shed, which would make the herd a little easier to manage

Frozen dreams I

’m not looking forward to winter. I’ll tell you what made me think about that. In my previous article I mentioned the drought of 1976.

I’ve never been good at putting dates to events. But some events are indelibly etched onto your memory. So I remember the winter of 1963, another in the early 1970s and one about six years ago.

I had a man who worked for me, years ago, who reckoned that the worst winter was 1947. A gang of men in the village worked in forestry, but they couldn’t get to work. So they put them to work digging out the road by hand to an isolated hamlet that was cut off. He said the snow was so deep that they hung their jackets on the phone wires.

I said: “I bet you did.” He brought a photo to show me the next day to prove it! The winter of the early 1970s I was in hospital. We had temperatures of minus 23° C around here. My son was 15 years old and my employee was 17 and one day the milk froze in the pipeline before they could finish milking.

At the hospital I put my jug of water on the outside windowsill and got it back in when there was half an inch of ice on it. I showed it to the matron and she gave the heating engineer a fearful bollocking.

I sometimes regret doing that.

About six years ago we were milking three times a day. I went up the yard at 1.30 pm on Boxing Day for the midday milking and the temperature was minus 18° C. I remember thinking, as I read the temperature, “we must be mad”. I needed three machines to be running – the scraper tractor, the tractor with the mixer wagon attached and the loader. I thought I’d get them all going first. It took me until 3.30 pm to get them all fired up, although they had all been going in the morning.

To be fair, the two hours included a fruitless visit to the village. Three people in the village own vintage tractors and I went to borrow a can of EasyStart spray. But they were all in the pub, which is where I should have been. I found out subsequently that they don’t admit to using EasyStart anyway.

The reason I don’t look forward to winter is our cow housing set up.

Looking back over the years there have been big capital items. We put up two chicken sheds, and then we had the chance of extra ground so we expanded the cows, put in a big parlour and, because we would have to cart a lot of muck a mile or so back to the rented land, we opted for a loose-housed shed for 50 cows.

This wasn’t a good idea – it was mine! We couldn’t manage the cell count issue, so now we put one side of the parlour into the loose housing and the rest of the shed is handy for calving. So we rely on cubicles in old brick buildings and 60 kennels, which had had their time ages ago. It’s a good job they have other buildings to lean on.

The missing piece of the jigsaw is a big cubicle shed. As milk prices improve you start thinking ‘maybe’. But pundits say that we should use better income to repay borrowings built up in the downturn. If you prove you can do this once, then your bank might support you again. The trouble is, my bank manager thinks this is a good idea.

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F E E D I N G

Maximising milk from forage is driver for Jersey herd success

Feeding for herd health and good fertility Supplementing rations with omega-3 fatty acids is helping to maximise milk from forage, as well as cow health and fertility, in a modernised system. We visited the unit to find out more. text James Marshall

ForFarmers’ Peter Cade (left) and Mike Clear

R

eplacing traditional protected fats with a source of omega-3 fatty acids has helped one Surrey-based producer to ensure that his 130-cow herd of pedigree Jerseys stay healthy and fertile.

Mike Clear runs the herd at Pierrepont Farm, near Farnham in Surrey, with help from wife Bev and herdsperson Emily Murch. Managed on 83 hectares and averaging 7,000 litres, at 5.53% butterfat and 3.80% protein, Mike is looking to maximise the herd’s milk from forage.

“We want to get as much milk as possible from forage and grazing,” he explains.

“We have light, sandy soil here, so we aim to get cows out as soon as possible in February or March.

“Since the decline in milk price a few years ago, we’ve run a more intensive grazing set up. We have divided our grazing area into 18-hectare paddocks, which are then sub-divided so that we can get a day or 1.5 days of grazing from each.

“The cows are much keener to get out and graze since we switched to this system. Previously there used to be a drop off in grazing ‘enthusiasm’ in June, when grass covers were low,” says Mike.

“Milk from forage is running at 36% and we are targeting 45%.”

Robotic milking Since taking on the farm tenancy 11 years ago, he has modernised and restructured the dairy unit and installed a robotic milking system.

“The robots work really well with our grazing-based system and we have just installed a third robot on the farm,” he says. “Cows are visiting the robots and being milked an average of 2.8 times a day, but this goes up to 3.2 visits during

Jersey herd: Mike Clear is looking to maximise milk from forage

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the winter. The new robot should also help us to increase milk from forage. With the third robot in place, there will be less waiting around to be milked, so cows will be back out into the paddocks to graze much quicker than they used to be.”

Partial TMR In order to maintain yields and milk quality during the summer months, grazing is supplemented with a partial TMR. This comprises big-bale silage, wholecrop barley, minerals, limestone flour, and a non-mineralised pellet protein.

In the winter, maize replaces the wholecrop and Levucell yeast and home-grown fodder beet are also added to the ration. “Everything is put together in our mixer wagon and we feed a 16% protein concentrate to yield through the robots,” explains Mike. “We also include Lintec, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, in the partial TMR. This is fed at different inclusion rates throughout the year to help maintain good cow health and fertility.”

Mike first started supplementing cows with omega-3 on a previous unit he managed on Jersey. It was here he met ForFarmers’ business manager Peter Cade, who advocates using Lintec in dairy rations.

“It uses selected varieties of linseed, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids,” explains Peter. “These help to improve udder health and function, milk production and, most importantly in Mike’s case, support fertility. The supplement also helps to balance cows’ hormone levels, reduce embryonic mortality, and improve signs of oestrus.”

With Mike’s cows grazing extensively throughout the year and grass being a good source of omega-3, Lintec is used strategically to boost cow intakes during times of lower grass supply. He feeds it ‘neat’ through the mixer wagon, at an inclusion rate of 0.5kg, as soon as cows are housed for the winter. “In the spring and summer, he reduces or completely stops feeding the supplement,” explains Peter. “But cow health and fertility are tracked via a regular Visiolac monitoring report service. So we can alter feeding rates, if required, to ensure that cows are getting the best support.”

Dry cows at Pierrepont Farm Automatic milking: cows visit the robot, on average, 2.8 times each day

Good fertility Mike has been using Lintec since he took on the tenancy at Pierrepont and is pleased with the results.

“We calve in four blocks, but are looking to reduce this to two larger blocks in the future,” he explains.

“Getting cows and heifers in calf quickly – and on time – is important to maintain tight blocks and this supplement helps us to achieve this.

“Our current calving index is between 390 and 400 days and conception rates are well above 50%.

We sometimes achieve rates of 65%, which is good for our system and milk yield with Jerseys.

“I think that the supplement helps to keep our cows healthy and productive. And if a cow is healthy then she is easy to manage and maintain,” he says.

“That makes my job – and life – much easier and it also reduces the costs associated with health or fertility problems.” l

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BREEDING INFORMATION

New bull trio offer improved health and efficiency Three Holstein sires are now available from CRV Avoncroft, following the latest bull proof run.

The first is daughter-proven Delta Saxobeat (Genervations Epic x SandyValley Bolton). He has 230 daughters in milk and 115 classified. Saxobeat transmits plenty of milk, at +625kg (+0.00% fat and +0.03% protein) and good conformation (112 total, 110 udders and 108 feet and legs). Saxobeat daughters are robust and healthy (+5%) cows with equally healthy hoofs (109). They have lots of capacity and maintain good body condition.

Saxobeat descends from the Etazon Renate family – one of the most famous Dutch cow families from the past few years, which has produced sires including Delta Atlantic, Delta Brilliant and Delta Astro. Saxobeat is also a maternal brother to Delta Bookem Danno. Semen is available priced at £18 per straw.

Two other bulls InSire bull Double W Ranger, with a PLI of £633, is from the combination S-S-I Mogul Reflector and Bouw Snowfever daughter Double W Ricky 8.

Ranger transmits high components (+0.11% fat and +0.08% protein), as

well as combining outstanding milk production (+5,960kg) and high efficiency (+9%). Ranger’s progeny are healthy (+6%) and score 0.8 for daughter calving ease, making him ideal for use on maiden heifers. Ranger is one of the highest scoring sires for locomotion, his daughters have ideal rear teat positioning and milking speed is above average. In addition he is a A2A2 bull. Semen is available priced at £22 per straw.

Red-and-white sire Kingfarm Holsteins Anreli, with a PLI of £615, is another example of what CRV Avoncroft can offer UK producers. He’s a great addition to the company’s red-andwhite portfolio. Anreli is a MS Riverboy (Aikman x Planet) from G-Force daughter Kingfarm Holsteins Alida 507.

Anreli boasts very efficient production with a +387kg of milk, +50kg of combined fat and protein and positive components, including +0.11% for protein. This, in combination with his high longevity and moderate size, it is no wonder that he scores 18% for Better Life Efficiency. Also on the health side, Anreli daughters are less prone to ketosis compared to the average cow. Anreli’s semen is available, priced at £22 per straw.

Delta Saxobeat daughter Eylander In 1474, who descends from the famous Etazon Renate Dutch cow family

CRV Avoncroft on tour CRV Avoncroft attended the local Westmorland County Show on Thursday September 14. The atmosphere was positive and our stand was very busy. Thanks to everyone who came along to say hello and chat.

We’d also like to invite producers to come to our stand at the Welsh Dairy Show on Tuesday October 24. We look forward to seeing you there.

Double W Ranger (Reflector x Snowfever) PLI £633, Better Life (BL) Health +6%

Kingfarm Holsteins Anreli (Riverboy x G-Force), PLI £615, BL Efficiency +18%

COW MAN AG E ME N T

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M I L K I N G

E Q U I P M E N T

Milk cooling: tips on improving capacity and energy efficiency. Page 22 Parlour installation: simple system saves time and reduces costs. Page 24 What’s new? We highlight some of the latest dairy products and innovations. Page 26

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M I L K I N G

E Q U I P M E N T

Is your cooling system working efficiently?

Keep your cool Milk cooling methods require some thought – whether you’re looking to change calving pattern or simply looking to increase energy efficiency on your unit. We spoke to a technical specialist to find out more. text Rachael Porter

D

oes my cooling system have enough capacity to both hold and, more importantly, cool the milk being produced? That’s the question that producers should be asking themselves, particularly if they’ve changed calving pattern or added units to their existing parlour.

“With increased interest in focusing on one of two calving systems; allyear-round or block, many producers maybe trying to change and shift the pattern. This may have implications

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for milk cooling and storage,” says AHDB Dairy’s technical specialist David Ball. “Milk cooling can easily be over looked.

“But making changes that could alter the milk production profile will have an impact on milk cooling,” he adds.

Capacity issues “There could be milk tank capacity issues at certain times of the year but, more importantly, producers should be asking if their milk cooling system can

also cope with the demands of higher volumes of milk.”

In addition to volume and cooling capacity, the question producers should also be asking themselves is: how can I increase the efficiency of my cooling system? Most units have a DX tank for milk storage and cooling – ice bank tanks are now few and far between as producers have upgraded during the past decade. And most DX tanks will be fed milk via a plate cooler.

“Depending on volumes and flow rates, a basic plate cooler set up, fed with either mains or borehole water, will reduce the temperature of milk by around 10°C, to around 27°C, before it hits the DX tank,” explains Mr Ball.

“It’s a start – and it’s a set up that’s 25% more efficient than the old ice-bank tank system. It will cool 25% more milk per kW of energy. But 27°C is still a long way off achieving the 4°C storage temperature for milk.”

Current performance specifications, under British Standards, stipulate that milk must be cooled to less than 4°C within 30 minutes of the completion of milking. Red Tractor Dairy Scheme Standards state that for everyday collection, milk should be cooled and

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maintained at 8°C or lower. For everyother-day collection this is 6°C and purchaser contracts may specify more stringent temperature requirements. “So the DX tank still has a lot of work to do – and as quickly as possible. And that’s going to require a lot of compressor capacity – and electricity.”

Faster cooling With this in mind, some producers have looked to upgrade or update their plate cooler. The next step towards faster cooling and greater energy efficiency is feeding the plate cooler with chilled water, using an ice-builder. Chilled water, ideally just above freezing, takes considerably more heat out of the milk as it passes through the plate cooler.

“It’s much colder than the mains or borehole water, which is typically between 8°C and 10°C. And this method

can reduce the temperature of the milk by between 15°C and 20°C. That’s a considerable improvement, in terms of milk cooling speed and energy efficiency,” says Mr Ball.

“Ice-builders are typically powered at night using cheap-rate electricity, on what some suppliers call an E7 tariff.

And this makes it a more cost-effective option. The key is to make and store enough ice for two milkings – or three on some units. And every-other-day collection can also have an impact here.

So producers should talk to their refrigeration engineer to find the best fit for their unit and set up.”

There is a third option – a two-stage plate cooler system – which offers even faster and more efficient cooling. And Mr Ball says that this is being adopted on more and more dairy units, in a bid to reduce energy costs further. Milk passes through

Table 1: Comparison of milk cooling systems’ energy efficiency (source: AHDB Dairy)

system ice bank ice bank with plate cooler DX tank DX tank with chilled water plate cooler DX tank with two-stage plate cooling

typical volumes of milk cooled to 4O°C per kWh 50 litres 60 litres 75 litres 100 litres 130 litres

Milking capacity: can cooling systems cope with a change in calving pattern?

David Ball: “Talk to your refrigeration engineer to find the best fit for your unit”

the first stage, fed with mains or borehole water. And then through the second stage, fed with iced water. “Depending on size and flow rates, the first stage will reduce milk temperature by 10°C and the chilled-water will then remove an additional 10°C to 15°C – that’s a reduction of around 25°C before the milk hits the DX tank. And it can often be more. I’ve seen units where milk reaches the DX tank almost down to 4°C, leaving little additional work for the compressor.”

Efficient system This two-stage system can cool 75% more milk per kW of energy, compared to an ice-bank tank (see Table 1). “It’s an efficient system for cooling milk, but should be combined with the use of heat recovery units, to achieve optimum energy efficiency,” says Mr Ball.

These units take heat removed from milk via the plate cooler, as well as heat generated by compressors, and use it to heat water for parlour washing. “This is where the big win is in terms of increasing energy efficiency and saving costs. Up to 80% of the cost of heating water can be met by recovering the heat generated from the milk cooling process.

But producers must have the kit to capture and store it.

“Milk cooling and heating water are the largest consumers of electricity on dairy units. So there really are some tremendous savings to be made here.”

It’s all about enhancing the performance of your DX tank. “A change of management system, which puts increasing demands on existing equipment, doesn’t always mean that existing kit needs replacing.

It’s often a case of upgrading or adding to what’s already there. A two-stage plate cooling system may provide the solution.”

“Further efficiencies can be gained by controlling the water flowing through plate coolers with solenoids and the use of variable speed milk pumps,” he adds. l

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Keeping it simple saves on time and reduces costs

No-nonsense milking A ‘simple’ swingover parlour is keeping milking costs and fuss to a minimum on one Yorkshire-based unit. We paid them a visit to find out more. text Rachael Porter & Rachel Queenborough

S

implicity was top of the shopping list when Richard Emmott, from Penistone near Sheffield, decided he needed a new milking parlour.

His existing set up – installed in 1985 – was, in his own words, worn out

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and too small. He needed something larger to milk his recently expanded pedigree Jersey herd, but he also wanted a parlour that was reliable and easy to use. “I knew that I wanted a parlour that would milk the cows, with minimum

fuss. A non-nonsense system,” he says.

Richard manages the 160-cow pedigree Gunthwaite herd in partnership with wife Margaret and with full-time help from sons Matthew and William. The cows are averaging 5,000 litres, at 6% butterfat and 4% protein, with an average somatic cell count of 185,000cells/ ml. And milk is sold to local dairy Longley Farms, for yoghurt.

A decade ago the family milked a blackand-white herd, but Richard decided to switch to Jerseys because his buyer was looking for Jersey milk suppliers.

“Jerseys are all about quality, rather

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more stalls, rather than more technology.

I didn’t want bells and whistles.”

That said he did opt for a few innovations, including: an automatic cluster flushing system, to maintain milk quality and udder health; an automatic plant washer, to save time while also ensuring that the parlour is squeaky clean at the beginning of every milking; and a dryrunning vacuum pump, which requires very little maintenance and keeps the costs down.

“This pump doesn’t need regular oiling – in fact it needs no maintenance. And it’s also a lot quieter than a conventional pump,” says Richard. DairySpare’s Peter Larner, who helped to plan and install the new set up, adds that the pump is also fitted with a variable speed drive: “When less vacuum is required, because there are fewer clusters on cows, the pump speed slows down. And this has energy savings benefits – requiring 50% less energy compared to conventional oiled vacuum pumps.

“Oiled sliding vane pumps can also achieve significant saving by using a variable speed drive – about 25% improvement compared to a conventional pump,” adds Peter.

Clean clusters

than quantity. This higher constituent milk meets our buyer’s requirements and there are benefits for us too. Jerseys have great feet and legs and fertility.

They’re aggressive eaters, particularly at grazing. And I’d say that they’re easier to manage, all round, compared to our previous herd.”

More stalls The unit’s new parlour – a 20:40 Vaccar swingover set up – was installed, in a new building, in 2013. This replaced a 30-year-old five-a-side herringbone. “For me it was very much about opting for

Richard particularly likes the Clusterflush component. Once clusters are removed, water is automatically flushed through them before they are put onto the next cow. “Richard’s herd didn’t have an issue with mastitis before the new parlour was installed – seeing about 12 cases a year,” explains Peter.

“But that’s halved during the past six months – he’s seen just three cases so far this year. And Bactoscan is in single figures.”

Most importantly, the new parlour has halved milking times – from three hours per milking to just 1.5 hours. “And this is despite increasing cow numbers from 130 to 160 during the past couple of years,” says Richard. “I put this down to the simplicity of the set up and the fact that problems and glitches are minimal.

We can just get on with milking and the parlour looks after itself.”

Morning milking starts at 5.30 am and the afternoon session begins at 3.30 pm.

Richard and Matthew carry out most of the milkings together, although they do have a part-time afternoon milker who comes in five times a week.

“Milking isn’t a chore any more though.

Job satisfaction has improved,” says Richard. “And, because milking is quicker

Richard Emmott: “I wanted a simple system and to keep costs to a minimum”

and the parlour doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, there’s more time freed up for other day-to-day herd dairy husbandry tasks.”

Oat-husk bedding Yields for the autumn and spring blockcalved herd are monitored through the parlour. And the cows are also fed a 20% crude protein concentrate, to yield, through the system. The herd’s TMR, which comprises grass silage, fodder beet and rolled barley, provides maintenance plus 31 litres.

Turnout is around May 1 for summer grazing and cows stay out until November 1: “Although they are housed at night from the middle of September,” adds Richard.

During the winter they are housed in cubicles, bedded with rubber mats and, for the past two years, oat husks. “These come from the nearby Quaker Oats factory and are great for bedding cubicles – they’re really absorbent and the cows will eat some of it too. It’s also cheaper than sawdust, at between £50 and £55 per tonne compared to between £80 and £90 per tonne.

Thanks to the new parlour, herd expansion will gradually continue, to as many as 200 milkers. But Richard hasn’t set himself a ‘deadline’. Growth will be ‘organic’ using home-bred replacements.

Maiden heifers are all inseminated with sexed Jersey semen, to produce heifers.

And the rest of the herd is run with a beef bull. “This helps to produce a calf that’s actually worth something in the sale ring. The only drawback with Jerseys is that pure-bred bull calves are worth so little. And, like so many other aspects of dairy management on our unit, this breeding system is simple. I’d like to keep it that way.” l

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E Q U I P M E N T

UK Dairy Day was the perfect showcase for the latest dairy tech

Must-have parlour kit We round up just a handful of the latest product launches that promise to make milking and cow management easier, quicker and more effective. text Rachael Porter

1 Coloured leg bands Dairy Spares has launched the Securit’Milk range of coloured leg bands, which fasten securely onto cows’ legs. These colours link into a whiteboard chart system that allows the status of the cow to be easily identified, so staff can manage the milk accordingly.

The design of the patented leg bands ensures that they will stay fastened around any width of cow leg. The band is threaded through a buckle and then fed back onto a Velcro pad.

Bands are re-usable and come in five fluorescent colours: pink, green, orange, yellow and blue.

The Securit’Milk wall chart codes the different coloured leg bands to different situations: pink is for cows undergoing antibiotic treatment; green is for dry cows; yellow denotes colostrum; and orange can be used for ‘problem’ cows. Installing the whiteboard on the wall in the dairy allows everyone who milks cows to record and/or observe the dates for milk withholding and leg band removal, for example.

A fifth coloured band – blue – is also available and can be used to identify cows with a high cell count, so that extra attention can be given to them in the parlour.

A set of six leg bands of one colour retails at £11.00 plus VAT, and the whiteboard wall chart (680mm x 600mm) costs £44.90 plus VAT. 2 Bucket is built to last A dump bucket, made from a strong polyethylene resin to withstand the ‘bumps and knocks’ of everyday use in the dairy parlour, is now available from Dairy Spares. The Vaccar dump bucket connects easily into the milking line and, according to the manufacturer, is ideal for isolating individual cow’s milk when, for example, collecting colostrum.

The 30-litre capacity dump bucket comes with a two-nipple lid, which is suitable for 16-mm milk tubing. It retails at £135 plus VAT. 3 Lameness detection CowAlert’s Automated Lameness Detection system was highly commended in UK Dairy Day’s new product

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competition. This module can be added to the company’s heat detection system and, it says that the it is a significant addition to the ‘lying time’ module. This is used extensively as a powerful health and welfare monitoring tool.

The new feature generates a lameness probability value (from zero to 100) for each cow in the herd, and highlights those that are likely to become lame via CowAlert’s dashboard. Cows that appear in the dashboard’s amber circle have a lameness value of between 35 and 60, and are likely to become lame, even if they’re not already showing visible signs of lameness. Cows in the red circle have a lameness value of between 60 and 100, and are likely to already be exhibiting clinical signs.

“When cows in either of these categories are treated and diagnosed, this can be recorded on the system, helping to build up a consistent over view of the cow’s hoof health,” says company product specialist Avril Helen. “These animals then move into the blue ‘diagnosed’ circle.

“The whole herd’s lameness, over time, can be viewed on the herd overview graph. And data can also be viewed online by vets and advisors, making it easy to share information,” she adds.

The lameness values are calculated based on data recorded by the company’s IceQube leg-based sensor. The alerts are based on the cow’s motion index, lying time, standing time, and steps.

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Lintec provides omega-3 benefits Lintec is a unique feed for dairy cows that is available through ForFarmers and used with Visiolac, a milk fatty acid analysis tool. Lintec contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, from a specific variety of linseed that has been processed to release more of the natural nutrients.

These fatty acids help to enhance energy efficiency by reducing both the level of saturated fatty acids and the energy wasted in the rumen as methane. This results in potential milk production increases of more than three litres per cow per day.

High levels of starch and sugar can result in a greater production of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFAs). An excessive build-up of these VFAs reduces rumen pH and causes acidosis.

But Lintec can improve cow health by helping more efficient removal of VFAs from the rumen.

Research has shown that most cow services result in fertilisation, but approximately 75% of developing embryos are lost within the first 21 days of pregnancy. This is mainly due to an imbalance of hormones circulating within the cow, which leads to embryo loss.

By inhibiting prostaglandin production and increasing the amount of progesterone the cow produces Lintec can also significantly improve fertility within the dairy herd. Trials have shown increases in egg numbers and reductions in embryo mortality, as well as greater success at first insemination.

Calcified seaweed offers effective rumen buffering This year’s grass silage results indicate higher protein, lower energy and increased sugar. This means that many producers will be feeding greater quantities of ingredients, such as cereals, to boost energy levels and milk from forage. The higher sugar content of grass silages means that there is a Rumibuff’s honeycombed structure

greater risk of acidosis, when combined with high starch feeds such as cereals.

Cows can produce more than 200 litres of alkaline saliva every day, recycling more than 2.5kg per day of sodium bicarbonate into the rumen. But research by ForFarmers’ Nutrition and Innovation Centre (NIC) shows that sodium bicarbonate has only a shortterm buffering effect in the rumen.

A more effective strategy is to feed Rumibuff, a calcified seaweed product that has a natural honeycombed structure that increases the surface area and breaks down more slowly than conventional buffers in the rumen. This is typically not only more effective, but also more cost effective than traditional rumen buffers.

For more information call 0870 0500 306 or email info.totalfeed@forfarmers. eu.

Inoculant aids slurry management Slurry is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser. However, a proportion of nutrients is often lost during storage and these losses can be as much as 80% of the total nitrogen.

It is also common for slurries to thicken up during storage and for a crust to form on top as the solids and liquids tend to separate. This has the effect of slowing down the emptying process and, often, a period of stirring is required, resulting in a pungent odour.

ForFarmers offers an inoculant product to treat slurry, for a cost of approximately 1.5p per cow per week, which can significantly reduce the smell and provide a return of around 4:1 by reducing nitrogen losses.

Simply mix with water or diluted slurry and then add to the liquid fraction within the system, on a weekly basis, while livestock are contributing. The result is often visible within a couple of weeks, with bubbling and localised crust breakdown.

When producers empty the stores they really notice the difference.

There’s less smell, less crusting, less stirring, and less time taken to empty tanks and pits. And the real bonus comes later when the extra nitrogen retained helps to benefit following crops, because the slurry nitrogen is in a less leachable organic form making it more readily available to growing plants.

Slurry nutrients can be lost during storage

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H E A LT H

Real-time data entry prompts real-time actions

Live performance NMR went live with its real-time data entry system in September.

This sophisticated development means that producers can enter events as they happen. And, better still, the data seamlessly populates management systems and gives immediate access to up-to-date action lists and reports. text Karen Wright

J

udging by the uptake by vets and producers, NMR’s move to live realtime data entry that can immediately generate up-to-date action lists and reports is a welcome development. So says NMR’s software trainer Cath Smith.

“It’s an option open to all NMR recording customers,” she adds, admitting that it is likely to – and she hopes it will – encourage a lot more to use the web-based NMR system Herd Companion.

“All events can be entered using a tablet or

office PC onto the Herd Companion web site as they happen. Eventually data will be able to be entered on a smart phone.

An internet connection will mean that data immediately updates the NMR records with calvings, PD tests, services, mastitis records – the lot. It’s an easy process and free for NMR users, and it’s designed to suit all levels of herd management.”

Newcomers to Herd Companion need to register, just as they would for any online service. “But don’t be put off – we’ve made it very secure without being complicated,” she adds.

And there’s plenty of help on hand to deal with queries too. “We’ve made a video for users to watch and there’s a telephone helpline, with extended hours.”

Useful data Every producer – and vet – knows the benefit of up-to-date reports. Collecting data in real-time is only useful if it is used to update the data and provide current reports. “NMR has taken this on

Real-time data entry and more up-to-date reports are proving popular with vets and producers alike

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New data is entered and used to update Herd Companion reports as well as linking with other dairy management systems seamlessly and immediately

Cath Smith: “Using current data brings a massive step up in herd management“

board with its real-time data entry system,” adds Mrs Smith. “It’s all very well patting ourselves on the back and offering real-time data entry, but we have to offer real benefits to our users.”

And there are, indeed, plenty of benefits.

NMR real-time data entry transfers new information seamlessly into the Herd Companion reports and beyond.

“So even those just starting to use Herd Companion can get new action lists and management reports that have been updated with data they’ve literally just entered. And the iReports on Herd Companion will be able to group and rank cows with updated information and use multiple filters to home in on the individual cows needing attention.”

This latest development also has realtime links with the dairy management systems InterHerd+ and UNIFORM. And new developments, introduced recently

by UNIFORM, allow the data flow in two directions. For those with this system, information will pass seamlessly from UNIFORM to the NMR records immediately.

Other links will also be added, including those with BCMS and regulatory organisations. “This synchronising of data cuts out duplication and with this will come improved accuracy and reliability,” adds Mrs Smith. “And when it comes to herd management, up-todate action lists and reports will aid decision making.”

This latter point is probably why many vets have welcomed NMR’s real-time data entry development. “We have a lot of vets using InterHerd+ and UNIFORM Agri systems. They have been working from reports generated from the latest milk recording, which could be up to 30 days old in a monthly recorded herd. Now, if the producer is

entry facility will be locked. “Hopefully it will only be locked for 24 to 48 hours prior to recording. Any events happening between times can be entered by the recorder at the farm visit. It means that all parties will be working from the same data.”

updating events regularly, they will be using current information. A lot can happen in a month in a milking cow.”

Real-time, real-action PD results entered onto Herd Companion at lunchtime, after morning tests, can then be viewed. “So within a few hours the vet can see the latest pregnancy report and immediately pick up on any problems in individuals or trends in the group.”

Likewise, real-time data entry will speed up the identification, through Herd Companion, of cows with repeated mastitis or lameness cases. “The vet or consultant can recommend the appropriate action before the problem gets worse. Changes can be made without delay.

“This is a massive step up in herd management and decision making, compared with relying on data that could be up to a month old.”

While NMR recorders will still carry out data entry, those using the real-time system will find that once the recorder downloads their herd data the data

Fully trained “And we are aware that some producers may only enter certain events, leaving the recorder to enter the rest. This won’t be a problem as recorders can see, from the recording system, what information has been entered throughout the month.

Our teams of recorders have had extensive training so they will be familiar with the latest developments.

And, like producers, they will have the support of NMR helplines.”

Through real-time recording, NMR hopes that producers will break away from the idea that recording is a monthly activity. “We will encourage them to take advantage of real-time recording and of all the benefits it brings in terms of improved data and better cow management,” adds Mrs Smith. l

Real-time in a nutshell – All NMR users can enter real-time data through NMR’s Herd Companion on line system, 24/7. This is available free of charge for all NMR-recorded herds.

– New data will automatically transfer to the NMR records and synchronise with NMR herd data on multiple management systems.

– No need for duplicate entry.

– NMR recorders will enter events from the point that they ‘request’ the herd sheets prior to recording when on farm data entry is ‘frozen’ to prevent duplication.

– New data security features added so producers control access to herd data by setting up specific access permissions (rather than sharing login details and passwords).

– Producers, herd staff, vets and advisers will work from up-to-date action lists and reports facilitating improved decision making and herd management.

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F R O M

T H E

V E T E R I N A RY

D A V I D

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TA Y L O R

Somerset-based vet and senior partner at Origin Group’s FarmVets SouthWest, David Taylor, talks about pica and why it’s a sign that salt or mineral deficiencies, or acidosis, may be an issue in some UK dairy herds.

Strange behaviour can be a sign of salt or mineral deficiency

Eating disorder P

ica in dairy cows is farm specific and sporadic, and the cause will vary. Cattle may drink urine or eat faeces, soil, wood, stones, bones or clay. It’s fairly common – we see it in five or six herds each year.

It’s not a condition or a sign of disease, but rather a symptom of a deficiency – typically salt or mineral in nature. Cows seen drinking urine are usually looking for salt, but they may also be suffering from acidosis and ‘self medicating’ by ingesting something alkaline. Cows drinking urine is certainly not something to dismiss as ‘normal’. That said, some cows will then do it out of habit, even when the ‘cause’ has been rectified.

Make a note of any ‘habitual’ cows in your herd.

If producers see cows drinking urine, they should first try to curb it by providing rock salt. This will stop the behaviour if it’s the result of salt deficiency and salt will also help to provide a degree of acidosis relief. Cows must also be checked for any other signs of acidosis and rations must be balanced accordingly.

In most instances, no economic signals – such as milk drop – are seen with salt deficiency. If the cause is acidosis, however, there will be other signs to look out for.

Cows eating soil and rocks may be looking to boost their mineral levels. The most common pica ‘deficiency’ after salt is phosphorus (P). Cows can eat up to two kilogrammes of soil a day with no ill effect. P deficiency, on the other hand, will result in poor milk production and fertility. So it needs to be addressed quickly and effectively. This tends to be a problem when cows are out at grass – particularly during extended grazing.

Pica can also be a sign of potassium (K) deficiency, but this is rare in the UK because K levels in grass silage are typically high.

The encyclopaedia Pica Causes Salt or mineral deficiency. Acidosis and, also, sometimes it is just habitual.

Symptoms Drinking urine and/or faeces.

And eating soil, stones, clay, bones or wood.

Treatment Since the disorder is caused by either salt or mineral

deficiency, or acidosis, treatment will vary. Providing salt licks, balancing rations – perhaps adding a buffer to TMRs – to increase and stabilise rumen pH, and also ensuring that the mineral requirements of the herd are also being met, will all help to curb the behaviour. It’s important to remember that some cows will continue to exhibit pica behaviour, out of habit, even when deficiencies or rumen pH issues have been resolved.

Prevention Ensure that cows’ rations are well balanced for salt and minerals. And that rumen pH is optimal and relatively stable.

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Careful management realises genetic potential

Longer-life ‘milky’ cows In discussions about how to achieve high lifetime production, Gert, Gerrit and Nico Lekkerkerker have plenty to bring to the table. In The Netherlands they have 35 cows that have passed the 100-tonnes mark. They say that, as well as nutrition and management, breeding plays an important role. text Wichert Koopman

M

ilk capacity has always been one of the key drivers in the Lekkerkerker family’s breeding plans. This not only ensures high daily production per cow, but it also contributes to high lifetime production. Their herd, based at Harmelen in the centre of the Netherlands, is home to several lifetime production ‘winners’.

Average lifetime production fluctuates at around 60,000kg of milk and already

“We also pay a lot of attention to nutrition – we don’t scrimp on feed costs. And we also check on the cows regularly, to be sure that everything is as it should be.

Sick cows get plenty of TLC.” Gerrit and brother Nico Lekkerkerker, together with Gerrit’s son Gert, work hard to manage the 150-cow herd, plus 75 followers, with great attention to detail.

Grass-based system 35 cows have smashed through to 100,000-litres-of-milk barrier. Two cows have even passed the 10,000kg-of-fat-andprotein mark. And the Lekkerkerker’s secret for success? They says that there’s no one specific thing. “But for years we have been breeding for healthy, durable cows that produce a lot of milk and have good fat and protein content. So that’s certainly played a role,” says Gerrit.

Averaging 11,817kg of milk, the herd is run on a grass-based system. The unit, which was recently visited by a delegation of UK producers, comprises 70 hectares of grassland. This is grazed and cut for grass silage. Maize silage is bought in, just like brewers’ grains and concentrates.

“The idea that pastures can’t support high-yielding cows doesn’t apply to our unit,” says Gerrit. “With a grazing platform of more than 50 hectares, there

Good nutrition: cow rations are formulated to maximise dry matter intakes

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Long life: the Lekkerkerkers strive to maximise each cow’s genetic potential

Gerrit, Gert and Nico Lekkerkerker Milk capacity is one of the key drivers in the Lekkerkerker family’s breeding plan.

Herd size: Followers: Average yield: Unit size: 100-tonne cows:

Harmelen

The Netherlands

150 cows 75 11,871 litres (4.15% fat & 3.49% protein) 70 hectares of grassland 35

When the cows go out again in spring, the Lekkerkerker’s switch back to milking twice a day. It doesn’t work well when cows are out at grass.

A long life, as well as high milk production, is required for high lifetime production. “And we assume that every heifer has the potential to live a long and productive life – and grow old,” says Gerrit. “So we give her the best chance.

We do not cut corners.” is plenty of room for grazing the cattle and maximising milk from forage.”

The cows are grazed both day and night during the spring, summer and early autumn, and a ration comprising maize silage and brewers’ grains is also fed as a buffer. Concentrates are fed to yield though the parlour. “Grazing – for as many months as possible – is good for the cows, particularly their legs and feet, and I believe that this contributes to their longer-than-average life span,” says Gerrit. “And if you make sure that young grass is always available, you can easily produce milk from grazing,” adds Nico.

Young sires Ensuring cows have plenty of milking capacity has always been a priority for the Utrecht-based producers. “In the past, true production bulls ran short of other features, but in recent years, it is much easier to include feet and legs and health characteristics when selecting sires, without having to worry about production characteristics,” says Gert.

“CRV’s breeding policy is bearing fruit and more sires are coming through that offer the complete breeding package.”

Cows and heifers are ‘matched’ with sires using CRV’s mating program SireMatch.

And InSire bulls are often on the AI list.

“Young sires, on average, have the highest breeding values and we would like to use this to further increase the genetic merit of our cows,” says Gerrit. “Behind all InSire bulls are good sire and dams who have been tested reliably in CRV’s breeding programme. So we are confident that they will meet their genomic values when daughter proofs become available.”

Among the current sires in use on the Lekkerkerker’s herd are Delta Atlantic, Delta G-Force, Peak Chuck, Delta Concert and Newhouse Jorben.

The fact that the cows have the genetic potential to produce a lot of milk is evident from the performance of the surplus heifers sold to other produces.

“They often perform better with their new owners than they do with us!”

More milk Another measurement, genetic potential, was behind the decision to move to threetimes-a-day milking during the winter housing period. “This helps us to keep cell counts under control and it also stimulates milk production,” says Gert.

“The heifers, in particular, produce more milk. It’s like removing the brakes – there’s nothing to stop them.”

Close monitoring Using monthly milk recording, the Lekkerkerkers closely monitor the performance of their cows.

The high genetic production capacities make it possible to produce a lot of milk per cow, but it also requires targeted management. For example, with a ration high in grass, the energy available to fresh-calved cows requires close attention.

“We’re looking for high dry matter intakes and, when the cows are housed, we make sure that the ration in front of them is always fresh and appetising, and that there’s plenty of it,” says Gerrit.

“And when we finished work in the evening, we always throw a few bales of hay along the feed fence. They are all finished in the morning,” adds Nico.

To make top quality hay, the partners pay a lot of attention to field work during the summer.

“The cows always want to eat this hay, even if they’re not feeling particularly well,” says Gerrit.

“It helps to stimulate appetite and good rumen function. And it improves the utilisation of the ration. This is another factor in helping us to realise high lifetime production.“ l

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DAIRY MANAGEMENT NEWS

July stars

New SCR SenseTime offers monitoring options The flexibility of the new SCR SenseTime system, available now from NMR, makes a cow monitoring system a reality for dairy herds of all shapes and sizes.

“Producers can buy advanced neck tags, which offer more data collection functions, or the new simpler ear tags,” says NMR’s business development manager Emma Eastham. “The ear tags are fast and simple to install, and are designed for a high retention rate.”

There are then three application plans available. “This is ideal – the producer or herd manager can work out which suits them best and they are not paying for anything they don’t need or won’t use,” adds Emma.

The simplest option, the starter plan, will record cow activity for heat detection purposes. More sophisticated plans – either advanced or premium – will record more heat and health related data, with the premium plan also

having the ability to display data by groups, by age or stage of lactation for example. The producer can design the group to suit their management systems. Different payment plans are also available, with users being able to select from an upfront payment or a monthly subscription.

Inputting and accessing the data is also flexible through various user devices; smartphones, tablets and the office PC. “All SenseTime systems monitor cows and give vital intelligence for managing herds. The data from the tags passes through the SenseTime panel and onto the selected devices. Herd staff will be alerted to deviations from the cow’s established ‘norm’ and the cow can be examined or, if she is on heat, served.

The added flexibility of SCR SenseTime means that producers can have a bespoke system tailored to their herd management.”

UNIFORM’s 10,000 customer Global dairy software company UNIFORM-Agri has signed up its 10,000th customer. Founded in 1987, the company now sells to 70 countries.

Leckford Estates in Stockbridge, Hampshire, was the 10,000th customer.

This 550-cow unit chose the ProGold software system.

Convenience and ease-of-use were the key attractions of the Uniform ProGold system for Leckford’s dairy manager Carl Charnley. “It is very easy to use and gives a snapshot of the herd’s status. And the UNIFORM app will prove invaluable when I am on the hoof in the herd.”

UNIFORM’s Philippa Lidyard (right) and Graham Nowell (left) with Leckford’s dairy manager Carl Charnley (centre)

The top-three cows ranked on lifetime daily yield (LDY), having achieved total milk yields of 100 tonnes during July, are led

by Killywhan Lauthority Frances with a LDY of 31.84kg/day and 105,547kg of milk in seven lactations. She is in Messrs Harvey’s herd, based at Beeswing in Dumfries.

Second is Miresdale Mirabelle 582, with a LDY of 30.9kg/day and a yield of 102,855kg of milk in seven lactations. She is from Geoff Spence’s herd, which is based in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

In third place is Worthy Braveheart Octavia with a LDY of 30.02kg/day and 100,768kg of milk in six lactations. She is in Michael Eavis’s herd, based in Pilton in Somerset.

A full list of NMR-recorded cows achieving 100 tonnes of milk can be viewed on the NMR web site.

NMR Diary 2018 NMR’s Herd Management Diary 2018 is now available. It includes relevant sections for recording movements, medicine use and stocks. This makes it ideal for ensuring full compliance with farm assurance requirements and herd health plans.

Priced at £28 +VAT (including post and packing), the 2018 diary can be ordered from NMR Customer Services on 03330 043 043.

For more information on NMR products and services contact customer services, 03330 043 043, NMR web address: www.nmr.co.uk, NMR email address: customerservices@nmr.co.uk COW MAN AG E ME N T

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F E E D I N G

Marine minerals – from sea to shore, and onto UK dairy units

Full-circle sustainability We joined an AB Vista/Celtic Sea Minerals study tour to Iceland to find out how calcified seaweed is harvested and processed, using environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques. text Rachael Porter

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Seaweed is fast becoming a key ingredient in cow rations across the UK – and the rest of the world. There are three types of seaweed – brown, green and red. And it’s the red, in particular, that’s making a nutritional impact on UK herd health and productivity. Celtic Sea Minerals (CSM) makes Acid Buf using calcified red seaweed (lithothamnion), harvested from the sea just off the coast of northern Iceland. Red seaweed is unique because, as it grows, it absorbs 74 different minerals from sea water and it calcifies as it does so, with the tips of the plant becoming increasingly brittle. Eventually these tips break off and this ‘dead’ material is harvested by the company – not live plants. It is this growth process that forms a unique plant calcium structure, which allows Acid Buf to offer slow release rumen conditioning. This is why Acid Buf is so effective at managing acid levels in the rumen.

The live plants cling to the coastline, away from the harvesting sites. CSM has a licence to harvest 50,000 tonnes per year – a small percentage of the 21 million tonnes of calcified seaweed on the sea bed. The company also runs an ongoing programme of ‘reseeding’ live material in the area, which further enhances the sustainability of the production process and business.

Three-month’s worth of calcified seaweed is harvested at a time, using a large boat and GPS mapping that follows a strict grid pattern, so ensure strict control. This technique harvests the dead calcified material from the sea bed and a ‘slurry’ of this, combined with sea water, is pumped onto the boat. Water drains back into the sea and the slurry is screened before being deposited at the rear of the factory, based at Bildudalur on Iceland’s north coast.

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The seaweed is then washed and screened again. And the calcified seaweed that’s left is then fed into a dryer.

Depending on the initial moisture content, which can vary, around 10.5 tonnes of wet material is processed per hour.

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The dryer takes the calcified seaweed moisture content from 29% to less than 1%. It’s heated to 65°C for 40 minutes. The rotating drum dryer can handle 240 tonnes of calcified seaweed every 24 hours. Water is evaporated at a rate of 2.5 tonnes per hour. The company is looking at recycling water and heat but energy is cheap to produce in Iceland, using geothermal and hydro technology.

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Computer driven and manned by four employees at any one time, the plant operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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After drying, the calcified seaweed is then ground to an effective and consistent particle size, which is continuously monitored in the plant’s on-site laboratory.

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Large 1,100kg sacks are pre-filled with air to check for leaks and to ensure an even fill.

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Batches of 4,000 1,100kg bag are shipped from Iceland to Cork in Ireland. From here, smaller bags are filled and distributed to feed mills and suppliers across the UK and the rest of the world.

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C O N TA C T S

SHOWS AND EVENTS October 3-7: October 4: October 27: November 3-12: November 15: November 15: December 14:

World Dairy Expo, Madison (United States) The Dairy Show, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Welsh Dairy Show, Nantyci Showground, Carmarthen Royal Winter Fair, Toronto (Canada) British Mastitis Conference, Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Worcester AgriScot, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, Scotland Royal Ulster Winter Fair, Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Lisburn (Northern Ireland)

2018 January 3-5: January 22-24: May 10: May 16-19:

Late grazing: Michael Houlden’s Jerseys enjoying some autumn sunshine. Picture: Ruth Downing

The Oxford Farming Conference, Examinations Hall, Oxford British Cattle Conference, Telford Hotel and Golf Resort, Telford, Shropshire Grassland UK, Shepton Mallet, Somerset Balmoral Show, Balmoral Park, Lisburn

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX C O N TA C T S CowManagement is published eight times per year by CRV Holding BV

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COMING UP

C a l f - rear in g sp ecial October/November (October 27) – Our popular calf-rearing special takes centre stage and we’ll also have the second article in our series on low-stress management.

Illustrations/pictures

Photographs by Veeteelt Photography, Ruth Downing (9-12), Theo Tangelder (30) and Eveline van Elk (34-35, 42).

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