Dairy Farmer November 2023

Breeding

Dual benefits for dairy beef enterprise Pages 22-24 November 2023

Volume 70 Issue 11

ANIMAL HEALTH Technology, water quality, calving issues and housing Pages 38-52

THE DAIRY SHOW Round-up of highlights from this year’s event Pages 66-70

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FODDER CROPS

With advice on outwintering youngstock on brassicas Animal Nutrition

For consistently better silage

Pages 54-64

MILK PRICES Copyright © 2023 Volac International Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pages 76-78

TIP OF THE MONTH: What to consider for 2024’s maize variety choices – p28

DF Nov p1 Cover KJ.indd 1

12/10/2023 14:08

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IBR MARKER LIVE Lyophilisate and solvent for suspension for injection for cattle. COMPOSITION PER DOSE: Each dose of 2 ml contains: Lyophilisate: Live gE- tk- double-gene deleted Bovine Herpes Virus type 1 (BoHV-1), strain CEDDEL: 106.3 – 107.3CCID50. Solvent: Phosphate buffer solution. INDICATIONS: For the active immunisation of cattle from 3 months of age against Bovine Herpes Virus type 1 (BoHV-1) to reduce the clinical signs of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and field virus excretion. ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION: Intramuscular. ONSET OF IMMUNITY: 21 days after completion of the basic vaccination scheme. DURATION OF IMMUNITY: 6 months after completion of the basic vaccination scheme. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Vaccinate healthy animals only. ADVERSE REACTIONS: A slight increase in body temperature up to 1 °C is common within 4 days following vaccination. Occasionally, an increase in rectal temperature up to 1.63 ºC in adult cows and up to 2.18 ºC in calves may be observed. This transient rise in temperature is spontaneously resolved within 48 hours without treatment and it is not related to a febrile process. A transient inflammation at the inoculation site is common in cattle within 72 hours post-vaccination. This slight swelling lasts for less than 24 hours in most cases. Vaccination might exceptionally cause hypersensitivity reactions. In such cases, an appropriate symptomatic treatment should be administered. USE DURING PREGNANCY OR LACTATION: Can be used during pregnancy and lactation. RECOMMENDED VACCINATION PROGRAMME: Cattle: from the age of 3 months onwards. The recommended initial dose is 1 injection of 2 ml of the reconstituted vaccine per animal. The animal should be revaccinated 3 weeks later with the same dose. Thereafter a single booster dose of 2 ml should be administered every six months. The method of administration is by intramuscular route, in the neck muscles. Reconstitute the lyophilized tablet with the entire contents of the enclosed solvent to obtain a suspension for injection. The solvent should be allowed to warm to a temperature between 15 ºC to 20ºC before reconstitution of the lyophilised tablet. OVERDOSE: No adverse reactions except those mentioned above were observed after the administration of a 10-fold vaccine dose. WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: Zero days. INCOMPATIBILITIES: Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product, except the solvent supplied for use with the veterinary medicinal product. SHELF LIFE: Shelf life of the lyophilisate as packaged for sale: 2 years. Shelf life after reconstitution: 6 hours. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR STORAGE: Store and transport refrigerated (2°C - 8°C). Do not freeze. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Keep the bottles in the outer carton in order to protect from light. For veterinary use. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBERS: 5 doses: EU/2/10/114/001; 25 doses: EU/2/10/114/002. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER: Laboratorios Hipra, S.A., Amer (Girona), SPAIN. LEGAL CATEGORIES: UK: POM-V, ROI: POM and Prescription only veterinary medicine for further information contact your veterinary medicine prescriber.

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Contacts Editor Katie Jones 07786 856 439 katie.jones@agriconnect.com Content Editor/Designer Mike Begley 01772 799 405 mike.begley@agriconnect.com Picture Editor Marcello Garbagnoli 01772 799 445 marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com Sales Director Stephanie Ryder 07917 271 987 stephanie.ryder@agriconnect.com Account Manager Mark Jackson 01322 449 624, mark.jackson@agriconnect.com Classified Advertisements 01772 799 400 fgclassified@agriconnect.com Advertising Production Justine Sumner 01772 799 437 Fax: 01772 796 747 justine.sumner@agriconnect.com Circulation and subscriptions 0330 333 0056 help@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com

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Dairy Farmer, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ Origination by Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ. Printed by Precision Colour Printing, Halesfield 1, Stirchley, Telford TF7 4QQ. No responsibility can be accepted

by Dairy Farmer for the opinions expressed by contributors.

A

editor

s is the nature of farming, once one harvest is done thoughts soon turn to next year’s crop. So, with this is mind in this edition, as well as discussing how 2023 maize crops have performed and their potential positive impact on rations, we also take a look at maize variety choices ahead of 2024 and learn more about under-sowing with grass from trial work.

And as well as thinking about options for outwintering, we also highlight some animal health considerations when going into the cooler ‘winter housing’ months.

Within this issue, you will find profiles on two Nuffield scholars who will be presenting their research at this year’s Nuffield ‘super conference’, which will see a bumper crop of 35 scholars talking to delegates about their studies.

I am looking forward to attending this event

myself and hearing more from these inspiring individuals.

In an industry which is certainly not having an easy time at the minute, in terms of the short-term economic outlook, I think it is important to try to focus on some of the positives, and an event like the Nuffield Conference should serve to demonstrate just how much talent and passion there is out there.

Diversity And finally, be sure to take a look at this month’s Dairy Matters column (see pages 14-15), where vet Claire Whittle tackles the important topic of diversity within farming.

As Claire says, with the labour crisis in the sector continuing to take its toll, it is more important than ever that we make sure everyone within the industry feels fairly represented and valued.

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p3 Leader GG KJ.indd 1

3 13/10/2023 10:51

What’s inside?

NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 70 8

DAIRY TALK

Updates from Claire Eastham and Becky Fenton

10 ON FARM

Are robots right for large-scale dairy farms?

14 DAIRY MATTERS

‘It is about time we start thinking outside the box’

16 VET’S VIEW

Raising awareness of papular stomatitis

18 YOUNGSTOCK Working with vets to improve housing

20 WORLD DAIRYING Grasping the opportunity to buy Australian farm

22 BREEDING

Dual benefits for dairy beef enterprise

26 FEED EFFICIENCY

ISSUE 11

36 CONFERENCE 38 ANIMAL HEALTH

Technology, water quality, calving issues and housing

54 FODDER CROPS

With advice on outwintering youngstock on brassicas

66 THE DAIRY SHOW Round-up of highlights from this year’s event

72 MACHINERY

Krone forage wagon: A clean cut solution for all?

76 MILK PRICES 80 MILK ANALYSIS 82 NEW PRODUCTS

Round-up of products and updates hitting the market

86 GOOD EVANS

‘In farming, we have a terrible safety record’

28 MAIZE

88 BUSINESS CLINIC

32 FARMING WITH NATURE

90 RESEARCH

Still room for innovation

NEWS

Dairy farmers fe

T

he dairy industry seems to run on fuel called ‘hope it gets better’ but the ‘tank is on red’ said NFU Cymru president Aled Jones.

This message came after he updated his milk projection forecast for the next 12 months for his own farm in Caernarfon, and he said the projected financial losses were frightening.

Mr Jones said other farmers were in the same boat, adding it was a damning indictment on the sector. And he added it seemed others in the supply chain were passing on their losses to primary producers.

He said: “Once again it is farmers who are the ones who are unfairly shouldering the risks which come with producing this natural, healthy and sustainable product.

“The boom and bust, volatile nature of our markets means many of us do not have the confidence to make the everyday decisions needed to drive our businesses forward.”

The boom and bust nature of the dairy markets mean some farmers do not have the confidence to make the everyday decisions needed to drive businesses forward, says NFU Cymru president Aled Jones.

The pressure was also being felt by Scottish dairy farmers, said NFU Scotland milk policy manager Tracey Roan.

She said: “The key issue for Scottish dairy farmers is coping

Lack of investment causing pollution on tenant farms 26-27

72-74 4 DF Nov p4 5 6 News KJ GG.indd 2

Feed Efficiency

Machinery

JLimited investment by landlords and estates into updating infrastructure on tenant farms was resulting in more pollution issues, the chief executive of the Welsh Dee Trust has warned.

Discussions Peter Powell, who grew up on a dairy farm on the Welsh Marches, said ‘drawn out discussions’ between tenants and landlords on who needs to pay for changes meant action to tackle pollution on-farm was in many cases delayed.

“Unfortunately, the procedure for getting investment on tenanted

farms is normally more difficult and convoluted,” he said, adding discussions regularly ended ‘in a dead end’.

He said this meant tenanted farms were more likely to have issues within the farmyard which cause pollution.

Mr Powell called on landlords to ‘step up’ and get a better understanding of the future plans of their tenants and help create the farm infrastructure fit for a modern farm.

He said he believed this could be in the form of additional financial support, security of long-term tenancies or even letters of support for grant applications.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 17:19

NEWS

s fear financial losses

Using science to drive dairy performance JTo help farmers, nutritionists and advisers get the most from the latest science and implement change to boost dairy productivity, the British Society of Animal Science is hosting a Dairy Nutrition Conference at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, on January 10-11, 2024.

The conference will address key topics, including feed analysis and evaluation, livestock feeding innovations and practical feeding for calves, heifers and cows. rDetails on bsas.org.uk/events

Robert Craig new RABDF chair with the four Fs of feed, fertiliser, fuel and finance.”

She said feed, fertiliser and fuel had fallen back from historic highs, but some were locked into higher prices, with recent weeks also showing the volatility of the markets.

Ms Roan added there was a ‘major gap’ between the highest and lowest prices, from about 27ppl to ‘in the 40s’.

In Northern Ireland, the return for dairy farmers was

down by 40% on the year, with most farmers not covering the cost of production.

Not getting better Ulster Farmers Union dairy chair Kenny Hawkes said: “For more than six months now, nearly 20ppl has been taken from milk prices in Northern Ireland and things are not getting any better.”

Looking to Europe, Mr Hawkes said the Northern Irish farmgate price was the third

lowest, with only Latvia and Lithuania paying a lower price, and said there was a 4ppl difference between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

He added some farmers were cutting back from milking three times a day to two to reduce costs, but this was only a short-term solution.

He said: “We need our fair share of the bottle. It is the only way to sustain our Northern Irish dairy industry.”

JCumbrian dairy farmer Robert Craig has become the new chair of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, taking over from Devon dairy farmer Di Wastenage.

Mr Craig is a third-generation dairy farmer and operates three dairy farming businesses across Cumbria and Northumberland, milking 1,500 spring- and autumncalving cows. He is a past chair of Cumbria NFU, a Nuffield scholar and is also a non-executive director of First Milk.

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NEWS

‘Outrageous’ behaviour from Red Tractor

U

nions and farmers have been left feeling angry after a new environmental module has been imposed on them by Red Tractor with little scrutiny or consultation.

The Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) ‘optional add-on’ module is expected to come into force in April 2024.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said that for the past 18 months the NFU had been ‘robustly challenging’ the governance behind the development of this environment module.

He said he had been ‘alarmed’ that it had been previously decided by the Red Tractor board that in developing this module all of the technical committees and sector boards where NFU members sit would be bypassed.

Unacceptable Mr Bradshaw said: “I have found this position completely unacceptable and said so repeatedly.

“We have never said that as one of the 18 members of the

NFU’s Tom Bradshaw said the ‘surprising announcement’ had led many to question the validity of the Red Tractor process.

Red Tractor board we did not have knowledge of the module, but at no point have expert NFU members and advisers been involved with the development of the crucial details within it.”

He said at the final Red Tractor board meeting in September where the module was agreed that he had argued for greater oversight and concessions were gained to allow the module to be scrutinised by the technical advisory

committees of all farming sectors and the sector boards.

Mr Bradshaw said: “We also fought for and gained agreement to set up a Development Advisory Panel to further scrutinise development of the Greener Farms work.

“At the same time, we highlighted significant concerns about how this could work in the devolved nations with their differing agricultural policies. They have not been involved at all.

“With these concessions won, we felt that the board could approve the position, sending it out for this wider scrutiny.”

However, many farmers only learned about GFC via a press release issued by the British Retail Consortium. Mr Bradshaw said the ‘surprising announcement’ had led many to question the validity of the process.

Dairy market analyst Chris Walkland said he received figures relating to GFC, which estimated for a 220-cow dairy herd the farmer would incur a cost of £7,930.

He called Red Tractor out for its ‘outrageous behaviour’, adding the GFC could only work if market premiums were introduced by retailers to compensate farmers for doing it, but he doubted that would happen.

Red Tractor said it was a ‘voluntary’ add-on which would operate differently from its typical core standards and enable farmers to track development in areas such as their carbon footprint, soil management and biodiversity.

Dairy farm profits set to halve this year JProfits on dairy farms were forecast to plunge by more than a half this milk year, as lower prices and stubbornly high costs combine, warned accountants Old Mill and the Farm Consultancy Group (FCG) at the Dairy Show.

The two companies expected average profits to fall back from a record £914/cow in the 2022/23 milk year to £415/cow in 2023/24, although that would still be £44 more than in 2021/22.

Higher input costs meant costs

6 DF Nov p4 5 6 News KJ GG.indd 4

per cow rose by 38% between 2021/22 and 2022/23, although milk income rose by 56%, delivering profits.

The figures do not include rent, interest, drawings, tax, capital expenditure or basic payments, but do include a labour charge of £30,000 per full-time partner or director. They are based on clients with a year-end of March 31, 2023.

Annabel Hole, rural administrator at FCG, said: “With interest rates at 5% or higher,

Basic Payments declining and extra investment required to comply with water and environmental regulations, there is a cash squeeze looming.”

Dan Heal, rural accountant at Old Mill, said: “Larger, higher yielding herds were more suited to the market conditions of 2022/23.

These systems typically perform well in times of high prices, although have high cost bases for when prices fall.”

In 2022/23, the top 10% of

performing herds made an average profit per cow of £1,668, while the bottom 10% made just £187/cow.

Confidence Mr Heal said: “Farming efficiently relies on the farmer and is not based on the system which is run. We are confident that producers who manage their businesses effectively will be able to weather the more difficult periods, as well as take advantage in the good times.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 17:19

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10/10/2023 17:04

Claire Eastham

DAIRY Talk

Claire Eastham farms with her husband Martyn in Dorset, where they milk 120 spring calving cows. After gaining knowledge and experience working for other businesses, the couple started their own dairy farming journey in 2015 by taking on a share farming agreement before progressing to their current county council farm.

“

With two full silage pits and a stack of bales we feel a lot more content as we head into winter

8 DF Nov p8 Dairy Talk Eastham KJ.indd 2

W

ell the whole-crop survived and thrived. We were very pleased with our cut taken on August 10 and a round of bales taken on all the grass again in mid-September.

With two full silage pits and a stack of bales we feel a lot more content as we head into winter.

With much of the land over sown with herbal leys, it will be good to see what established with this method.

Although the local water company has agreed to fence some of the off-lying fields that are next to a large running ditch, and we intend to graze these with the youngstock so we can extend the platform come the autumn months, tracks and upgrades are the next thing on the agenda.

We are also slowly working around the farm with some hedge laying and further fencing trying to get it into a bit of a rotation.

I help to facilitate a local farmer cluster group and a meeting last week was all about birds. It was such an insightful walk. We discussed how good thick hedges can provide better cover against magpies and how gappy, straggly hedges are bad for this and allow the magpies to go bush to bush picking off chicks.

The hedge species should also be assessed with the aim being to give pollen and berries for as long as possible and incremental cutting to get flowers and berries really does pay dividends for nature. We should be thinking of these hot spots as ‘service stations’ for migratory birds to use a phrase from our speaker.

The People’s Trust of Endangered Species has some great resources on its website.

We also PD’d the cows and were disappointed with the empty rate, which this year stands at 16%.

After analysis of the figures it look like a lot of the June services that didn’t hold. This seems to tally with poor egg quality produced in the wet April and grazing through this time.

An image I saw recently (see right) is giving me some hope that all these errors are a learning experience and it ingrains what not to do again.

On the plus side, only one heifer was empty and 68% should calve in the first three weeks but only 85% by six weeks. Some of these have been bred to sexed semen so we may finally get enough heifers, all being well, although I’ve probably just jinxed it by writing it down.

We also lost two more cows recently as double IR’s and so despite been short of cows, we don’t want to purchase until we know the state of play.

I am hopeful that if no visible legions were found then we may only have to pass one clear test. Fingers crossed.

Given the empty rate and after speaking with a local farmer, we also neospora tested the cows on the milk recording – with two positives identified.

Our Animal Health and Welfare Pathway application was successful so we will get £352 towards vet time to discuss things like this and look again at our BVD status.

We have previously tag and tested, but it would be good to monitor this again.

Hopefully these continual herd and farm improvements will get us to where we want to be.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:15

DAIRY TALK

Becky Fenton Becky Fenton and husband Paul milk 200 pedigree Holsteins under the Springlebee prefix at Centenary Farm, a Cheshire County Council farm. In 2021, they bought a farm in Staffordshire and they plan to farm there once the new dairy set-up has been built.

“

Good luck to them both commencing their farming journey

T

his year is passing in the blink of an eye and there never seems to be enough hours in the day.

The weather in Cheshire has been particularly turbulent this year, proving no different this autumn.

With only a few days to get silaging done, maize in and reseeded with the forecast against us, it has been troublesome.

Finishing maize off at 3.30am and up for milking at 6am, it was hard (for my husband, I can’t take the credit). That said, 79 acres of maize is in the clamp and the cows are happy.

We are having a change in farming system next year due to us losing 200 acres of land opposite our farm.

We have always turned the cows out day and night during the summer months, but next year we plan to turn out in the day time only.

This isn’t something we have done before, so we’re hoping we can adapt to this new system.

The diet should be easier to manage, resulting in better consistency. So, if all goes well we will achieve an increase in milk yield.

Limbo We recently fell victim to the Lloyd Fraser scandal, meaning that we were left in limbo and not knowing if our milk was going to be collected or not.

Regrettably, almost all of one milking went down the drain. We didn’t know when our next milk collection was, or if we were going to get paid for lost milk.

It was extremely concerning.

Fortunately, our milk was collected later that day.

A week later we were informed by our dairy that we were to receive payment for lost milk based on a fourday average.

Next week I am attending the launch of the Future Farmer Programme, delivered by Tesco and Harper Adams University’s School of Sustainable Food and Farming.

It is a nine-month course giving farmers the opportunity to develop their skills in sustainable agriculture.

I hope to improve my knowledge and learn new techniques that can be implemented on our farm, but also techniques that are not only sustainable, but also cost and time efficient.

As I mentioned earlier, we’re losing land. This is because our neighbour is retiring and relocating.

There have been two Cheshire County Council farms set in Ridley this autumn.

One of the new neighbours has already made a positive impression on us, offering to help sheet up our maize clamp.

Good luck to them both commencing their farming journeys. I can remember the challenges we faced when starting farming in 2008, a milk price of 17ppl and cows at £2,000.

An equally low milk price now compared to current costs, cows the same price, plus interest rates, all make it a difficult industry to be entering.

Recently my father-in-law retired from farming too.

I say retired from farming loosely as I have a growing list of jobs for him to do on our farm.

This being my final column for 2023, I would like to thank you for sparing the time to read me waffling on, and I wish you all the best going into the end of the year and the start of 2024 when it comes around.

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p9 Dairy Talk Fenton KJ.indd 3

9 13/10/2023 09:12

ON FARM The utilisation and impact of robotics on large-scale dairy farming was the subject of Ali Cook’s Nuffield Farming Scholarship. Lynsey Clark went to meet him to find out more.

M

anaging a largescale dairy unit in South West Scotland, Ali Cook knows first-hand that labour shortages are becoming an increasing issue on UK dairy farms, and that this is one of the main drivers behind the switch to robotics on smaller units.

However, the question of whether robotics are a viable option on large dairy farms was one that he decided to investigate further after successfully applying for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2022.

Ali’s own route into dairying was unusual. Growing up in a rural village, his mum was a teacher and his dad was a policeman, so it was helping out on a local dairy farm after school which sparked his interest in the industry.

By the time he had finished his sports science degree at Stirling University, he was certain that dairy farming was the area he wanted to work in.

Keen to expand his knowledge, he headed to the United States, where

Hopefully, I can pass on what I have learned to others and help encourage a new generation into the industry ALI COOK

10 DF Nov p10 11 12 On Farm KJ.indd 2

PICTURES: Marcello Garbagnoli

Are robots right for large-scale dairy farms?

It was with this in mind that Ali decided on the topic for his Nuffield scholarship: ‘The utilisation and impact of robotics on large-scale dairy farming’.

Ali Cook

he worked on a 5,000-cow unit.

Ali says: “Coming from a non-agricultural background, I suppose I came in with a different outlook than people who have grown up on a farm and maybe become accustomed to a certain type of system.

“I wanted to look at several business models and experience working in different set-ups, and I thought the best way to do that was to go abroad.”

After a stint working in Wisconson, Ali returned home and got a job milking cows on a farm in Hurkledale, near Annan, owned by John Forrest; the same farm he had worked on growing up.

After three years, he headed abroad again to work in Saudi Arabia, before returning to Hurkledale as dairy farm manager in 2016. By that time, Ali’s experience on large units abroad proved beneficial, as the farm had expanded to milking 1,550 Holsteins, which it remains at today.

Milking three times a day in a rotary parlour and aiming for

smaller, robust type cows with a focus on litres, fat and protein, the herd’s average yield is 11,000 litres – at 4.4% butterfat and 3.4% protein – on an Arla contract.

It had been operating as a flying herd until recently, but they are now 50% self-sufficient and aiming to get back to breeding all their own replacements.

Staff The scale of the business at Hurkledale requires a fairly large workforce and, consequently, Ali’s job entails managing both cow and staff performance.

“Attention to detail is so important and it is essential that protocols are being followed, but getting reliable and capable staff is not easy,” says Ali. “We have Nepalese staff, who came through contacts I had in Saudi. They are highly skilled and speak fluent English, but securing Visas is not an easy process. Large farms have previously relied massively on European labour, but since Brexit, that is becoming an issue.”

Feasibility He says: “Robots have never been seen as a large herd solution in this country, so I wanted to look into the feasibility of using them on a large scale, while also determining whether they are a financially viable option in those circumstances.”

It takes time and commitment to complete a Nuffield Scholarship, but in return, scholars are given the opportunity to travel across the world and expand their knowledge in a subject of their choice.

Ali was assigned a sponsor - the MacRobert Trust - and given a travel bursary, which he used to visit large dairy farms in Canada, the United States, Chile, Argentina, Netherlands and Germany, also taking in the World Dairy Expo.

He completed case studies on the various farms, comparing systems and analysing the impact that installing box stall robots had on each business.

All of the farms he visited reported an increase in milk yield (ranging from 3% to 10%) and additionally, they all noted a reduction in replacement rates.

However, Ali says the economical benefits varied, depending on the system used to guide the cattle to the robot.

He says: “It was clear from all my visits that there were two philosophies around box stall robot layouts: ‘free access systems’ and ‘guided traffic systems’. With free access, cows decide on their own

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:33

ON FARM

The cows at the farm where Ali works are milked via a rotary parlour.

routine and choose when they want to access the robot, while guided traffic requires the cows to pass through a selection gate first, which determines whether they have milking permission or not.

“It is only after milking, or if milking permission is denied, that

the cow then gains access to the feed passage, while water is accessed after passing through a non-return gate.

“My research showed that the guided or semi-guided systems were able to milk more cows per robot [62-70, compared with 52-56] and

they required less pellets, making them a more economical option.”

While robots generally result in repurposing of labour rather than labour savings on smaller farms, Ali concluded that the larger the farm, the greater the labour saving – estimating that they can account

for a 40% labour saving on a 4,000cow herd.

“Labour shortages were an issue in every country I visited, and it was clear through my research that robots do save labour on a large herd model,” he says.

“The labour saving on its own is

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NOVEMBER 2023

04/10/2023 10:04:29

11 12/10/2023 12:33

ON FARM Nuffield Conference JAli will present his findings alongside 34 other scholars at the 2023 Nuffield Farming ‘Super Conference’ held on November 14-16 at Sandy Park, Exeter.

The event includes two days of scholar presentations and a pre-conference visit to nearby Wastenage Farms. Tickets are not exclusive to Nuffield scholars – all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Ticketing details, a full conference programme and a list of presenting scholars can be found at nuffieldscholar.org

still not enough to justify the cost of robots, but when you take into account the increase in yields and reduction in replacements, it starts to make more economical sense.”

Another factor that was widely discussed on his tour was the repair and maintenance of the robots.

Ali visited a range of systems, from those newly installed to some approaching 20 years old.

He says: “The longevity of the equipment is directly correlated to repair and maintenance. The takehome message was that if you keep robots clean and regularly serviced, then they will provide the farm with little hassle.”

In one case, a farm in the United

Ali says he would advise farmers to consider robots in construction plans, even if they do not plan on using them in the near future.

States that had been running 40 robots for nearly 10 years, suggested that their repair costs had in fact decreased every year. They asserted this was due to the fact that their own staff had become increasingly better at fixing and repairing the robots themselves.

Prospects Ali says: “Visiting such a range of farms around the world, I found out far more about the systems, layouts and nutrition around robots than I ever knew existed. It opened my eyes to the wider prospects of the dairy industry and the future of robotics within it.

“Having seen how efficiently

they can work in large scale, I think farmers should consider robots in any future construction plans, even if they do not plan on using them in the near future.”

It was the self-challenge that appealed to Ali when he applied for the Nuffield scholarship. He says he has been intrigued by the dairy industry since he was five years old, and that desire to continue to learn and move forward is still what drives him.

Aside from his dairy management role, he also has his foot firmly in the pedigree world, where he has had plenty of success selling embryo calves both privately and at sales from his own Auchensala Holstein herd.

Auchensala Hips Don’t Lie topped the black and white sale at Carlisle in December 2021, selling for 20,000gns. Away from work, he and his wife Rachel are kept busy with their two young daughters, Emily and Izzy.

New generation “Doing the Nuffield scholarship has really helped develop my confidence speaking in public and it has been a fantastic opportunity to travel and meet fascinating people from both inside and outside the dairy industry. Hopefully, I can pass on what I have learned to others and help encourage a new generation into the industry,” says Ali.

As well as managing cow performance, Ali is now responsible for a large team of farm staff.

The herd’s average yield is 11,000 litres at 4.4% butterfat and 3.4% protein.

12 DF Nov p10 11 12 On Farm KJ.indd 4

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10/10/2023 17:05

DAIRY Matters ‘It is about time we start thinking outside the box’ Claire Whittle is a vet working at LLM Farm Vets. She is also a Nuffield scholar, with her study focusing on regenerative agriculture. Her particular areas of interest lie in sustainable livestock production, parasite control and farm ecosystems.

W

hile at UK Dairy Day, I asked a panel which was speaking about ‘the future of the dairy industry’, how we could improve diversity in dairy.

Farmer Amy Eggleston and vet James Breen gave excellent answers about how we tell stories and improve working patterns.

As a sector, we need to become more open to the fact that farm vets or workers do not have to work full-time and live and breathe farming to be excellent at what they do. And actually having something else to focus on might actually improve performance.

The other three members of the panel basically told me how many women worked for them, which was not the question I asked. The answers, it seemed to me, were a little defensive.

Claire Whittle

14 DF Nov p14 15 Dairy Matters KJ.indd 2

Of the 22 panellists talking that day during the various sessions, there was one woman and 21 white men.

One panellist suggested women could now work on farms as physical strength was not required and that technology had enabled this.

My job as a farm vet requires not only physical strength, but also mental tenacity, grit, understanding and empathy.

Making us feel like we can’t perform the role as well as men, solely because of strength, and convincing yourself of it, only serves to perpetuate this thinking.

Social media response Comments cited when I raised this issue on X (formerly Twitter) included one which said: “I don’t think it’s fair to say the gender make-up of the panel is a microcosm of a problem in the industry.”

This statement was rebutted by another, which stated: “It really is – the fact a whole one-day event had one woman on a panel is absolutely shocking and the fact that not one person challenged it reflects the problem – the lack of equality wasn’t picked up.”

Another suggested that the panellists were rightly selected based on their experience and qualifications.

Was this meant to suggest that there are not an equal amount of women or those from more diverse backgrounds in the industry who are qualified to speak on the future of it? Really?

In my day-to-day work, there is also a concern that repeatedly rears its head about women wanting to ‘go and do other things’.

Well, we are the only ones who can bear children.

And yes, bearing and bringing children up takes time

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:40

With the labour crisis having an impact on the dairy industry, it is important for the industry that everyone can see themselves as being represented, says Claire Whittle.

“

and it might mean that women leave for a short time, or forever, but to use it as an excuse smacks only of fear.

The fact that a woman can bring such benefits to your business that you are afraid of ‘losing’ her to motherhood just shows me how lucky these businesses are.

My job as a farm vet requires not only physical strength, but Gender roles If we didn’t have such embedded societal gender also mental roles in parenthood, then we wouldn’t even be here.

I have been asked numerous times when I am tenacity, grit, going to get married and have babies. But on the other hand, I am not supposed to go off and have understanding babies. Can we ever win?

And if ‘other things’ means pursuing an interest and empathy which might bring a new perspective to your business, why is that wrong?

For example, I have an interest in regenerative farming because I want to make businesses more resilient by looking at it from the soil up.

I can use that to help people make sound financial decisions in whatever farming system you are in, high input or otherwise. But my interest in my private time is still farming. Whatever label you put on it.

Study after study shows diversity in business leads to more productivity, greater innovation and better financial performance.

The labour crisis is getting worse and it is about time we start thinking outside the box.

If people outside of our industry can’t see themselves represented on the panels, stages and public forums within it, then it will be increasingly difficult for them to see their place working in it.

Representation matters; It really does.

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VET’S VIEW Bovine papular stomatitis is not commonly diagnosed on dairy farms but producers should be aware of the viral infection, as its symptoms can mimic much more serious diseases, including foot-and-mouth and bovine viral diarrhoea. Wendy Short reports.

Raising awareness of papular stomatitis

B

ovine papular stomatitis (BPS) is caused by the bovine popular stomatitis virus; a parapoxvirus.

It usually affects cattle under two years old and is zoonotic, explains Dr Heather Niman, of Bristol-based farm vet practice, Tibbs and Simmons. Left untreated, cattle will usually recover within about three weeks, although as its symptoms include mouth lesions, it can reduce feed intakes.

The main symptoms are small, red patches, or erythema, on the muzzle and lips, as well as on the inside of the mouth and nostrils, she says. These measure up to 1.5cm in diameter and will swell into raised papules, then develop into small ulcers. Once the lesions regress, they appear as brown spots.

“Many calves with BPS will show few signs of discomfort and will continue to eat and drink, while their temperatures will remain normal,” says Dr Niman.

“The lesions can be subject to secondary infection, which could be caused by any of the array of pathogens in the farm environment. Very rarely, the lesions can extend to the oesophagus and rumen.

“BPS has occasionally been recorded in adult cows, usually transferred on milkers’ hands after calf feeding.

“Cows may show discomfort at milking time, as their teats can become infected and display the same papules and scabbing.”

There are still elements of BPS infection that are not fully understood, she comments.

“BPS is believed to be transmit-

16 DF Nov p16 17 Vets View GG KJ.indd 2

In humans, the most common symptoms of bovine papular stomatitis occur in the form of lesions on the hands and arms.

ted by direct contact, and it is not thought to remain present in the environment as a reservoir of infection.

“Once a calf develops lesions, the virus spreads in respiratory secretions and saliva.

“Research has confirmed the virus in calves which appear healthy, with no visible lesions.

“We know that stress or immunosuppression can precipitate disease in animals which appear to have no clinical signs and therefore it can be harboured as a sub-clinical infection and these animals can transfer the virus to their pen mates.”

Flare up The body’s immune response can be short-lived and incomplete, so the disease can flare up again after the calves show signs of having recovered.

In humans, the most common

symptoms occur in the form of lesions on the hands and arms.

“A confirmed diagnosis of BPS is usually made when other diseases which cause similar symptoms have been excluded,” says Dr Niman.

“The serological blood tests which detect antibodies or antigen are of little practical value. There is a BPS laboratory test which uses lesion swab samples, but it is available at only one viral surveillance unit, and it is expensive.”

She adds the highest risk of BPS infection occurs when calves from different sources are moved into a group.

“The most common scenario is where calves from markets or collection centres are brought together or introduced to a group of home-bred animals. As with all infectious diseases, the best protection for calves is to ensure they have had adequate

levels of high-quality colostrum, and good general care will increase their resilience.”

Isolation Despite infected cattle showing no obvious signs of discomfort, she recommends the immediate isolation of calves with lesions, as well as follow-up treatment.

“Calves will typically show few outward signs of pain, or only mild discomfort, but it can be assumed that the lesions will cause pain; humans who have contracted the disease have reported that the papules and ulcers are painful.

“I would advise giving calves an injection of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Metacam. This will last for 72 hours and should help them through the main disease period. If secondary infection develops, the vet should

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 14:14

VET’S VIEW be consulted, and an antibiotic may need to be administered.”

At the first confirmation of BPS infection, calf pens and equipment must be disinfected, to reduce the risk of disease spread.

“Fortunately, the virus can be destroyed by most standard disinfectants, including hypochlorite,” says Dr Niman.

“As the main risk for disease spread, the milk feeder teats should be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

“It is also advisable to disinfect all the equipment that is accessible to the group, including barriers and enrichment toys, although I appreciate that this may not be practical.

“Anyone who is working with the calves should wear disposable gloves and put on a new pair every time they move between pens.

Study “One study showed that a combination of isolating infected calves, regular cleaning and disinfection of the equipment and treating the bedding with lime, cleared up the problem on a unit within 40 days, and without spread to the healthy herd.”

There is evidence to show that infected weaned calf intakes can be encouraged by adding water to their hard feed and making a porridge, which they will eat more readily, she adds. They should also have access to soft hay which should be chopped if time permits.

Producers should be aware of BPS symptoms to avoid confusion with two very serious diseases, she stresses.

“My main worry in any case is that the presentation of the disease can initially resemble foot-andmouth disease (FMD). However, with FMD, the feet will also be affected by the lesions, there will be rapid spread to the rest of the herd, and animals will be running a very high temperature.

“I would always advocate a call to your vet, to check any suspected signs of FMD. A full examination of the animals in the absence of these critical symptoms will usually be enough to rule it out.

“The main endemic infection in which symptoms can be similar to BPS is bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and especially the mucosal disease complex. It also causes mouth and nose lesions and ulcers, and case numbers are still high in the UK dairy herd.

“There is an ear notch test for BVD virus, and in my opinion, it should be conducted whenever suspect lesions are found, even if the herd is vaccinated. It is essential that it is picked up quickly, as a persistently infected (PI) calf can spread the disease rapidly. There is a readily available blood test to identify BVD PI cases.

“Bovine papular stomatitis is a disease that would benefit from raised awareness, especially in young calves, and a rapid response is the best way to reduce its negative effect on profitability and animal welfare,” says Dr Niman.

The best protection for calves is to ensure they have had adequate levels of high-quality colostrum, and good general care DR HEATHER NIMAN

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NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p16 17 Vets View GG KJ.indd 3

17 12/10/2023 14:14

YOUNGSTOCK Vet, Dr Tim Potter shares how vets can help farmers optimise welfare and productivity through the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grant to fund cattle housing.

Working with vets to improve housing

T

here can be many factors which play a role in causing disease. However, a big factor which can impact disease is the environment.

Dr Tim Potter, senior clinical director of dairy consultancy, Kingshay, and Westpoint Farm Vets, both part of the VetPartners group, says the housed environment is a major risk factor for common livestock illnesses and has the potential to exacerbate disease in several different ways.

“A poor environment can either create an ideal scenario for

disease pathogens to survive or it can put animals under stress and therefore makes them more susceptible to disease,” he says.

“For example, factors such as bad drainage and uneven surfaces under foot can lead to lameness in livestock and other related diseases.

“Therefore, it is particularly important for farmers to work with their vets and consider the impact the housed environment could be having on their herd, particularly when it comes to calf health, because stress can

Access “However, a good environment could include sufficient access to feed, protection from weather conditions and disease, correct temperature and low moisture which can all help to improve the health and welfare of animals.

JFarmers commonly look at disease control and housing management as siloed issues which do not impact each other, but in fact they can have a big influence on each other, suggests Dr Potter.

“When it comes to disease management, it is important to look at all areas of the farm holistically when aiming to prevent disease,” he says.

“There are great advancements in medicine which can significantly improve animal health, such as effective vaccines. But if, for example, ventilation is inadequate, vaccinations alone will not provide enough immunity to protect animals.

“Vets are a great resource for farmers to tap into because we have a thorough understanding of the biological disease process and associated risk factors.

“Whenever I visit a farm, I make sure to look objectively at the housed environment and will make recommendations for improvements to buildings if I notice a potential issue.”

Dr Potter says some farmers may feel nervous

Ventilation JVentilation is one of the key areas farmers are advised to focus on in order to reduce the risk of disease in their herds, says Dr Potter.

“Poor ventilation is a big risk factor for pneumonia, especially in youngstock,” he says.

“In sheds with sub-standard air circulation, any moisture produced by animals has no path

to escape, meaning pathogens are more likely to survive and remain present in the air.

“This increases the risk of disease transmission, so it is essential that all livestock buildings have correct airflow, including sufficient inlet and outlet, and potentially means of improving airflow such as tubes or fans.”

Drainage JDrainage is another factor that can increase the risk of disease in livestock, so farmers should seek to improve this where possible, says Dr Potter.

“Good drainage can help to minimise disease spread as it will help to any liquid

18 DF Nov p18 19 KJ.indd 2

containing pathogens away from animals,” he explains.

“If livestock are standing around in dirty, wet conditions, this can cause major health issues, such as lameness and mastitis in older cattle, or pneumonia and scours in youngstock.”

have a negative impact on calf immunity.

“Some of the areas farmers can look to improve to support animal health and welfare include drainage, surfaces and ventilation,” he says.

Disease and housing management about making infrastructural changes as this can be a significant investment. But, by working with your vets to understand disease challenges on-farm, farmers can ensure any improvements made are a worthwhile investment for animal health.

Stocking “To improve housing conditions to support disease control, I suggest starting with understanding the characteristics of the cattle.

For example, what will the stocking density of the building look like, or how will cattle flow through the shed,” he says.

“Having this knowledge is important and will help you make changes to buildings to suit the herd and business, while helping prevent disease outbreaks.

“I would strongly recommend that farmers consult with their vet if they are planning to make any changes to their housing.

“Vets will be able to help farmers to access funding too if they are looking to make significant changes.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:38

YOUNGSTOCK

Vets will be able to help farmers to access funding if they are looking to make significant changes says Dr Potter (inset).

Support for improving housing JFarmers interested in improving livestock housing to support health and welfare can benefit from the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure grant.

Through this grant, livestock farmers will be able to access funding to improve existing buildings or build new livestock housing which will be complementary to animal health programmes.

“The grant solidifies support

from the government that the housed environment is a fundamental factor for disease control, health, and performance of calves,” says Dr Potter.

“Over recent years, many vets have advocated for this sort of initiative in the hope it will help the sector to reduce disease and increase performance.

“The funding will allow farmers to make their systems more

efficient and sustainable, reducing the risk of disease by improving their herds’ living conditions.”

There are guidelines in the grant which will help promote high standards of practice. So, for those interested in applying, there will be a requirement for discussion with a vet, to ensure funding is used effectively.

“Vets have a broad range of expertise and will be able to

work in partnership with farmers to help ensure environments are optimum and disease challenges are addressed,” he says.

“I would recommend all farmers look at their housing conditions and see if there are any ways they can be improved. Simple changes such as improving drainage could make the world of difference for reducing the risk of disease.”

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p18 19 KJ.indd 3

19 12/10/2023 12:39

WORLD DAIRYING AUSTRALIA

Brian Corr and his partner Myrid Bartlett on their new farm at Moyarra, Victoria.

Following the purchase of a farm, Irishman Brian Corr is now focusing on breeding medium-sized cows suitable for his dairy in Australia. Chris McCullough reports.

P

roducing a cow that can walk long distances and cope with rolling hills are important breeding goals of an Irish farmer who is now running his own dairy farm in Australia.

Originally from Monaghan, Brian Corr was managing two dairy farms in Victoria for an investment group, but jumped at the chance to buy his own place when it came up for sale.

Brian bought his 153-hectare (378-acre) farm at Moyarra, South Gippsland, in July 2022, further leasing another 60ha (148 acres) of milking platform and 80ha (198 acres) of land for youngstock just 10km away.

Brian now milks 400 cows, but has plans this season to increase to more than 500, making good use of the leased land.

He works full-time on-farm and is assisted by his partner Myrid

Grasping the opportunity to buy a farm Bartlett at weekends as she is a fulltime teacher. He says: “I grew up in Monaghan on a mixed enterprise farm and worked in Ireland, UK and New Zealand before finally settling here in Australia.

“I previously managed a farm for a large company about 20 minutes away, where I owned the cows and leased them to the farm.”

When it came to buying the farm, Brian says he was quite lucky to have an understanding bank

The Friesian Jersey cross cow suits the grazing system the best.

manager who actually knew the farm in question.

Brian says: “”At that time the milk price was great and interest rates had not risen much, so we were quite lucky with our timing.

“The manner in which we came across and were offered this farm was also quite fortuitous and while it took substantial saving, planning and support, we are aware that there was some simple good luck involved too.

“Most of the farms we looked at that were within our budget were only capable of milking 200 cows.

This farm had good pasture and a good sized dairy but everything was run down so it has taken a lot of work to get it up to scratch.”

Terrain Breeding for milk production and a cow that can handle the Victorian hilly terrain is important to Brian, who is a big fan of the Jersey Friesian cross cow.

He says: “During our first season here we milked 400 cows, of which

20 DF Nov p20 21 NEW World Dairying MB KJ.indd 2

40% were heifers. About 100 cows and 50 heifers came with us from the previous farm and I bought the rest from the previous farm owner and three local herds.

“Most of the cows are Friesian Jersey crosses but there are also some pure Friesians and Jerseys.

“Last season the cows produced 380kg of milk solids per cow at 4.8% fat and 3.7% protein.

“This season we are aiming for 440kg of milk solids per cow while expanding to 500 cows.

“We aim to breed a mediumsized efficient cow that is very fertile, can walk long distances and cope with our hills, using the New Zealand breeding worth index as it aligns with our system the best.

“I want a cow that produces 1kg of milk solids for every kg of liveweight,” he said.

Brian’s cows graze outside all year round in one herd. The only sheds on the farm are a calf unit and a 30-unit herringbone parlour using a combination of GEA and Milfos equipment.

NOVEMBER 2023 13/10/2023 09:15

AUSTRALIA WORLD DAIRYING Farm facts

The couple breed a medium-sized efficient cow that is able to walk long distances and cope with the hills.

rMilk is sold to Saputo at $9.40/kg (£4.87/kg) of milk solids or 77 Australian cents/litre (40ppl) rAI is used for six weeks and

bulls for a further six weeks rSilage is made in round bales and fed out with a Hustler bale unroller on a 75hp Landini tractor

“As the farm is still developing, we are trying to keep investment in machinery and technology to a bare minimum and use contractors for everything apart from feeding and fertiliser,” says Brian.

Looking to the future, Brian’s goals are to pay off debt and expand cow numbers on leased land. He is rearing over 200 heifer calves this year to allow for milking more cows in two years.

“Hopefully we will get the opportunity to buy more land around us, including some of what we currently lease,” he says.

“I would not rule out a second farm in the future but developing this one is the current priority.”

Like many other dairy farmers worldwide, obtaining labour is a problem for Brian, who currently employs one full-time worker and two casuals during calving.

Investments “Most of the investments we have planned are for basic things like laneways to allow for more efficient grazing. We plan to extend our collecting yard and replace our milk vat with a bigger one and add an autodraft system.

“I would like to have an automated heat detection/health system, but that is probably another year away.”

He says: “Other challenges here include dry summers, but we sow chicory as a crop to provide green feed early in the season.

“The chicory will provide eight to 16 tonnes dry matter per hectare depending on rainfall in the first summer and then it is over seeded with perennial ryegrass.

“This year we are planting 8ha of fodder beet to provide homegrown feed in late summer and early autumn.”

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BREEDING A switch to Aberdeen-Angus has paid dividends for a dairy beef farming partnership which is looking to cut costs and increase efficiencies. Dairy Farmer reports.

Genetics deliver dual benefits for dairy beef enterprise

T

he Farrant family operates a 600-cow dairy unit at Manor Farm, Oxfordshire, alongside a dairy beef finishing unit at Underley Farm, Herefordshire.

The dairy herd is predominantly a cross between Norwegian Red, New Zealand Friesian and Holstein and is managed

on a grazing-based system

by Andrew Farrant.

Milking The herd operates both spring and autumn block calving, with twice-daily milking through a 50-point Waikato rotary parlour. Milk yields average 7,000 litres per cow per year, with all milk supplied to Waitrose.

About 650-700 dairy cross Aberdeen-Angus cattle are finished at the beef unit every year.

22 DF Nov p22 24 Breeding KJ.indd 2

Ian Farrant

Andrew says: “Other than the heifers we keep back for replacements, all calves get sent over to our finishing unit a couple of hours away in Herefordshire.

“About 650-700 dairy cross Aberdeen-Angus calves are finished at the beef unit every year.

“Most of the calves come from our dairy herd, with the

remainder being sourced from Meadow Quality.

“Like the milk, cattle currently go to Waitrose via Dovecote Park, but we are also looking to start supplying cattle to the regenerative farming collective, Grassroots Farming.”

Concentrates Andrew’s cousin Ian Farrant runs the dairy beef unit and says that although the farm had enjoyed using British Blue genetics for many years, it struggled to finish cattle without the need for a lot of concentrates.

Ian says: “When they got to 16 months old we could finish them on a ration, but we ended up having to throw vast amounts of concentrates at them, which just was not sustainable.

“We were looking to grow the finishing side of the business, but it was not looking feasible without buying-in lots of concentrates. Instead, we looked into introducing Aberdeen-Angus genetics to

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BREEDING become more self-sufficient in our feed.

“It seems like a much more sustainable farming model and, by reducing our reliance on inputs, we are not as vulnerable to market price fluctuations.”

The Farrants say that the benefits can be seen across the whole dairy beef business, from when the dairy cows calve, through to the finishing cattle.

Andrew says: “Our bull choice is very much down to calving ease, with all breeding being done through artificial insemination.

Figures “Calves just seem to pop out. Looking at the 2023 spring-calving block figures, we had 196 calvings from Aberdeen-Angus bulls and achieved 198 live calves, due to some sets of twins being born.”

As well as calving ease benefits, Andrew says he has been impressed with the vigour of the calves and ease of management.

He says: “They get up straight away, ready for a drink of colostrum. Another benefit is that they are polled. We always

choose polled dairy bulls too and we have not had to dehorn a calf in the past two years.”

Once calves are moved to the beef unit in Herefordshire, Ian says there is a noticeable difference in the amount of concentrates required for finishing.

Ian says: “Our business is essentially split into three areas – calf rearing, growing and finishing.

“The Aberdeen-Angus crosses spend 30-60 days on the finishing ration and they are achieving an average daily liveweight gain [DLWG] of 1.5-1.8kg, based on a grass and maize silage-based diet, with about 4kg of cereals a day.”

He says this compares to the British Blue crosses, which spent 60-90 days on the finishing ration and achieved an average DLWG of 1.4kg.

Ian says: “The weight gain was fine, but the problem was the length of time they were spending on the finishing diet.

“Since moving to Aberdeen-

By reducing our reliance on inputs, we are not as vulnerable to market price fluctuations IAN FARRANT Angus, we are using far fewer cereals. I estimate we only need one-third of the amount to finish the Aberdeen-Angus cattle compared to the British Blues.”

He says the Aberdeen-Angus crosses are finishing at carcase weights of 315-320kg at grades ranging from a mid R to an O+.

Although this is slightly lighter than the British Blues, which had average carcase

weights of 330-335kg, at typically half a grade higher than the Aberdeen-Angus crosses, Ian says he is happy with the end result and not interested in pushing for heavier cattle.

He says: “I would rather have a higher throughput and sell them slightly lighter, because there is huge potential to lose money in the finishing shed, especially with heavy cattle.”

Praising the working partnership between the Farrant cousins, AHDB knowledge exchange manager for beef and lamb Emma Steele says: “One of the things which works really well with Andrew and Ian is that they sit down quite regularly as a partnership and discuss what has gone well and what has not.

Reviews “They are constantly reviewing what they are doing and this is proving successful. It would be great to see more of this collaboration between dairy farmers and dairy beef finishers.”

Ian Farrant says the Aberdeen-Angus crosses are finishing at carcase weights of 315-320kg at grades ranging from a mid R to an O+.

24 DF Nov p22 24 Breeding KJ.indd 3

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13/10/2023 09:23

FEED EFFICIENCY Rumen function Improvements in rumen health result in increased nutrient digestibility, meaning more nutrients available for milk production and a reduction in nutrient loss via faeces.

As margins have tightened through 2023 due to falling milk values, the argument for improving feed efficiency has strengthened. Dairy Farmer reports.

Improving feed efficiency through dietary management

W

hile the direct link between feed efficiency and improved margin is compelling enough, there are also benefits to animal health and huge opportunities to improve the environmental sustainability of dairy production, says Sam Cottam, a dairy farmer and veterinary nutritionist at Advanced Ruminant Nutrition.

He says: “Various measures of efficiency are in use, but the principle of improvement remains the same — increasing milk output per unit of input.”

He says Advanced Ruminant

Nutrition uses a system called Total Digestion Management (TDM) which is an holistic approach to feed efficiency, bespoke to each farm that they work with.

Mr Cottam says: “We look at improving feed efficiency through a series of steps once we have thoroughly researched what is important to the farm in terms of achieving their own KPIs and what is economically viable.

“We then select an area that is going to give us the most gains and work on continual improvements from there.”

Mr Cottam says there are a number of points that are

considered during this process, but it is important to decide what is economically viable for individual farms.

JOptimising rumen function is central when looking to enhance feed efficiency in dairy cows, says Mr Cottam.

“Improvements in rumen health result in increased nutrient digestibility, meaning more nutrients available for milk production and a reduction in nutrient loss via faeces.

“Ensuring a healthy rumen is not simply the formulation of the diet, though this has a big influence, but also means ensuring the diet is delivered and consumed as intended.

“Environmental and management factors which influence eating and resting behaviour are pivotal to ensuring rumen stability.

“The improvement in milk constituents seen with improved rumen health further increases feed efficiency.”

Yield and maintenance requirements JMr Cottam says generally, increasing milk yield increases feed efficiency due to a ‘dilution’ effect of the cow’s maintenance requirements.

“For example, a cow yielding 45kg/day requires four times maintenance, whereas a cow giving 90kg/day requires seven times maintenance,” he says.

“It stands to reason cows at

peak lactation are more efficient than later lactation cows, which highlights the importance of herd fertility.

“Understandably, heifers are less efficient than cows, partly due to reduced yields, but also because some nutrients are used for growth, showing the effect herd longevity has on feed efficiency.”

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26 DF Nov p26 27 KJ .indd 2

ENGINEERING

NOVEMBER 2023

Copy

13/10/2023 10:46

Ecosy

FEED EFFICIENCY Amino acid balancing and isoacids JThe use of rumen-protected amino acids has a role to play when reducing dietary protein levels.

Mr Cottam says: “Often methionine and lysine are the first amino acids to limit production in typical diets.

“Research has also highlighted the health benefits of feeding rumen-protected methionine beyond fulfilling an amino acid requirement, including improved liver function and improved fertility through reduced uterine disease and better egg quality.

“Recent work has also showed promise for the use of isoacids.

“These are produced from the breakdown of proteins in the rumen and are required by rumen microbes.

“Supplementation of isoacids

allows protein levels to be reduced without limiting rumen microbial activity and thus improves digestibility of fibre in particular.

“The reduction of dietary protein cuts the need for expensive purchased protein sources and allows more home-grown feeds to replace them, such as forages or home-grown cereals.”

Dry matter intake JDM intake has a huge influence on feed efficiency and, if increased DM results in increased milk yield, then overall efficiency may improve.

Alternatively, if DM intake is reduced with no change in milk yield, then efficiency improves.

“In both cases methane emissions per unit of milk are also reduced,” says Mr Cottam.

“Although reducing

feed refusals will improve feed efficiency, it is not recommended to have long periods of time where cows do not have access to feed, this is particularly true for transition cows. With consistent routine feeding management, including accurate forage, dry matter and cow numbers, refusals can be as low as 2-3% without hindering intakes.”

Legumes Mr Cottam says incorporating legumes into a farm’s cropping programme can improve nitrogen efficiency at a farm level. He says: “The fixing of atmospheric nitrogen by legumes cuts the requirement for purchased fertiliser and the use of higher protein forages can further reduce the need for purchased protein feeds.”

Nitrogen efficiency JNitrogen efficiency in dairy production is coming under increasing scrutiny due to environmental concerns around nitrogen excretion in slurry.

Mr Cottam says: “This is one area of opportunity for many dairies, as both research and field work shows that lower

protein diets can successfully support high yielding cows.

“However, a more precise feeding approach is required for this; formulating diets to provide the cow with the amino acids she requires, rather than focusing on crude protein levels.”

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13/10/2023 29/08/2023 10:48 15:56

MAIZE With 2023 maize crops in the clamp, some growers will already be thinking about variety selection for next year. Dairy Farmer looks at what to consider when making that choice.

Selecting the optimum maize variety for 2024

W

ith some in the industry anticipating next year’s maize area to be on par or ahead of this year’s crop, due to an increased demand for AD, genetic advances which have extended the geographical potential for maize and because spring oats are be-

coming more difficult to grow due to an absence of approved herbicides, growers and agronomists are thinking hard about which varieties to grow in 2024.

Simon Montgomery, of ProCam’s Field Options, says: “No matter what maize is being grown for, either as forage for dairy cows, as an energy feedstock for anaerobic digestion, or

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as grain maize, the key priorities when deciding which variety to grow are always earliness of maturity, energy density, and yield, all of which must be present in the absence of agronomic weaknesses such as a susceptibility to disease or lodging.”

Yardstick Overall yield, or more specifically tonnage per hectare of fresh weight, has been the yardstick by which varieties are usually measured. But although fresh weight yield is important, Mr Montgomery says it is not the beall and end-all when it comes to producing a crop which can add value to the herd or AD plant.

“Of greater importance is the ability to harvest the crop when it, and the ground on which it is being grown, are in good condition. That means selecting a variety which matures early enough to allow the crop to mature and for the dry matter content to reach 30-32% before the weather turns too wet and cold.”

For less favourable or challenging sites a ‘very early’ or ‘ultra-early’ variety should be chosen. In more favourable areas such as the South and East where conditions are invariably warmer, sunnier and drier, an ‘early’ or potentially a ‘late’ variety might be more suitable.

Only once a shortlist of varieties with a suitable FAO has been drawn up should focus

turn to yield and, he says, two measurements of yield are critical: starch yield, and dry matter (DM) yield.

“A variety with a higher starch content and a dry matter of up to 36% will provide more energy per kilo, and provide the ‘biggest bang per buck’,” says Mr Montgomery.

“The majority of a maize plant’s dry matter comes from the cob, so it is important to select a variety which will reliably produce a full and healthy cob even in the most unpredictable or stressful of seasons.

“What looks good on paper or in a controlled environment, will not necessarily work quite so well out in the real world.

“It is therefore vital to pick a variety which has been tested and proven to reliably and consistently bear fruit in a range of UK conditions, and more specifically in soil and climatic conditions similar to those on the farm or field in question.”

But just as outright yield is not the holy grail, neither is overall starch or dry matter yield. InSimon Montgomery

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:30

MAIZE

It is important to select a variety which will reliably produce a full and healthy cob even in the most unpredictable or stressful of seasons says Simon Montgomery.

stead, Mr Montgomery says the focus should be on starch and dry matter content as a percentage per kilo of the ensiled crop.

“A crop with more starch and more dry matter per kilo will be more energy dense and will take up less space in the rumen or AD plant, thereby negating the need to feed vast quantities.

Likewise, a crop which is easily

digested will also be more beneficial on a per kilo basis.”

However, there is a ceiling in terms of dry matter percentage, with anything above 36% DM containing too much lignin which reduces digestibility and creates increased clamp losses.

“Some breeders have their own indices for digestibility but, because these are not standar-

dised across the industry, they should be used as a guide only,” says Mr Montgomery “As a general rule of thumb, the portion of a maize plant growing below the cob is less digestible than the stem and leaf material growing higher up. A plant with high cobs will therefore contain more non-digestible material which will manifest as rejected material at the feed barrier or reduced biogas production.”

Characteristics Disease tolerance and other agronomic characteristics such as resistance to lodging should also be considered.

“In coastal locations where the air is constantly damp, the risk of diseases such as eye spot and fusarium is elevated,” says Mr Montgomery.

“Selecting a variety with better inherent resistance to these diseases is therefore needed to

safeguard yield and quality, and in the worst affected areas might even need to take precedent over yield and starch content.”

Finally, where urgency of feed out is a factor, Mr Montgomery says there is a fundamental difference between flint and dent type varieties.

“Flint varieties will typically need to be ensiled for a minimum of two to three months before being ready to be fed out, and as such are best suited to farms with an overstock of the previous year’s crop, or where grazing can reliably continue late into the autumn.

“On the other hand, dent varieties can be fed out much sooner, often within a week or two of harvesting under the right conditions, and are therefore ideal where there is unlikely to be any of the previous year’s crop left, or for AD plants which are likely to run close to the limit of their supplies.”

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Preparing for the 2024 season

T

he last silage cut is now in the clamp, so it is a good time to reflect on the summer season and consider what can be done even better next year.

Peter Smith, of Volac, says once again those farmers who started early saw a quality dividend and sufficient yields to replenish stocks.

He says: “Most farmers reported one good cut of silage and one of lower quality when the weather turned wet and cool.

“A multi-cut system is not for everyone but cutting a little earlier, even if the crop appears light, will result in higher quality silage. Clearing the fields of any winter grown grass will allow the vigour of the fresh spring growth to give an early second cut with less time pressure, especially in changeable weather.

“Aim for a maximum of six weeks between cuts, but be flexible and go

at five weeks if the weather is good.

Providing nitrogen is used up, there is no reason not to cut, as cutting more often generally returns higher yields and grass quality over the season.

“It is important to choose the best additive for the conditions. If there is no risk of heating, Ecosyl will give the most efficient fermentation. If heating

is a risk, a dual action additive such as Ecocool helps fermentation but also reduces losses caused by heating.”

Servicing machinery over winter rather than leaving it until the last minute can help avoid untimely break downs, according to Jonathan Miller, South West Territory product support manager of Krone UK. He says: “Booking machinery in for a winter service is the most cost effective way of addressing issues before the start of the spring silaging season.

It allows more time to complete the work and source parts, which can be obtained via a regular stock order.

“Farmers are now often relying on one large high-capacity machine which needs to work at full productivity. If the machinery is hampered by anything which is not correctly set up or maintained, this can affect performance.

“An experienced professional looking at the machinery will identify any

damage or wear caused during the previous season. They can pick up minor problems such as parts which have not been greased or adjusted properly and might otherwise fail when the machine is first used in the spring.

“There are also some checks the farmer can do as described in the operator’s manual. Checking and changing oils and ensuring the pto shaft and guards are in good condition is important,” Mr Miller adds.

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NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p28 29 Maize KJ.indd 3

29 12/10/2023 15:37

MAIZE

F

ears the relatively cold, wet spring and challenging drilling conditions could result in later maturing crops for many growers have been largely abated, says KWS maize specialist Andrew Cook.

“Certainly, as far as the earliest crops to be harvested in the South West are concerned, the anticipated later harvest has not materialised for the main part.

“We are seeing yields of up to and just over 20t/acre freshweight, harvested at target dry matters of 32-35% and with more manageable starch contents than last year’s 35%-plus levels.

“Last year’s summer droughts reduced yields significantly and this, in turn, concentrated the starch in the smaller cobs which presented quite a few problems for producers and nutritionists trying to balance high inclusion maize rations in order to avoid acidosis.

“This year’s crop should not only be simpler to clamp, it should be much easier to manage in rations with more usable starch contents of 3035%, which should make it the perfect partner for the large quantities of grass silage cut in most parts of the country this year.”

Later-drilled crops seem to have been the ones that have produced the best results, he points out.

“Maize producers who decided to drill early are probably the ones seeing the most variable results in the field and ultimately in the clamp. Cold soils hampered germination and establishment and this poor start has been carried through the season.

“Those crops that were sown into warm soils romped away and this was helped by the relatively warm weather in June and then in September which really helped bring harvest dates back on track.

“Growers choosing ultra-early

30 DF Nov p30 Maize KJ.indd 2

This year’s maize crop should be simpler to clamp and easier to manage in rations with more usable starch.

Early indications are 2023 is shaping up to be a bumper year for maize production, with high yields of good quality material that should clamp and feed well. Dairy Farmer reports.

A bumper year for maize crop varieties drilled at the correct soil temperature; 8degC in lighter soils and 12degC in heavier soils, have generally achieved good results.

“There is a growing school of thought that such ‘energy boost’ varieties, drilled at conventional timings at 7.5cm depth, are the most reliable and consistent way to produce consistent maize crops against the backdrop of increasingly variable growing conditions.

“Early and ultra-early maturing varieties take less time, heat units and light exposure to mature and produce higher levels of starch than later maturing varieties.”

Performance Looking at which varieties have delivered strong performance in 2023, Mr Cook says two in particular stand out.

“KWS Temprano has delivered strong yields and quality this year, particularly in regions

with less than optimum maize growing conditions, while the clamp-filling variety Papageno has done particularly well in the more favourable areas.

“KWS Temprano is one of the earliest maize varieties available in the UK and worked well in the later drilling slot this year, but it establishes well when earlier sown too.

“Feeding wise, Temprano has the potential to produce starch contents approaching 40%, so if you are growing these varieties, regular forage testing will help identify the best inclusion rate, but in general this should be below 50% of rations.

“In contrast, Papageno with its typical starch content of about 32%, is much more suited to high levels in TMRs and other rations.”

While high starch maize varieties can offset the high protein content of predominantly grass-based rations, high maize inclusion diets should generally

contain some later-maturing types, he explains.

“A variety like Papageno is a good choice for this as it delivers high energy yields with only moderate starch content, thereby reducing acidosis risk.

“Generally speaking, however, we are seeing higher volumes of optimum dry matter cobs and plants with more manageable starch levels, that will ensile relatively safely and reliably and balance this year’s grass silage very well.”

Specific lessons learned from the 2023 growing season, in addition to the importance of varietal choice and balancing maize types in rations, are around weed control decisions, Mr Cook says.

“With later drilling often resulting in larger numbers of weeds in seedbeds being seen, I am more convinced than ever that pre-emergence herbicides are a very worthwhile investment.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:20

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10/10/2023 17:07

FARMING WITH NATURE Ian Baggs has researched ‘sustainable forage cropping production in the face of climate change challenges’ for his Nuffield Farming Scholarship. Wendy Short finds out about his studies and how he is applying the principles on his own farm.

Managing a farm in harmony with nature

T

he Baggs family’s dairy unit at West Mill Farm, Wareham, Dorset, was facing several challenges when Ian Baggs returned in 2016, and one of the greatest has been an apparent shift in weather patterns.

He says the mostly sandy, south-facing farmland is highly prone to drought and it sits in a rain shadow, so producing adequate levels of forage in summer is extremely challenging.

“The annual rainfall figure has

remained fairly static, but the seasons seem to have become more extreme. We seem to be experiencing warmer, wetter winters, and hotter, drier summers, with severe droughts in about three years out of every five,’ he says.

“The farm can go for two or three months without significant rainfall.

“Grazed grass has always been the cheapest way to produce milk, but the ryegrass-based mixes that we traditionally used are no longer appropriate and bought-in feed prices have risen sharply.

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We seem to be experiencing warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers IAN BAGGS “Ryegrasses are shallow rooting, and they will not meet our requirements in the summer months; winter rain is of little benefit.”

These factors meant that change was needed in order for the business to remain profitable.

of spring calvers. Milked twice a day, the herd has an average yield of 8,500kg at 4.2% butterfat and 3.3% protein, with milk sold to Arla.

The winter diet comprises grass silage, maize silage and brewers’ grains, which are mixed at the feed face for transfer into bunkers.

The ration is supplemented with concentrates fed to yield in out-ofparlour feeders and offered at a flat rate in the parlour.

“Moving to mainly autumn-calving means that most cows are dry over the summer, when the fields

Maximising Consequently, the herd has been downsized from 300 to 230 Holsteins for a better match with farm productivity and to cut bought-in feed costs, while the business is two years into a five-year plan to breed for a smaller cow and focus on maximising milk from home-grown forage, using herbal leys.

The cows are transitioning from all-year-round calving to autumn block-calving, plus a smaller group

Herbal ley mix rPerennial rye grass rCocksfoot rTimothy rChicory rPlantain rRed clover rWhite clover (in silage and grazing leys) All the maize grown on the farm is now

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:41

ground

PICTURES: Nigel Goldsmith

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A MONITORING SYSTEM TAILORED FOR EVERY FARM

Hotter drier summers have forced a changing approach from the Baggs family in Dorset.

are less productive,” says Mr Baggs.

“It allows us to take advantage of the spring grazing while the cows are milking well. Having a small spring-calving group is an interim measure for rolling over cows between blocks and block calving should give us a better work/life balance.”

Conclusions The herbal leys play a major role in ‘drought proofing’ the summer grazing and his experience of their management has led to a couple of conclusions.

“Herbal leys have a reputation for poor persistence, compared with

traditional, ryegrass-based mixes, but I believe they will persist with specialised management,” he says.

“They require a longer rotation; on this farm the fields are closed for 30-40 days in summer. They also perform best with higher residuals, our cows start grazing at about 3,500kg/dry matter/hectare and are removed at approximately 2,000kg/dry matter/hectare.

“Some of the herbal species are deep rooting, which provides some drought protection, and they also ‘grow topsoil,’ by increasing soil organic matter levels at depth.”

Historically, maize silage was fed all year round to maintain

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NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p32 33 34 KJ.indd 3

33 13/10/2023 11:02

FARMING WITH NATURE

The breeding policy is being adapted to breed a smaller cow more suited to grazing with AI sires selected for good fertility and health.

production, but some 12 hectares (30 acres) of maize have made way for herbal mixes to boost the grazing platform acreage and maximise milk from forage through summer.

New tracks, water troughs and fencing have been added.

While maize remains a highly valued winter forage crop, the family wanted to move to more sustainable production and it is now established using minimum tillage, with all the maize ground cover-cropped over the winter.

Mr Baggs says: “This year, we have used oats, rye, radish, fodder rape and crimson clover and our light soils will be used for bale grazing and out-wintering.

Increases “This helps to cycle the nutrients and increases their availability for the next maize crop, compared with mulching covers and following with the plough.”

The family is also adapting the herd breeding policy, which uses genomic testing and sexed semen.

“Our 700kg Holsteins are not ideal for grazed grass and the

34 DF Nov p32 33 34 KJ.indd 4

It is a question of adapting methods to fit in with the farm situation IAN BAGGS ultimate aim is to have a 600-650kg cow. It will be a shorter, wider animal with a capacious body and a lower maintenance requirement.”

“For the past three years, Al bulls have been selected for modest yield projection, high milk solids figures and good fertility and health; the new heifer type is just starting to come through,” says Mr Baggs.

“More rapid progress could have been made by selling our cows and starting afresh, but the breeding programme is better for cash flow.

It is geared towards evolution, rather than revolution.

“We will produce less milk, but

hopefully the changes will improve profitability.”

Mr Baggs’ Nuffield Scholarship, which was sponsored by the Trehane Trust, started in 2021 and has taken him all over the UK, as well as to France, Australia, and

New Zealand. His research has led to one overriding conclusion.

“The farm must be managed in harmony with nature,” says Mr Baggs, whose Nuffield report is due to be presented this month (November).

“In New Zealand, Tasmania and Ireland, most herds are spring calving, because the farms receive adequate rainfall, while in Northern Victoria, Australia, for example, autumn block-calving is better suited to the climate.

“It is a question of adapting production methods to fit in with the individual farm situation. Just how far we take the revised approach will depend upon its success, but at present we feel that the changes are a move in the right direction.”

Conference details JIan Baggs will present his findings alongside 34 other scholars at the 2023 Nuffield Farming ‘Super Conference’ held November 14-16 at Sandy Park in Exeter. All are

welcome. A full programme and list of presenters can be found at the QR code or on www.nuffieldscholar.org.

NOVEMBER 2023 13/10/2023 10:52

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16/10/2023 12:48

CONFERENCE This year’s Women in Dairy Conference, organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, saw speakers talk about their journeys into regenerative farming. Ellie Layton reports.

Entering the world of regenerative farming

O

ver the past few years, dairy farmers, Sophie Gregory and Debbie Wilkins have introduced regenerative practices to their own farms.

With other farmers looking to follow suit, the pair discussed how they have adapted their mindset and farming approach with delegates at the conference, which was held at Churchfields Farm, Droitwich.

Ms Wilkins, who farms in Gloucester on a mixed dairy, beef and arable farm, described herself as a conventional farmer with an organic mindset.

She said: “In an ideal world, the only inputs I would allow are rain and sun. But, the farm must be profitable, so sometimes we need to use compound feed and fertiliser. ” Before returning to the farm 15 years ago, she was a research scientist. She said it was her father who

The Women in Dairy Conference discussed regenerative farming.

sparked her interest in soil health.

“I look at the farm as if it was a research project, if something I try works well, I do it again, and if it does not, I tweak it or go back to the drawing board,” she said.

Ms Wilkins said she advised anyone wanting to make the move to a regenerative system to start the process with the youngstock so it would not directly affect the milk tank.

She said: “The milk cheque is where the money comes in, so

we do not want to affect this, but trialing the system with youngstock gives you more flexibility without hitting income.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Gregory, the 2021 Dairy Industry Woman of the Year, said it was her passion to share what they do on the organic farm she runs in partnership with her husband Tom on their 364 hectare (900-acre) farm in Dorset.

“We open our gates so people can see the reality of the farm and

they can be immersed in the day-today farming practices,” she said.

“I feel our industry can sometimes scare off people from changing their systems with big words, such as regenerative farming.

We are organic, so have few chemical inputs, so regenerative practices go hand in hand with the system.”

When Ms Gregory first started the process to regenerative farming, she said it was overwhelming.

“For any farmers wanting to find out more, I would recommend attending events. Farmer to farmer learning is often the most effective, so events like RADBF Down to Earth can help. This year Down to Earth was held at a housed dairy unit, which shows the system can work for everyone.”

She added other events such as Groundswell have been invaluable and she recommended a number of books including, ‘Soil Owners Manual’ and ‘For the Love of Soil’.

Award winner

Hannah Rose, 2023 Dairy Industry Woman of the Year.

36 DF Nov p36 KJ GG.indd 2

JHannah Rose was named the winner of this year’s Dairy Industry Woman of the Year Award.

She is a fourth generation farmer who is making her own path by living and working as an assistant herdsperson at the Usk Prison Dairy Farm, passing on her knowledge and helping to rehabilitate inmates.

Ms Rose’s fellow finalists were Sarah Devon, an area field manager for NMR, a regular milker on a dairy herd of 135 and volunteer facilitator for Devon Women in Dairy; and

Emma Hunt, first generation dairy farmer, operating a micro dairy in Hampshire.

The award aims to celebrate the achievements of women in the dairy sector and is presented to the individual who has demonstrated the core values of Women in Dairy of connect, share, and inspire.

On top of her job at Usk Prison, Ms Rose documents all aspects of her farming life to help educate the wider public and has built up a following of more than 10,000 on her Instagram account.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:49

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10/10/2023 28/09/2023 17:08 16:15

ANIMAL HEALTH An insight into technology developed to help farms monitor and manage herd health performance and advice around water quality, calving issues and winter housing.

Overhauling calf rearing As part of GB calf week, farmers were invited to a webinar to hear how simple management changes on a dairy farm helped cut calf mortality from 30% to 3%. Sarah Alderton reports.

W

arwickshire dairy farmer Charles Goadby witnessed first hand the cost implications when things go wrong in a calf-rearing enterprise when health issues in his youngstock saw 30% of the calves being lost to scours and pneumonia.

Mr Goadby milks 350 Holstein cows which are housed indoors and calve all year round.

He rears all his own replacement heifers and all dairy cross beef calves - about 200 a year - are finished deadweight for Pickstock Telford.

In 2018, the situation in his calves came to a head when Mr Goadby lost calves as young as two days old.

“When we had a post-mortem on them, their lungs were

40 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Video game technology on-farm

42 COW HEALTH

When retained foetal membrane is a problem

46 WATER QUALITY

Impact on herd health

48 DISEASE DETECTION Individual cow monitoring

52 HOUSING ISSUES

Protecting hoof health

38 DF Nov p38 Animal Health KJ.indd 2

shot and full of pneumonia,” Mr Goadby explained.

After working with his vet and with help from Zoetis, mycoplasma bovis was identified as one of the root causes of the health issues, leading to secondary rotavirus and coccidiosis infections.

Simple changes Mycoplasma bovis is challenging to treat because of its lack of cell wall, ability to evade a cow’s immune response and skill to remain dormant. As a result, simple management changes were implemented to help get the issue under control.

Since then, Mr Goadby has made some simple management changes that have transformed calf health, and despite still having mycoplasma bovis in the herd, he is achieving good performance in his calves. Mortality levels in calves are now under 3%.

Changes included: Colostrum management rAll calves are now fed tested colostrum for the first two days using a stomach tube. Any surplus quality colostrum is frozen.

Introduction of transition milk. rTransition milk replacer is fed for five days after colostrum.

Transition milk is the milk cows produce after colostrum.

It is higher in most nutrients and contains three quarters of the antibodies of colostrum compared to standard cow’s milk, working locally along the gut wall of calves, explained Selina Field, UK sales manager at Bonanza Calf Nutrition.

“These components promote cell proliferation and produce beneficial gut bacteria, ensuring resilient and functional gut health. This means the calf is less likely to get scours and pneumonic episodes.

“Feeding transition milk to the calf is vital for long-term performance. A healthy calf’s gut does not fully close until two to three weeks after birth, leaving it highly susceptible to infections from harmful bacteria, pathogens and viruses.”

Mr Goadby said his calves were thriving and doing well on transition milk.

“When you look at a bag of transition milk powder, it is maybe £10 more a bag, but that calf only has 750g for five days, so it is only costing £2-3 extra,” he said.

All-in, all-out calf rearing rHousing was switched to all-in, all-out to minimise disease spread, with pens disinfected and rested for a minimum of three weeks between batches of calves.

At seven days old, the pen sides are removed on individual calf pens, and the calves are then

Feeding transition milk to the calf is vital for long-term performance SELINA FIELD

Charles Goadby

housed in groups of 25 in one of four pens, which is filled up over a period of three to four weeks.

When the last pen is filled, the first batch of 25 calves is ready to be weaned.

Grower unit Calves move to a grower unit after weaning and remain in the same group until four to five months old before being mixed with other calves of a similar age.

Once they are group housed at seven days old, they are fed milk formula on an automatic calf machine for nine weeks, with stringent care being taken to ensure calves receive the correct amount at a consistent temperature. Milk quantity gradually increases over time, peaking at 6.5 litres a calf a day before gradually decreasing from 56 days old.

Hygiene is a top priority, with teats being changed and sterilised twice daily. Each calf has almost double the recommended space allowance with 5.5sq.m a head.

A blend is introduced early on, and cows are now vaccinated for mycoplasma bovis in the dry period, providing some immunity to the calves.

NOVEMBER 2023 13/10/2023 10:52

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13/10/2023 11:08

ANIMAL HEALTH A headset which can recognise individual cows and retrieve their health and performance records is based on the ‘augmented reality’ technology used in video gaming. Wendy Short reports.

A

rtificial intelligence, augmented reality and computer gaming are not generally associated with practical farming, but the technologies have been used to develop a prototype of the SmARtview system.

The user puts on a headset with the ability to recognise individual cows and draw up their data, which is visible on the screen.

Rob Morrison, of Agri-Epi, which was involved in developing the technology, says: “The cow recognition element uses artificial intelligence to pick up information which gives it the ability to identify individual cows in the same way we recognise people we know.

“Colour markings are only one aspect; it also records and analyses details such as the measurement of the space between the eyes, the exact body size and shape and tail length, for example.

Facial recognition “This technology works in the same way as facial recognition software which is already being used by the police force on some CCTV systems to detect criminals.

It can accurately identify cows at any angle and in poor light.”

The headset allows the wearer normal vision, except for a virtual ‘table’ of relevant data, which

Video gaming technology used to develop cow recognition tool

appears when it is directed at a particular animal.

This can include calving date, health and yield history and any recent treatments.

The operator uses their hands – which are wirelessly connected – to ‘click’ on the various categories, which can be linked to existing farm data software.

Another feature is to allow the user to write virtual ‘notes’ on their hands and these will be saved on to the information system.

SmARtview was developed as a veterinary tool or for use on large herds, says Mr Morrison.

He says: “The principal function is for vets, who can draw upon the data and get

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an up-to-date picture of the cow’s health status and any recent interventions, without the need to go back to the farm office or carry a clipboard. It would give a specialist vet making a one-off visit to the farm instant access to all the information about the cows.

Financial saving “Cutting the amount of time a vet spends on-farm will translate into a financial saving for the producer.

“The technology could also

be a useful addition on farms with high staff numbers or where staff rotate within the buildings.

“Our work in developing SmARtview as a tool is now complete and we are currently looking for a company to take it on and turn it into a viable commercial proposition.” rThe technology was developed through a partnership between Abertay University, Agi-EPI Centre, vetPartners and video game studio Pocket Sized Hands.

User experience JBrian Weatherup, who runs a 200-cow herd of high-yielding Holsteins at Parkend Farm, Fife, says it took ‘surprisingly little’ time to become familiar with using the SmARtview.

He says: “I tested the prototype version of SmARTview and I can see that it would be useful, particularly on farms where more than one vet oversees cattle health.

“I am not familiar with using augmented reality, but it was relatively easy to use.

The most unusual element was using my fingers to touch what was effectively ‘fresh air’ and

seeing my typing coming up through the headset screen.

“A vet on-farm for pregnancy scanning could draw up all of the cow’s reproductive information, to see how many times she had calved or whether she had a history of metritis, for example.

“On dairy farms which use paper records while in the buildings, rather than entering details on to a phone or tablet, it would save time and the inconvenience of carrying a clipboard, writing down notes and then having to transfer the data to the office computer.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:51

ANIMAL HEALTH

Brian Weatherup says the innovation would be particularly useful on farms where more than one vet oversees cattle health.

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41 12/10/2023 12:52

ANIMAL HEALTH Retained foetal membrane is a ‘tip of the iceberg’ condition which can range from mild, to very serious, and measures should be put in place to minimise cases. Wendy Short reports.

Investigate an increase in retained foetal membranes

Concerns “Many conversations will start over health concerns about freshly-calved cows.

“Milk fever, ketosis, RFM and left displacement of the abomasum will often be part of the picture.

“We frequently initiate the investigation by looking at pre-calving fat mobilisation, to determine late dry period intakes.”

Other signs which can be associated with RFM may be more subtle, he adds.

“They can include failure to

42 DF Nov p42 44 KJ.indd 2

PICTURES: John Eveson

A

ll dairy farmers will have dealt with cases of retained foetal membrane (RFM), says vet Ben Brearley, of The Livestock Partnership, a vet practice based in south east England.

And, he says, as it is inextricably linked to a range of metabolic disorders, treatment decisions will depend on the results of a wider investigation into herd health.

“RFM is a bellwether for the overall success of the transition period,” he explains.

“The average herd should set an annual case target for 4% or lower; if numbers rise above this figure it is worthy of investigation.

Retained foetal membrane is often seen as part of a wider transition issue.

achieve peak milk yield and depressed feed intakes.

“High first-recording butterfat production can be another indication of a cow having to mobilise body fat to meet energy demand; often known as ‘milking off her back.’

First-recording butterfats above 5.5% can indicate a problem.”

Cows which have twins pose a particularly high risk, he says.

“Cows with twins are more vulnerable to metabolic disorders.

“It is not easy to reduce

twinning, but they should be identified at scanning and dried off 10-14 days earlier than cows carrying single calves.

“This will allow their feed programmes to be managed with greater accuracy and they could also be given a specialised bolus to limit the risk of ketosis.”

Immune suppression RFM is also linked to immune suppression.

Mr Brearley says: “Many factors can suppress immune function.

“Changes in feeding, energy

demand, moving groups, social interactions and almost everything else in the environment can influence the immune system.

“It is not surprising that we often see RFM as part of a wider transition issue. Calcium levels and milk fever can be a factor and cows with low calcium levels will have slower, and less vigorous, uterine contractions.

This can contribute to RFM.” Each farm should have a plan for dealing with cases where the Continues over the page...

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:23

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“The natural product counteracts the bacteria in the shed which play a role in ammonia production. This, alongside good ventilation, has a positive effect on air quality and the lack of smell within the shed is noticeable.

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12/10/2023 14:31

ANIMAL HEALTH

Other signs which can be associated with RFM include failure to achieve peak milk yield and depressed feed intakes.

placenta has been retained for longer than 24 hours postcalving, he advises.

The issue is normally self-evident, but in some instances a small amount of the placenta retained inside the cow will go undetected.

“As with any disease, the cow should be kept well fed and hydrated,” he says. “Some will recover without intervention, although in extreme cases it

will develop into toxic metritis, which can be fatal.

“The treatment response should take into account stage of yield and RFM history and treatment may involve antibiotics, if appropriate.”

Fertility performance tends to be reduced in cows with RFM, he says.

“It is logical to conclude that cows with RFM period will have a higher bacterial load in the uterus and will take longer to

successfully receive a fertilised egg. The direct effect of RFM alone on fertility can be hard to establish, but it would be reasonable to expect a longer period between calving and conception.”

The financial impact of RFM is difficult to isolate, due to its strong association with a complex set of disruptions to the normal processes at calving and its potential negative influence on herd fertility, he says.

Retained foetal membrane (RFM) - the disease JRFM can be defined as a failure to expel the placenta between three and 24 hours after calving, says Mr Brearley.

“The button-like structures on the cow’s placenta are used for the exchange of gases, nutrients and some waste products between the dam and the unborn calf,” he explains.

“On the uterine side, they are called caruncles and on the placenta side, cotyledons.

“The combination of caruncle and cotyledon is called a placentome; I think of them in terms of the poppers on my

44 DF Nov p42 44 KJ.indd 3

boiler suit. For a successful pregnancy, their association has to be tight, but after calving the bond needs to loosen to allow the placenta to be expelled.”

The expulsion of the placenta has three distinct stages and it is a delicate process, he says.

Hormones “The first stage is maturation of the placenta, which is controlled by hormones and the immune system.

“The second stage is blood loss from the placenta.

“At calving, blood flow to the

placenta immediately reduces, leading to shrinkage of the blood vessels which helps to separate the tight association of the placenta.

“The third stage is the uterine contractions, which cause physical disruption between the maternal and foetal structures.

“This helps to encourage the separation and eventual expulsion of the placenta.

Anything that goes wrong during any of the stages can lead to RFM, and management up to the point of calving can also influence the degree of risk.”

The disease appears to be indiscriminate, affecting all types of herd management systems and calving patterns.

“High yielders may be more vulnerable, as they are on a metabolic knife edge.

“I am not aware of any genetic link which might predispose a cow to RFM, but there may be some genetic association with a higher risk of sub-clinical ketosis or twinning rates.

“While it is unlikely that most herds will be able to achieve a zero rate of RFM, it would be realistic to set a goal of reducing the incidence to 4% or lower, following constructive input from the farm vet and the nutritionist,” says Mr Brearley.

As with any disease, the cow should be kept well fed and hydrated BEN BREAREY

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:50

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TRANSITION THE FORGOTTEN STAGE

Rumen protected choline delivers benefits to transition dairy cows and their calves While focused on supporting the extra maintenance and production demands of transition cows, dairy producers are increasingly seeing the potential for impacting calf health and future milk production, before the calf is even born.

Calves are the future of every operation, and research is showing a strong link between prenatal choline supplementation and calf performance.

“Choline supplementation during transition is a valuable tool not only in the health and productivity of the cow, but also for her calf and its future development,”

says Angharad Loveluck, technical services manager at Trident MicroNutri.

“Deficiency in choline during this period may have a detrimental effect on both cow and calf health, which can often be overlooked,” she warns.

Research at Wageningen University in 2011 found fat metabolism slows during transition, and the build-up of fat in the cow’s liver can lead to the development of diseases such as fatty liver, ketosis and metritis, along with displaced abomasum, hypocalcaemia, retained placenta and mastitis.

Table 1 Reduction in Incidence of Metabolic Disorders for Cows Fed ReaShure

% 60

36kg heavier at 1st calving

570 534

500

ReaShure

38.4

Control

40.5

400 322.2

300

30

200 11.1

10.1

14.7

11.3

Retained placenta 0.72

14.3

100

7.9 4.5

Metritis 0.33

76.7 77.6 40.4 38.3

2.3

Displaced Abomasum 0.77

335.3

ReaShure Control

22.5

20

P=

This is highlighted by research at Wageningen University (Zom et al. 2011) showing reduced incidences in these metabolic disorders when feeding the concentrated form of RPC, ReaShure XC (Table 1).

Kg

57.1

40

0

“Using a rumen protected choline (RPC) source will help the liver to metabolise and export the extra fatty acids out of the liver for maintenance and tissue repair, as well as for use in milk production.

600

50

10

“This build-up of fat exacerbates the negative energy balance variation pre and post calving, with long standing effects across lactation, on top of the transition diseases,” says Ms Loveluck

Mastitis

All

0.06

0.001

Supplementing the cow’s ration with ReaShure XC has also been shown to increase milk yield by 2.10kg/day across lactation (Zenobi, et al. J Dairy Sci. 101:1088 (2018). A further combination of 11 research papers has demonstrated an average yield increase across lactation of 2.2 litres per day.

Research undertaken in conjunction with Balchem and University of Florida is also highlighting the benefits in improved calf health and growth from those calves exposed to choline in-utero.

“Calf performance has now been shown to be related to maternal prenatal choline supplementation, as seen in research conducted at the University of Florida,” explains Ms Loveluck

Hepatic lipidosis 0.05

0

Birth

2 months (weaning)

12 months

Post-calving

(Zenobi, et al. J Dairy Sci. 101:1088 (2018)

Calves born from cows fed ReaShure XC 21 days pre-partum were born lighter, improving calving ease, but had a higher average daily gain (ADG), allowing for a heavier weight at first calving. (Zenobi et al 2018).

Use of ReaShure XC at 30g/head/ day is a vital part of improving herd health, milk yield and health replacements for the farm, increasing benefits in reducing metabolic disorders.

“Heifer calves also showed improved survivability, and calves fed colostrum from ReaShure XC supplemented cows showed improved passive immunity.

A feeding cost of 42p/h/day for 21 days pre-calving, spread across a 305-day lactation, equates to an additional cost of just 3p/h/ day*, while returning an average 1.5 litre increase in yield per day. That represents a ROI of 1:16.5 on milk production alone.

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DAYS (Before/After)

Best

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Good

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11/10/2023 10:33 03/10/2023 14:24

ANIMAL HEALTH

T

he dairy industry is under pressure in terms of water sustainability and moving away from reliance on mains supplies.

As a result, a lot of farmers are moving to alternative water sources such as boreholes or rainwater harvesting systems, says Dr Ben South, veterinary surgeon at FarmWater, a company providing water sanitation solutions to the farming industry.

He says: “They are often collecting and storing water of unknown quality without considering methods of water treatment.

“Borehole water is variable throughout the year – particularly in periods of dry weather, with varying levels of minerals and organic growth, such as bacteria and algae.”

Dr South also says water storage is something to consider, with pathogens in storage tanks presenting a risk, even if the water source is relatively clean.

He says: “Water tanks can quickly become contaminated with biofilm and it can be very difficult to get rid of. We particularly see large buildups through old water pipes.

Leaching “Pathogens such as pseudomonas will form biofilm, where it thrives, leaching into the water. So, although the water can be clean coming into the site, it can become contaminated once in the storage system, then quickly spread through the farm.”

A classic scenario of poor water hygiene impacting on livestock health is with calf rearing.

Having pathogen-free water can alleviate scour pressure among calves.

Farms rely heavily on water. From troughs to parlour washing, it forms is integral to the dairying system and fundamental for herd health and production. But how much attention is paid to quality? Ruth Wills reports.

Consider the quality of your water Typically, the water used for mixing milk powder will be warmed in a boiler, set at 40-45degC, then stored and used intermittently, says Dr South.

He says: “A lot of the bacteria

Top tips rAssess how water is drawn on to the site, how it is stored, where it is distributed and the quality of that system rTest the water to understand its quality from source to livestock; where there is a good relationship with the farm vet, arrange sampling through them, if not FarmWater can carry out testing

46 DF Nov p46 47 Water quality KJ.indd 2

rSelect the right place to sample by testing multiple sites and understanding how water quality varies across the unit rGet guidance and choose a water hygiene solution which matches farm requirements; ensure quality water is maintained throughout the system

which lead to things such as diarrhoea thrive at 40degC. Those bacteria then go into the milk mix and proliferate, leading to a scenario where calf diarrhoea is exacerbated.”

So having pathogen-free water can alleviate the scour pressure and improve calf health.

He says: “We have seen antibiotic levels drop by controlling the pathogens in water.”

Other industries, such as the poultry sector, are very aware of the importance of water quality.

And while it is mentioned in Red Tractor Dairy Standards, there are no specifics about what is acceptable in terms of total viable count (TVC) of bacteria.

Dr South says: “Water for human consumption should be

zero for TVC. Comparatively, on some farms, the TVC is too high to count or be able to distinguish one bacteria colony from the other.”

He says some producers have installed ultraviolet filters to help reduce bacteria, but these only kill free-living bacteria, which are suspended in water, not biofilm.

FarmWater produces a simple unit which continually injects small amounts of chlorine dioxide into water lines.

Biocide Dr South says: “Chlorine dioxide is very reactive in solution and oxidises with everything organic. It will strip biofilm, kill bacteria in the water, remove odours and improve palatability. It is a very effective biocide.”

The benefits of having clean water extend to the rest of the herd, adds Dr South.

“If we are cleaning water to help with calf health, we are seeing cleaner troughs in the main herd too. This improves water availability, as cows will be less selective to specific troughs.

“Increasing water intake is directly correlated to dry matter intake, which is linked to yield increase.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:56

The benefits of having clean water can extend to the rest of the herd.

Waterborne pathogens rLeptospirosis: Present in stagnant water including water troughs, it can survive for up to a year; it can lead to poor yields, infertility and abortion rCampylobacter: Bacteria can be present in water sources such as boreholes; can be found in the small intestine of diarrhoeal calves rColiforms, including e.coli, klebsiella and enterobacter: Found in high numbers in contaminated water sources;

cause mastitis and calf deaths rPseudomonas: Prominent in biofilm formation, its presence in water is linked to clinical mastitis rSalmonella: Present and persistent in water sources, it is a prevalent cause of foodborne disease outbreaks; in calves it leads to dysentery and ill health rBovine TB: Can survive in water for up to three months and can be indirectly spread through sharing water sources with wildlife and other cattle

rJohne’s disease: The survival time of Johne’s pathogens can be greater than a year in water sources; boreholes can become contaminated by slurry rBovine viral diarrhoea: Potential for transmission via contaminated water rCryptosporidium: Contaminated water can lead to severe cryptosporidiosis, the most common pathogen to cause diarrhoea in calves under a month old

Dr Ben South says if you are cleaning water to help with calf health, you will see cleaner troughs in the main herd too.

ADVERTORIAL Farmers in Wales are using technology and best practices to improve livestock health and reduce the need for antibiotics as part of the award-winning Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol / Responsible Antimicrobial Use) programme.

Changes made to livestock shed ventillation at a farm in Monmouthshire have contributed to decreased antibiotic usage at the farm, going from 22.5 mg/kg in 2021 to just 5 mg/kg in 2022.

The conditions in which animals are housed significantly impact their productivity, health, welfare, and the farm’s carbon footprint. Good ventilation is essential to prevent respiratory (and other) diseases such as pneumonia, as pathogens do not survive for long once the animal exhales.

At Upper House Farm, the Watkins family have been working with Arwain DGC and livestock housing expert Jamie Robertson of LMSdesign to achieve better livestock health and reduce the need to use antibiotics.

Upper House is an Arwain DGC Proof of Concept (PoC) farm – a network of 12 dairy, beef and sheep farms trialling innovative technology and general best practice techniques to reduce the need to use antibiotics and other antimicrobials in livestock.

But if ventilation is poor, the resulting humid conditions help the pathogens survive longer, causing a significant reservoir of infection to build up in the air, from which disease can spread easily from animal to animal.

The main issue at Upper House was that because of the roof design, the buildings had restricted air circulation. To adequately ventilate a livestock building, an opening of approximately 0.1 m² per animal housed is needed.

The five main aspects to consider when trying to improve the environment of livestock buildings are hygiene, temperature, moisture, fresh air and airspeed.

Following recommendations from Jamie Robertson, the outlet area in the existing livestock buildings has been massively improved by simply removing ridges or installing light ridges (a more costly option).

However, many farms underestimate farm buildings’ contribution to animal health and how to get better animal performance from existing farm sheds.

The sheds are now lighter, stale air can disperse better, and work is being carried out to improve airflow in other buildings on the farm.

4350_Arwain DGC_FarmersGuardian_Advert_6_Oct23_V1_FIN.indd 1

DF Nov p46 47 Water quality KJ.indd 3

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After

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arwaindgc@menterabusnes.co.uk www.arwaindgc.cymru 01970 600 190

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NOVEMBER 2023

09/10/2023 15:49

47 12/10/2023 12:56

ANIMAL HEALTH Introducing a health monitoring system has allowed Northern Ireland dairy farmer David Tait to condense his herd’s calving period and improve herd health. Dairy Farmer reports.

Monitoring cow temperature fluctuations

T

hird-generation farmer David Tait, who hails from Co Omagh on the west coast of Northern Ireland, installed a health monitoring system in 2019 after an outbreak of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in

2018. Mr Tait, who milks 120 Holstein Friesians in partnership with his father Thomas, explains that the outbreak affected about 30 animals and he thinks the disease entered the herd because of a vaccination gap.

He adds the herd was

vaccinated against IBR annually, but being in a high-risk area for the infection, this has since been stepped up to six-month intervals which has prevented further outbreaks.

He says: “We were fortunate that we only lost one animal, but I was doing a lot of manual

temperature monitoring in the milking parlour to detect disease so we could treat cows promptly. I wanted something

AGRI Calm and relaxed calves Labour saving Improved calf live weight gain Analytics for herd management Monitors individual calf feed performance

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NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:54

ANIMAL HEALTH

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The rumen boluses pick up temperature fluctuations when transitioning from grass to silage or moving to a new cut of silage.

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that would monitor temperatures automatically. I came across smaXtec and thought it was a very good way of detecting disease.”

The smaXtec rumen boluses continuously measure inner body temperature in the cow’s forestomach and provide health alerts in real-time to enable farmers to detect disease before the onset of clinical symptoms.

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David Tait

Insemination The system also detects heats by monitoring activity and other behavioural changes. Once oestrus has been detected, the system suggests an insemination window to maximise success.

However, an unexpected benefit of the monitoring

I was getting quite a lot of temperature alerts when the cows were housed DAVID TAIT

system was that it picked up on mild acidosis symptoms during the winter of 2021, which enabled the Taits and their vets, Campsie Vets, to promptly adjust the ration and prevent a clinical fallout.

David says: “I was getting quite a lot of temperature alerts when the cows were housed, and we started feeding more meal during housing.

“Rumination was fine so we were not sure what was causing the temperature spike, but eventually, our vets carried out rumen synthesis which involve taking a sample of the rumen fluid to measure the pH. The results showed the cows were suffering with

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NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p48 49 50 Temperatures KJ.indd 3

49 12/10/2023 15:39

ANIMAL HEALTH The Taits farm in a high risk area for IBR.

halved from more than We are now almost 50 cases per 100 cows to less mostly finished than 30 cases per 100.

David says the system allows calving by him to be more proactive it detects mild cases of March, whereas because mastitis at least two days before before it could clinical signs become visible.

“It does not prevent mastitis; have been May it tells you a lot quicker.

DAVID TAIT borderline sub-acute rumen acidosis.

“We introduced a yeast and acid buff and the cows increased in milk yield by three litres over the next week. Cows were probably on the edge of acidosis, but without the boluses we would not have picked it up because there were no obvious symptoms.”

Now David pays more attention to these temperature fluctuations when transitioning from grass to silage, or moving to a new cut of silage.

“I use it as an indication of how well cows are transitioning.

If we are getting a lot of alerts for seven days, we would investigate and tweak the diet.”

Udder health, alongside rumen function, has also improved. Rates of mastitis have

50 DF Nov p48 49 50 Temperatures KJ.indd 4

“Every case will have a temperature alert, so we can administer a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as Ketoprofen.

“We are seeing fewer clinical cases because cases do not progress that far; we find most cows will recover after pain relief.”

Intervention Severe cases of e.coli mastitis are a thing of the past because the early detection system flags these up for early intervention.

“You will see a high temperature combined with a drop in rumination which allows us to treat that animal before we see clinical signs, which is a big saving,” says David.

At Tait Farms, boluses are given to heifers at 14 months to allow heats to be detected ready for service to ensure heifers calve at 22-24 months.

Previously, cows were artificially inseminated (AI) from January to March, with an Aberdeen-Angus sweeper bull introduced in April until July, so cows calved from October until December.

Heats were observed manually, but this was labour-intensive and not very scientific, says David.

“When the cows were at grass with the sweeper bull, it was very difficult to know which cows had been served or not.

“It was then quite a task to scan to pick up calving dates and they were never really as accurate as we would have liked.”

David says the boluses have overcome this issue with accurate calving dates worked out from the oestrus alerts.

Since installing the monitoring system, the calving period has been condensed by one month.

Cows and heifers are now inseminated with dairy semen from January until February.

The sweeper bull is then introduced for three months from March 1 until June 1.

“We can produce more than enough dairy replacements in January and February which has

Farm facts rMilking 120 HolsteinFriesians rAutumn calving rSelling milk to Aurivo Dairy Ingredients rProducing 10,300 litres at 4.27% butterfat and 3.5% protein rAverage somatic cell count of 130,000 cells/ml rMilking through a Dairy Master 11-aside double up parlour rFarming 73 hectares (180 acres)

given us the confidence to be more selective — we cull harder and, if cows are not the best, they will get artificially inseminated to a beef sire. We are now mostly finished calving

by March, whereas before, it could have been May.” Cows are grazed for six months of the year, typically from April until October and are housed during the winter and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) of grass-silage, blend, wholecrop wheat.

Milkers are fed to yield in the parlour with a 16% dairy nut.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:39

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13/10/2023 10:58

ANIMAL HEALTH Digital dermatitis, white line disease, slurry heel and sole ulcers are the main risk factors for lameness in cows at housing. Sarah Alderton discovers what farmers can do to reduce the risks as cows move indoors.

How to stop lameness crippling your herd

F

armers need to get to grips with the causes of lameness in their herds as cows are housed this winter, to manage the condition and help prevent costly issues, according to vet, Sally Wilson, of Evolution Farm Vets, Somerset.

Mrs Wilson says farmers often see a spike in lameness as cows move indoors, with infectious lameness, such as digital dermatitis and slurry heel and non-infectious lameness, such as sole ulcers and white line disease the main risk factors.

Lameness remains one of the most costly and prevalent conditions in dairy herds, thought to affect 25% of all dairy cows at a cost of £180 per case.

By understanding the cause, farmers can make improvements and ensure the condition is treated correctly, says Mrs Wilson.

Anything stopping cows standing in slurry for extended periods will help prevent and manage these conditions SALLY WILSON

52 DF Nov p52 Animal Health KJ.indd 2

Cows should be run through a footbath at least once a day, says vet Sally Wilson.

“Digital dermatitis is something we often see at housing and is a particularly infectious condition that can spread quickly through the herd. Cows standing in slurry for long periods is a risk factor.”

The same conditions can also predispose cows to slurry heel, which causes damage to the surface of the bulb of the heel and is often linked to digital dermatitis.

Evidence of lameness with slurry heel may only become prevalent when the condition is severe.

When cows are diagnosed with either of these infectious conditions, it is essential to review slurry management, urges Mrs Wilson.

“Anything stopping cows standing in slurry for extended periods will help prevent and manage these conditions. That means scraping yards regularly.

“Footbathing is also important in managing digital dermatitis, and cows should be run through a footbath at least once daily to help prevent the spread.”

Various disinfectant products exist for use in footbaths, but Mrs Wilson says copper sulphate is effective. However, she appreciates it is an expensive product and there are disposal issues. She suggests formalin as a cheaper option.

When automatic footbaths are not installed on a farm, farmers must ensure cows run through clean liquid to prevent further problems.

“Automatic footbaths are the easiest way to manage infectious causes of lameness. I have seen them turn lameness on farms around,” she adds.

Inspect flooring Sole ulcers and white line disease are the other leading causes of lameness at housing caused by cows standing for long periods and on poor-quality concrete.

Mrs Wilson suggests farmers inspect flooring before housing cows, filling in any holes and ensuring no stones or cracking floors.

Cubicles should also be checked to ensure mattresses have not worn and are still cushioned and headrails are set at the correct height for the size of cow.

Stocking density is also critical, with a stocking rate of 80% occupancy recommended.

It is also suggested that there are 5% more cubicles than cows for each group (for example, a 100cow group should have 105 cubicles) to encourage lying down.

Mrs Wilson says if farmers notice cows not lying in specific cubicles at housing, they should investigate the reason.

“For cows bedded on sand, it could be that the sand has compacted and turned solid.

Likewise, old rubber mats can become hard, preventing cows from lying down. Headrails may also need adjusting. Try and work out what the cow is thinking and why they prefer some cubicles over others,” she adds.

Regular mobility scoring is also vital to ensure lameness levels do not escalate and conditions can be nipped in the bud.

Mrs Wilson suggests employing a vet tech to score cows every two weeks before the foot trimmer comes.

“If your vet tech can produce a list of cows that are subtly lame for the foot trimmer to look at, it can help prevent those mild lameness issues from developing into more severe cases.

It is better to focus your attention on these animals than those cows that are chronically lame all the time,” she suggests.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:53

ADVERTORIAL

Get Your Calves Off to the Best Start with AHV

By Mark Kissick, AHV Think of calf rearing as the golden ticket to a brighter future for your herd.

The care and nurturing your calves receive during this crucial period aren’t just initial steps; they’re the foundation of a thriving, healthy, and profitable future herd.

There are countless factors which can affect the success of the calf rearing period and the performance and longevity of the future adult cow.

Good calf health is determined by a delicate balance between the calf’s immune system and the bacteria in its environment.

If a calf is faced with stress or health challenges, it will divert its energy to the immune system rather than growth.

Extending beyond the immediate risks, health challenges in calf rearing can have long term effects on animal health and performance including lower milk yields and later finishing times. This is why it is essential calves are supported from day one, right through to post-weaning.

Figure 1: The immunity gap is the lag period between passive immunity and active immunity.

The extent of this dip is influenced by colostrum quality and environmental factors.

The Immunity Gap In the first few weeks of life, calves depend on passive immunity from colostrum for protection while their own active immune system begins to develop. At 2 to 3 weeks old, the immunity provided by colostrum will have decreased before the calf has fully developed its own active immune system as is shown in Figure 1. This transition period is known as ‘The Immunity Gap’. The AHV Calf Programme helps to support calves through this high risk period by bridging the immunity gap.

AHV Calf Start forms the first part of the proactive AHV Calf Rearing Programme. It supports the calf’s immune system and encourages optimal development of the digestive tract, helping the calf to absorb nutrients and limit digestive upsets. Calf Start is a powder that is dissolved in the calf’s

milk at a rate of 25 grams per calf, twice per day for the first two weeks of life.

Addressing Respiratory Challenges Respiratory challenges in calves result in significant economic losses on farm due to poor performance and reduced growth rates. Studies have revealed that calf weight gain could be reduced by half for 30 days or more when suffering from a respiratory challenge . In addition, there are increased costs associated with the intervention surrounding respiratory challenges, coupled with the future impact this damage has on the animal.

Studies have shown respiratory challenges in young, pre-weaned calves can reduce first lactation yield by 4% and second lactation yield by 8%. Animals which experience respiratory challenge relapses have even further reduced first and second lactation yields, by 5% and 10% respectively.

AHV Respi continues the proactive approach of the AHV Calf Rearing Programme, working to minimize the impact of respiratory challenges. Respi helps to clear harmful pathogens from lung tissue while the calf’s respiratory system is healthy and minimally stressed. By reducing the pathogen load, calves are better prepared to handle future stressors, such as dehorning and weaning. Respi is administered by adding 10 to 15 grams per calf (dependant on bodyweight) to milk during weeks 3 and 4 of life.

Managing Weaning Weaning can be a high stress period for calves and can increase their vulnerability to health challenges. It can also hinder calf growth and development due to reduced feed intake. The ‘post-weaning growth dip’ occurs when feed intakes are so reduced that growth rates slow down, or calves even lose weight.

In order to minimise the impact of the post-weaning growth dip, whilst achieving growth targets, the rearing period can be extended. However, the financial impact of this is costly, due to the resulting increased time, labour and feed requirements.

When dairy heifer growth targets are missed, they are unlikely to be on track for breeding at 15 months of age

and calving at 24 months of age.

Therefore, it is essential that heifers are supported around weaning to reduce the impact of the post-weaning growth dip and ensure growth rates are maintained.

AHV Booster Powder forms the third stage of the AHV Calf Rearing Programme. It closes the energy gap around weaning by stimulating feed intakes and encouraging good rumen function. This makes more energy available to the calf, which supports both growth rates and the immune system. It should be applied one week prior to weaning and for one week post-weaning as a top dressing on hard feed at a rate of 50 grams per calf, twice daily.

Take control of your calf rearing this year with a proactive approach, adopting the AHV Calf Rearing Programme to bridge the immunity gap and reduce the impact of the post-weaning dip.

If you want to learn more or discuss our AHV Calf Rearing Programme, visit the website at www.ahvint.com or email uk@ahvint.com

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10/10/2023 17:16

FODDER CROPS Advice on outwintering youngstock on brassicas, the value of under-sowing crops, and the feasibility of moving away from growing maize under plastic.

Achieving the right work-life balance

Janette and Jim Pyne are seeking to balance working with their organic dairy cows while also enjoying a good life on the South Devon coast. Sara Gregson reports.

T

he Pyne family have been tenants of Pulhayes Farm on the Clinton Devon Estates at East Budleigh for four generations.

The farm is in the hands of Janette and Jim Pyne who are taking steps to ensure it remains easy to manage, but as productive as possible.

After contract milking for a few years, a decade ago the couple bought 100 of their own dairy cows, signed an organic milk contract with Arla and started milking the same day.

The aim is for a low input, low output system, that also allows them to take care of themselves and their staff.

The farm covers 180 hectares (445 acres) and is down to grass and forage crops with 7.7ha (19 acres) of oats grown for grain to sell and straw for bedding.

These were undersown with a grass seeds mixture. The land is a sandy and free-draining loam containing seams of Bunter sandstone, rounded pebbles.

With cow numbers now up to 200, the Friesian/Kiwi cross cows, which weigh an average of 500kg, produce 5,500 litres of milk a year at 4.63% butterfat and 3.47% protein, from less than one tonne of cake.

The Pynes manage the cows within a strict timetable, grouping distinct jobs such as calving and breeding.

Mrs Pyne, who leads on cow

54 DF Nov p54 55 56 fodder crops KJ.indd 2

The 200 Friesian/Kiwi cross cows produce 5,500 litres a year.

management and milking, starts to dry off batches of 20 cows in the first week of December.

By the second week of January all cows are dry and the couple can take a week off to go skiing.

The cows outwinter on dry off-lying land, half a mile from the farm buildings.

They are strip grazed behind electric fencing on forage rape or kale, with access to silage bales that were set out in the fields in summer.

“All that we need to feed the dry cows is a utility knife to cut the strings on the bales and a pair of waterproof trousers, as the crop is invariably wet,” says Mr Pyne. “It takes little time to feed and check them and we are

58 SELECTION

Moving away from growing maize under plastic

not chasing around on tractors damaging the ground.”

The cows come back to the farm in their groups from the end of January, ready to calve down in a tight 10-week period starting in February.

They are housed loose in a

strawed shed for 10 days before giving birth and were previously fed silage in bunkers in a covered feed yard.

In the past two years, the Pynes have moved to a self-feed silage system which has cut labour significantly.

The field of lucerne provided grazing during last summer’s drought.

62 BRASSICAS

Outwintering dairy heifers

64 UNDERSOWING

Protecting ground and providing grass crop

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:55

FODDER CROPS

GET THERE FASTER WITH PICTURES: Farlap Photography

DIGNITY

Janette and Jim Pyne’s family have farmed at Pulhayes Farm in Devon for four generations.

“It used to take three hours to sheer grab the silage out of the pit, fill the feeder wagon and feed it out, requiring a skilled driver costing £14 an hour,” says Mr Pyne.

Shovel “It now takes one person 20 minutes using a plastic shovel with markings of how tall the face should be, and how far back the fence needs to go.

“The over-hang needs careful management but our apprentices do a very good job and the concrete stays clean and wastage is minimal.”

The cows self-feed a mixture of grass and lucerne silage after milking in winter and also during the breeding season. They are buffer fed if the summer heat slows down grazed grass growth like last year.

Breeding starts in April and Mr Pyne does all the heat detection

manually for six weeks. The cows are served with LIC semen.

The cows are rotationally grazed behind electric fencing going into fresh breaks after every milking. The fields are measured weekly and annual growth averages 9t/ha of dry matter (DM).

Mr and Mrs Pyne have worked with John Harris, an agronomist with Oliver Seeds for the past six years, working out the best forage mixtures for grazing and conservation. Each year roughly 8ha (20 acres) are reseeded.

The grazing mixtures have developed from purely perennial ryegrass and clover to more diverse leys, including a greater selection of legumes and herbs with plantain, chicory, yarrow, red and white clovers and Donata soft-leaved cocksfoot.

The confidence to introduce these species has been on the back of work carried out by Mr Harris on farms across the South

Dairy youngstock rSexed semen produces 50 replacements rWhole pasteurised milk fed two times a day rOut to grass at four to six weeks old rStraw bales for shelter rFed milk through automatic machine with ad lib cake

rCalf jackets worn until 10 weeks rWeighed and weaned at 12 weeks rFaecal egg counts done.

Calves treated only if needed rHuskvac vaccinations at one year old

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p54 55 56 fodder crops KJ.indd 3

55

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12/10/2023 15:55

FODDER CROPS West, as well as knowledge gained from the Oliver Seeds’ trial grounds in Gloucestershire.

The introduction of deeper rooting festuloliums offers added drought tolerance. This type of mix will also meet the requirements for the new SFI payments.

“This year, on John’s recommendation, we have drilled new leys using a Vredo specialist direct drill,” Mr Pyne explains.

“This has very narrow row spacing and inserts the seeds accurately without disturbing the soil, which is very important for us.”

Break The fields stay in grass for four to five years before sowing with a break crop, such as fodder beet, forage rape or kale for outwintering.

Fodder beet is popular with the dry cows, but controlling weeds organically is tricky. There is a team of hand roguers that tackle weeds such as fat hen, ragwort and thorn apple.

Mr Pyne started by sowing stands of pure red clover for conservation, but has now turned to lucerne, which is better suited to the free draining conditions and also lasts longer.

One field, now in its fifth and final year, proved a godsend in

Leys include legumes and herbs with plantain, chicory, yarrow, clovers and soft-leaved cocksfoot.

rHereford beef calves rFed initially on waste milk rSold at four to six weeks

last summer’s drought, offering the only green forage for the cattle to graze.

The Pynes made sure the cows had full guts before they were allowed on it to prevent potential bloat problems.

The main area of the field was ploughed, flat rolled, seeded and then rolled again by a contractor in the autumn and the headlands seeded with Broadsword Hi-Pro.

Deep roots and worm activity under a five-year-old lucerne crop.

56 DF Nov p54 55 56 fodder crops KJ.indd 4

Milking regime

Beef youngstock through Exeter market rNottingham vet students care for all calves

This Oliver Seeds mixture of erect and vigorous grasses can withstand tractor traffic better than lucerne.

The lucerne is cut by a contractor up to four times a year, yielding an average of 37t /ha and either carted back to the farm to the silage pit or baled with a Fusion baler based on the headland.

“We fed silage for nine weeks last summer and we are still tight for winter this year,” says Mr Pyne. “We have 500 tonnes in the bank, but really need 800.

Earlier “We are moving to cut earlier, mowing some grass in mid-April. Waiting for Devon Show at the end of May, as we used to before cutting, is no longer an option.”

After the final lucerne cut of the year, forage rye has been direct drilled into the field, which will make some early grazing for the cows next spring.

“I tend to plan with an open mind when it comes to cropping,” says Mr Pyne.

“We do soil analysis and apply soft rock phosphate and organic chicken manure to boost potash if

rMilking at 5am and 2pm so staff can finish by 5.30pm rJanette and two regular relief milkers rOnly five shifts/person a week rTwo apprentices from Bicton College work on Saturdays

needed. If the soil is on the acidic side, we apply ground lime.

“A contractor also applies 350,000 litres of slurry and dirty water through a trailing shoe or dribble bar,” he says.

The plastic shovel that measures the height and depth of the self-feed silage face.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:56

p57_DF_November_2023.indd 1 OCI0295_AD_Nutramon_Grashakselen_300x213mm_ENG_01.indd 1

10/10/2023 17:18 14-08-2023 17:06

FODDER CROPS

PICTURES: Marcello Garbagnoli

Low Field Farm’s 320 pedigree Holsteins produce almost 10,000kg when maize is included in their ration.

Most Cumbrian dairy farmers grow their maize under plastic, due to the short growing season in north west England, but the Wilson family has achieved good performance from a conventional system by choosing the right maize variety. Wendy Short reports.

Moving away from maize under plastic

T

he Wilson family’s 320 pedigree ‘Snow’ Holsteins have an average annual yield of almost 10,000kg when maize silage is included in the total mixed ration (TMR), with performance falling by as much as 2kg/head/day if it is omitted from the diet, says Ian Wilson.

The soil at Low Field Farm near Penrith, ranges from a heavy loam, to a much lighter, more free-draining soil type and maize is sown on the latter.

58 DF Nov p58 59 60 KJ.indd 2

The farm can have as much as one metre of rain annually and the land sits at about 150m (500 feet) above sea-level.

“We have been planting maize for more than 30 years and until 2022, we followed the local tradition of growing the crop under plastic. This brought harvest forward by about 10-14 days,” says Mr Wilson, who farms in partnership with his parents, Geoffrey and Marjorie, and his wife, Lindsay.

“However, the plastic itself is not cheap and weed control can

be difficult. The switch to conventional growing was mainly due to the genetic progress that has been made in breeding maize varieties that will produce good dry matter and starch yields and still allow for the early harvest that we need in this area.

Conventional “The variety, Cito KWS, was recommended by our agronomist for our first attempt at conventional production.

“The crop was not weighed, but it filled the clamp to our

satisfaction, the starch content was excellent and there were no problems at harvest in early October.

“The variety was sown again this season and we are very pleased with the way it has performed to date. Weed control has been much easier, compared with growing under plastic.”

Maize under plastic is generally sown two or three weeks earlier than conventionally-sown maize, he comments.

“There is always a risk that ground conditions will be less

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 17:11

FODDER CROPS The Wilsons have started to grow their maize conventionally rather than under plastic thanks to advances in varieties.

LGAN Accredited

FIT FOR THE

FUTURE

TMR JThe standard TMR includes maize silage, grass silage, wheat straw, ground maize, soya or rapemeal, spey syrup, yeast, limestone flour, Vitagold (a moist, yeast-enriched grain feed) and minerals.

than ideal when the film goes on in early April, as it is often cold and wet.

“Maize on the conventional system was sown in early May last year, when soil temperatures had risen, and I believe that it has contributed to producing a very uniform crop.

“Another problem with maize under plastic is poor emergence in areas where the plastic has been dislodged by strong winds, or where weeds have flourished under the film.

“Conventional maize production allows grass to be grown under the main crop. It

improves ground travel at harvest time and gives good winter cover; the grass will either be grazed by sheep or sprayed off in the spring.”

Up to 32 hectares (80 acres) of maize are usually drilled each year at Low Field and the silage is permanently included, but this year is different, he explains.

“Some of the maize fields have been sown with grass this time, to provide a maize break and improve weed control,” says Mr Wilson. “In addition, the main maize silage pit has been roofed, because rain from the sheeting was running into the dirty water/slurry system and it was putting pressure on winter slurry storage.

“The new system diverts overhead rain to drainage system, but the pit had to be emptied sooner than we would have liked to allow for the building work, and we have temporarily run out of maize silage.”

The family’s long experience

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p58 59 60 KJ.indd 3

59

SAXON

FORAGE MAIZE “Saxon’s improved vigour meant it was greener at harvest and it out-performed our other varieties.”

Nigel Harper, Cheshire

lgseeds.co.uk/saxon

12/10/2023 17:11

FODDER CROPS Farm facts

The herd is fully housed with grazing reserved for dry cows and the youngstock.

of maize growing has taught them some valuable lessons and, with conventional growing having proved successful, there are no plans to revert to growing the crop under plastic.

“Maize does not like compac-

tion, so sub-soiling down to the pan is crucial. We have our own sub-soiler and we also plough and power harrow, but a contractor is brought in for drilling and harvesting.

“The grain must be thoroughly

Agronomist perspective JMr Wilson’s agronomist is Steven Gate of Agrovista. He reports that 85% of his maizegrowing clients in Cumbria grow maize under plastic.

In his opinion, the keys to conventional growing in the region lie in choosing the right variety and picking the correct location.

“North west England typically has fewer heat units in the growing period, compared with some other parts of the country, so we need an early maturing-variety that will allow harvest before the bad weather sets in during the autumn.

In Cumbria, the farm gate shuts early at the end of the season,” says Mr Gate.

“Some early-maturing maize varieties will suit an early harvest, but their performance will fall short of requirements.

“Dairy farmers are looking

for a high-yielding maize that will achieve what I call ‘30:30;’ that is 30% dry matter and 30% starch content.

“As an ultra-early variety with an FAO, or maturity rating, of 150, Cito KWS only requires about 130 days to reach maturity, compared with roughly 160 days for a mainstream variety.

“It fits the bill because it combines early harvest potential with high fresh weight and starch yields.

“Mr Wilson’s crop has been planted on a 44-acre field and it looks so even that a tablecloth could be laid across it.

“Growing maize under plastic is expensive and weed control can be challenging.

Nevertheless, conventional growing can pose a risk on heavy land and that is why location is so important.”

cracked before it goes into the pit. Otherwise, it will go straight through the cows and they will not get the nutritional benefit.”

Mr Wilson says he can see no reason why he should not continue with conventional growing.

He says: “It may not be suit-

Maize silage 2022 rDry matter - 33% rStarch - 30% rME - 11.3 MJ/kg/DM rProtein - 8.9%

rThe farm covers 121 hectares (300 acres) of owned and rented land rMilk sold to Paynes Farm Dairies on a liquid contract rMilk butterfat averages 4.1%, with protein at 3.2% rThe cows are milked twice a day through a 26:52 parlour rThe milking herd is fully housed in cubicles, with grazing reserved for the dry cows and youngstock rHolstein bulls used recently include Ri-Val-ReRager-Red; Cherry-LilyZip Luster-P and Stantons Adorable rSolar roof panels were added to the cubicle housing this summer for energy generation

able for every farm in Cumbria, but we know that the variety we have chosen will give good results on this farm.

“We are fortunate that our lighter land gives us the option to dispense with plastic and we find the new system simpler, and more straightforward. Our maize acreage will probably be increased for 2024, as it is such an important part of the ration.”

Ian and Lynsey Wilson

60 DF Nov p58 59 60 KJ.indd 4

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 17:11

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10/10/2023 17:05 17:19 02/10/2023

FODDER CROPS

Maximise the potential of o Outwintering dairy youngstock can be beneficial, but planning is key to success says Germinal’s Harley Brown-Keech. Dairy Farmer reports.

O

utwintering is something more dairy farmers could consider to reduce winter housing costs.

While it is a common practice for many spring-block calvers, all-yearround and autumn-calving herds with the right soil type could also benefit from outwintering youngstock, says Harley Brown-Keech, area sales manager for Germinal GB. It costs about £1.80-£2.30 per head per day to house cattle. In comparison, feed costs can be halved by grazing brassicas in situ because little or no machinery is required. Furthermore, there are

indirect savings of not having to spread muck and clean out sheds.

Studies by AHDB Dairy have shown that outwintering high genetic merit dairy heifers does not affect milk yield or fertility.

“It also gives you a tremendous break crop between grass-to-grass reseeds and benefits soil structure,” says Mr Brown-Keech.

However, site selection is critical – soils should be free-draining and provide shelter for stock with steep sloping fields avoided to prevent run-off, he adds.

Here is Mr Brown-Keech’s step-by-step checklist to maximise crop utilisation and animal performance this winter.

1 BCS stock

2 Weigh and allocate the crop to maximise utilsation

JOnly healthy stock, in the right condition, should be turned onto brassicas. Cattle should be BCS 3.

Older cows and those in lower body condition should be housed and fed.

JThe target should be to achieve 85-90% crop utilisation which is achievable by budgeting in advance.

Most crops should have reached maturity by the end of October-beginning of November.

Once maturity has been reached, measure the crop.

3 Offer roughage

DF Nov p62 63 KJ.indd 2

hectare, multiply the fresh weight per m2 by 10,000, then multiply by the expected crop dry matter percentage. For example: Kale from 1m2 = 5kg fresh weight x 10,000 = 50,000kg freshweight/ha. Average kale dry matter = 16% (50,000 x 0.16 = 8,000kg (8t DM/ha)

How to calculate daily feed allocation

JBrassicas are high in carbohydrates and can be ‘fizzy’, so it is essential to provide supplementary forage to prevent acidosis.

Forages such as silage, hay, or straw, should make up 30% of total intakes to ensure no more than 70% of the DM diet consists of brassicas.

“Bales should have already been put out by now. Ideally, this should be done when the crop is drilled while conditions are still good,” says Mr Brown-Keech.

62

To do this: rPlace a 1m square frame around the crop rUse shears to cut the plants (about 10cm from the ground) rPlace in a bag rWeigh the bag and record the weight per m2 rTo calculate DM yield per

Row

Calculation (Example based on a 270kg animal)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Livestock total daily intake (assume DM requirement of 3% of liveweight) Percentage of crop in the diet Crop daily requirement (row 1 multiplied by row 2, divided by 100) Number of livestock Daily crop requirement (row 3 multiplied by row 4) Estimated crop DM yield/m2* Total daily grazing area required (row 5 divided by row 6) Length of feed face Fence to be moved (row 7 divided by row 8)

Your livestock and forage crop requirements 8kg DM/day 70% 5.6kg DM 25 140kg DM 0.56kg DM/m2 250m2 of brassica 125 m

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 17:10

FODDER CROPS

of outwintering More information rResearch carried out

by AHDB has shown that providing a multi-vitamin bolus is important to maintain good mineral status of heifers outwintered on kale and can increase milk fat content in early lactation.

Brassicas are also moderate to low in phosphorus and magnesium. Speak to your vet or nutritionist about supplementation of in-calf animals.

4 Feeding different classes of dairy animals JWhere milking cows are being grazed on brassicas the ration should be limited to no more than 30% of total dry matter to avoid the risk of milk taint.

Transition cows should be removed from brassica crops four to six weeks pre-calving.

6 Minerals JBrassicas contain glucosinolates, which block the uptake of iodine from the diet so cattle will require an iodine bolus. In addition, brassicas are low in the other essential minerals selenium, cobalt, and copper. This increases risk of deficiency.

5 Transitioning JProvide a run back of grass and introduce stock to the crop gradually to help acclimatise the rumen, says Mr Brown-Keech.

“Do not put dairy animals onto the crop hungry; allow them to be relatively full and run them back and forward [between grass and the brassica] initially so they do not gorge themselves.

“Give access to the crop for one to two hours a day and build up to unrestricted access over seven to 10 days,” he adds.

Strip grazing will help maximise crop utilisation. Each strip should be long and narrow to give all the cattle access to the crop at once. Ideally, move the electric fence daily.

If practical, use two electric fences so if animals break through the first wire they cannot break onto the full crop.

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p62 63 KJ.indd 3

63 12/10/2023 17:10

FODDER CROPS Lessons from a thriving maize under-sowing trial were shared with farmers at Severn Trent’s 2,000-hectare (4,942-acre) maize production and anaerobic digestion site, Stoke Bardolph, in Nottinghamshire. Dairy Farmer reports.

Steps to under-sow maize successfully

I

n the run up to harvest, a network of maize growers supplying Severn Trent Green Power’s biogas production were invited to an exclusive tour of trial plots at Stoke Bardolph, one of the largest anaerobic digestion (AD) sites in the country.

Stoke Bardolph farm manager John Jackson, has under-sown maize with a Westerwold ryegrass mix for the first time this year.

Mr Jackson shared his learnings from the under-sowing trial, which has since yielded 50t/ha (20t/ acre).

Mr Jackson has had great success with maximising maize yields since he first started growing the crop at Stoke Bardolph in the 1980s for the former dairy unit and more recently for the anaerobic digester. Mr Jackson and his team have proved how the crop can be efficiently grown for biogas, forage or grain, while also protecting soil health.

Trials The under-sowing trials have played a role in improving soil health and structure for the benefit of the environment and water quality, he explained to the farmer network.

“Although maize growth generates vast green cover, expanding on a daily basis, the soil beneath is actually left fairly exposed due to the width of the rows,” said Mr Jackson.

“Under-sowing the maize with the Westerwold mix has helped increase root mass, preventing soil damage at harvest and improving nutrient management for the next crop - especially in lighter soils.

64 DF Nov p64 KJ.indd 2

Undersown maize with ryegrass.

“By reducing soil erosion, we can also help minimise run-off and nitrate leaching to protect local watercourses - all while maintaining strong maize yields.”

To get the most out of maize yields and safeguard soil health, Mr Jackson shared how drilling timing is critical.

“By getting maize in the ground early on, growers stand a better chance of harvesting it in September, which is much better for the soil,” he explained.

“Soil strength quickly disintegrates during a wet autumn, so ideally you want to harvest maize when soils are drier and silaging machinery causes less damage.”

“We drilled the maize in midApril - assessing conditions to ensure the soil temperature was reaching 8-10degC for five consecutive days and seedbed conditions were good,” Mr Jackson explained.

“The ryegrass was under-sown seven weeks later, in mid-July, when maize was at the four to five leaf stage.

“We were advised to drill the grass seed rather than broadcasting

John Jackson

it to help minimise competition with the maize.

“Ground contact is key - so the under-sowing was done at the same drilling width as the maize. If you go any wider, it results in drift.”

Growers should ensure the maize remains the main crop, Mr Jackson recommended.

“If you under-sow too early, the grass will compete with the maize and impact the yields of your main crop - so allowing enough establishment time for your maize is crucial,” he said.

Following maize harvest, Mr Jackson explained how the undersown grass would be ideal for grazing cattle through winter and into spring.

“As soon as the maize is cut, the sunlight will help the grass grow, even in cooler temperatures, and some dairy farmers have actually been able to take a cut of silage from the grass,” he said.

“As long as you are keeping green cover over the winter, there are opportunities to claim different funding options for an overwintered cover crop while feeding your livestock too.”

Funding JMr Jackson explained the variety of funding available to eligible growers through STEPS (Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme).

“For farmers in a priority Severn Trent catchment area, there are some great matchfunding options available through STEPS, which comes with free advice from your local agricultural adviser.”

How to apply for STEPS funding: rCheck you are in a priority catchment here at www.stwater.co.uk/steps rTo increase your chances of a successful application, seek advice from your local Severn Trent agricultural adviser on what options would best suit your farm and make the greatest positive impact on the environment rFill out your application online before December 31, 2023

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 12:59

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THE DAIRY SHOW The Dairy Show, held at the Bath and West Showground, once again saw visitors attend seminars and watch as the cattle champions were crowned. Ellie Layton reports.

Net zero can deliver significant farm benefits

A

chieving net zero on-farm is entirely possible and it can deliver significant benefits in terms of improved soil resilience, reduced input costs and potential new income streams said speakers in seminars at The Dairy Show.

Seminars at this year’s event focused on how farmers could harness their land in order to sequester carbon and reduce emissions, with the aim of reaching the industry’s net zero goal by 2030.

Under the Farm Carbon Toolkit’s (FCT) Farm Net Zero project, three demonstration farms aim to fully reach net zero, said Dr Hannah Jones.

“It is achievable - we have farmers who have done it already.”

Project Taking place in Cornwall, the five-year project is being run on 43 farms, 40 of which aim to achieve a carbon reduction of 30%, while the final three plan to completely eliminate emissions.

Dr Jones said: “The project is successfully demonstrating the ability of farmers to create carbon solutions.”

There are many practical solutions available for farmers to preserve and increase their soil carbon, said Lisa Hamley, of Mole Valley Farmers.

“It is like a bank account; we have got to make sure we are putting more CO2 into the soil than we are taking out.”

66 DF Nov p66 Dairy Show KJ.indd 2

There are many practical solutions available for farmers to preserve and increase their soil carbon said Lisa Hamley, of Mole Valley Farmers.

She said opportunities included correcting the soil pH to optimise nutrient availability, eliminating soil compaction, and increasing the variety of roots in the ground, as well as regular soil and carbon testing to identify the direction of movement.

“Managing our soil carbon storage is the most important thing we can be doing. Collectively, we [as farmers] can make

a difference: We are looking after our future,” she said.

It can be valuable to use a carbon calculator like Trinity Ag-Tech’s ‘Sandy’ to collate and analyse data gathered on farm, said the firm’s Oliver Rubenstein. This can then be used to add value to the farm product, as well as countering misinformation in the industry through positive environmental statistics.

The project is successfully demonstrating the ability of farmers to create carbon solutions DR HANNAH JONES

“There is a disconnect between farmers’ ambitions for carbon targets and actually taking ownership of reaching them,” he explained.

At a time when Basic Payments are being phased out while the sustainable farming incentive has been delayed, the natural capital market can seem like an attractive alternative, according to Caroline Waller of Clarke Willmott solicitors.

“Natural capital is everything environmental that has a value for society,” she said.

Although the market can seem like a minefield, Ms Waller said the financial possibilities included trading in areas such as biodiversity net gain, carbon sequestration, nutrient neutrality and water neutrality. But, she added, it was important to meet the needs of your business first and take legal advice to avoid any pitfalls.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:15

p67_DF_November_2023.indd 1

10/10/2023 17:27

THE DAIRY SHOW REPORT

PICTURES: Marcello Garbagnoli

Jerseys take glory at D a

For the second year in a row, the Jersey breed came out on top at The Dairy Show held at the Bath and West Showground.

Ellie Layton reports.

C

laiming the Jersey National Show championship before being crowned interbreed of the day was Rivermead Minx Candy from the Davis family, Tiverton. It was a clear decision from the judging panel after scoring 49 out of 50.

Winner of the intermediate cow in milk class, the home-bred cow is sired by Stoneyrun Aus Tbone Minx and is a VG89 classified cow. No stranger to the showring, it was reserve breed champion at UK Dairy Day last year.

Reserve in the Jersey National Show came from the same stable and was the EX94 classified cow, Rivermead Verdi Pixie. Pixie is fresh from success at the UK Dairy Day, winning breed champion. Giving 34kg daily, the cow is due to

68 DF Nov p68 69 70 KJ.indd 2

calve in March to Victorious.

Travelling from New Zealand to judge the Jersey National Show, Warren Ferguson said: “I have not been to the UK for a number of years so did not know what I was going to see, but I have been blown away by the quality of cows.”

The Holstein took the overall reserve inter-breed title, scoring 46 out of 50. Thuborough Freda 610 is a fourth-calver from the Ley family, Holsworthy, where they milk 270 cows.

It also won best exhibitor-bred Holstein and highest placed animal residing in the South West.

After calving in April, this Stantons Adorable daughter was shown producing 48kg a day. The Dairy Show was its third show of the year and it had claimed a champion

Jersey National Show and inter-breed champion, Rivermead Minx Candy, from the Davis family, Tiverton.

ticket on each of these outings.

Taking reserve in the Holstein judging was Beaconhill Sidekick Rae 2 from Olly Reed, Cullompton. Producing 45kg daily, Sidekick Rae 2 is a homebred daughter of Walnutlawn Sidekick. Rae was third at UK Dairy Day and is due to calve in February.

Dairy Shorthorn Winning the Dairy Shorthorn section, and narrowly missing out on the reserve inter-breed

title by three points, was Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63.

Retaining its title from 2022, the intermediate cow from the Collins family, Dewsbury, was shown by Harry Collins.

It was breed champion at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show and was shown giving 50 litres daily.

Reserve Dairy Shorthorn was Churchroyd Fay 22 from the same home. The junior cow in-milk is sired by Blackwood Park Butternut.

The Ayrshire champion and

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Judging the Jersey line-up.

Results JInter-breed (panel of judges) Supreme, Davis family, Rivermead Minx Candy (Jersey) ; reserve, Ley family, Thuborough Freda (Holstein).

Jersey (W. Ferguson, New Zealand) Sup., Davis family, Rivermead Minx Candy; res., Davis family, Rivermead Verdi Pixie.

Holstein (R. Thomas, Kidwelly) Sup., Ley family, Thuborough Freda; res., O. Reed, Beaconhill Sidekick Rae 2.

Dairy Shorthorn (S. Thomas, Llanfynach) Sup., Collins family, Churchroyd Bronte

Wildeyes 63; res., Collins family, Churchroyd Fay 22.

Ayrshire (S. Williams, Haverfordwest) Sup., W.J. Christopher, Rosehill Madison Jelly; res., W.J. Christopher, Rosehill Premier Verylight.

Guernsey (L. Bustard, Plymouth) Sup., Greenslade family, Greensfield Dandy Dan Butterfly; res., R.J.S. Warren, Tredinney Pistoll Brenda.

Any Other Breed (D. Smith, Corf) Sup., L. Rockett and T. Marshall, Greenway Solo Billie Jo; res., L. Rockett and T. Marshall, Greenway Bombardier Billie Jean.

reserve came from the Christophers family, Truro, who milk a 180-head Ayrshire herd.

The winner was Rosehill Madison Jelly, a VG87 classified cow sired by Cuthill Towers Madison. It was shown giving 38kg.

This is the herd’s first year back in the showring after being

restricted by bovine TB for eight years, and they picked up the reserve breed title with Rosehill Premier Verylight – a sixth-calver which was champion at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show.

Taking top honours in the Guernsey championship was Greensfield Dandy Dan

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THE DAIRY SHOW REPORT

Reserve inter-breed and Holstein champion, Thuborough Freda 610, a fourth-calver from the Ley family, Holsworthy.

Dairy Shorthorn champion, Churchroyd Bronte Wildeyes 63, from the Collins family, Dewsbury.

Ayrshire champion, Rosehill Madison Jelly, a VG87 classified cow from the Christophers family, Truro.

Guernsey champion, Greensfield Dandy Dan Butterfly, from M. and C. Greenslade, Cullompton, Devon.

Butterfly, from M. and C. Greenslade, Cullompton, Devon.

Home-bred on both sides, the junior cow in-milk is fresh from winning the breed section at UK Dairy Day. It gave 4,615kg in its first lactation at 4.65% butterfat and 3.42% protein.

the any other breed section, with the champion and reserve coming from Les Rockett and Tracey Marshall, Devon.

Greenway Solo Billie Jo, an EX91 classified cow, took the championship.This is its last show after a long career in the showring and follows a reserve championship ticket at last year’s Royal Bath and West Show.

Reserve went to the junior cow class winner, Greenway Bombardier Billie Jean, which is a daughter of Aintree Bombardier.

Reserve in the Guernseys went to Tredinney Pistoll Brenda 11, from James and Shelly Warren, Penzance.

The EX94 classified cow won the breed section at Royal Cornwall this year and is sired

by Tredinney Grumpy Echo.

The Friesians dominated

Any other breed champion, Friesian Greenway Solo Billie Jo, from Les Rockett and Tracey Marshall, Devon.

70 DF Nov p68 69 70 KJ.indd 4

Heifer champion The inter-breed heifer championship was awarded to the Holstein breed’s honourable mention, Bartinney Altavelvet Chassity, from James and Shelly Warren.

It was shown back in-calf to sexed Lamda after calving

in April. Currently, it is giving 44kg a day and is predicted to give 11,500 litres in its first lactation.

Reserve was awarded to Rivermead Bubba Tweeny from the Davis family, which took the Jersey honourable mention title before being tapped out in the heifer judging.

Calves The calf classes saw the top honours once again go to the Jersey breed, with the winner – for the second year running – coming from James Evans, Carmarthen.

This year, his winner was Tyfri Ferdinand Queen Blossom, a Lightening Ridge Ferdinand-sired calf.

The reserve went to Wowcow Lambda Yoder Rachel 2 – an October-born, Farnear Delta Lamba-sired calf, from the Wowcow herd, Somerset.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:14

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MACHINERY Farms looking to reduce their reliance on contractors, reduce risk around the weather and invest in a new piece of kit for the business, may wish to consider Krone’s new developments in the forage wagon marketplace. James Huyton looks closer at the new ranges from the launch.

Krone forage wagon, a clean cut solution for all?

Krone RX and ZX forage wagons come in twin and tri axle variants with holding capacities up to 56 cubic metres.

W

ell-conserved grass can be one of the most important assets in a dairy business, providing a cost-effective form of feed for the ration. There has been a significant rise in contractors offering self-propelled forage harvesting services in recent years, but with rising costs and a demand for timely harvesting with tight weather windows, some farms have now opted to take control of silaging with a forage wagon.

At the launch just outside of Munich, Germany, Krone hosted an event showcasing

72 DF Nov p72 73 74 Mach Krone KJ.indd 2

their new forage lineups. It showcased six new high-performance forage wagons; with the RX range holding three models, with 33-40 cubic metres and the ZX range holding a further three models with capacities from 43-56cu.m.

Both ranges include Krone’s re-developed cutting units, with the manufacturer claiming the OptiGrass system provides, lower friction between cutter and knives, in turn, reducing power consumption.

Pick up reel Both the RX and ZX ranges will have a 2,125mm EasyFlow pick up reel, utilising a camless drive

system which the manufacturer claims gains increased output, with reduced wear. The hydraul-

ically driven pick-up speed can be manually adjusted from the cabin, with the system said to be

Cutting knives swing out of work position for replacement or sharpening.

The option of a speed sharpening system is also available.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:09

MACHINERY

Chopping units can be specified in two knife variations - either 40 or 54 - to achieve 37mm and 28mm cut lengths respectively.

The SplitCut chopping system two augers at each end of the chopping unit to guide forage to the centre of the unit, minimising crop losses.

able to adapt and adjust to travel speed and crop flow.

A pendulum-based suspension system, makes allowance for ground contour following; combined with cab-controlled hydraulic pick-up reel adjustment from zero to 100%, allows

chopping system. Two variants offer average chop lengths of 37mm and 28mm from 40 and 54 cutting knives respectively.

Chop length can also be extended on both the OptiGrass28 and 37 cutting units by removing half the knives, while still leaving the cut-

for smoother crop flow into the pick-up reel, according to Krone.

Chopper unit The OptiGrass system newly introduced on the RX and ZX ranges is a optionally specified

ting system fully operational.

The manufacturer says the largest crop flow on the market is achieved with the new integral rotor system consolidating the row, before feeding in the chopper unit. The cutting unit has been manufactured with hardened

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MACHINERY

An LED light kit illuminates the load bay, pickup reel and maintenance areas when working at night.

steel, working against the knives for what they claim to deliver a scissor-like cut of the leaf. This system has been developed to reduce friction between the cutter bar and knives, giving a claimed fuel saving and reduced power demand.

Grass often has a natural tendency to drift to the outer edges of the cutting head, particularly when feeding a heavy crop.

Krone has designed its new SplitCut concept, which incorporates clearing augers at each end of the rotor.

With a knife at the outer edge and guide plate returning the crop back to the cutting unit. Incoming crop is fed to the centre of the cutting system with two

newly incorporated, 220mm augers at each end of the integral rotor. Designed to continually feed crop evenly across the cutting head, the manufacturer says the split cut system ensures not a single blade of grass will enter the wagon uncut.

The belt-driven drive system, delivers 2,500Nm and 3,000Nm torque respectively on the RX and ZX variants. Interchangeable pulleys can be rotated giving the option of two rotor speeds, which is claimed to offer benefits when working in seasonal crop densities. There is a higher rotor speed of 43 and 47rpm respectively on the RX and ZX for a heavier first cut and lower rotor speed of 36

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An ISoBus-controlled, 200-litre capacity dosing unit can be optionally specified across both ranges.

and 40rpm respectively for later season cuts.

Drawbar and axles A newly-designed, hydraulically operated, articulated drawbar can also be specified on the RX and ZX ranges, allowing for a potential 700mm overall ground clearance. It is also claimed the hydraulic drawbar allows for easy height adjustment to suit varying tractor sizes. A steering axle system is also fitted as standard on the tandem axle variants.

Both the RX 330 and RX 370 variants are specified with commercial axle and leaf spring 18-tonne tandem axle chassis, with the option to specify a 20t hydraulic auto levelling variant.

With the same 20t hydraulic variant specified on the RX 400, ZX 430 and 470 with an optional 27t tri-axle hydraulic system offered. The ZX 560 comes as standard with a 30t tri-axle hydraulic undercarriage.

Tyres Krone has specified 800/45 R26,5 174D flotation grassland tyres as standard across the RX and ZX ranges with rounded tyre shoulders and large footprint claimed to aid a reduction in sward damage.

The manufacturer has also allowed for the optional specification of high traction 800/45 R26.5 174D across both ranges, though these tyres may offer less sward protection, they may offer benefits carting in alternative crops such as maize.

Tandem axle variants can also be specified with 800/45 R 30,5 TL 176D high traction tyres and 710/50 R 30,5 TL 173D universal transportation tyres.

Lights and dosing unit A LED light package comes as standard on both the RX and ZX ranges, providing illumination around the pickup real, maintenance areas and load bay.

Users requiring a silage application system, can optionally specify a dosing unit with 200litre capacity tank; with dosing rates from 0.5 litres to 6.5 litres/ minute. Four flat fan spray nozzles deliver additive mounted directly above the pickup real.

Operational via IsoBus control, operators can apply continuous dosing at a selected flow rate. Alternatively, time-dependent control can be selected with the dosing unit engaging and disengaging with the lift and lower of the pick-up real.

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12/10/2023 13:11

MACHINERY

Data collaboration to support sustainable milk production

T

wo major machinery manufacturers have teamed up to create the Milk Sustainability Centre (MSC). This recent partnership development between DeLaval and John Deere aims to link digital data collection across products and services the two companies provide to the dairy sector.

Although mass data collection may not suit every dairy business, the two companies feel this development will create an analytical path towards a more sustainable industry.

Lars Bergmann, executive vice-president digital servi-

ces at DeLaval, said: “Dairy farmers are seeking ways to decrease their environmental footprint and improve sustainability. The MSC is a tool to help dairy farmers achieve their goals and address growing needs of dairy processors, retailers, Government, and consumers.”

Cloud-based The MSC cloud-based computer system is built and operated by Dutch-based company Dairy Data Warehouse. Once MSC data collection is approved by a farm business, the system will take data from DeLaval Plus and

the John Operations Centre, building correlations between milk production and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in the production of homegrown feedstock.

Dave Chipak, director, dairy and livestock production systems at John Deere, said: “Dairy farming is perhaps the most complex agriculture business today with no system integration between crop and animal performance. Dairy farmers often use five to several, non-connected software solutions to run their businesses.

“The MSC will enable dairy farmers to calculate,

benchmark, simulate, and optimize NUE and CO2e for sustainable and profitable decision-making.”

Value Astute dairy businesses will understand the importance of data collection in their business and how industry benchmarking can drive their business. However, individuals considering this system will have to make an informed decision on whether the system offers long-term value to their business, or if existing operating systems offer enough of a business picture to develop a sustainable milk production system.

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MILK prices Arla’s October price hold has positive impact

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JThe effect of Arla’s price hold for October, albeit a slight increase of 0.09ppl linked to currency movement and additional points scored in the group’s average Sustainability Incentive scheme, should not be underestimated in terms of its ability in limiting the downward trajectory of other milk price movements for November.

Had the co-op further reduced its October milk price, other price cuts would have been significant in their catch up.

At the time of its October price announcement in late September, which increased our manufacturing* and liquid* standard prices by 0.09ppl to 35.21ppl and 33.83ppl respectively, the company reported that for the first time this year its branded retail sales had picked up and, while the outlook was more stable, there was still a degree of uncertainty

in dairy commodity markets.

While dairy commodity prices, in particular butter/powder, have picked up from their lows through September, there remains the question, that might linger for some time, whether these gains can be consolidated in the winter months ahead.

Battle Were Arla able to hold its milk price again for November then quite possibly the front-line battle over milk price reductions for December could go fairly quiet.

When it comes to supporting milk prices on the liquid side outside major retail this year, it is a challenge to find any milk buyer having done more than Müller.

However, having held its milk price unchanged since August, attempting to keep the gap between its direct price and that of the multiples as small as possible, the company has had to

Meadow cuts 1ppl for October JFollowing its price hold for September, after the penny reduction for August, Meadow has cut its milk price by a further penny for October.

This takes the company’s overall

76 DF Nov p76 77 78 Milk Prices KJ.indd 2

reduction to 15ppl for the year to date and our liquid standard price 33ppl across all the company’s regional milk pools. Our manufacturing price also reduces by 1ppl to 33.63ppl.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:51

Milk price analyst Stephen Bradley on the latest milk industry developments.

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Cheese still feels the strain JPossibly feeling a little out manoeuvred on its October price decision of reducing by 0.5ppl after other manufacturing milk buyers went on to take deeper cuts, Saputo Dairy UK cut its Davidstow November milk price by 1.5ppl, taking our manufacturing price down to 35.5ppl which equated to -1.44ppl on liquid to 34.24ppl.

The price move failed to secure the agreement of Davidstow Creamery Direct, and opened a window for any supplier to give just three-months’ notice.

North of the border in south-west Scotland,

The Fresh Milk Company (Lactalis) also reduced its milk price for the first time since July, taking our manufacturing stand price down by 1.55ppl to 35.39ppl, while the company’s headline prices (based on our liquid standard) decreased by 1.5ppl to 34ppl.

While most other milk buyers for cheese held for November, sticking with its tracker model the Wensleydale price for October decreased by 0.95ppl to 35.84ppl on manufacturing -0.91ppl to 34.68ppl on our liquid standard.

reduce by 0.5ppl from November, taking our price down to 36.5ppl.

In the world of middle ground liquid, competition is reported to be fierce which is driving pressure on prices.

for November with Tesco, having held its milk price unchanged since August, reducing its Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group milk price by 0.1ppl to 41.73ppl with our Arla supplier receiving the same cut to 41.48ppl. Sainsbury’s reduction of its Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group milk price of 0.26ppl takes our prices down to 40.63ppl for Müller and 40.51ppl and our Arla supplier respectively.

With the Müller Direct price decreasing by 0.5ppl the Müller Co-operative Dairy Group milk price decreases by 0.29ppl to 39.62ppl.

M&S and Waitrose have held prices for October.

Reduced Paynes Dairies, having reduced by 1ppl to 35ppl from October while both Freshways, and Grahams have matched the same level of decrease and price but a month later from November.

Both Crediton and Yew Tree have held their November milk prices unchanged on 37ppl and 36ppl respectively.

Retailers have made small cuts

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* Our Liquid standard litre is 4% b/f & 3.3% protein, for our Manufacturing 4.2% b/f & 3.4% protein and in both cases Bactoscans of 30,000/ml & SCCs of 200,000/ml, with Thermodurics of 500/ml, 1mltrs/yr on EODC (max vehicle accessibility) based on level supply and therefore, before seasonality, (but includes the winter premiums paid in NI) as well as monthly profile adjustments, balancing charges, capital deductions or annual/ part annual growth incentive schemes or supplements not directly linked to dairy market price movement.

NOVEMBER 2023 DF Nov p76 77 78 Milk Prices KJ.indd 3

77 13/10/2023 09:26

MILK PRICES Latest milk prices from

LIQUID PRICES (4% b/f & 3.3% prot) Müller Milk Group—M&S Müller Milk Group—Waitrose Müller Milk Group—Tesco Arla Foods—Tesco UK Arla Farmers—Morrisons (Grazing) Müller Milk Group—Sainsbury’s UK Arla Farmers—Tesco Müller Milk Group—The Co-op Dairy Group UK Arla Farmers—Morrisons Arla Foods—Sainsbury’s Freshways Crediton Dairy Müller Milk Group—Müller Direct Blackmore Vale Dairy Dale Farm GB (Kendal) Müller Milk Group—Müller Direct (Scotland) Yew Tree Dairy Paynes Farms Dairies UK Arla Farmers Meadow Foods Lakes Meadow Foods Grahams Dairies Dale Farm NI

Jun’23 4.0/3.3 Before Seas’lty (i) 50.67 46.70 43.51 43.26 35.45 42.14 35.25 41.88 35.22 42.02 38.00 39.00 40.00 40.00 37.88 39.79 38.00 36.50 33.83 35.50 35.50 36.00 33.43

Jul’23 4.0/3.3 Before Seas’lty (ii) 48.50 46.70 43.51 43.26 35.36 41.33 35.16 40.95 35.13 41.21 36.00 37.00 38.00 38.03 36.93 37.79 37.00 36.50 33.74 35.00 35.00 36.00 31.93

12mth Ave Aug’22 Jul’23 (iii) 51.08 48.72 45.75 45.50 45.48 45.35 45.28 45.27 45.25 45.23 44.92 44.88 44.71 44.71 44.60 44.50 44.42 44.17 43.86 42.88 42.88 42.33 42.24

Diff Jul’23 v Jun’23 (i) v (ii) -2.17 N/C N/C N/C -0.09 -0.81 -0.09 -0.93 -0.09 -0.81 -2.00 -2.00 -2.00 -1.97 -0.95 -2.00 -1.00 N/C -0.09 -0.50 -0.50 N/C -1.50

Simple Average Simple Average (excl. retail contracts)

39.11 37.19

38.26 36.07

44.96 43.93

-0.85 -1.12

MANUFACTURING PRICES (4.2% b/f & 3.4% prot) First Milk—Haverfordwest Tesco Cheese Group Barber’s Cheesemakers Wensleydale Dairy Products The Fresh Milk Company—Level Profile ‡ Wyke Farms Saputo Dairy UK—Davidstow UK Arla Farmers First Milk Parkham Farms Tesco The Fresh Milk Company (Lactalis) South Caernarfon Arla Foods—Direct Manufacturing Glanbia—Llangefni (Constituent) Dale Farm NI Belton Farm

39.39 39.10 37.45 37.82 37.77 38.00 35.21 37.89 39.00 37.25 36.50 34.80 34.00 34.42 37.05

38.35 37.04 36.84 37.51 37.77 37.00 35.12 36.85 37.25 36.94 36.50 32.67 34.00 32.92 37.05

46.97 45.99 45.98 45.88 45.76 45.75 45.63 45.47 45.36 45.31 44.65 44.37 43.56 43.16 4.55

-1.04 -2.06 -0.61 -0.31 N/C -1.00 -0.09 -1.04 -1.75 -0.31 N/C -2.13 N/C -1.50 N/C

Simple Average Simple Average (excl. retail contracts)

37.04 36.71

36.25 36.02

42.56 42.00

-0.79 -0.83

‘B’ Price Indicators StoneXMilkprices.com UKMFE (gross) *StoneXMilkprices.com UKMFE (net) **Delivered spot milk (net to the producer)

34.30 30.11 28.88

32.81 28.74 30.40

39.62 35.07

-1.49 -1.37 1.52

Latest Confirmed Milk Price (iv) 46.00 45.30 41.73 41.48 35.45 40.63 35.25 39.62 35.22 40.51 35.00 37.00 36.50 37.00 36.43 36.00 36.00 35.00 33.83 33.00 33.00 36.00 31.43

36.36 37.50 35.84 35.96 36.11 35.50 35.21 36.00 37.25 35.39 34.00 32.67 34.00 32.42 35.30

Notes to table

Prices for both Liquid & Manufacturing tables paid for a producer sending 1mltrs/yr on EODC (max vehicle size accessibility) with Bactoscans of 30,000/ml and SCC’s of 200,000/ml with Thermodurics of 500/ml. Excludes capital retentions or AHDB levies, profile adjustments from level supply, seasonality, balancing and A&B price schemes (includes the winter premiums paid in NI). Excludes annual / part annual growth incentive schemes or supplements not directly linked to dairy market price movement. Liquid price for milk contains 4% b/f and 3.3% protein. Manufacturing price for milk containing 4.2%/b/f and 3.4% prot. All prices for non-aligned prices are before monthly retail supplements. (i) Jun’23 prices before seasonality or B pricing (ii) Jul’23 prices before seasonality or B pricing (iii) Table ranked on simple rolling 12mth average of monthly prices Aug’22 to Jul’23). (i) v (ii) The difference Jul’23 compared with Jun’23. UK Arla Farmers 1.71ppl decrease from Jun’23 includes forecast 13th payment of 1.24ppkg (1.277ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 1.78ppl decrease for Jun’23 includes forecast 13th payment of 1.29ppkg (1.329ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.09ppl decrease from Jul’23 includes the new 1.185ppkg Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.24ppkg (1.277ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.09ppl decrease for Jul’23 includes the new 1.236ppkg Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.29ppkg (1.329ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. Arla Direct June decrease of 2.64ppl from the 5th June netting back 0.35ppl for the month is then added to the 1.78ppl decrease for Jul’23 making a total decrease of 2.13ppl. First Milk price includes 0.5ppl Member Premium accrued as a 13th payment paid Apr’24. First Milk Haverfordwest Tesco Cheese Group includes 2ppl retailer premium averaged as 1.5ppl based on seasonal profile. Fresh Milk Company price before Morrisons monthly cheese supplement (payment made in Dec’22 of 0.072ppl for Jul’22 to Dec’22 period). MMG Direct price includes 1ppl Premium paid annually in arrears to Direct/Organic farms meeting specific Müller Direct criteria (Quarterly payments from Apr’22). Crediton Dairy price includes FarmMetrics Scheme Bonus of 0.5ppl paid monthly. South Caernarfon price includes flat 0.4ppl annual member bonus paid monthly. ‡ Price includes 12mth average rolling profile fixed at 0.57ppl. * UK Milk Futures Equivalent (UKMFE) net to producer includes 5% processor margin and allowing 2.47ppl ex-farm haulage Jun’23 and 2.43ppl for Jul’23 + milk testing. ** Ave delivered spot milk net to producer allows 3ppl covering haulage + milk testing and margin. (iv) Latest confirmed milk price at the time of going to press. UK Arla Farmers hold for Aug & Sept includes the new 1.185ppkg Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.24ppkg (1.277ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers hold for Aug & Sept includes the new 1.236ppkg Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.29ppkg (1.329ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.09ppl increase from Oct’23 includes 1.359ppkg (1.400ppl) Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.24ppkg (1.277ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.09ppl increase for Oct’23 includes 1.417ppkg (1.460ppl) Sustainability Incentive and forecast 13th payment of 1.29ppkg (1.329ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. MMG Direct Premium for Direct/Organic farms meeting specific Müller Direct criteria confirmed as 1ppl for 2023 and paid quarterly, Apr’23, Jul’23, Oct’23 & Jan’24. All prices are before any additional monthly retail supplements. Milkprices.com cannot take any responsibility for losses arising. Copyright: Milkprices.com

78 DF Nov p76 77 78 Milk Prices KJ.indd 4

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:25

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NOVEMBER 2023 p79_DF_November_2023.indd 3

79 10/10/2023 17:01

MILK ANALYSIS

Milk prices falling

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This is the lowest price since January 2022.

Commodity prices are increasing, however, which should help stabilise the situation.

The latest AMPE figure for September is 28.82p, which is up 0.2p on August. After an allowance

JCommodity prices are increasing on the back of increasingly positive sentiment.

The GDT auction has increased for three consecutive auctions and Fonterra has subsequently increased its milk price forecast for the season slightly.

At the time of writing, the market making Dutch butter had just increased by €200 (£173) to €4,750 (£4,099), its highest price since June.

Dutch SMP was up by nearly €100 (£86) to €2,400 (£2,071), with food grade having risen for

four consecutive weeks and feed grade for six.

In milk price terms, butter and SMP convert into an AMPE price of 29p now, which is up from a recent low of 25.7p in September.

Cream is also on a positive roll, with EU prices up €1,600/ tonne (£1,381/t) over eight weeks to €6,650/t (£5,739/t), or equivalent to £2.30/kg in the UK. But it is not that here; loads in the week of going to press went from £1.83 mid-week to as high as £1.91 by the end of the week.

And that was not even for the export market, which usually

Butter prices (€) 9,000 8,000

Germany Oceania

Dutch US

French

7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000

80 DF Nov p80 81 Milk Analysis KJ.indd 2

Jan 18 Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 19 Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 20 Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 21 Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 22 Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan 23 Mar May Jul Sep

1,000

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36-37

35-36

34-35

33-34

Price range (p)

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32-33

31-32

30-31

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

for a margin and additional supply chain costs, a reasonable farmgate equivalent would be less than 25p.

The gross MCVE figure is 33.39p before costs and a margin, which is a drop of 0.75p, with the net value being less than 30p now. This is the lowest level since August 2021.

Commodity prices lift as market sentiment improves

NEW!

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Processor price profile for October

29-30

T

he latest official Defra milk price for August is 36.22ppl at 4.17% fat and 3.37% protein, or 35.4p on a standard 4% fat and 3.3% protein standard litre.

Milk prices have continued to fall in October and November, with 10 processors reducing in October and another seven for November.

Of those, only Saputo has cut for both months.

The estimated non-aligned weighted average price for October is now estimated at 34.6p, with six processors paying 34-35p, 11 paying 35-36p and nine paying 36-37p. The average price for November is 34.4p.

28-29

The climate in the barn is the key!

No of processors

HEATSTRESS?

commands a premium. At these prices, no processor is going to make butter, which will again help tighten stocks and firm prices.

In the doldrums Cheddar, though, is still very much in the doldrums. Prices now are back to where they were two years ago at £3,100 for Irish mild at the lowest level and UK supplies only slightly higher.

Taking costs into account, the effective price is actually nearer to £2,800, as estimates say the cost of making Cheddar is up to £300/t more than it was two years ago. It has not been as low as that since December 2019.

However, higher butter and SMP prices will also mean more milk will move out of cheese on the continent and back into butter, again tightening up the situation.

Gouda and curd prices are already increasing too, which will help Cheddar as there is pretty much parity in price now.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 14:21

MILK ANALYSIS Futures price lift steadily JEU and New Zealand futures prices have continued to increase steadily, with the average price for butter over the next six months being €4,950 (£4,271) and that for New Zealand being €4,800 (£4,142). SMP prices average €2,670 (£2,304) and €2,700 (£2,330), respectively.

When converted to a UK milk price, the contracts equate to a price of 30ppl for October, rising to 34.5p for next March.

Highest since spring These prices are some 3ppl more than they were a month ago and are now at their highest prices since spring.

Farmgate milk price equivalent of the futures prices for the next six months’ contracts 34 32 30 28 26

EU

NZ Oct 11

Oct 4

Sep 27

Sep 20

Sep 13

Sep 6

24 Aug 30

In total, 10 processors have reduced milk price for October and another seven for November.

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81 12/10/2023 14:21

NEW Products This month, we feature a new compact loadall from JCB and two products launched by Dairymaster at UK Dairy Day, plus a dribble bar attachment designed for even slurry spreading.

AB Agri rebrand JWith the rebrand launched at UK Dairy Day, AB Agri introduced Trident MicroNutri as the new name for its ruminant business, supplying feed additives across the UK and Ireland.

Previously operating under AB Vista GB&I, the rebrand to Trident MicroNutri is said to help support the continued growth of the business.

The move also sees the operation become more closely aligned to the existing AB Agri ruminant B2B business, Trident Feeds, which will further support and enhance customer and supplier experiences. rMore information from 07976 592 231, or charlotte. walsh@abagri.com

Double product launch for Dairymaster at UK Dairy Day

D

airymaster launched their new DM3X+ rotary milking parlour and DairyVue 360 (see panel below) at UK Dairy Day in September.

Primarily developed for the needs of large-scale commercial herds, the DM3X+ rotary milking parlour is designed for speed of maintenance, with redundancy built into all major components to ensure continuous milking. The steady milk flow ensures that cows are constantly milked, maximising milking throughput and speed.

The rotary platform has been redesigned to promote cow comfort, so that the cows can load and

The DM3X+ rotary milking parlour from Dairymaster.

Rotaglide track technology.

unload quickly and stress-free.

Built to withstand the increased workload, the rotary deck incorporates extra redundancy in the drive systems and the patented

rMore information on both products from roregan@dairymaster.com, or 00353 87 2510842.

personalised milking settings that can be adjusted to optimise the milking process.

The personalised milking control comprises three elements: increased pulsation

rate for the first 60 seconds of cluster attachment to stimulate milk let down, dynamic pulsation rate and ratio depending on the stage of milk out, and variable take-off.

DairyVue 360

Got a new product?

JNew products are featured in each issue of Dairy Farmer.

Please send details and pictures to Katie Fallon at katie.fallon@ agriconnect.com, or call 07815 003 227.

82 DF Nov p82 83 New Products KJ.indd 2

JThe DairyVue 360 farm management platform records, analyses and displays milking data, while combining production statistics with herd fertility, health and third-party data to provide a holistic 360-degree view of farm operations.

The technology is equipped with a DM LiveVue touchscreen device that gives the farmer a picture of everything that is happening live in the parlour.

An app is also available which allows the farmer to see milking metrics in real time, with

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 15:53

NEW PRODUCTS Dribble bar attachment for slurry JDesigned by two farmers from Northern Ireland, Splash It was created to provide a solution to the common issue of tracking solids during slurry spreading when using a dribble bar.

The uniquely designed fitting is attached to the end of each dribble bar hose to broaden the width of material coming out and distribute slurry material as evenly as possible.

The fittings are made from moulded plastic, with each

fixture attached to the end of the dribble bar tube using two stainless steel nuts and bolts.

A 35mm section is required to be removed from each hose to attach the fitting, with the whole fitting process only taking a couple of minutes.

Each fitting, including the attachment bolts and nuts, is available at the recommended retail price of £10. rMore information from 07708 393 990.

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New JCB compact loadall JJCB has launched a new compact telescopic handler with a three-tonne lifting capacity for the popular six-metre height sector.

The JCB loadall 530-60 AGRI Super has been designed to match the needs of livestock farmers with narrow aisles and passages.

To suit outdoor work on muddy and uneven surfaces, the loadall is available on 20-inch and 24-inch tyres for maximum ground clearance and traction, with an overall width

of 2.1m on the 24-inch tyres.

It also has improved visibility and includes previously optional features installed as standard, taking its equipment level close to that of JCB’s larger Loadall telehandlers.

It is said the new model will provide increased productivity potential for livestock producers who need a nimble, compact machine for daily tasks in and around buildings. rMore information from 01889 590 312, nigel.chell@ jcb.com, or by visiting jcb.com

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GOOD Evans ‘In farming, we have a terrible safety record’ This month, Roger Evans discusses the wearing of shorts, health and safety on farms and profiteering by supermarkets.

I

like to think that I’m the sort of person who notices things.

One thing that has struck me this year is that there is a huge increase in the number of men wearing shorts. Perhaps you have noticed it as well.

I wonder if this a further sign of global warming and I wonder if these men will be wearing shorts come the winter.

So far the only body of men who seem to wear shorts in the winter are postmen.

There was a time in my life when I used to go to a lot of farmer meetings and at much the same time lots of farmers were adopting what they call New Zealand grazing systems.

You could always tell these farmers because they used to wear shorts all the year around.

It was like a badge of honour with them.

I’m not anti-shorts. I used to wear shorts in the summer, but I haven’t so far this year.

It’s probably not worth it now, it’ll soon be Christmas.

Somewhere I have a khaki shirt, khaki shorts and a pith helmet so I can do the white hunter if required, but there’s not much call for them around here.

Perplexed Yesterday we had a visit from a nice young man from Sky, he was also wearing shorts. He was here to update our Sky box.

He was perplexed at first, he couldn’t work out why we were still getting a TV picture, something to do with a creeper rubbing through a wire.

Don’t you just love it when someone who thinks they are more technical than you, gets lost.

But shorts wasn’t all he was wearing. He had on a climbing harness.

At first I thought it was a bit over the top.

As far as I knew he only had to go about 10 feet off the ground and that was up a ladder, yet here he was kitted out as if he were just about to climb Everest.

Surely he didn’t need that sort of kit to reach a

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satellite dish? But I need to stop there, we all need to stop there.

He was on his own and he had a lot of ladders on the roof of his van.

It just goes to show how other industries take health and safety a lot more seriously than we do.

Safety visit In farming, we have a terrible record for safety and I’m quite sure that not taking it seriously is a factor.

I can remember years ago we were having a safety visit and the inspector was having a look around.

An employee was finishing the scraping and he got off the tractor to open a gate.

The tractor started to move and nearly hit the inspector.

I said it was because the driver hadn’t applied the hand brake.

He hadn’t applied the hand brake because this particular tractor didn’t have any brakes and the driver had been told to park across the slope anyway.

We didn’t tell the inspector about the brakes, which was just as well, because we all had a serious bollocking anyway.

It was quite funny after the inspector had gone, it wasn’t funny while he was here.

And so the Sky man went away, but if he comes again and I know him better, I’ll ask him to clear the gutters out.

He left a new remote control. I’d only just got comfortable with the last one.

I don’t need that sort of stress in my life while the rugby World Cup is on.

I wonder, as he drove to his next visit, if he realised what a big safety impression he had made.

I think it’s a lot to do with money, things have been tight for years.

When things are tight you develop a mindset that is to do with ‘making do’. Things like fixing brakes on a scraper tractor.

In recent years I have taken an interest in politics.

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 14:23

“

I’ve met a lot of politicians over the years, but if you take away their ego, there is not much left

I got the result of two elections and a referendum wrong.

I don’t like being wrong and so I thought I needed to know more about it all.

Don’t worry I’m moving on now, I found the recent Ashes cricket series much more interesting than politics.

I’ve met a lot of politicians over the years, but if you take away their ego there’s not much left.

Anyway the bosses of supermarkets are appearing in front of a commons select committee and they are being accused of profiteering on food prices.

High food prices cause inflation, and inflation is

the cause of all our woes and is as big a negative as global warming.

One of the supermarket bosses said that they only make 3% profit on food. You could see all the MPs relaxing thinking 3% was quite reasonable.

But hang on a minute; if you sell someone a litre of milk and you do it more than 50 times a year don’t you multipy that 3% profit by 50?

Or is it me just being thick. (Don’t answer that).

We have seen profiteering on fuel, it’s a part of the natural agenda to do it wherever they can — I am sure 3% would not deliver the eye-watering profits they announce every year.

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87 12/10/2023 14:23

BUSINESS CLINIC

Innovation despite shopper cost cutting There is still room for innovation in the dairy industry despite a squeeze on farm incomes and consumer spending. Cedric Porter reports.

H

igh inflation is impacting the way people are buying and eating food, including dairy.

In the 12 weeks to September 9, retail liquid milk consumption dropped by 1.7% compared to the same period last year, with volumes 4.6% lower than in 2021, according to figures from Nielsen Homescan for AHDB. Retail cheese sales were down 1.5% on the year and by 3.6% on 2021. The drop in yoghurt sales from 2021 to 2023 was 1.6%, although there was a 0.1% increase between this year and last.

Butter and spread sales dropped by nearly 10% between 2021 and 2023, while cream sales rose a little in the last year after a 4.3% drop between 2022 and 2023.

Cheese saw the largest increase in average price between September last year and this year at 19%. Cream prices were up 9% and milk up 8%.

The rise in yoghurt prices was up 14% and butter up 3%, although they had risen by 22% the year before.

Grace Randall, retail and consumer insight manager at the AHDB, says: “The high cost of living has become the main

The high cost of living has become the main driver for consumers over the last few months GRACE RANDALL driver for consumers over the last few months.

Trading down “Some shoppers are trading down, so buying cheaper mild cheddar rather than mature and switching from butter to spreads such as margarine.

Recent dairy innovations rWyke Farms has recently launched a carbon neutral Red Somerset cheese. The company has also begun development of a new £10 million butter dairy. The facility will help supply a growing export market for its butter with overseas sales increasing by 30% in 2022. rAll things butter is a new organic butter brand from chef and butter connoisseur Thomas Straker. He has built up an online following with his butterbased recipes. The enterprise recently received six-figure funding to help it develop. rMuller for Caterers is a new division of the dairy that focuses on selling products to the foodservice sector. An

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online portal provides details of products plus links to distributors and stockists. rThe Collective has launched new yoghurt brands including spiced plum and custard plus a wider range of dairy-free options. The company was started in New Zealand by chefs Angus Allan and Ofer Shenhav, and has the slogan: The Collective, great dairy… no bull rA Red Leicester and naturally smoked cheddar have been launched by Cathedral City. Rival cheese company Pilgrims Choice has launched a range of adult snacking cheese products, including an extra mature cheddar.

rCrediton Dairy has embarked on a three-year investment programme to upgrade its facilities and reduce its carbon footprint.

The dairy is supplied with 160m litres of milk a year from 94 farmers. Freshways is also building a new distribution hub in London and a 250m-litre a year processing plant in the Midlands. rOrganic dairy co-op Omsco has changed its name to Organic Herd and launched a new range of products aimed at specialist retailers, delis and farm shops. The range includes cheddars, butters and upmarket milk drinking chocolates.

“Having said that, there is a trend for buying more flavourful products such as herb or garlic butter to give greater taste to other dishes.

“There are also still more people working from home than before the pandemic which supports the sales of a range of retail dairy products including yoghurt, where there has been a small increase in sales over the last year.”

The need to save money has pushed other attributes down the shopping agenda, says Ms Randall.

“Drivers such as environment, health and buying local or British are less important, but they have not disappeared entirely, while interest in regenerative systems has increased. Meanwhile, sales of lactose-free milk continue to grow and were up 7% last year.”

The shift to cheaper products hit first half profits for Arla Foods UK, with a 5.2% drop in branded sales, although total sales were up 16.9%.

Jonathan Dixon, head of sales at Arla, says: “During the first half of 2023, we continued to see inflationary pressure resulting in consumers moving towards discount channels and private label products.

Improvement “However, we have started to see our brand performance improve towards the end of the first half of the year due to significant investment in our brands and our continued innovation in the dairy aisle.”

As the list of investments and new products shows (see panel), there is still plenty of innovation in the dairy sector.

Seasoned dairy professional Andy Richardson, who recently

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 14:26

BUSINESS CLINIC JAn indication of the innovations that the British dairy industry has adopted over the last few years is the change in what milk is used for, with a greater proportion going to manufacturing where there is more opportunity to add value.

Deliveries to UK dairies have increased by 15% over the last 10 years to 14.938 billion litres, Defra figures show. But usage for liquid milk has dropped by

10% to 6.072bn litres. That was 40.7% of the total, compared to 50.8% in 2013.

Usage for cheese has risen 39% to 4.807bn litres, with usage for milk powder 13% higher at 918 million litres.

There has been a 47% increase in usage for yoghurt at 402m litres, while milk used for butter has increased by 43% to 419m litres and usage for cream is up 29% to 372m litres.

became a partner in supply chain consultancy EFFP, says dairy innovation is not just about new products or techniques.

“Innovation could mean a more efficient way of operating to take cost out of the supply chain. It could be greater supply chain collaboration, innovation in the way milk and dairy products are sold or marketed or

environmental innovations. The most important things are that innovation suits the business, is affordable and adds value.”

Perhaps the most important innovation that the dairy industry needs is to create more resilient supply chains, says Mr Richardson, with greater collaboration between producers, processors and retailers.

PICTURE: Alamy Stock Photo

Shift to manufacturing

The need to save money has pushed other attributes down the shopping agenda, says AHDB’s Grace Randall.

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89 12/10/2023 14:26

RESEARCH

U

K livestock farmers have helped develop new satellite technology that maps out the quantity of grass available on their farms, with the potential to cut costs, protect biodiversity and prepare for weather conditions caused by climate change.

The farmers have been leading field labs in a project called Pasture Optimisation for Resilience and Livelihoods (PASTORAL), working with research network Innovative Farmers, agricultural data consultants Environment Systems and the University of Edinburgh.

The trials tested the use of optical and radar satellite imagery and carbon modelling to estimate grass biomass availability (kg DM/ha) at a field level. This was calibrated with in-field plate metering.

It is hoped the combination of these methods will provide farmers with an accurate picture of grass availability across their grazing platform by using the models to predict grass growth.

The model’s ability to run simulations that predict the impact of different weather and environmental scenarios, such as drought or downpours, could give farmers time to plan for extreme weather conditions and increase yields, with the potential to extend the grazing period and reduce impacts on nature.

The trials have now concluded and the trial farmers have provided crucial data through testing and calibrating the new technology with their own grass monitoring routines.

James Allen, a cattle and sheep farmer in Wiltshire, has seen good results from the project.

He says: “PASTORAL is a helpful tool, with the potential to save time and money and help future-proof against the effects of climate change.

“Getting a whole-farm view and seeing how the grass growth is changing means we can vary

90 DF Nov p90 Research KJ.indd 2

The new technology could provide farmers with an accurate picture of grass availability across their grazing platform by using the models to predict grass growth.

Farmers help develop satellite grass measuring technology how long the livestock are in each particular cell and plan the order we graze fields.

Live environment The project marks the first time the University of Edinburgh’s model has been used in a live environment and the feedback from the farmers has been crucial to how the data collection has changed.

Environment systems lead consultant, Dr Iain Cameron says: “If you ask farmers how they assess their pastures, they

will likely say they look for themselves.

“Nothing matches standing in the field and observing – but using technology to reaffirm what you see can give you the confidence to adapt, monitor changes and plan for the future.

“We have learned lots over every stage – it quickly became clear that pasture growth is so rapid that running the model on a weekly basis can miss detail. This is why the on-theground information has been so important in building a fuller

picture and has allowed us to see where improvements need to be made.”

Innovative Farmers manager Rebecca Swinn says: “We are pleased to see the results of the field lab, which shows the value of farmer-led research.

“Seeing an idea go from concept to use on farms is a big achievement. I have no doubt that the technology will continue to develop, especially as farmers are part of the refining process. We are excited for the future.”

NOVEMBER 2023 12/10/2023 13:26

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