MILK EVERY FIBRE Feed a rumen speci c live yeast Before +1.1 kg /cow/day After Levucell SC is available with TITAN protection for use in minerals, blend and compound feed. efficiencyfeed Profit ability ROI - 6:1 yieldmilk QUALITYMILK UP TO MilkMORE%7 LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SPECIFIC FOR YOUR SUCCESS Tel: 01684 580022 or visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com Inside - read our LANTALK articles for more information TIP OF THE MONTH: How to achieve adequate ventilation levels in calf buildings - p82 DAIRY FARMER MILK PRICES Pages 74-76Pages 14-15 October 2022 Volume 69 Issue 10 Pages 34-48 Pages UKNUTRITION50-72DAIRYDAY A focused look at winter feeding fromRound-upstrategiesofhighlightsthisyear’sevent Pages 10-12 ON FARM FEATURE Impressive silage-making in testing conditions Net Zero The challenge which isn’t going away
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. IBR MARKER LIVE IBR MARKER LIVE Live IBR marker vaccine for cattle HIPRA UK AND IRELAND Foxhall Lodge · Foxhall Road · NG7 6LH · Nottingham · United Kingdom Tel (+44) 0115 845 6486 · ukandireland@hipra.com · www.hipra.com
3OCTOBER 2022
For many, the uncertainty of prices going forward for everything including feed, fuel and fertiliser, not to mention thoughts on where the milk price is next headed, makes it di cult to look ahead to 2023 and beyond.
But despite this level of uncertainty, I was struck by the buoyant mood at the recent UK Dairy Day. From the conversations I had with both trade exhibitors and farmers, there was a degree of positivity in the air.
I doubt this positivity is as a result of the new leadership team at the head of Government, and perhaps it is just because farmers are so used to dealing with adversity.
A number of panel sessions at UK Dairy Day explored the theme of ‘sustainability’ and what was clear from these was that while there is a sustainable future for the UK dairy industry, there is still a lot of work to be done in ensuring the industry is an a ractive place to work and making sure we can communicate the positive moves dairy farming is making in terms of climate objectives.
From her numerous patronages of agricultural organisations to her interest in livestock breeding, she was clearly a rural champion. So I join many others in this country and beyond to simply say ‘thank you’.
A
Favourable autumn conditions will be required for those who are perhaps looking at depleted forage stocks and there will be obvious concerns for everyone about the longer term implications of high energy prices.
And nally, I write this just days before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. What has been abundantly clear from all the recent media coverage is just how highly she was regarded in farming circles.
a word from the editor
01904 405299 DairyDecadessalesdesk@peregrinefinance.co.ukwww.peregrinefinance.co.ukofexperienceprovidingCattleFinancetoUKAgriculturalbusinesses Peregrine 1 12/07/2022 15:04 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. Editor Katie Jones 07786 856 katie.jones@agriconnect.com439 Content Editor/Designer Mike Begley 01772 799 mike.begley@agriconnect.com405 Picture Editor Marcello Garbagnoli 01772 799 marcello.garbagnoli@agriconnect.com445 Head of Commercial Solutions Mike Hartley 01772 799 mike.hartley@agriconnect.com532 Account Manager Mark Jackson 01322 449 mark.jackson@agriconnect.com624, Classified Advertisements 01772 799 fgclassified@agriconnect.com400 Advertising Production Justine Sumner 01772 799 437 Fax: 01772 796 justine.sumner@agriconnect.com747 Circulation and subscriptions 0330 333 informationFarmerofwithoutinformationphotocopying,electronictransmittedpublicationAll©ISSNEurope:Subscriptionhelp@subscribe.farmers-guardian.com0056rates:UK£65ayear£85World:£951475-6994FarmersGuardian2022rightsreserved.Nopartofthismaybereproducedorinanyformorbyanymeans,ormechanicalincludingrecording,oranystorageorretrievalsystemtheexpresspriorwrittenconsentthepublisher.ThecontentsofDairyaresubjecttoreproductioninstorageandretrievalsystems. Contacts
s the days start to shorten, a ention is now on what could be a tricky autumn and winter period for those farmers in the UK who were worst hit by this summer’s drought conditions.
Back at the start of the 2010s, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Mor risons accounted for more than three-quarters of the grocery sector.
A review will take place in three months to assess whether the support should be targeted at certain industries and extended for those which remain vulnerable.
P
JALDI has overtaken Morrisons as the UK’s fourth biggest super market as the discounters continue to gain market share and consum ers tighten their purse strings.
value’ like never before and ‘voting with their feet’.
It added customers did not really care about market share statistics and they would be focused on value, quality, provenance and service.
NEWS 4 OCTOBER 2022 What’s inside? OCTOBER 2022 VOLUME 69 ISSUE 10 8 DAIRY TALK Updates from Tom Rawson and Smale-RowlandGemma 10 ON FARM Impressive silage-making in testing conditions 14 DAIRY MATTERS ‘Net zero: The challenge which isn’t going away’ 16 VET’S VIEW Understanding the cause of abortions 20 YOUNGSTOCK Inconsistencies can lead to bloat in calves 26 DAIRYINGWORLD Eco-friendly dairying in South Africa’s winelands 30 MAIZE Variety selection for the 2023 growing season 32 SYSTEMSGRAZING A closer look at mob grazing 34 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT Highlights of this year’s event 50 NUTRITION A focused look at winter feeding strategies 74 MILK PRICES 78 MILK ANALYSIS Market set for a collision 80 NEW PRODUCTS Round-up of products and updates hitting the market 82 MACHINERY Designed for success: Pressure ventilation 88 GOOD EVANS ‘In these troubled times, we have to look for pluses’ 88 BUSINESS CLINIC Greenhouse gas reduction takes centre stage 26-27 World Dairying 80-81 New Products
Giles Hurley, chief executive o cer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said shoppers were ‘prioritising
Discounters disrupt the ‘big four’
More pricesonneededhelpenergy
rime Minister Liz Truss has announced that energy prices will be capped for businesses, but farm groups have warned the six-month support package does not go far enough.
ere had been concern that the soaring costs would lead to a cut in food production, as farmers faced energy bill increases of up to 500%. Related businesses, such as farm shops and aba oirs, were also at risk.
He added it was doing every thing it could to make food shop ping as ‘a ordable as possible’ without compromising on quality.
e Energy Price Guarantee scheme will introduce a cap at the same price per unit or kWh as households, which under new Government plans, will pay no more than £2,500 a year.
Households and businesses which use heating oil will also be able to tap into a fund providing ‘equivalent support’.
Welcome
Tenant Farmers Association chief executive George Dunn told Dairy Farmer the support scheme was ‘welcome’, but added it would do li le to provide the con dence needed for farm businesses to make
Kantar data showed Aldi sales rose by 18.7% in the 12 weeks to September 2022, reaching a 9.3% market share. Lidl grew sales by 20.9% and its market share has increased to 7.1%.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Market share is partly a function of new store openings and although Morrisons has not put on any signi cant new space for a while, some competitors are still opening many new stores.”
NFU president Mine e Ba ers urged the taskforce to develop a plan which provides stability for British farm businesses and rewards those producing renewable energy.
JBritish Cattle Movement Service calf registrations to dairy dams for Q2 are the lowest recorded in almost a decade, new data from AHDB has found.
on 07522 731193 george.bridgman@abfltd.co.uk
“As we have been saying for
AHDB Stoneleighconsidersmove
AHDB’s divisional director of engagement Will Jackson said they were currently looking to move to a ‘more suitablesized’ building to ensure funds from levy payers were ‘invested as effectively as possible’ as part of its ‘Shape the Future’ process. AHDB will discuss its plans in further detail at its ‘Delivering the Future of Farming’ event on November 10.
e ban on fracking, set out in the last Conservative manifesto, has also been li ed, with developers allowed
Mr Dunn said: “It is also of concern that because the Govern ment intends to fund the guarantee through further borrowing rather than through taxing the windfall pro ts of power generators, it will end up with li le room for man oeuvre to introduce other measures of support, particularly through the emergency intervention powers set out in the Agriculture Act 2020.
to seek planning permission where there is ‘local support’.
NEWS 5OCTOBER 2022
Freya Shuttleworth, AHDB dairy and livestock analyst, said Q2 registrations were 1.6% behind the five-year average, supporting the evidence that more farms are moving to block-calving systems.
In the longer term, the Government intends to reduce the cost of energy by increasing supply, including with new contracts for exploration of North Sea oil and gas.
years, a long-term policy which balances our food, environmental and energy security needs to be put in place urgently.”
The registrations stood at 305,469 head, 1.1% down from the same period last year and the lowest number since 2013.
As farmers face energy increases of up to 500% there is concern about a cut in food production.
JAHDB was considering quitting its Stoneleigh Park base to downsize. The organisation has been based in a £5 million 5,000sq.ft building since 2014.
And a new Energy Supply Taskforce has been set up to negotiate with suppliers to agree long-term contracts.
Supply
George Bridgman
Dairy births at lowest record in almost a decade
She said: “As it stands, the energy marketplace is volatile and far from transparent.”
long-term plans – a point CLA presi dent Mark Tufnell agreed with.
Could it be that this is the issue people will coalesce around over the next 20 years? Only time will tell.
farming is besieged on all sides, but it is hard to lay the blame at anyone’s door.
Causes of some of the prob lems faced can be hard to identify and even less to influence.
is forcing some dairy farmers to ditch the organic standard to o set rising costs, it has emerged.
NEWS 6 OCTOBER 2022
Mobilisation was only pos sible, though, because there was a common ‘enemy’ – as Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner, who organised the event, put it. Today, it can feel as though
Industry experts have warned that the levelling o of organic and conventional rates, which have put organic milk either just above or on par with conventional production, along with spiralling feed and energy costs, have led to signi cant numbers returning or considering a switch to conventional production.
“ ey are not swinging back
However, Andrew Burgess, NFU Organic Forum chair, said while the market situation was worrying, the future for organic remained positive.
because of problems, but because the gap between organic and conventional is too small.”
With more and more agricultural land being snapped up for rewilding, tree planting, solar panels, infrastructure and housing, questions are being asked about whether country side communities are facing an existential crisis.
JWhat would it take for you to put on your marching boots, leave the milking parlour and descend upon London to protest?
He said: “What we have been through in the past few years has created a perfect storm.
“From Covid-19 to Ukraine, Brexit and the recent drought, farmers have had a lot to deal with. But I do not think it is a completely bleak picture by any means.”
Mr Daykin said the gures will be unsustainable for many organic farmers who are facing feed bills of £650 per tonne, in comparison
He said: “ e fear of what is to come is o en worse than the reality. e sector was basically wri en o by some as we approached the 2007 recession.
Dairy and animal feed con sultant at the Daykin Partnership Rob Daykin said: “ e reasons for many farmers will be multifaceted. It is not just about costs, but about the gap in prices.
Mr Daykin agreed the organic market had proved resilient in the past and was hopeful consumers would remain loyal to the sector.
That’s a question I pon dered last month, writes Abi Kay, as Farmers Guardian looked back on the 2002 Lib erty and Livelihood March for its 20th Speakinganniversary.topeople who at tended the protest, it became clear just how fondly the event is remembered.
More than 400,000 demon strators travelled from all over the UK to remind Tony Blair’s
“I have heard of two or three recently who have gone back to conventional, but do not plan to do anything di erently other than reduce their feed input costs and will continue to farm using their organic knowledge.
The demo was organised in opposition to the legislation ban ning hunting, but it became much more than that, as the country side came together to show it would no longer be neglected.
OMSCO’s price for organic stood at 50ppl from October 1, similar to many conventional processors.Arla’sSeptember standard litre price was at 56ppl for September.
Taking to the streets outside the Kremlin, for example, would be as pointless as it is dangerous.Andonother issues, such as trade, farmers have a range of different views. A divided house cannot stand.
Some farmers have taken to social media to share their views, saying ‘with tough eco nomic times ahead’ conventional production o ers a ‘more stable marketplace’.SamAdams, an organic dairy farmer from Chipping Warden, admi ed he had ‘mixed feelings’ a er switching to conventional milk production following 13
Government that rural commun ities had a voice. Marchers recalled feeling a real sense of power, unity and purpose on that day.
years of organic, but felt it was unlikely there would be ‘big price increases’ in the sector while the country was ‘heading into another recession’.
T he conventionalforfarmgategapdiminishingbetweenpricesorganicandmilk
Fears of organic exodus
There is one thing, though, that Tim thinks could bring rural people out of their homes once more, and that is land use.
“But in fact the reverse happened. It is di cult at the moment, but I hope people will see it is as temporary.”
This month’s political round-up
Significant numbers of organic farmers could return or consider a switch to conventional production, according to industry analysts.
with conventional feed which is about £400/t.
DON’T LEAVE MILK PRODUCTION TO CHANCE. AGAINSTVACCINATEBVD. Daily milk yields increased by up to 1.8L* per cow after live BVD vaccination, in herds with evidence of circulating infection but no signs of Speakdisease1.toyour vet about safeguarding your herd’s productivity. Scan the code to learn more and speak to your vet about safeguarding your herd’s productivity. *during early lactation 1. Schmitt–van de Leemput et al. (2020) PLoS ONE 15(10): e0240113. Brought to you by the makers of Bovela® lyophilisate and solvent for suspension for injection for cattle. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. Bovela® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under licence. ©2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Jan 2021. BOV-0017-2021. Use Medicines Responsibly.
Our cereal harvest went extremely well on our Norfolk farm, with all 1,000 acres home and dry without the need for diesel-based intervention.
Having ‘had a word with myself’ at the start of it, at the end of the day the grim reality is you can’t actually do anything about it apart from make the best of the cards you have been dealt.
“ This is the first driftedwhichweatherextremeeventhasn’tmeinto a deep depression
In-calf rates
We are also investing in a new straw yard, so we shouldn’t be gambling on always having at least some of the cows at grass to make the expanded herd size work.
At our organic autumn calving unit, we have recently purchased a feeder wagon to enable us to utilise our home-grown cereals, as weirdly we only receive about £400/tonne for organic grain, whereas organic cow cake sits at about £700/t.
For those of you who haven’t been, it enjoys an unbelievable location opposite the London Eye and sits about 300 metres from Downing Street. All the usual sights are within walking distance and the room rate relative to other similar surrounding hotels takes some beating.
Tom Rawson
Ironically, some grain was ge ing too dry just stood in the elds. Yields were testament to the fact we only had 250mm of rain from February to July, with the only advantage being that even the weeds didn’t grow.
Tom Rawson, who lives in West Yorkshire, is a director of Evolution Farming, a business with a team of 55 staff. The business manages about 3,300 cows across nine units, two of which are organic and one which is in organic conversion, located in seven different counties in the North West, Midlands and eastern regions of England.
DAIRYTalk
aturally my last article spoke about mega grass growth, so as a result it was no surprise that for the last three months we have had no grass growth at all. is drought has on the face of it has been quite mentally draining, as you relentlessly look on various weather forecasting apps pinning your hopes on the 40% chance of rain predicted to last an hour a week on Tuesday, only for it to turn out to be 35degC with glorious sunshine. is time round, the drought has been di erent for me personally, as because as da as it might sound, this is the rst extreme weather event which hasn’t dri ed me into a deep depression.
Mating on the spring calving herds appears on the face of it to have gone well – our largest unit managed an 84% eight-week in-calf rate on the cows, not including the heifers, so it seems we will have the results to let that farm grow to calve 1,050 in eight weeks for the 2023 season.
In fact, the last time I walked through to the bar I noticed a copy of Dairy Farmer taking a front row seat in the magazine collection.
Back in July, we took nine of our sta members down to London for a couple of cow-free days. A good mix of our various enterprises were represented and all seemed to have had a good time.
One lesson in particular for us is that the best course of action is to keep feeding out high quality clamp silage combined with a serious amount of cow cake. is seems to have worked, unlike in 2018, where we had poor silage and tried to reduce costs. is time we have actually taken advantage of a higher milk price and grown our margin over purchased feeds considerably.
Exciting but also scary times, so a ention now turns to a fairly large infrastructure project there, including a new feed pad. is will serve two pur poses, one to allow more cows to be housed inside as barriers are currently undercover; and two, as we are being told we are heading for more extreme weather pa erns it will allow us to feed all the cows pre- and post-milking on concrete.
8 OCTOBER 2022
e itinerary included walking around the usual sights, dinner out with a few beers and nished o the next day with a river boat cruise on the ames.
Catherine and I are members of e Farmers Club in London so we all stopped there. ere is nothing be er than a enjoying a drink on the club terrace overlooking the river.
N
While I am always amazed how resilient grass can be in its ability to bounce back and recover, we have unfortunately completely lost some elds of grass to drought. ese will now need to be reseeded.eselost
elds would have normally been our third-cut acres and we desperately needed this grass as it looks like we are currently going to be about 90 tonnes of silage short for the winter on our current stocking levels.
A third cut and a strong maize harvest is much needed. However, I remain optimistic and am great believer that it will all come right and sort itself out.
For us speci cally, the warm and dry summer has been good for our milk vending machine, with milkshakes ying out of the door.
On a more positive note, the boys in my household are happy and excited as the pheasants have arrived and the heat and dry weather has been great for their growing. e start of the shooting season cannot come soon enough for them.
Gemma Smale-Rowland
he rain has nally come. Until now, the last rain we had in our area was the weekend of e Queen’s Jubilee back at the beginning of June.
“Kind weather always helps the foradefinitelyThiseconomy.Cornishyearhasbeengoodyearthat
T
e ground has obviously been very dry. It is not just the lack of rain we have had, we have also had beautiful sunshine to go with it.
But now my thoughts are beginning to turn to what sales will be like as we head into what is looking to be a challenging winter period. We will keep an eye on the impact the cost of living crisis will have on premium products once the pinch starts to kick in.
The weather has been kind for the school summer holidays in Cornwall, Gemma says.
Fourth-generation farmer Gemma Smale-Rowland farms with her parents at North Petherwin, near Launceston, north Cornwall, where they milk 120 pedigree Holsteins under the Glebewin prefix. She established the Cornish Moo brand in 2018 and was one of the first farmers in the country to install an on-farm milk vending machine.
We did manage to get a second silage cut in and then we had a great yield on the wholecrop, which is going to be a huge help as third cut has been non-existent. It has been so dry the grass has just been burning up.
is has all meant that grazing platforms and paddock rotations went completely out the window. And as a result we started feeding a full winter ration at the beginning of August. We have now nished a whole silage clamp.
Our working dogs are well rested and ready to go when the guns come out. We have had a summer full of love and fun, with two li ers of puppies, all of which are going to wonderful homes.
9OCTOBER 2022 DAIRY TALK
e beautiful weather has been kind for the school summer holidays. And kind weather always helps the Cornish economy. is year has de nitely been a good year for that.
Yet by the rst week in September, there were already four cuts of silage in the clamp at Treclyn Isaf,Impressively,Eglwyswrw.this was achieved with no inputs of nitrogen (N) fertiliser as the farm has been farmed organically since 2001, relying on its own slurry and a high percentage of N- xing clover to grow grass. Aled and Hedydd Rees farm Treclyn Isaf with their son Owain and in partnership with Aled’s uncle David Jenkins.
e main herd of 300 autumn and spring block-calving cows is milked at Treclyn Isaf, while at Trefere Farm about 100 cows in their nal lactation see out their productive life.
384ha (950 acres) in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
In 2023, the rst three-way cross from Viking genetics will be born to further improve fertility, feet and Improvementslegs. have been made to fertility too, with a heat detection system installed two years ago.
rAutumn block uses 2.1 straws per conception
10 ON FARM OCTOBER 2022
GoldsmithNigel:PICTURES
of Welsh Grassland Societies’ All Wales Grassland Award.
eir system is built on good management of nutrients, grassland and soils. ey were named as the 2022 winner of the Federation
I
Farm facts
e breeding policy was traditionally pure British Friesian and Friesian Holsteins, but in the last two years, Jersey genetics have been introduced to improve milk solids to maximise returns from the business’ constituents-based supply contract with Rachel’s Organic.
Further expansion came rstly in 2008 with the purchase of 40ha (100 acres) at Treclyn Isaf, which neighbours Glyn Farm, and again in 2014, with the acquisition of the homestead and remaining 12ha (30 acres).
Left to right: Member of staff Mark Jones, Aled and Hedydd Rees, David Jenkins and Owain Rees.
It was economics that drove the decision to convert to organic.
More land, both owned and rented, has since been acquired, and David and Aled now farm
Developing healthy soils and exploiting the value of home-produced nutrients is helping a Welsh dairy farm grow 10.3 tonnes of dry matter (DM) per hectare (4.2t DM/acre) of high quality grass in an organic farming system. Debbie James reports.
With the holdings nine miles apart, this arrangement simpli es the system, making it more e cient, as the breeding and calving is concentrated at Treclyn Isaf.
Owain says: “For the past eight years, we were on a breeding management system which cost us £32/cow/year and we were limited to the semen which could be used on the herd, but a er installing the heat detection system, we now only pay a service charge of £6/cow and are free to use semen from di erent companies.”
t has been a challenging year for growing grass in Pembrokeshire – just 60% of the county’s usual rainfall fell between March and July.
is secured the farm for the seventh generation and created a 105ha (260-acre) grazing platform and a decision to invest £1.2 million in a new dairy and infrastructure.
With no opportunity for expansion, they instead set about improving their milk price by converting to organic.
Impressive silage-making in testing conditions
rConcentrate use of 1.6 tonnes/cow/year
In 1999, they were farming 61 hectares (150 acres) at David’s home farm, Trefere, near Cardigan, and milking 75 cows.
rSomatic cell count of 120,000 cells/ml
Two years later, with the process of conversion completed, that elusive opportunity for expansion came. ey took on 53ha (130 acres) at Glyn Farm, Eglwyswrw, renting it from Aled’s parents on a Farm Business Tenancy and relocating its milking herd to Trefere, boosting cow numbers.
rAverage stocking rate of 2.75 cows/hectare (1.1 cows/acre)
Opportunity
rotational system to a residual of 1,650kg DM/ha (668kg DM/ acre), keeping grazing quality high and stimulating grass growth.
The herd is achieving 4,010 litres from forage.
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Paddocks are grazed on a
Cows are milked in a 54-point rotary parlour, producing an annual average yield per cow of 7,333 litres at 4.23% bu erfat and 3.36% protein.
In 2022, the submission rate for the spring block was 80% in the rst 21 days. For the autumn block, 84% of the herd calves in the rst six Two-thirdsweeks.ofthe herd calves in an autumn block, from September to November, and 100 from February to April.
Review
High quality home-produced feed is key to capturing 4,010 of those litres from forage.
During periods when growth is low and as a means of building grass covers, silage is bu er fed to speci c cow groups.
Grass on the grazing platform
Aled says: “We also review the performance of silage elds throughout the year and the same method
is measured weekly and this data is used to analyse eld performance annually and to inform the reseeding policy.
applies. If elds require reseeding, they enter our arable rotation.”
have been grown for the last two years, harvested in June, as feed for the autumn calving dry cows.
In year one, this rotation incorporates a crop of winter forage rye and vetch followed by forage rape.
Humic acid in powder form, magnesium sulphate and a salt product containing 90 di erent trace elements are dissolved and applied through a conventional sprayer.
Soil testing
If the weather permits, treated slurry is applied in early February at a rate of 6,250kg/ha (2,530kg/ acre) and a er each cut at 3,750kg5,000kg/ha (1,518-2,024kg/acre).
12 ON FARM OCTOBER 2022
Most elds are soil tested annually to inform phosphorus and potash applications. e main source of phosphorus is Tunisian so rock phosphate, used on the silage ground at a rate of 187kg/ha (76kg/acre) annually.
Areas of elds which need rejuvenation due to poaching are reseeded using a recently purchased fold-up chain harrow ed with a Stocks Fan Jet Seeder Box, a machine which replaced an ageing
Aled says: “Topping and hand cu ing or picking weeds is the most e cient and only way we can deal
“Healthy soils plus healthy stock equals a pro table farm,” he says.
Aled says: “If elds have an index of below 2, we can apply to our certi cation body for a derogation to spread sulphate of potash, but no derogations have been applied over the last two years.”
Cows are milked in a 54-point rotary parlour, producing an annual average yield per cow of 7,333 litres.
with any problems which arise under our DMD-valueanalysed3,000weeksofcutsmulti-cutmostwhen“Grazingcircumstances.apaddockhardrequireddoessuppresscommongrass-weedstoo.”Clampsilageisproducedinasystemwithatleastfourayear,sometimesve.erstcutistakenattheendApril,withacuteveryveorsixthereaertoensileabouttonnes.isyear’srstcutat35%drymaer,aof73%,MEof11.75MJ/kgand15%crudeprotein.Forageryeandwintervetch
Growing cereals in the rotation is the main weapon against weed infestations in reseeds, while for established grassland, it is down to grazing management and a multi-cut silaging system.
In the following year, the aim is to introduce fodder beet and in the third year, barley and peas undersown with grass and clover.
e only form of N is the farm’s own slurry and clover. Slurry is treated with a liquid humus – a calcium carbonate-based additive – to help reduce losses during application. Losses are further reduced by spreading with a dribble bar.
Silage and grazing elds are aerated annually using a heavy spikeSeedroller.mixtures are predominantly o -the-shelf varieties, but incorporating as many Aber varieties as possible. Mixtures for grazing elds have a high white clover content, while for silage leys it is white, red and crimson clover.
All grazing elds have a 3,750kg/ ha (1,518kg/acre) application of dirty water, applied by dribble bar as soon as possible post-grazing. A foliar feeding system is delivering bene ts to grassland too.
Calving is split into two blocks with two-thirds calving from September to November and 100 from February to April.
AledEinbock.says:“We have had good results so far.”
As an organic business, the mindset has long been that feeding and looking a er soil life is bene cial for the whole farm and that will be important to all farms, whatever their system, going forward, says Aled.
Slurry and muck are applied to all elds with the soil index dictating the application rate and also whether elds are cut or grazed.
Farmmorewithfreedom
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease in animals. For the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease in animals, you should consult your veterinarian. The accuracy of the data collected and presented through this product is not intended to match that of medical devices or scientific measurement devices. 01207 529000 allflexuk@msd.com Bring more creativity to your farming decisions with SenseHub® Freedom is a deeper connection to your animals in the palm of your hand. With faster and more actionable insights into the reproduction, health and nutrition of your herd, you can target resources on the most important animals and activities, giving time back to you and your family. Get the insights you need to farm with more freedom. Find out more about how SenseHub® could improve the productivity and profitability of your herd by visiting shop.allflex.co.uk/sensehub-for-dairy-farmers
Phil Bicknell is an production.UKandbringingLivestock,ExcellenceCentremanagerdevelopmentcurrentoffromeconomicsagriculturalgraduatetheUniversityReading.Hisrole,businessattheforInnovationininvolvestechnologiesprocessestolivestockfood
e main thing is none of this is new to dairy farmers and we know these changes can actually make a di erence.
While some of these challenges are seasonal or outside our control, net zero is one I believe isn’t going away any time soon. As an industry we can’t bury our heads in the sand and hope it will pass us by or others will deliver it.
At the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL), we have created a practical, easy to follow guide to help dairy farmers make sense of net zero potential on-farm. is summarises ndings from our latest science-based report, ‘Net zero and livestock: How farmers can reduce emissions’.
‘Net zero: The challenge which isn’t going away’
e answer is by improving business and herd e ciency, making small tweaks to the everyday management and focusing on the win-wins. However, the key is knowing where to start.
e reality is that total emissions from UK dairy production did reduce by 16.1% between 1990 and
DAIRYMatters
It was found that for a high-yielding dairy herd, by making improvements to age at rst calving, incor porating the use of a dietary methane inhibitor (30% e ective) and introducing forestry sequestration, the farm business in question saw a 17% reduction in emissions and associated carbon footprint.
For a lower yielding, spring calving dairy herd, the combined e ect of the dietary inhibitor, selling surplus
14 OCTOBER 2022
So the good news is farmers are already tackling net zero. But it is not always recognised. Farmers are aware that we need to meet net zero targets, but I am o en asked ‘how do I play my part?’.
Guide
Evidence from the report suggests that when looking to reduce GHG emissions on dairy farms, the main areas to focus on include: making tweaks to reduce age at calving; maximising productivity relative to cow size; optimising feed e ciency; improving forage quality and utilisation; increasing the maize silage proportion of diets; making use of specialised feed additives, such as methane inhibitors; and using carbon auditing tools to help establish a benchmark and track progress.
As part of our latest report, we put these mitigation strategies to the test and measured the impact across di erent UK farm systems.
airy farming is never short of challenges – the weather, rising input costs, labour shortages and bovine TB are all very real right now. Add in the ability of geo-political uncertainty to amplify volatile commodity markets and planning for uncertainty seems like the only option. And on top of these issues, I’ve yet to mention delivering our shared net zero ambition.
Transport and energy are by far the biggest contribu tors to emissions, but with agriculture accounting for an estimated 11% of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in the UK, agri-food is always going to face pressure to show accountability for its reducing emissions.
Phil Bicknell
2020. And there is room for improvement, with a high proportion of GHG emissions coming from rumination and slurry in the form of methane, or manure and fertiliser through nitrous oxide.
D
e dairy sector o en ‘takes one for team ag’, with cows appearing to take the brunt of criticism for contributions to emissions. However, this ignores the fact that our dairy sector is the source of a range of highly nutritious foodstu s which are in millions of shopping baskets every single week, contributing £4.4 billion to UK agriculture in the process.
Research like this is happening in academic and commercial se ings every day, delivering positive impacts on-farm. I think that demonstrates an industry which is taking responsibility, continuing investment and maintaining a focus on net zero.
heifers, plus improved grassland productivity, along with forestry sequestration, resulted in a 31.5% reduction in the farm’s associated carbon footprint.
sions, due to a reduction in imported feed, cow e ciency and milk yields improved with the new fat supplement. Another CIEL-supported project is also underway at Cornwall’s Duchy College Future Farm, the facility’s rst international carbon-cu ing project. e team is working with Cornwall Council, local farmers and the council of Finistere and Trevarez Research Station in Bri any, France, to establish how sensor technology could help dairy farmers in Cornwall, and across the Channel, reduce carbon emissions.
One example where research is already supporting farmers in reducing emissions is a CIEL-supported project, led by UFAC-UK with the University of Noingham. e study compared the performance of a new palm-free fat supplement developed by UFAC-UK, manufactured from locally sourced vegetable oils and marine oils, against a palm oil-based control diet.
On-farm impacts
To help with some of these focus areas, such as understanding the possibilities with alternative feedstu s or striving for high herd health and welfare, research and development is vital.
As an industry, we need to continue to seek investment opportunities to ensure British food and farming continues to be globally competitive and resilient. It is important this research and development involves and is communicated to farmers.
An important point to remember is there is no quick x or silver bullet. Instead, net zero is about incremental gains and consistent improvements. And those individual actions on your farm can help deliver our wider industry ambition.
And critically, in both of these cases, none of this was achieved by reducing milk production.
Results revealed that alongside reducing carbon emis-
“So the good news is farmers are already tackling net zero. But it is not recognisedalways 15OCTOBER 2022 cows choose... T: +44 (0) 2870 868430 • Charlie Sutcliffe (North) 07703 679023 charlie@wilsonagri co uk • Matthew Evans (South) 07922 422556 matthew@wilsonagri co uk cowcomfort@wilsonagri.co.uk www.wilsonagri.co.uk Comfortably Clean The Cowcoon Hybrid Stall, Puts You In Control. Cubicles • Mattresses • Feed Barriers • LED Lighting • Curtains & Ventilation It is important that research and development, such as the studies carried out at Nottingham University, involves and is communicated to farmers, says Phil Bicknell.
Understanding the cause of abortions
study from the Wales Veterinary Science Centre diagnoseslooking(WVSC)atabortionmadeby
communicate the importance of picking up dog faeces to the public.” e other common cause of abortion was found to be salmonella Dublin, accounting for 16% of abortion diagnoses. Unlike neospora, salmonella Dublin can show clinical signs of disease, such as diarrhoea in youngstock and acute cases of diarrhoea in adult ca le.
When looking to test for salmonella, a faecal test is considered the most e ective testing method. However, bulk milk sampling is also recommended by labs.
Dr Roberts says the bulk tank will be tested for antibodies every three months and, if results come back negative a er one year, there is no salmonella issue.
In terms of management, Dr Roberts says there are more
As the disease does not show any other symptoms, only presenting itself as abortions, it is easy for the disease to go undetected if cows are aborting early in the pregnancy.
Bovine abortion diagnoses at WVSC (May 2015 to May 2022) 45.5%ofratediagnosticWVSC;:SOURCE SalmonellaNeospora Dublin Stillbirth – dystocia StillbirthOther* – bradytocia Listeria Hereditary/developmentalE.coliTrueperellamonocytogenespyogenes abnormalities Aspergillus fumigatus Bacillus licheniformis CampylobacterBVD sp *Other consists of 3% stillbirth – iodine deficiency; 1% pasteurella multocida; 1% salmonella agama; 1% streptococcus pluranimalium; 1% streptococcus sp; and 1% arthrobacter sp.
A
e stage of gestation will determine the e ect the disease will have on the pregnancy, says Dr Roberts. He says: “If a cow becomes infected in the rst trimester, she is likely to abort, but if she is infected later on in the pregnancy, she is
Dr Roberts says: “Infections between the cow and the dog are interlinked, as the dog can also become infected from eating the placenta or foetus from an infected cow, so the cow can also infect the dog.”
“ e key things to do are pick up dog faeces, limit dogs’ access to feed stores and silage clamps, fence along public footpaths, so dogs cannot fowl on pastures and
Dr Roberts says: “If the cow aborts early, there will be no signs of abortion as she will reabsorb the foetus, therefore the cow may just seem di cult to get back in-calf.”
As there is no treatment for neospora, Dr Roberts says managing the disease on-farm is key.
Dr Roberts says if salmonella Dublin is causing abortions, it will most likely be causing other issues on-farm as well.
the centre over the last seven years has shown the two main causes of abortion in cases diagnosed to be neospora and salmonella Dublin.
He says: “Once a cow has become infected, they will most likely continue to abort. erefore the best option is to milk the cow out and sell her as a cull cow.”
likely to give birth to a calf with abnormalities or a calf which looks ne but is infected with neospora.”
dog has fowled and is exposed to the bacteria, causing the cow to also be infected with the protozoan parasite.
16 VET’S VIEW OCTOBER 2022 DEEP GROOVES FOR SOLID FLOORS SLAT DIAMONDGROOVESCUT SAWDUSTSAWDUSTFREE Ideal for dairy cubicles Screened for best quality Soft woodflour available for mattresses DELIVERED TO ALL AREAS For a FREE sample tel: 01325 312154 or email: info@edgarfshepherd.co.uk
Dr Bedwyr Roberts, of Daleside Veterinary Group, says this is in line with what he is seeing on-farm, agreeing that neospora is one of the main reasons for bovine abortions.
Accounting for 18% of diagnoses from the WVSC, neospora is caused by the protozoan neospora caninum parasite, which is found in infected dog faeces, says Dr Roberts.
Reabsorption
While abortions do occur on farms from time to time, it is important to understand what is causing them and how these problems can be avoided. Katie Fallon reports.
He says the main control is removing dog faeces from any areas which the cows will come into contact with.
“Calves are the most vulnerable to the bacteria, therefore if you are seeing increased calf deaths, cases of joint ill or pneumonia, as well as aborting cows, it is likely that salmonella Dublin is present on-farm.”
He says the life cycle of neospora begins with a dog being infected with the disease, then shedding the bacteria from its faeces. e cow then grazes the pasture where the
However, for animals which are infected, the likelihood is they will continue to abort, therefore culling them out of the herd is o en required, says Dr Roberts.
DR BEDWYR ROBERTS
The main way to control outbreaks of neospora is to remove dog faeces from any areas cows will come into contact with.
He also advises leaving slurry in the slurry store for one month before spreading if salmonella is present.DrRoberts says: “By leaving the slurry for a while before spreading it will not eradicate the bacteria, but it will decrease the amount in the slurry before applying it to pastures.”
Dr Roberts also advises vaccinating the whole herd once salmonella is discovered.Hesays:“ e milking herd should then be given an annual booster with youngstock vaccinated as they come through into the herd.”
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ch or eed and e ert se 0800 756 www.nwfagriculture.co.uk2787DairyFeedsForYourHerdDVisit Sh airy Show o 5tWednesdayhOctober
He also advises sending o part of the placenta which has at least one cotyledon a ached, as this will boost the chances of ge ing an accurate diagnosis.
“It is important to send samples o to the lab as quickly as possible, within 24 hours.”
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NWF is the largest British owned supplier of high quality, competitively priced dairy compounds, blends and associated products. your dairy farming system, or s th yo to ro de rst c ass ce and e ert ad ce to ro e herd er or ance and ro tab ty a a ab e nc de s re acers s e ents hts en a s s a e es and to
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While abortions occur on most dairy farms from time to time, once numbers reach a certain threshold it is recommended that investigations should take place.
Dr Roberts advises if numbers reach a threshold of 3% or a cluster of abortions have happened in a short period of time, samples should be taken.
control options available compared to neospora.Asthedisease is mostly introduced through bought-in ca le, Dr Roberts advises ensuring appropriate biosecurity and quarantine measures are in place.
Compromised samples
stra
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It can o en be a challenge to persuade farmers to get a diagnosis or send samples o in good time, however, only 35% of everything submi ed is diagnosed because the condition of the sample is o en too compromised to get an accurate result, says Dr Roberts.
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17 VET’S VIEW OCTOBER 2022
than the milking herd, but they should be treated with equal care and kept in a clean, dry and appropriately stocked environment.”
But Mr Tyrer says data from herds which have had a full mastitis control investigation show this figure is closer to 50%, highlighting the importance of preventative measures during thisMrtime.Tyrer says: “A total of 60% of clinical mastitis cases in the first 100 days originate in the dry period.
He says: “A visual assessment can help to tell you if bedding is adequate. If the bedding is compact and a bit wet underfoot, it is most certainly an unhealthy environment for the cow.”
Further management considerations to reduce the risk of mastitis in this environment include maintaining adequate field drainage to avoid surface flooding or severe poaching and moving dry cows to a different field if the land or gateways become badly poached.Ifpossible, it is sensible to use
multiple gateways to manage poaching or to spread bark in gateways and around feeders.
Mr Tyrer says a clean and dry environment is important to reduce bacterial populations on bedding – as a guide, AHDB recommends that for every dry cow housed in a loosebedded straw yard, provide 250kg of bedding materials a month.
2 Avoid overstocking
Overstocking in a housed environment will increase the chances of udders becoming contaminated.
The dry cow environment must be managed with the same level of hygiene and comfort as for milking cows.
Cubicles for dry cow groups at any stage should conform to the same standard as for the milking cows – to be size-appropriate and with at least 5% more cubicles available than the number of cows.
For cows at pasture, a stocking density no greater than 247 cows/ hectares/day (100 cows/acre/day) is advised – for example a minimum of
K dairy farmers are underestimating the importance of the dry period for mastitis control.
When dry cows are managed at pasture, aim to keep them in the same paddock for no more than two weeks, then rest that paddock for at least four weeks after that. This prevents a build-up of mastitis-causing bacteria and stops the ground from becoming poached.
His advice on how to keep udders healthy during the dry period falls into five key areas.
For cows which are housed during the dry period, ensure there is nothing in the building that poses a risk of injury, as any wounds can result in bacteria colonising the teats and udder.
Research has shown that for a cow producing an annual average milk yield of 10,000 litres, a space allocation of 12.5sq.m each is needed.
For more information, visit FGinsight.com/zoetis NFor a video explaining how to apply OrbeSeal, go FGinsight.com/zoetisto Watch the video OrbeSeal acts to provide an effective barrier in the teat end, says Zoetis.
Assess the cow environment
Ventilation must be good too – cows are at their most comfortable in temperatures below 25degC – but avoid creating draughts.
U
1
18 OCTOBER 2022 SPONSORED CONTENT
Cow environment in the dry period can be a major source of mastitis. Debbie James gets expert advice from Andrew Tyrer, a veterinary consultant at Zoetis, on how to minimise that risk.
Expert mastitis tips
In a recent udder health survey by Zoetis, only 17% of the 234 farmers involved considered this stage to be the primary source of infection on their farm.
“There is sometimes a tendency for dry cows to be given less attention
and not too fat, her immune system is better able to fight off infection.”
4 Use teat sealant to prevent new intramammary infections
Many veterinary practices now have vet technicians trained in body condition scoring to help farmers meet these targets.
He says: “If a cow is not too thin
calving. Inspect cows daily in the first week after drying off.
After nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and
caring for animals worldwide – from livestock farmers to veterinarians and pet owners. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries.
Mr Tyrer says: “Body condition score monthly and consider increasing it to fortnightly in the dry period.”
Apply tape to the tails of treated cows to ensure easy identification at
Cows should ideally be at body condition score 2.5 or 3 at drying off, which should then be maintained throughout the dry period.
Mr Tyrer says every farm should aim to get more than 90% of its herd at that score.
Contact details for inquiries: For further information please see the product’s SPC or contact your veterinary surgeon or Zoetis UK Ltd, Birchwood Building, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7LP • www.zoetis.co.uk • 0345 300 8034
Good hygiene is crucially important when administering it.
Mr Tyrer says: “It is hard to overemphasise how important a thorough teat end disinfection is in the drying off process. It is a very positive situation that so many farmers are now using selective dry cow therapy, but farmers must bear in mind that the highest level of hygiene is needed when using a teat sealant, especially when used in isolation, without antibiotics.”
Mr Tyrer says: “If it is administered in a dirty environment, you can easily introduce bugs such as E.coli and Staph aureus into the udder, which is why the drying off process must be meticulous.”
NVisit ucts-solutions/dairy/mastitiswww2.zoetis.co.uk/prod-
A teat can take two weeks to form a natural seal; in some cases no seal will ever OrbeSealform.acts to provide an effective barrier in the teat end and has been proven to reduce infection in the dry period by 33% on average.
NAs the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals.
5.6ha (14 acres) for 100 cows in a two-week period.
Andrew Tyrer explains that it is hard to over-emphasise how important a thorough teat end disinfection is in the drying off process.
N To download further information, go to seal.guidecloud.mc.zoetis.com/orbe-
In extreme cases, infection at drying off can result in toxic shock and death within 48 hours.
Pre-dip cows and wipe each teat with an individual paper towel, working from the teats furthest away to closest.
Administer antibiotic tubes to cows identified as needing treatment followed by sealant, then dip all teats.
3 Hygiene at drying off
Individually and very thoroughly wipe each teat end with cotton wool soaked in surgical spirit and then administer appropriate dry cow medications.MrTyrerrecommends disinfecting teats and administering dry cow therapy one teat at a time, beginning with the teat the furthest away.
19 SPONSORED CONTENT OCTOBER 2022
For cows identified as needing sealant only, administer sealant utilising the correct infusion technique, taking care not to massage into the udder by holding the top of the teat.
5 Get cows at the correct body condition score
Word from the sponsor
Drying off should be a specific task, not a job done at the end of milking, and an exceptional level of cleanliness is vital.
A trigger for abomasal bloat is offering milk at the wrong temperature.
“Feeding calves a high volume of milk in one si ing or o ering too much or too li le concentrate can delay the emptying of the aboma sum. is can elevate the risk of the bacteria multiplying to reach harmful numbers, thereby causing a build-up of gas.”
many have returned to feeding twice daily. It is much be er for the calf’s health.”
Growth
“In severe cases, the vet can use a needle inserted directly into the abomasum in order to release the gas. Farmers themselves can carry out the treatment, but they will require prior veterinary training. If the procedure is not e ective, the calf will have a poor chance of survival.”
Action
Some producers may a empt to speed up calf growth rates by increasing the percentage of milk solids in the feed, but this is also inadvisable, he adds.
products. I would suggest going up to an absolute maximum of 15%. A higher percentage can cause rapid fermentation in the abomasum and the gases which are generated will make the calf more prone to bloat.” e treatment of abomasal bloat is problematic and symptoms are liable to recur, he says.
Inconsistencies can lead to bloat in calves
oung calves of up to three weeks old are the most vulner able to abomasal bloat, which is highly fatal and commonly associated with problems in the feeding regime, says Brendan John, of Evolution Farm Vets in Somerset.
“It can result in abomasal bloat, because the calf’s digestive system is designed to develop on cow’s milk. Another potential trigger is o ering milk at the wrong temperature. e liquid should be delivered at body temperature, which is 38.5-39.4degC for calves.
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Abomasal bloat in young calves has been linked to incorrect feeding, which can lead to multiplication of harmful bacteria. Wendy Short speaks to a vet about how to protect calves from risk.
He says: “An a empt to cut costs by purchasing a poor quality powder with a high inclusion of plant-based products is a false economy.
20 YOUNGSTOCK OCTOBER 2022
e standard risk factors for abomasal bloat in calves are fairly well documented, but early research is uncovering a potential underlying issue, he says.
they will probably require a large dose of carbohydrate to operate e ectively. Calves with a sub-opti mal colostral intake at birth will be at signi cantly higher risk.
BRENDAN JOHN
e same applies to feeding milk at below optimum temperature.” too hot can result in thedamagephysicaltoabomasum
“We still do not know precisely what causes the disorder, but there are indications of the involvement of one or more types of bacteria. ese are likely to be responsible for driving the fermentation of food and
“It is also worth mentioning that milk which is too hot can result in physical damage to the abomasum, so this should be avoided at all costs.
A calf with early signs of abomasal bloat will normally stop drinking and become lethargic. It may also grind its teeth and kick its belly.
“ ese can include giving milk at slightly the wrong temperature, poor hygiene or not spending enough time on mixing the liquid with the powder.
“Once-a-day feeding will save time, but it is de nitely not recommended. e system was once popular with calf rearers, but there is a good reason why
He says: “One case can develop into two or more. Action must be taken immediately and, if the feeding programme is judged to be adequate, then a combination of small factors may be responsible.
“ e safest option is to avoid increasing the gure much beyond the recommendation of 12.5% milk solids when mixing calf milk
A number of feeding errors or inconsistencies are thought to be responsible, says Mr John.
“If there are still problems with pinpointing the reason behind one or more cases of abomasal bloat, the vet could double-check the milk temperature. A second course of action is to use a refractometer to measure the concentrate level in samples of calf milk fed at the start and the end of a batch.
A farm which experiences even one case of abomasal bloat should review the overall management policy, as the number of cases will rise if the calf care routine is failing to meet recommended guidelines.
whichMilkis
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earing healthy calves is the cornerstone of any dairy business. Vet Ali Haggarty, from south west Scotland, said while colostrum had long been the main focus of calf health, it was one part of a bigger picture.
22 YOUNGSTOCK OCTOBER 2022
source of energy and microbes, which the rumen needs for the fermentation of feed to supply energy to the calf.
However, the reticulorumen needs to increase in size and capacity to develop the muscular wall and forage is important in this process.
JWater is essential for optimal rumen development, which provides the microbes in the rumen with the nutrients they need to grow and multiply. Ms Haggarty said providing plenty of water was essential to allowing the gut microbes to work as efficiently as possible.
JAn important source of fibre which is key to the development of the rumen, Ms Haggarty said forage acted as a ‘tooth pick’, stimulating and developing the rumen by scratching the rumen wall, known as the scratch factor.
“Troughs are a good method of feeding starter feed as it encourages social facilitation. The social aspects of calves are important to help drive concentrate intake, as it gives others the confidence to start eating.” find that energy from somewhere else by Stressthemselves.”issomething to be aware of when weaning and Ms Haggarty advised routine treatments, such as disbudding and castrating, should not be done at the time of weaning, as the calf will already be underAddedstress.stressors could cause an accumulation of stress, which could impact the development of the immune system and impact starter feed intake.
R
vital for the rumen to properly develop, and for this to happen it was important to consider the use and availability of concen trates, forage and water.
JMs Haggarty said starter feed intakes should be between 1-1.5kg/day at the point of weaning. She recommended a process of ‘step down’ weaning, where the quantity of milk is gradually reduced over the space of three weeks, compared to abrupt weaning where milk supply is suddenly stopped overnight.
At an AHDB calf management meeting, vet Ali Haggarty discussed the importance of rumen development in achieving a successful weaning process. Katie Fallon reports.
Practicalitiesconcentratesofweaning
Feeding
Capacity
The importance of rumen development
“Water should not be an afterthought. It is a legal requirement from birth and
She said calves must have easy access to fresh, clean water from birth and ensuring water was clean was essential.
She explained by delaying the introduction of concentrates, potential energy gains are alsoHowdelayed.starter feeds are presented is also very important,
an essential nutrient second only to oxygen.”
She said: “By taking the milk away overnight you are taking away the calf’s source of energy and asking them to
Ms Haggarty said there other areas, such as weaning, which should also be considered as being import ant to the whole rearing period. She said at weaning it was
interior of the rumen wall, increasing the surface area of the rumen for greater nutrientConcentratesabsorption.are also a
a calf is born, the abomasum and the reticulorumen are similar in size.
according to Ms Haggarty, as calves can develop both positive and negative relationships with feeding.
JStarter feed should be provided from birth or within the first week of life, said Ms Haggarty, as it can take three or four weeks for calves to reach adequate concentrate consumption.
Projections
Forage also increases the rumen’s capacity. Ms Haggarty explained when
“Fill a glass with the water you would expect the calves to drink and ask yourself honestly if you would drink it.”
WaterForageConcentrates
JConcentrates are important stimulants for the development of the rumen, in particular the rumen papillae, said Ms Haggarty.
Access
Rumen papillae are fingerlike projections which line the
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urely there is no be er place to run a dairy farm producing prestigious cheese than in the heart of South Africa’s idyllic CapeatWinelands.isexactlywhere Rob Visser wakes up every morning to milk his herd of Jersey cows on Dalewood Farm in the west of this southernmost African nation.
However, it is Rob’s superior pasture management skills which are the foundation of the success of this farm, skills he learned from research.
e farm receives about 800mm of rain per year. A er the spring rains, grass is in be er condition and the cows eat more.
Robtimes.says: “Our cows run on
Rob says: “To help us with our genetics, we run a full DNA evaluation of the herd and breed for A2 beta casein carriers. I need to glean as much data as I can from
S
When the weather is hot, they mostly eat more during the cooler night
ree years ago, Rob came across the work of Australian soil scientist Dr Christine Jones and her work, which looks at the negative impact fertiliser can have on the microbial activity in the soil.
In terms of breeding, Rob uses the best bulls available, with high index gures on his cows via arti cial insemination. His breeding goal is to achieve a fertile cow with good milking traits, longevity, good balance, good udders and high solids.
“We operate a 25% replacement rate. e bull calves are all kept and put out to grass at 10 months old where they receive salt lick blocks and are fed 2kg of grains per day. ey are sold at 20 months old or earlier if we are short of grass.”
26 WORLD DAIRYING SOUTH AFRICA OCTOBER 2022
Producing the milk to make the cheese is a closed herd of 130 Jerseys. Rob adheres to his own precisely formulated grazing plan to achieve the most from the herd and the land, using no arti cial fertilisers, insecticides or weed killers to boost the pastures.
Rob Visser
Best bulls
The milking herd grazes green grass following irrigation or the spring rains.
Rob says: “Cows are milked twice a day using a 10-point swingover system, achieving a yield of 20 litres each at 4.9% bu erfat and 3.7% protein.”
Rob says: “Soil fungi are very important for feeding the grass and helping to release trace elements in the soil and into the plants so they can be absorbed by the cows. is is crucial to herd health and milk quality.
Eco-friendly dairying in South Africa’s winelands
Pastures
His range of award-winning speciality cheeses includes Brie, Camembert and blue in di erent styles. ere are also Huguenot, Boland and Lanquedoc brands unique to Dalewood.
Improving soils and grassland is the focus for Rob Visser, who makes artisan cheeses from the milk produced by his 130-cow Jersey herd. Chris McCullough reports.
the cows, so we use milk recording, full genetic analysis and breeding data capture.
“Fertiliser actually kills microbial activity and fungi in the soil.”
In 2019, Rob planted 14 di erent pasture species, including a variety of cocksfoot grasses; six clover species; vetch, which is a multi-purpose crop; serradella, a winter-growing annual pasture legume; lucerne and a selection of wild turnips and radishes.
Rob monitors grass growth and quality in the pastures each day. If the weather has been hot and the grass density is low, the cows rotate through the pastures quicker. On average, they return to the same paddock every 30 days.
Rob is a second generation farmer and is truly passionate about his cows, his regenerative farming, the cheese produced and the team which helps the family succeed. e cheese business, Dalewood Fromage, is an integral part of Dalewood Farm, producing a range of artisan cheeses with a unique recipe formed by Rob himself.
He says: “Our cows are not
pushed for maximum production. Instead, we try to nd a balanced sweet spot for herd health and nancial gain. e goal here is to achieve a balance, a manageable happy space for people and cows.
dry out and provide a forage which is high in protein for the cows.”
The farm runs a herd of 130 Jerseys plus followers.
rRob Visser is a second generation farmer
- Windy Barn Farm, Cambridgeshire
now use OXY SEAL™ on all of our clamps. We find its strong, easy to use and its certainly helping us to reduce waste.”
rThe farm extends to 45 hectares (111 acres)
27 SOUTH AFRICA WORLD DAIRYING OCTOBER 2022 GET A QUOTE TODAY >> Call: 01206 585090 | Email: sales@arkagriculture.com | www.arkagriculture.com << GET A QUOTE TODAY
“ e heifers and dry cows
graze dry pastures, but we use irrigation in summer on the pastures for the milking herd.
used OXY SEAL™ for the first time and it’s the best silage we’ve ever made! We have no waste, its simple, easy to use and very durable.”
rThe farm runs a herd of 130 plus followers
“However, of course there are challenges here. Dairy farming is very intensive, so free time is very limited and, like everywhere else, the costs of inputs, particularly grains, is very high.”
“We
Oliver Williams
Farm facts
mixed permaculture pastures following the research guides by Dr Jones. e cows are also bu er fed a 12-species oat hay, together with our home-mixed concentrates fed at a at rate of 7kg/day. We do not run any cow groups.
all-in-one o2 barrier silage film | Block oxygen | Eliminate waste | Improve silage quality
“We
rThe farm employs eight staff and the emphasis is on a healthy work-life balance to help retain good workers
Jason Bayley - Lady Leys Farm, Swadlincote
rThe family has farmed at Dalewood Farm for 60 years
“ e temperatures here in South Africa hit the highs from January to March, so we irrigate the milking cows’ pastures during this time. A er that, the pastures
Rob keeps meticulous records on which paddocks the cows have grazed each day, therefore making the rotation system practical and easy to manage.
Jim and Lorna Burdge, South Waterhayne Farm, Devon
ADRIAN Ashley is milking 175 Holstein Friesian cows with an emphasis on producing milk on a minimum input ration.Hetook on the running of the farm at just 17 years of age in 2002 after his father passed away, having been diagnosed with cancer when Adrian had just left school.
At that time, herd numbers stood at the 70-cow mark and, since then, Adrian has continued to invest in the business and build up herd numbers.
Herd performance has also improved year-on-year, with cows averaging 8,000 litres last year and reaching 9,000 litres this year. Cows are fed a simple ration comprising grass and maize silage throughout the year, alongside grazing in summer and cake in the parlour.
Business aims
XResearch planned investments
XConsolidate before moving the business forward
has also been improved over the years and has included the building of a new youngstock shed with space for dry cows, modifications to the existing cubicle shed, three new silage pits, and in August last year, a new 180-cow cubicle shed.
28 OCTOBER 2022 Venue: The Vox Venue, Birmingham | Date: Thursday, October 20, 2022
XProvide an attractive place to work
Adrian Ashley, Lower Tunley Farm, Banes, Somerset
XSecure a business for future generations
work-life balance, both units operate flyingTheherds.couple are also passionate about engaging with the public and Lorna successfully uses social media to champion the industry. She participates in FaceTime a Farmer to help educate schoolchildren about dairy farming.
Business aims
Lorna says their business aim is to produce high constituent milk from grass as efficiently as possible during the grazing system. They are, she admits, ‘grazing nerds’.
The autumn-calving unit is also home to a milk vending machine, run in partnership with the farm’s herdsman.
He says: “We are cautious in what we invest in, but we then like to consolidate and look again at the next investment.”
“We are focused on optimising our grazing and grass utilisation. Regular grass walks are essential to assess grass availability, so we can operate efficient paddock systems.
Dairy Farmer of the Year
Infrastructureyields.
XImprove farm practices to reduce energy, fuel and plastic usage
XReach the 200-cow mark and move towards a closed herd
XEngage with the public
Adrian says he takes a considered approach to any investments made and
Despite the current high milk prices, dairy farmers are also having to cope with ever-increasing input prices and labour challenges. This year’s finalists all demonstrated a commitment to the future of the industry and incredible resilience.
AS tenant farmers, Jim and Lorna Burdge, Devon, run two separate holdings. On one farm they are milking 200 predominantly cross-bred cows on a spring block calving system with cows averaging 5,500 litres. And on the other, there is an autumn block calving herd of 110 Friesian-type cows which are giving an average of 7,500 litres.
In 2006 a new 20:20 herringbone parlour was installed to replace the existing second-hand parlour which was set up in 1996. This investment resulted in shorter milking times and improved milk
However, competition for land in the area is high and the couple say the third tenancy would need to be local and be positioned in a way that would make it attractive to future staff members.
XUtilise home-grown feed effectively
“We also pay close attention to our soil indexes, ensuring we are using slurry appropriately and we carefully plan our fertiliser applications.”
The spring block herd is managed by Jim and Lorna, and the autumn-calving herd is run by a full-time herdsman.
She says: “There is nothing better than running video links with schools and being inundated with questions from children about cows and their milk. They are our future consumer, and building confidence with them now is Lookingvital.”ahead, Jim and Lorna say they would like to expand the business through the tenancy of a third farm.
As a small team, the couple likes to keep the system simple so time can be spent with their children. To achieve this
XKeep vets bills to a minimum by concentrating on cow health and welfare
takes his time to research new additions to the business.
The herd is transitioning from being a flying herd to a closed herd once more. Since October last year, conventional and sexed semen has been used rather than a stock bull and Adrian says the herd should be at the 200-cow mark by the end of this year.
Category sponsored by
WESTCOTT Farm is a tenanted farm owned by Devon County Council, with the Davis family farming the 101 hectares (250 acres) on a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT). A further 18ha (45 acres) are rented from the same landlord on a short-term tenancy, and a further 22ha (55 acres) rented from a private landlord on a five-year FBT.
XPresent a good public image at all times
destiny’.Hesays: “Diversifying has allowed us to purchase new equipment and invest in facilities and staff.”
Grass growth, says Morgan, has been the biggest change since the move to dairy farming, with 10.4 tonnes of dry matter (DM) per hectare achieved in 2020, 11.2t DM/ha in 2021, and the farm on target to reach 12t DM/ha this year, despite the drought-like conditions seen across the country.
“We need to ensure our business and our farm suppliers are accountable for their actions and present a good image to the public at all times.”
XPay back debts quickly and build capital in order to expand
Morgan had just returned home after attending college and working on a dairy farm to gain some experience ahead of the changes to the farm, which included the installation of a 50-bale rotary parlour and new Morganbuildings.says:“We milked 350 heifers in 2020. I then started a joint venture with a neighbouring farm to start milking 550 in the 2021 season.”
XBecome self-sufficient and reduce reliance on imported goods
He also wants to expand the business in the future, but for the shortterm, he aims to ensure the home farm is run as efficiently as possible.
The Davis Family, Rivermead Dairy, Westcott Farm, Devon
This year, the business is also collecting milk from six Holstein herds, with this milk transported to producers of halloumi, mozzarella and paneer cheeses.Gordon says the setting up of this
This improvement is down to Morgan’s strategies on paddock
This is all part of their focus on sustainability, adds Gordon.
The joint venture will come to an end at the end of this year and Morgan says he will be milking 400 Jersey cross Friesians next year.
XControl costs and management methods
FOLLOWING the death of his father, Richard, in April 2020, Morgan Tudor took on the running of his family’s dairy farm at the age of just 17.
He says: “The cows are here to make the best use of the grass we grow and turn that into profit. Therefore, it is essential grass comes first as it is the most important aspect of our business.”
XKeep improving grassland yield
XProduce high quality milk from healthy cows
Gordon Davis
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Noted for its success on the show circuit, the Rivermead herd is fully housed and Richard explains there is an emphasis on cow health and welfare. Examples of this include the herd’s strict Johne’s control strategy and their commitment to reducing antibiotic usage, with only 4 per cent of the herd receiving a dry cow tube at drying off.
Morgan Tudor, Llysun Farm, Llanerfyl, Powys
XPrepare for rising energy and fuel costs
The wider family are involved in the business, but the main family members looking after the day-to-day running are Gordon Davies and his sons Mark and Kevin, alongside herdsman Richard Saxby.The farm is home to a herd of 280 Jersey cows and their followers, with the milking portion producing about two million litres of high constituent milk eachRivermeadyear. Dairy also buys-in an additional 4m-5m litres from Jersey milk producers across the south of England.
“The general public may well demand far higher welfare standards and accountability than they do presently. We, as farmers, need to be prepared for this and answerable to it.
29OCTOBER 2022
Business aims
Using their own fleet of tankers, this milk is then distributed to processors of high-end and speciality cheeses and desserts, alongside more traditional products, such as Devonshire clotted cream, ice cream and yoghurts.
He says: “I have no fear of the future and I look forward to it directly and the challenges it will bring.”
Business aims
grazing, careful muck and slurry use, reseeding, the use of break crops to break up weed burdens and the introduction of nitrogen fixing clover and grass mixes.
second dairy business has allowed the family to ‘be in control of their own
Looking ahead, Morgan is considering the environmental aspects of his family’s business and has started to reduce fertiliser usage, is considering renewable energy options, and he aims to become self-sufficient in terms of feed.
At the time, the Tudor family was just four weeks into its first calving season, having recently made the decision to convert from a beef and sheep farm to a block-calving dairy unit.
XImplement measures to help industry reach net zero targets
Standing power
“And note KWS Pasco, which has the highest starch yield across the entire descriptive list at 6.66t/ha, plus a yield of 19.3t DM/ha, good standing power and eyespot resistance.”
DM, starch at 34.6% and very good resistance to eyespot.
Of the three varieties added to the Very Favourable Descriptive List, Smoothi CS is the highest yielding at 19.5t DM/ha (7.9t DM/acre), with a good ME yield, good early vigour and good standing power.
“Both have good early vigour so would be suitable for good quality silage in more challenging growing conditions where fungicides are used to control eyespot.”
e ME yield is an important factor for achieving high biogas yields.
Saxon is one of the new entrants on the 2023 Favourable First Choice List.
Cold springs delayed sowing and tested early vigour, prolonged drought conditions and high temperatures challenged growth, with some high levels of lodging and some very wet conditions delaying harvest.
Jeremy Widdowson, BSPB’s variety trials co-ordinator says the Fa-
Saxon and Dignity from Limagrain, alongside KWS Anastasio and KWS Pasco from KWS, are new entrants on the 2023 Favourable First Choice List.
“ e Very Favourable Descriptive List is produced from speci c trials sites where breeders choose to test later maturing varieties with highest yield potential and suitable for producers growing to maximise yield as a feedstock for anaerobic digesters where sites have a long growing season and very favourable conditions.”
Dr Sweetman says: “KWS Anastasio is the next highest yielder at 19.6t DM/ha, an ME yield of 226 kMJ/ha and starch yield of 6.26t/ha, with good standing power and eyespot resistance.
NIAB’s forage crop specialist Dr Ellie Sweetman says forage maize crops and descriptive trials have faced signi cant challenges over the past few years.
Abrisse is the earlier maturing at 35.5% at harvest with a yield of 18.6t DM/ha (7.5t DM/acre). Cranberri CS achieved 19.2t DM/ha (7.8t DM/acre) at 34.4% dry ma er.
Dignity, Saxon and KWS Pasco also feature on the Less Favourable First Choice List, with Debalto added to the Less Favourable Second Choice List.
ine new varieties have been added to the 2023 Forage Maize Descriptive Lists published
He says: “Trials data from less favourable sites show the performance of varieties in shorter, cooler growing seasons.
30 MAIZE OCTOBER 2022
vourable Descriptive List uses trial data from sites with the longest potential growing season, with warmer spring soils for early establishment.
Of the Less Favourable Descriptive List varieties, KWS Pasco sits just behind Resolute with a yield of 19t DM/ha (7.7t/ha) at 33.4%
recently by the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB).
Dr Sweetman says: “Dignity and Saxon both yield well at 18.7t and 18.9t DM/ha respectively, and starch levels at 33.6% and 33.4%, but both have some susceptibility to eyespot. Dignity is the earlier maturing with 35.1% dry ma er at time of harvest, Saxon at 34%.
Debalto (KWS) and ES Myrdal (Grainseed) have been added to the Favourable Second Choice List.
Maize variety selection for the 2023 growing season
N
Very favourable Cranberri CS (Grainseed), Smoothi CS and Abrisse, both from Lidea France, have been added to the Very Favourable Descriptive List.
Of the new varieties, Dr Sweetman highlights Saxon as the highest yielding on the Favourable Descriptive List at 19.8 tonnes of dry ma er (DM) per hectare (8t DM/acre), a metabolisable energy (ME) yield of 231 kMJ/ha and starch yield of 6.5t/ha (2.6t/acre), but with some susceptibility to eyespot so less suitable in damper growing conditions.
e concept mimics the natural grazing behaviour of wild ruminants in big herds, which intensively graze in one area and then move on.
A new trial aims to test if tall grass grazing, sometimes known as mob grazing, can boost forage fields while maintaining milk production and supporting nature and soil health. Dairy Farmer reports.
“I am hoping to see that tall grass can be used as a tool by dairy farmers to improve soil health and functionality.”
ey farm a block calving system of 360 cows and are determined to utilise all of their elds while minimising their use of organic fertilisers and supporting be er biodiversity and water quality, but without risking the yield of their herd.
Sarah Morgan, of Harper Adams University, says: “Biology takes quite a long time to adapt to management changes. Although this field lab is set to run for three years, that time span may yet prove to be too short to find significant changes and differences between the tall grass and control treatment.
forage samples – with research support from Harper Adams University.Inaddition, one farm is working with Folye Food Group to look at growth rates of cattle, weekly calf worm counts, dung beetles and brix measurements on the same group as this trial.
e idea is to test the practice on both milking cows and some youngstock and dry cows to nd out if mob grazing can add value to a dairy business.
Tracking the impact
“A er our rst weighing, the tall stemmy grass is giving similar growth rates of 0.8kg/day to the conventionally grazed grass. Time will tell if there is enough nutrition to have good growth rates all season. ere is a lot to discover and
e stock grazes on the basis that one-third of the forage is available to feed the cows, one-third is trampled to feed the soil and one-third is le so the plant can regrow more rapidly. e cows are moved on frequently to prevent overgrazing.
An Innovative Farmers trial is looking at whether tall grass grazing practices can work for dairy herds.
JWhile there is a need to maintain animal health and production, the trial also aims to test and research improvements in soil health, particularly improving the balance of bacteria and fungi to increase nutrient availability in fields.
Applying this method to grazing systems by controlling where ca le graze can allow the grass to grow up to 50% taller, meaning seed heads can develop and root structures are stronger, which boosts soil health and biodiversity.
kg/dry ma er on the plate meter and she reports it is ge ing quite a bit of trampling, which helps add organic ma er to the soil.
environments, which is not what we have here in the Severn Vale, so I am really keen to see how it works on my farm.
Field lab participant Debbie Wilkins farms a 364-hectare (900-acre) mixed conventional farm on a oodplain in the Severn Vale with dairy beef and arable.
Ms Wilkins is grazing weaned to 12-month-old calves in the trial, in two groups on daily moves. Half are on grass leys sown with grasses and herbs which cope with ooding and the other half are on permanent pasture ood meadows.
e tall grass group is going in at high covers of 6,000-plus
32 GRAZING SYSTEMS OCTOBER 2022
manage and it will be interesting to see how it progresses.”
T
She says: “I have heard mob grazing works well on bri le
Tom and Sophie Gregory, who have been ba ling with underperforming elds on their 364ha (900acre) organic dairy farm in Dorset, are also involved in the trial.
A focused look at mob grazing
Mr Gregory says he thinks there could also be animal health bene ts. He says: “As the animals will move on at a faster rate, there will potentially be fewer ies and the stock will not be grazing as low, meaning there should be less exposure to uke and worm eggs. We should minimise the risk of underfeeding as they will be eating what they need, resulting in optimum health and production.”
he latest eld lab from Innovative Farmers has seen six dairy farmers team up with researchers to see if tall grass grazing practices can work for dairy herds following on from success for UK beef ca le.
Periodic samples
They aim to see if paddockstyle grazing reduces need for wormers and if the diverse herbal seed mix is better than typical grass clover pastures.
Underpinning the trial are periodic soil samples, the farmers’ ongoing pasture assessments and periodic
Involvement
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33OCTOBER 2022
And keeping sta fresh was crucial, he said.
Hugh Pocock
“If you have tired sta , everything goes wrong. Out of the 14 sta we have, 11 are Eastern European and they want to work as many hours as they can to earn money.
Misconceptions
John Torrance
He said: “Your reputation and how you behave with your team and the culture you create are crucial.
He said: “For the dairy sector, we need full-time sta . Seasonal workers are no good for us. We are applying pressure from the NFU to encourage the Government to get more sta coming back.”
could not earn enough and wanted to return to the UK.
Mr Torrance also said that improving the facilities provided for the cows also helped the sta , as ani mals present with fewer problems.
Making the industry more attractive
airy farming needs to nd a way of making itself more a ractive to those not already working in it, was the message from farmer and NFU dairy board member John Torrance, who was speaking during a panel session looking at sustain ableMremployment.Torrance,whose family won the 2020 Gold Cup, said this would help the sector address its current employment shortage, although he added that a change in Government policy to allow more overseas workers in would help.
Employers needed to ensure new recruits were welcomed into the business, said Mr Torrance, and were given appropriate support as they learned the job. He suggested it might take up to 18 months for a new recruit to get fully up to speed.
e sector still had to overcome massive misconceptions among career professionals, she said.
Hugh Pocock said it was important to create a workplace where people enjoyed working.
34 OCTOBER 2022 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT Sustainable dairy farming was the theme of discussion at UK Dairy Day, held for the eighth year at the International Centre in Telford. Katie Jones, Ellie Layton and Jonathan Wheeler report. 36 MESSAGING Proud to farm 38 NUTRITION Focus on yield peak 40 SHOW Cattle class report 44 PREMIER HERDS Competition results 46 LAUNCHES Products and services 48 GRASS Multi-species advice
“We have a lot of very good stock managers, but we do not put enough time or e ort into training people to lead people as well as leading cows.”
“We might be thought of as
“When they ask to work extra days, I say no and tell them to go home, freshen up and be ready to come again. When you get tired or sha ered, sta productivity falls o a cli .”
having one or two people too many, but it is not too many because we get a lot of other jobs done.
D
“We now do things such as scan ning our cows ourselves. e sta have really taken to that.”
“Get that wrong and it can have a negative impact on the team and block other people from coming into your business.”
He explained his sta stuck to a ve-day week so they had time with their families.
He added that new recruits really needed to understand how the busi ness worked from start to nish, and frequent communication was essen tial, as was informing everybody of any changes being made.
Tess Howe, from the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, said building a work force which had the necessary skills and was con dent enough to use them was key.
Terry Pickthall, who organises work placements for more than 200 Harper Adams University students every year, said the industry needed to address personnel issues.
“ e day-to-day running of the unit is le to the sta . ey have the responsibility to run it themselves, as well as the enthusiasm and the drive.
And sta meetings o en involved suppliers such as vets and health and safety consultants, which Mr Tor rance said meant any changes being made could be fully discussed.
e cost of living in Eastern Europe had ‘gone through the roof’, he added, to the extent that workers
Hugh Pocock, from recruitment consultants Cultura, said the key was creating a workplace where people enjoyed working.
Freephone: 0800 783 7258 www.cogentuk.com FOLLOW US ON:
He said: “It is not as xed as the old EU schemes were. We will adapt as we see what works and what brings about the best outcomes.”
John Allen
‘Be proud of what you do every day’
And he encouraged farmers to look at what was on o er, and said the details of the schemes would be amended according to the reaction to the various pilot schemes.
In the panel session, he said some advantages of leaving the EU were becoming apparent, notably not being tied to the new policy, which was aiming for 25% organic production and a reduction in livestock numbers.
John Powell
He added that Defra did not want to see the country become dependent on imported food in the same way it now was for some of its energy supplies.
D
airy farmers should be ‘massively proud’ of what they do every day and of the quality of food they produce, said John Allen, of Kite Consulting, speaking at one of the UK Dairy Day panel sessions.
“For every kilogram of carbon we emit, we get much more nutrition out of a dairy cow than we do from any of the other plant-based alternatives. at is a massive message.”
He said: “It is only about 1-2% soya, which is a very low proportion. ey add limestone for calcium and additives such as oils in order
“ e message we need to get over to consumers is that in terms of sustainability and nutrition, dairy milk has an amazing story to tell. Nutritionally, the other products are not even in the same eld.”
36 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022
Kite’s John Allen said the message to consumers needed to centre on the sustainability and elementsnutritionalofmilk.
to create a ‘lookalike’ dairy product. ey have taken something with very poor nutritional value and added a lot of things to try and match cows’ milk.
Policy
Speaking a er the panel session, he added that products such as soya milk contained a range of other ingredients.
He said: “We can control our policy in the UK, so we can do the right thing and put food security at the heart of policy. Sustainable food production and food security are not in con ict with each other – they go together.”
While the industry was o en widely criticised for its environmental record, he said dairy farming had an excellent story to tell.
helping feed a growing world population, and how they ed into the overall food chain.
He added that the cow represented a fantastic resource in terms of its ability to recycle resources.
“We have become more conscious of that and policy is changing to re ect that, but that is a natural progression rather than an admission that we got it wrong in theepast.”proposed Environmental Land Management scheme was already being amended to make it easier to access and use, in response to results and reactions to the pilot schemes, he said.
John Powell, of Defra, said its policy for the industry revolved around three main themes: environmental land management; productivity and innovation; and animal health/welfare.
95% now – the industry could reduce its carbon footprint by a further 30% by 2030.
He said: “We want farmers to be more market-focused and for Defra to support when it can.”
Mr Allen suggested dairy farmers should also be proud of their role in
He also said that by harnessing new technologies, such as sexed semen – the use of which has risen from 15% a few years ago to about
• Reduction in microbial activity also hinders volatile fatty acid production, which provides a key energy source for cows.
2: Milk production in cows supplemented with all IntelliBond (light blue line) shows improved milk production versus sulphates (dark blue line) or a sulphate/ organic mix (green line).
• These ions form insoluble complexes and stop many essential nutrients such as phosphorous and other minerals, as well as toxin binders being available to the cow.
It is well known that not all trace mineral sources are equal and ongoing research has found that sulphate sources of trace minerals, which are the most commonly used inorganic minerals, may harm dairy cow performance due to their interactions both in feed and in the Sulphatesrumen.are
highly soluble and upon contact with moisture free metal ions can attach to microbes in the rumen as well as interact with other essential ingredients or additives in the feed:
Optimal rumen fermentation leads to better NDF digestibility versus when sulphates are fed (figure 1) and improved energy availability to the cow through increased volatile fatty acid production. Ultimately, the effects of IntelliBond on bioavailability of nutrients and rumen fermentation result in an improvement of performance and health of dairy cows (figure 2).
NDF digestibility in dairy cows fed sulphate sources (dark blue bars) compared to IntelliBond (light blue bars).
• NDF (fibre) digestibility is reduced due to the negative interactions between sulphate minerals and microbes which prevent rumen fermentation.
Figure
By Isabelle England, Ruminant Nutritionist, Trouw Nutrition GB
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Trace minerals are an essential part of a dairy cow ration for biological functions such as immune function, reproduction and growth. While present in forages and other feeds, additional supplementation is needed to meet animal requirements with careful consideration given to source.
Trace mineral management has changed significantly in the last 20 years. The newest form of trace mineral is IntelliBond, which combats the negative effects of sulphates due to its limited reactivity and lack of solubility in the rumen meaning they essentially by-pass the negative effects and damage to microbes.
30%35%40%45%50%55%digestibilityNDF IntelliBondSulphates Dairy by-product diet 35% forage Dairy forage diet 64% forage 49.8% 51.2% 43.0% 45.9% +1.4 +2.9 555045403530 Week relative to calving kg/day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 IntelliBondSulphates/organicSulphates IntelliBond helps to maintain the quality of the ration you are feeding, optimising nutrient availability and accuracy in not only mineral balancing but overall ration balancing. Follow on in the next issue to see further how IntelliBond represents one of the highest quality trace mineral technologies available for animal nutrition today. In the meantime, if you want to start to take action now reach out to us at trouwnutrition.co.uk/intellibond
Figure 1:
He advised pu ing the cost against this ‘earlier’ peak period rather than increasing nutrition costs during the entire lactation, as this peak yield investment would represent a be er return on investment.
R
scenario, and advised producers to be on the look out for signs of negative energy balance during this period.
Speaking during a seminar session at UK Dairy Day he said one area of focus could be to be er manage the lactation curve. And rather than trying to level o the lactation curve, which would be like ‘pushing against nature’ Mr Clay said farmers could look at investing around the time of the peak in the lactation curve.
“If you increase peak yield you are still going to see a drop o in yield of about 8-10% each month, but if you can maintain a similar level of drop o a higher peak then this will allow the capture of some bonus litres.”
ather than look at historic data coming out of dairy herds, Adam Clay, head of technical at NWF, said farmers should instead look at what ‘lead measures’ could be taken advantage of this winter.
In order to get the most out of this investment in the peak lactation period, Mr Clay said there was no silver bullet and instead it was about ‘a ruthless execution of the basics’. is he said included ensuring dry ma er intakes were good. “Intake is king. If you can get good intakes re gardless, it will give your nutritionists more options for improvements.”
He added that time was of the es sence. “Make the changes now and reap the bene ts this winter. If you are asking what you should be doing
38 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022 Tel: 075 9424 4303 60 WithholdingMilkHours Controls all Major Worm burdens including Adult Fluke in Dairy Cows • Low dose : easy to give with Hook Drencher • Economical at less than £1.00 per cow • Contains Albendazole for proven effectiveness www.univet.ie A PROVEN WORMER FOR CATTLE & DAIRY COWS ‘Ruthless execution of the basics’ Make the changes now and reap the benefits ADAM CLAY
“As a rule of thumb, if you in crease the peak yield by one litre, the impact on the total lactation would be about 200 litres”, said Mr Clay.
RedandisfeedingOnce-a-dayofcalvesinfactillegalcontravenesTractor
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“Once-a-day feeding of calves is in fact illegal and contravenes Red Tractor and other farm assurance scheme standards. It is also considered to potentially lead to abomasal disorders.”
However, the group said it believed there was still a need
In a statement, Ruminant Health and Welfare said: “While historically reports have shown feeding of calves has been inconsistent, it is now recommended that dairy calves are fed significantly more milk or
39 REPORT UK DAIRY DAY OCTOBER 2022 Prefer to speak to a human? Give us a call on 01963 824448
to reiterate the importance of wholesale adoption of the ‘twice a day’ guidance on feeding replacement milk powder or indeed whole milk to young calves.
JRuminant Health and Welfare reiterated the legal requirement for providing calves with at least two milk feeds a day until 28 days of age.
The reminder from the steering group comes at a time of severe cost pressure in the sector, leading to debate on social media about whether farmers can switch to once-a-day feeding of milk to calves in the first 28 days of their life.
JOHNNY MILLER, LANCASHIRE
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milk powder than in the past.
ratio compared to older animals.
It is now recommended that dairy calves are fed significantly more milk or milk powder than in the past.
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“This is very important for the health and wellbeing of the calf as they develop, but also for weight gain and growth as it is well known that young animals have a more efficient feed conversion
Steve Paul
RUMINANT HEALTH AND WELFARE
The group said most dairy farmers followed best practice guidelines and the legal requirement to provide calves a milk ‘liquid’ feed at least twice a day during the first month and beyond, and in the main they were adhering to instructions from milk replacer manufacturers.
Calf feeding statement
ick of the day for judge Lynn Lee, who travelled 4,000 miles from his home in Tennessee to judge the National Ayrshire Show at UK Dairy Day, was Morwick Reality Emerald, from the Howie family, Acklington, Northumberland.
Tapped out as reserve champion was Wigboro Wick Triclo Helena 2, bred and exhibited by John Smith, St Osyth, WinningEssex.herjunior cow in milk class and a prize for best udder, this Sandyford Triclo-sired cow is out of Twemlow Helena 19, which was purchased from Beeston in 2016 from Messrs Barnett, Cheshire.
Mr Liddle praised the exhibitors for the exemplary final line-up and said: “This cow stood out. She had character which could not be
ScrivenerTim:PICTURES
Champion in the National Ayshire Show, Morwick Reality Emerald, from the Howie family, Acklington, Northumberland.
Judging taking place at this year’s UK Dairy Day.
40 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022
Sired by Ladys Manor Halo Armour and out of home-bred Styche Captain Hilgonda, this cow has averaged 13,321kg over her four lactations.
Champion in the National Holstein Show, Styche Armour Hilgonda, from Seaton Farms, Cheshire.
She was shown at the fixture last year, where she took a second place rosette in the intermediate cow class.
she calved in July and gave 10,546kg in her first lactation.
Morwick Reality Emerald takes Ayrshire National title
Currently in her second lactation,
The Styche herd stole the show in this year’s Holstein National, judged by Adam Liddle, who milks a herd of 70 Holsteins in Cheshire-basedArgyle.Seaton Farms
exhibited Styche Armour Hilgonda, which won the five-year-old in milk class before taking the national title.
She has won multiple prizes previously, including champion cow in the Shropshire herd competition.
Sired by West Mossgiel Mordern Reality and out of home-bred cow Morwick Beacon Emerald, she fought off the competition in a strong senior cow in milk class.
P
This February 2016-born cow was freshly calved in June and produced 6,544kg with 4.76% butterfat and 3.14% protein in her last lactation.
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rHolstein (A. Liddle, Argyle) Sup., Seaton Farms, Styche Armour Hilgonda EX95; Messrs Laird, Wilt Bailay VG89.
Kedar Super Nova Harmony, from R.J. Miller, Mouswald, Dumfries, took the reserve spot. Winning her senior cow in milk class, this fifth calver was last year’s honorable mention at the show.
This June 2018-born cow produced 10,340kg in her first lactation with 5.38% butterfat and 3.67%
matched with strength, depth and dairyness.”Arecent import from France, Wilt Bailay VG89, landed the reserve title for Colin Laird, Blythbridge Hol steins in West Linton, Peeblesshire.
Marleycote Olive 24. Currently in her second lactation after calving in July, she produced 7,613kg on her first with 4.18% butterfat and 3.51% protein.
The breed judge, David Winning ton, said: “Deciding this championship was an easy choice. This cow had the wow factor, which was complemented by excellent locomotion, poise and dairy style.”ereserve title went to Churchroyd Fay 20, which had ear lier stood second to the champion in the junior cow class. Exhibited by the Collins family, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, this home-bred cow is by Churchroyd Pharaoh and out of Churchroyd Fay 15.
rDairy Shorthorn (D. Winnington, Stafford) Sup., G.G. Baynes, Marleycote Olive 27; res., I.R.G. Collins, Churchroyd Fay 20.
rJersey (E. Barret, Cork) Sup., E.M., E. and I. Morgan, Erie Victorious Caramel; res., A.H. Wilson, Tregibby Panama Tequila.
Rosa, which took the championship title of this year’s National Brown Swiss Show after being reserve breed champion in 2018 and 2019.
Jersey champion, Erie Victorious Caramel, from the Morgan family, Carmarthenshire.
Erie Victorious Caramel was crowned Jersey champion after winning her junior cow in milk class. Part of the Carmarthenshire-based show team from the Morgan family, Caramel is by River Valley Victorious and out of Eire Caramel EX93.
perfect example of a Guernsey breed ing cow, medium-sized with a well attached fore and rear udder, with a very sweet head. She will be a suc cessful cow for years to come.”
rBrown Swiss (D. Galbardi, Brescia, N. Italy) Sup., T. Lochhead, Kedar Rosa; res., R.J. Miller, Kedar Super Nova Harmony.
Despite limited showing chances over the past few years, Bijou was runner-up at the All Breeds All Britain Calf Show in 2019 and Bath and West dairy inter-breed back in June.
In her first lactation, she gave 6,372kg with 4.39% butterfat and 3.59% protein.
Reserve
rGuernsey (L. Sales, Somerset) Sup., R. Norman and P. Whetham, Je-Tamie Double
Sired by Kedar Super Nova, she is out of Kedar Seattle Heineken and is giving 32kg daily.
was National Champion in 2019. She is in her third lactation and is producing 89kg daily.
Guernsey
Exhibited by Michael Dawes and family, Banbury, Graceful is a September 2017-born cow by Coulee Crest Fame Latimer and out of Brymor Graceful 21 EX90.
rAyrshire (Judge, L. Lee, Tennessee) Supreme, M.A. Howie, Morwick Reality Emerald; reserve, J. Smith, Wigboro Wick Triclo Helena 2.
42 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022
L Bijou 2; res., M. Dawes, Edgehill Latimer Graceful.
Dairy Shorthorn champion, Marleycote Olive 27, from the Marleycote herd, Hexham.
Securing the top prize in the Guernsey section was the Guernsey cow, Je-Taime Double L Bijou 2, bred and exhibited by Richard Norman and Polly Whetham, Yeovil, Somerset.
Clinchingprotein.thereserve title after winning her senior cow in milk class was Tregibby Panama Tequila. This home-bred cow made the four-hourjourney with the Wilson family, Cardigan. Sired by Tower Vue Prime Tequila and out of Tregibby Comer ica Panama, this nine-year-old cow is averaging 35 litres daily.
Results
Fighting off the competition to become Dairy Shorthorn champion was the Hexham-based Marleycote herd. This made the four-and-a-halfhour journey to Telford worthwhile, as their home-bred junior cow, Mar leycote Olive 27, won champion of theThissection.January 2019-born cow is by Shaunlea Gangster and is out of
Bred and exhibited by the Lochhead family, Mouswald, Dumfries, Rosa is a December 2015born cow by Scherma Glenn Bloom ing and out of Kedar Rhapsody, which
In the reserve spot was Edgehill Latimer Graceful VG88, which stood second to her champion in their junior cow in milk class.
Calved in July, she is in her third lactation, producing more than 6,000kg annually, with 4.78% butterfat and 3.58% protein.
The Guernsey judge Laura Sales applauded this cow being an all-rounder. She said: “This is the
This May 2017-born junior cow is by Pine Ridge Double L and was shown giving 35 litres at 5.28% butterfat and 3.9% protein.
She was reserve Holstein champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show and is a daughter of De Oosterhof Willems Eage and out of Wilt Brazilia. She calved in January and is in her secondThirdlactation. time’sacharm for Kedar
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Outstanding
97 animals classi ed as Very Good and 46 as Excellent.
rNorthern Ireland – W. and A. Patton, Ards herd
rWestern – Riverdane Holsteins
“Accuracy avoids ‘feed refusals’ when feed is left over at the end of the day.”
e Moorhouse family, which won a Master Breeder Award in 2018, runs a grass-based herd with bu er fed in summer and total mixed ration in winter.
T he ashasNorthherdAireburnfromSkipton,Yorkshire,beencrownedthewinnerof
Yorkshire herd wins Holstein UK Premier Herd Award
one of the seven regional win ners and nalists in the National Premier Herd Competition.
Derrick Davies
“We can feed 28 ingredients 60 times a day through our robots.”
THE seven regional winners of the competition were:
JThe new product competition held at UK Dairy Day was won by Agsenze with its HerdVision 3D camera.
rScottish – B. and V. Davidson, Errolston herd
e award recognises the most outstanding Holstein herd in the country, with the winner of each individual club’s herd competition competing against neighbouring clubs to become
rWelsh – R. and E. Bowen, Lan herd
animal and he urged farmers to explore a wide range of ingredients.
He suggested that would be more difficult to achieve in a conventional system.
He added: “In addition, automated systems provide a huge volume of data which can assist farmers and nutritionists to make sound management decisions.”
Brian and Judith Moorhouse, who represent the Northern region, were presented with the award at UK Dairy Day.
“I really admire how uniform the herd is and, combined with being modern in size, they really would t any system.”
Prominent families include the Bevins, Dellias and Honeys and there are currently
ere have been a number of on-farm sales over the years and, unfortunately in 2001, most of the herd was lost to foot-and-mouth disease. How ever, 40 young heifers were retained, which form the foun dations of today’s herd.
44 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022
Winner of competitionproduct
JFeed accounts for 50-60% of the costs of running a livestock farm.
‘My kind of cows’ National Premier Herd judge and 2021 winner, Max Davies, of the Davlea herd, visited each of the nalists and, commenting
rEastern – Messrs Winter, Corringham herd
Regional winners
on the Aireburn herd, said: “ ese are my kind of cows. e herd is exceptionally uniform with great balance of frames, exceptional width of chest and rump, combined with quality udders throughout the herd.
Keeping tabs on dairy feed costs
The key to achieving efficiency was to feed animals regularly, consistently and ‘to demand’, he said.
But unlike many other costs, they are something farmers can do something about, said Derrick Davies of Lely Atlantic.
Rations should be tailored to the need of each type of
HerdVision provides automated cow health and productivity monitoring.
rSouthern – Wills Brothers, Willsbro Holsteins
rNorthern – G.B. Moorhouse, Aireburn herd
Left to right: Holstein UK president John Jamieson, Judith and Brian Moorhouse and competition judge Max Davies.
e Aireburn herd was established in 1968 by the late George Moorhouse, before moving to Hesper Farm in 1971.
Robots
the 2022 Holstein UK National Premier Herd Award.
e Errolston herd of B. and V. Davidson were runners-up in the competition and honourable mention went to the Nutsford family’s Riverdane herd.
Highly commended was TransformPro from Carr’s Billington, and the judges special mention went to Genotyped Embryos on Demand from Semex UK.
In the report case studies were used to demonstrate the e ectiveness of di erent carbon saving strategies across UK live stock systems. e ndings have been summarised in this prac tical guide for dairy producers and showcase how emissions could be reduced if changes or further developments to current farm practices are implemented. is new guide is action-
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The new look dashboards on the desktop portal can be customised by each user to highlight the KPIs they feel are most important to them, and the tiles on the dashboard can highlight clear historical trends which can be analysed in more detail if Herdlyncrequired.isalso suitable for use within block calving systems.
It comes in boxes of 100, with a recommended retail price of £19.95 plus VAT.
The updated software can be fully integrated with a range of parlour and
practical guide has been launched to help dairy farm ers reach net zero (CIEL)ationlishedkeydairy-focussedfootprint,adoptstrategiesConcentratingtargets. onmitigationdairyfarmerscantoreducetheircarbonthisnewguideisasummaryoftheaspectsfromareportpubbytheCentreforInnovExcellenceinLivestockearlierthisyear,titled
activity monitor systems.
46 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022 Feed Processing Specialists Please visit www.enegis.co.uk for more photos or call 01789 205132 or 07721 442979 Tub Grinders
machinery, is made of nitrile, a synthetic rubber which provides durability andTheelasticity.orange glove is available in sizes M to XXL, and choosing a larger size than usually worn is recommended due to its thicker design.
Get a good grip
CIEL’s modelling work found that for a high-yielding dairy herd, making improvements to age at rst calving, incorporat
Improvements
ing the use of a dietary methane inhibitor (30% e ectiveness) and introducing forestry seques tration, the farm business in question saw a 17% reduction in their carbon footprint.
driven, highlighting how making management changes to reduce age at rst calving, optimising feed e ciency, making use of specialised feed additives, such as methane inhibitors, and using carbon auditing tools, are some areas of focus that can have a big impact on a farm’s carbon emissions.
Net Zero and Livestock: How farmers can reduce emissions.
Steps to reduce carbon emissions
There were a range of new services and products on show at Dairy Day. Katie Jones takes a look at a selection of them.
Exclusive UK Distributor of Haybuster & Rotogrind Grinders. - Range of models from 5t - 25t / hour output. - New, used & refurbished machines available. - Ideal for straw, hay, green waste, roots, biogas feeds etc. Root
JDairy Spares has expanded its febra range of nitrile disposable gloves with the launch of the new Pyramid glove, which is a thicker glove for tough conditions. It has a textured design on the palm and fingers to provide the wearer with better gripping in both wet and dry situations.
forestry sequestration, resulted in a 31.5% reduction in the farm’s associated carbon footprint.In both cases, this was not achieved by reducing milk production.
For a lower-yielding, spring calving dairy herd, the combined e ect of the dietary inhibitor, selling surplus heifers, plus im proved grassland productivity and
JFrom autumn 2022, all Cogent PrecisionREPRO farms will benefit from the latest management software.Previously all PrecisionREPRO herds were managed using Farmwizard software, but following investment from its proprietor Intellync, the existing software has been overhauled and relaunched as Herdlync.
Management software upgrade
rDetails on 01948 667676
The glove, which is suitable for hoof-trimming and for those working on
rThe four-page guide is available on the CIEL ZeroForwww.cielivestock.co.ukwebsite:morefromCIELonNetseepages14-15
Choppers & Cleaners
rMore details on: 0800 7837 258.
A
“Each bolus can be used individually to tackle specific needs or in sequence to support rumen health and liver function, many metabolic processes and reproductive readiness,” he BolifastForexplains.latepregnancy,Physiologicpromotes
47OCTOBER 2022 �o� ����e�se� ��o�it �it� ����o�e� �e�ti�it�� �o�ge�it� ��� ���e ���� ����e� it’s got to be ��itis����iesi��s�o��e��������o�e��e�ti�it�� �oi�ts���������o�e����s�o���i�es����t���� ��i�st�e���������������ites * �������i������� 0161 301 6 6 0 0 hello@easibedding.co.uk
Multi-micronutrient boluses launched
• Reduced dust
y and slat
metabolic support during the transition period; Bolifast Rumen delivers nutritional stability in early lactation; and Boliflash Fertil targets oestrus, heat expression andTwoconception.bolusesper cow or heifer, one effervescent and active within 30 minutes, the other slow release, are given simultaneously to minimise animalRecommendedhandling. retail pricing is £8.48/cow dose for the pre-calving and early lactation formulations, and £9.80/cow pre-breeding.
JA set of three multimicronutrient boluses to fine-tune cow and heifer metabolism pre-calving, reduce early lactation acidosis risk, and optimise pre-breeding readiness wasTheyunveiled.areavailable via vet practices as high precision components of herd health management systems for long term sustainability, according to vet Jonathan Statham of RAFT Solutions.
JA new dairy rumen buffer, Evolve 365, has been launched by Carr’s Billington, to optimise pH, maintain fibre digestion, and support year-round milk from grass and forage.
y
• Helps reduce mastitis issues
• Free from Aspergillus sp, Salmonella sp and E.coli
Bolifast and Boliflash boluses are manufactured by Kersia, distributed by Broomhall Buying Services on behalf of RAFT Solutions, and supplied to farms via their own veterinary practice.
The product contains a blend of three technologies to help increase milk production and quality, improve gut health and overall immunity, for enhanced productivity. The technologies are the rumen stabiliser, TechTonic; protected live yeast, ActiSaf; and metabolic regulator, Capcin.
Dairy rumen buffer
A new guide from CIEL summarises how emissions could be reduced if changes or further developments to current farm practices are implemented.
• Works on all slurr systems
Bedding designed specially for dairy cattle
• Consistent qualit
According to Carr’s Billington the buffer can improve feed efficiency in any system, with the ability to maximise the nutrient value of sub-optimal quality forages.
rDetails on billington.comwww.carrs-
PICTURE:JohnEveson
“You might need to be maximising or minimising production.“Youneed to find that sweet spot, and that might be determined by cow numbers,
Cutting energy usage was key, and he urged farmers to check their use and try to run machinery at low tariff periods, while also identifying ‘hot spots’ that might be increasing bills.
That was the advice from Barenbrug’s David Linton and Mhairi Dawson, who spoke to many farmers on the issue during their Grass Clinic at UK Dairy Day.
And he added that what the industry was expected to achieve would increase all the time. “Today’s high standards are tomorrow’s expectations”.
Changing dynamics of production mean producers have to think about whether they should be maximising or minimising production, said Andrew Suddes.
While there was much interest in mixed species swards, they
“If you combine ryegrasses with grasses like timothy and tall fescue with soft leaved cocksfoot and white clover you can get many of the benefits of a mixed species sward
acres required or labour requirement.“Itneedscareful planning and thinking about and decisions might depend on what you are farming for – as a food producer; to generate carbon offsets or for tax management reasons.”
“We all make decisions with our heart not our head. We need to decide how to make our businesses more sustainable,” said Mr Bicknell.
without getting too complicated. If you manage a multi-species sward to maintain the plantains and herbs you are effectively accepting a loss of potential production from the ryegrass.”Aswellas not contributing as much to the mix as it should, the ryegrass was also likely to be of lower quality, she added.
trample a third and leave a third so you maintain the herb and plantain portion. If you try to manage it like a traditional sward it does not work”.
Mixed species swards do not suit some systems and farms, added Ms Dawson. She said: “They do not really work in areas of high rainfall; on heavy soils that are prone to water-logging or which have low pH. And they are not suitable as cutting leys either, or for feeding housed herds”.
48 UK DAIRY DAY REPORT OCTOBER 2022
Go for grasses
they wanted to have a secure fu ture, according to Promar’s Andrew Suddes.
Speaking during an panel session he said that represented a major change from the past, when getting bigger had been the right thing for pretty well everyone in the “Withindustry:themajor changes to the price of milk and the price of inputs, the dynamics have changed.” he said.
She said: “People have forgotten that there are multiple species of grass too.
Tools
D
Find the sweet spot
Dr John Foot, of AHDB, said the organization was working with consultants to design tools that would help farmers calculate their carbon footprint and so help them reduce it. He said: “Supermarkets will require a carbon baseline so they can report what they are doing.
JFarmers who want to add variety to their livestock’s diet, but have soils that are not suitable for mixed species swards should consider using a wider range of grasses and white clover instead.
information would come from the supply chain and farmers needed to gather reliable information on their activities.
“They need your data for electricity, gas and inputs and the carbon footprint associated with your products. And if you cannot provide that they could go and buy from somebody else.”
airy farmers need to gure out circumstancestheirarrangementswhatsuitedindividualif
reported skepticism too. Caused by their different management; the potential for lower output and the fact that they are not suited to some soil types, explained Ms Dawson.
areonmightDecisionsdependwhatyoufarmingfor
ANDREW SUDDES
The different management required was also an issue, said Mr Linton. “The popular saying is that you graze a third;
Phil Bicknell, of CIEL, said pressure for environmental
Other speakers in the same panel highlighted the importance of having accurate and actionable data to guide those decisions, and also to meet the demands of their customers.
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Ahead a tricky autumn and winter feeding period for some, we look and the importance of maintaining rumen health.
of what could be
ere was an understandable temptation to cut fertiliser applica tion rates due to the alarming hike in prices, he adds.
He says: “It is a liquid product on medium to heavy land have managed to cope quite well
tune has favoured units which bene ted from spells of localised rainfall.
“Crops on medium to heavy land, where fertiliser applications met the recommended guidelines, have managed to cope quite well.
Crops
50 OCTOBER 2022 NUTRITION
Mixed picture for 2022 maize harvest
PHIL CAMPION
“ is policy will always prove to be a false economy, as maize is a hungry crop and any a empt to cut corners will translate into a yield penalty.
T
Variable is the only word to describe this year’s maize crop performance, with some growers planning to cut herd numbers to cope with forage shortages
“If chemical fertiliser rates have been slashed for economic reasons,
at forage planning, out-wintering
it is imperative that farmyard manure and slurry is made to work at maximum e ciency. is will include timing applications according to crop demand.”
and others happy with their August harvest results. Wendy Short reports. his conditions,anddivideseasonmaize-growinghasseenasharpbetweenheavylightsoil-growingwhilefor
“Other growers were not so lucky and I have heard that prices for standing maize to make up for any shortfalls have been as high as £1,000 per acre.”
Within the range are a minority of farms which will see signi cantly re duced performance and those with crops which will meet expectations. Most of the disappointing results will come from farms on lighter soils and in low rainfall areas.
45 SUPPLIESFEED Options for this year 56 HEALTHRUMEN Getting the balance 64 WINTERINGOUTFodder crop options 62 FEEDINGCALF Managing weather 58 PLANNINGFORAGE Making calculations 68 FEEDTRADING Concentrates 72 ENERGYNEGATIVE Avoiding problems
Mr Campion says a controlled release foliar nitrogen treatment has worked well and predicts it will produce a return on investment for his clients this year.
Mr Campion says: “ is year has emphasised the positive aspect of growing maize on heavier soils, as water retention capacity was all “Someimportant.maize on lighter soils looked stunted and tasselled early, with poor pollination and cob development in cases of extreme drought stress. We saw a similar situation in 2018, but the dry weather was experienced even earlier that year.
Overall maize yields for this year are likely to be down by 10-15% on the ve-year average, according to Agrovista’s Phil Campion, who covers Cheshire and North Wales.
His views present a stark contrast compared with his colleague, Simon Nelson, who covers Cumbria and surrounding areas.
Contrast
He says: “ e high number of heat units this summer has been largely responsible for the widespread early maturity, although we also had a favourable spring and many growers took the opportunity to get their crops in ahead of the usual
Mr Nelson says: “Maize is generally looking well and some farmers who have not grown it before and have seen their neighbour’s crops may add it to the rotation for next
•
51 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022 More milk, better fertility
fat has been proven to increase milk yield and cow fertility around the world for over 30 years.
Some contractors’ phones were ringing at the end of the rst week in September in his area and he estimates that harvest dates have been brought forward by a fortnight.
Megalac
Mr Nelson says both maize under lm and conventionally grown crops have thrived in the relatively warm weather and adequate rainfall in the region.
Average increase in milk yield of 2.3 litres/cow/day
increases fat in the diet – one of the essential nutrients for efficiency.Expertsin fat nutrition Copyright © 2022 Volac International Ltd. All rights reserved. Phone | +44 (0) 1223 208021 Email | enquiries@volacwilmar.com Web | www.megalac.com
He expects harvest at the normal time, which is from late September until early October.
which can be applied up to the tasselling stage. It feeds the plant just when it needs it, without relying on root take-up in dry soils. is season it was cheaper than most alternative nitrogen sources.”
Megalac rumen-protected
•
High energy density without risk of acidosis
“Producerstime.with crops still in the ground would be advised to check the maturity of plants in individual elds or plots, because of the wide variability we are seeing in maize this year.”
MEGA YIELD MEGA FERTILITY
In some areas, harvest dates have been brought forward by a fortnight.
•
“First-cutspring.grass silage was taken early this time and produced bumper yields, so most milk producers are happy with their forage stocks. e only exception would be those on very dry land, which may nd themselves a bit short.”
Improves conception rates and egg quality
He has seen encouraging results from fully
He says: “ ere is some maize silage and grass silage for sale; albeit at a price which re ects the rise in production
Mr Nelson says: “I think it will become more popular. e crops came through evenly and, as the product is single-row, it allows for post-emergence weed control without have to split the lm
and projected cow productivity for the housing period, while also making an allowance for feed for next
Simon Nelson Neil Potts
He says: “ e rst step is to work out the dry ma er tonnage of forage stocks on the farm and compare that with general requirements
opportunity to reach down into the soil, thereby improving resilience in prolonged dry spells.”
“ ere is no doubt that coste ective dairy cow feeding is going to be a challenge on many units this winter.”
Neil Po s, of Matford Arable Systems, says crop performance in south west England to date has been widely variable, ranging from ‘perfectly normal’ to ‘reasonably disastrous’.Earlyand mid-season saw mainly thunder rain and it tended to be highly localised, with maize on one farm enjoying adequate moisture levels and crops a few miles away su ering from drought pressure. e low rainfall season has highlighted the importance of eliminating compaction before sowing maize, says Mr Po s.
Producers looking to buy maize to make up a forage shortfall could be looking at prices towards £1,000/acre.
Douglas Green
Maize yields are predicted to be down 10-15% this year compared to the five-year average.
“Compostablemechanically.lmcosts more than standard plastic, but in the future it may be our only option.”
52 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
“All elds should be checked for compaction, especially those which have previously grown consecutive maize or cereals, as they will be the highest risk. In most instances, the ground will bene t from sub-soiling. is will ensure that maize roots have plenty of
Consultant Douglas Green has some suggestions for producers who
compostable plastic, which was introduced for the rst time on a number of farms.
“Anothercosts.alternative is to buy-in a moist by-product, such as Tra ord Gold, although availability is limited.
are facing a winter forage shortfall.
“Prioritysummer.for the best forage should always be allocated to the best-performing cows. ere is some good quality straw available this year and prices are reasonable, so it could be purchased for youngstock and dry cows and balanced with molasses or cereal protein, forInexample.”MrGreen’s opinion, maize and grass silage o er the best value options in terms of bought-in forage for the main herd.
As we move through the summer of 2022, there is no relief for the feed industry and livestock producers in price or productivity pressure. With the current situation between Russia and the Ukraine, the cereal market remains extremely unpredictable with prices rising daily and certainty of su cient supply falling. Add on the latest forage growth and quality outlook and feeding cows this autumn/winter is looking to be increasingly challenging. It is therefore more critical than ever that producers focus on productivity from forage – making the most of a homegrown low carbon footprint material to ensure maintenance of yield and quality.
FigureJuly 3: Commercial Trial milk yield results AVERAGEControlMILK YIELD (Kg/Day) 303132333435 TreatedVistaPre-Twith ADVERTORIAL
YOU CAN GET MORE FROM LESS
Above: Vista Pre-T clearly disrupts the fibre surface leading to formulation of holes/pits.
Before After
In a commercial trial the inclusion of Vista Pre-T to the grass silage–based total mixed ration (TMR) allowed the nutritionist to
Laboratory NIR analysis of 74 grass silage samples showed that after Vista Pre-T application, an average energy uplift of 0.8MJ/kg DM was recorded. This means that if the grass silage was provided at 35 kg/ head/day (fresh weight) with a DM value of 32%, then applying Vista Pre-T would equate to an additional 8.96MJ of energy which could potentially be around 1.6-1.7 litres of milk increase/head/day.
Figure Adapted from Trouw’s silage watch for week commencing 4th
Team poor growth with falling ME and NDF levels exceeding 47% DM and there is a substantial challenge to maintain performance from forage and consequently bridge the energy gap with potentially expensive bought in feeds. Vista Pre-T (VPT) is a forage pre-treatment that works to make the cellulose and hemicellulose fibre fractions more accessible to the ruminal fibre-digesting microorganisms by roughening and creating pits on the surface of the feed material to create more adhesion sites for the fibre digestors (See comparison images below). By reducing the lag time to digestion, the rumen’s natural ability to
Initial results for early cut silages are also nothing to write home about either with higher NDF, lower ME and lower D value compared to 2021 (Figure 2) High lignin levels have been reported too in these early silages, putting further pressure on the digestible fractions of fibre as the precursors for volatile fatty acids (and then butter fat) and energy for the cow.
MAKE YOUR FORAGE GO FURTHER
MAXIMISE WHAT YOU HAVE
Figure grass growth figures for GB and Northern Ireland
2:
digest forage is raised, which increases the feeding value of the existing ration so we can expect more from less or increases in feed e ciency.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 07395 248 963 The science of producing more whilst producing less with VistaPre-T
1: Latest
reduce ground maize, molasses and a protected C18 and increase the grass silage provision. The ration remained consistent for a 44-day period in which individual daily milk yields were recorded and compared to 44 days prior to Vista Pre-T inclusion. When using this ‘energy matrix’ approach, we aim for equal performance as we have in e ect removed energy. However, what we saw was an average increase in milk yield of 2.8 L/ cow/day (Figure 3) The producer made an additional £93 per 100 cows/day from Vista Pre-T application.
for week commencing 4th July
Grass growth in recent weeks has fallen (Figure 1), and with more hot and dry weather forecast it doesn’t look like it is going to improve.
■ Contact ABVista.com and get more from your forage today.
GROWTH RATE (kg DM/ha/day) ME (MJ/kg DM) Trouw Grass Watch 42.7 11.3 Grass Check GB 48.4 11.3 Grass Check N.I. 48.7 11.6 2021 Early Cuts 2022 Early Cuts ME (MJ/kg DM) 11.7 11.4 NDF (% DM ) 41.8% 46.1% D value (% DM) 73.2% 71.5%
create a be er environment for the rumen microbes, which in turn will allow them to extract more energy from the cow’s feed. is will ul timately improve performance.
rEssential oils: Can improve or alter rumen fermentation with naturally occurring compounds; examples include allicin from garlic and thymol from thyme and oregano
fed to decrease the incidence of ketosis and increase production and reproductive potential
Some farmers see additives as a solution in a bag which can cure everything, but that is not really the case, says Dr Philip Ingram.
“Grass which has been under stress from drought has a high bre content, making it tough and harder for the cow to digest and get the nourishment she needs from it, so there is a risk of under-performance.”Overall,silagesareanalysing low in protein and digestibility, and high in bre.
Dairy farms faced with feeding poor quality first-cut silage this winter can avoid compromising cow performance by introducing feed supplements which promote rumen function. Debbie James reports.
Another mistake dairy farmers make is to dismiss the use of additives completely, he says.
Other additives to consider
“By ge ing more nutrition from what they grow themselves, it will also help to shield businesses from volatility in the market.”
rAmino acids: Research has indicated rumen-protected methionine and methionine analogs both result in increased production potential when fed during the close-up and fresh periods
He says: “It needs to release bu ering capacity in the same time phases as the cow needs it.”
rB vitamins: Involved in energy balance and can improve health and production; the B vitamins include biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, riboflavin, thiamin and vitamin B12; these vitamins can often be found together in a rumenprotected blend which can be
54 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
combined with spiralling input costs, is a reason to consider supplements in the ration this winter, to maximise the value of home-grown forage.
e rumen functions best when pH range is closest to 6.0 and bre digestion is compromised when rumen pH drops below 5.8.
Many supplements are formulated to help the cow manage acid load. ese dietary bu er supple ments help to encourage the rumen to work more e ciently.
Acid load
at variable quality within and between clamps will present some practical challenges, impacting on milk yield initially before protein levels take a hit. Over the longer term, fertility can be compromised.
Dr Ingram says: “Some farmers see additives as a solution in a bag which can cure everything, but that is not really the case.”
Additives are not a ‘cure all’ and farmers should focus rst and fore most on ge ing the basics right.
Mild conditions kept grass grow ing through winter in some regions and that came at a cost to quality, says Dr Philip Ingram, ruminant technology application specialist at Cargill Animal Nutrition.
Bu ers like Equaliser can help re-establish rumen pH within the ideal range of 5.8-6.2.
I
Basics
“It is the farmers who are already doing a good job but who want to get a li le bit be er who really bene t from introdu cing additives in the diet. Farmers who fall in that category should take a fresh look at additives.”
When selecting which bu er to feed, he advises choosing a product
Think usesupplementaboutthiswinter
“In a situation like we will have this winter, rumen bu ers have a role to play because they can help create a rumen environment which improves fermentation e ciency.”
t has been a challenging year for producing silage in many parts of the UK, but while the yield of later crops has been com promised by the exceptionally hot and dry weather, quality is the major concern in the rst cut.
which has both fast acting and longer acting qualities – phased bu ering capacity.
rYeast: This can improve dry matter intake and rumen function
ere are also some quality issues with subsequent cuts, he adds.
Equaliser Fibre+ has an additional fermentation product which can boost bre digestion by 12%, Dr Ingram adds.
But Dr Ingram warns against relying on bu ers to compensate for suboptimal cow and feeding management.
Data recently published by Kingshay shows a big discrepancy between dairy farms on their milk from forage gures – the top 25% are capturing 3,983 litres of milk from forage and the bo om 25% only 1,487 litres – a di erence of Dr37.33%.Ingram says: “It does pay to make the most of what you have. ere are many dairy farms which could be extracting a lot more from their forage.
Dr Ingram says these factors,
“Our own research has dem onstrated that if you have a really good bu er in the feed, it will help
“In the right circumstances, milk producers can get a lot more from their feed and their cows if they use the right additive at the right time and with the right advice.”
It is o en the most e cient farmers who gain the most from supplementation, he adds.
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Attention
DR LIZ HOMER
Dr Homer says: “When balancing
Dr Homer suggests there is a range of feedstu s which could play a role in balancing diets this winter.
Ensuring the rumen is balanced and effective will be key to getting the most from this year’s grass silages, according to Trouw Nutrition. Dairy Farmer reports.
“In the rumen, the protein and carbohydrates supplied in feed ingredients ferment at dierent rates, de ned as rapidly and slowly fermentable.
he latest analysis of more than 3,000 grass silages made this year by Trouw Nutrition suggests considerable care will be needed to get the best performance from these forages.
She advises farmers and their nutritionists to pay close a ention to NutriOpt fermentable energy and protein balance, which is an indicator of balance in silages, feed ingredients and in the total diet of the balance between carbohydrates and proteins.
Dr Homer says: “ ere is usually a diverse range of by-products available, but they can be very variable,
and protein, to ensure all the di erent microbes get the food source they require.
balancingWhen the rumen, it will be essential to monitor the diet acid load and fibre index to avoid acidosis
She says: “Typical forage extender rations are centred around utilising straw, soya hulls and molasses to encourage bre and bulk into the diet.
T
“If we can balance the rumen, we will optimise the production of the VFAs and microbial protein, which are the cheapest sources of energy and protein for milk production.
For diets needing bypass carbohydrates to support digestion a er the rumen maize cereal, rolled cereals and potato by-products could play a role.
so make sure you have seen a full analysis before commi ing to adding them to the ration, as they may not provide the balance the diet needs.”
For slowly fermented carbohydrates, she suggests considering rolled cereals and digestible bre products such as soya hulls.
the rumen, it will be essential to monitor the diet acid load and bre index to avoid acidosis, as they are indicators of rumen health. Watch out that high bre levels do not slow rumen down and hinder intakes.”
Co-products are popular options and popular choices, such as brewers’ grains and distillery by-products, can complement this season’s forages well in terms of a protein source, while also promoting dry ma er
Dr Homer says: “Rumen balance is key to e ective diet utilisation, ensuring the optimal fermentation of bre, optimal volatile fa y acid [VFA] and microbial protein production and good rumen throughput to support dry ma er intakes.
Supply
Products high in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates include molasses, bakery waste and ground cereals.
“A balanced rumen will also improve bre digestion, driving VFA and microbial protein production further, while also increasing rumen throughput for higher intakes.”
Balancing rumen key to optimising silage usage
With forage supplies tight in many parts of the country, farmers should be looking at ways to ensure forage stocks last the winter.
Dr Homer says straw and hay are plentiful in supply and can be used as bu er feeds for grazing herds or as forage extenders for those utilising winter stocks now and needing to feed bulk. She says they can play a valuable role.
It provides a guide to what is needed in the diet for it to be balanced at the rumen level and will allow more precise diet formulation when used in conjunction with the levels of rapidly fermented and total carbohydrate and protein.
“To optimise use of the diet, the rumen needs a balanced supply of rapidly fermentable carbohydrate and protein, along with balanced slowly fermentable carbohydrate
e company’s Dr Liz Homer says a number of factors, including high neutral detergent bre content, will have an impact on how these silages will ferment in the rumen, but there are ways to improve forage utilisation.
To balance protein, soya, rape and distillers are high in rapidly fermentable protein, while for slowly fermentable protein, good sources include sources higher in protein, such as brewers’ grains.
“ e addition of molasses delivers fermentable carbohydrate and encourages palatability, intakes and bre digestion in the rumen.”
“Analyse forage frequently to ensure you can adjust the ration as necessary before seeing a drop in performance.”
“Overall, the key to ensuring yields and milk constituent levels is diet consistency. Avoid rapid dietary changes and consider the full nutrient pro le at each diet change.
Forage extenders
Dr Homer says: “With potentially increased use of straw or variable co-product inclusions, care must be taken to ensure appropriate mineral supplementation.“Strawhaslower mineral content so check overall mineral levels. With co-products, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur may be high, so careful dietary review and balancing is required.
ese products can be utilised as forage extenders and contain highly digestible bre. When considering apple pomace, care should be taken to ensure it is not too rapidly fermentable in the ration, but it could nicely balance grass silages where acid load is lower.
visit: www.provimi.eu/uk-equaliser NOWSTRONGERTHANEVE R ! Cargill Animal Nutrition Provimi Ltd., Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate,Thirsk North Yorkshire YO7 3HE T: 01845 578125
“Bakery and confectionary waste can also be considered as a fermentable carbohydrate source for the rumen. However, their oil content must be considered, so as not to depress dry ma er intake and cause a decrease in bu erfat content and milk prices.”
57OCTOBER 2022 @CargillAnimalUK
The fast-acting, long lasting Equaliser ® rumen buffer has been designed to activate exactly when the rumen needs it most - maintaining digestion and performance throughout the day.
She says: “Wheatfeed is a good complementary product to most rations and can be considered to balance out the lower protein and starch of this year’s silage crops.
Dr Homer says pressed pulp has been o ered to some farmers, where others may have the option of apple pomace.
Equaliser ® rumen buffer is the latest innovation in rumen health – the first buffer to work truly in sync with the rumen needs.
intakes where more brous forages are fed. But supply of many co-products will be tight this winter.
To find the right Equaliser ® to power your herd’s performance
Dr Homer suggests there is a range of feedstuffs which could play a role in balancing diets this winter.
“Syrups are available and can balance the rumen with fermentable carbohydrates, while also supporting intakes.
Plan now for forage use
avid Wilde, national ruminant technical manager with Massey Harpers Feeds, says the sooner farmers plan how to use forages this winter, the be er the chances of having a more successful season.
“If you do not have enough to feed at the usual rate, it might
He says: “It is likely that many farms will be facing some big questions around forage stocks and may need to adjust plans or do things di erently this winter.
“ e former drives milk production, the la er in excessive amounts will compromise fertility and lower e ciency, as well as being bad for the environment. Choose supplements carefully which precisely balance your forages.
“If you feed out based on the number of grabs rather than weight per grab, then you could be ge ing through the silage quicker or underfeeding the cows, both of which will be costly. Also check your feeder weigh cells are weighing correctly at least monthly to ensure it is working accurately.”
“Look beyond crude protein and challenge your nutritionist to ensure the diet is balanced for bre, starches, sugars and protein sources to help get the most from forages this winter.”
“Knowing the quantities in stock and anticipated from maize and subsequent cuts, you can calculate how much forage DM is available for the herd.
Mr Wilde stresses the importance of understanding the rate silage is being used at to avoid di cult decisions towards the end of the season. He advises weighing shear grab loads to get a picture of how much is being used.
DM/day would require 2.2 tonnes DM/day. If fed with a shear grab with a 1cu.m capacity, this would be achieved with 11 grabs of a 30% DM forage or 10 grabs if the forage was 40% DM.
“ e starting point is to be realis tic about the quantities you have, as this will determine a great deal about how winter will shape up.”
be prudent to prioritise grass silage for milking cows, using hay for the dry cows and straw for the youngstock, supplemented with appropriate concentrates.”
He says: “For example, a herd of 180 cows being fed 12kg forage
He adds protein balancing is also crucial to keep cows milking. It will be essential to ensuring
su cient useable protein is in the diet but that the diet does not contain too much soluble protein.
Mr Wilde says: “ is will be the best guide and is not an exact science. e actual density will be a ected by a range of factors, includ ing packing rate, chop length, dry ma er [DM] of the incoming crop, use of additives and crop variety. An analysis will give the DM which will be a good indicator of density.
Mr Wilde says it will be vital to analyse silages frequently this season and advises monthly analysis as a minimum, but more o en if chan ges are seen in the clamp using an Forage Analysis Assurance Group member laboratory to ensure testing is as accurate a result as possible.
D
Protein blends
58 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022 Estimated silage densities Clamp height (metres) DM (%) 2 2.5 3 4 20 156 168 178 190 25 173 183 194 208 30 186 198 207 222 35 200 210 219 235 40-plus 208 220 228 244 Note: Estimated silage densities (kg dry matter/cu.m) for different dry matter contents and clamp heights. Source: AHDB
“For example, two 24% protein blends could perform totally di er ently with contrasting balances of protein. e blend with a suitable balance might supplement forages well and let cows perform to potential, while the other might deliver disappointing results.
With variable forage stocks in many parts of the country, silages will need careful management this winter to maximise their contribution in diets. Dairy Farmer reports.
It is important to understand the rate silage is being used, says David Wilde.
He advises measuring the size of the clamps. e length, breadth of face and average height together will give the volume. Multiply this by the density of the silage to deter mine the total quantity.
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MIKE BURNS Regional Business Manager Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Feeding a live yeast however can also offer a very good return on investment (ROI), due to its positive impact on feed digestion, particularly of the fibre fraction of the diet. The rumen specific live yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077, known commercially as Levucell SC, can stimulate the growth and activity of the fibrolytic bacteria and fungi. Invivo trials with more than 200 different forage samples show that Levucell SC significantly increases forage NDF degradability in the rumen with a greater effect seen on lower NDFd forage.
ADVERTORIAL Goal Product edigestiveImprovesciency acidosisruminalCombats detoxificationnaturalReinforces ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ * Global Meta-analysis, 14 research trials, 1,615 cows, (De Ondarza and Sniffen, 2010) ** Representative results under rumen challenged conditions groupCow
before and
But accessing this energy requires fibre digestion by rumen microbes, and as such, the efficiency of this digestion has a significant bearing on the nutritional potential of forages when fed.
SPECIFIC FOR YOUR
Taking steps to improve fibre digestion within the rumen should therefore always be a key consideration within feeding regimes. This will improve the utilisation of the available forage, as well as the overall diet, supporting increased production – both milk yield and quality – alongside more fertile, healthier cows.
BENEFITS OF INCLUDING A LIVE YEAST
WINTER FEEDING CONSIDERATIONS
Fibre – made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin - is a core component of forages and offers a key source of energy in ruminant diets, potentially providing energy levels similar to starch and sugar.
It’s important to note that not all live yeasts are equal and each strain will have distinct effects on different microbial species. Levucell SC has been specifically developed for ruminants to yield the greatest benefits and is backed by extensive trial work.
Customer manure sieve comparison after introducing Levucell SC Levucell
Low DM silage: In the case of wet silages, cows need to eat a higher total volume (fresh weight) to receive the same DM and this can result in lower DMI due to the bulk fill of water from the silage. Wet silage tends to have an increased acid load in the rumen due to higher lactic acid concentrations in the silage. Ideally wet silages should be balanced with drier silages such as wholecrop cereal silage when available.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that drier forages are typically more difficult to compact, increasing the risk of heating and mould growth on opening.
For example, for every 5% increase in NDF digestibility a cow will increase their Dry Matter Intake (DMI) by 630g/day resulting in a 0.9kg increase in fat corrected milk.
SC After Levucell SC lactationMid-FreshHeifer
When fed, trial work during lactation shows that Levucell SC delivers a significant and consistent improvement in performance, delivering on average a 1.1kg/day* uplift in milk yield from a 3% improvement in feed efficiency. Under rumen challenged conditions the average milk yield response can increase to 2kg/day**.
Grass silage quality is a mixed bag this year and it’s important to take into consideration your particular scenario when looking to maximise the value of the forage available.
LAN
Levucell SC costs less than 8 pence per cow per day and typically offers an ROI of more than 6:1 based on an average milk price of 50 pence per litre.
There are several practical ways to optimise fibre digestion, including feeding more often, pushing up regularly, offering a cool, stable and palatable ration, and avoiding overcrowding at the feed face to maximise eating and crucially lying time.
High dry matter (DM) silage: A dry ration is comparable to Weetabix without the milk, and steps will need to be taken to improve forage palatability to ensure adequate feed intake. Sorting can also be an issue in high DM total mixed rations (TMR’s), increasing the risk of digestive upsets and acidosis which can severely hamper rumen function and therefore feed efficiency. Adding water to the ration can be a simple, yet effective option.
Before
OCTOBER 2022 LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SPECIFIC FOR YOUR SUCCESS www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com
LEVUCELL SC
The benefits of feeding Levucell SC on feed efficiency can also be gauged by sieving the manure, with a notable reduction in the volume of material captured within the top sieve in all cow groups receiving the live yeast.
IS AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING READY-TO-FEED FORMATS:
MILK EVERY FIBRE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION MARGINS SUCCESS TALK
Phosphorus,inoculant.potassium
f Increases the quality of the slurry by reducing losses through negative fermentation.
Total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and organic nitrogen levels were all higher in the slurry treated with SlurriN PRO when tested 3 months after being treated with the
By specifically focusing on the breakdown of slurry and manure, it’s possible to increase its nutrient value, as well as its handleability, supporting cost savings and helping to improve the bottom line.
An on-farm trial conducted in 2022, compared the nitrogen and mineral content of slurry treated with SlurriN PRO, versus untreated slurry, with the results clearly showing a positive impact.
and magnesium levels were also found to be higher, increasing by 27%, 3% and 15% respectively.
Specific benefits of a slurry inoculant include:
SPECIFIC
OCTOBER 2022 LALLEMAND ANIMAL NUTRITION SPECIFIC FOR YOUR SUCCESS www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com ADVERTORIALHave
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f Labour, machinery wear and tear and fuel costs reduce as the slurry is easier to spread.
INCREASING THE FERTILISER VALUE OF SLURRY FOR SUCCESS
EAZYBED PRO contains a combination of enzymes and bacteria within a bedding conditioner to help promote the development of a beneficial microbiome within dairy housing. The benefits include helping to maintain animal welfare while improving manure or slurry quality.
LIENTJIE COLAHAN Technical Sales Support Lallemand Animal Nutrition
f Increases organic nitrogen content because nitrogen is incorporated into the bacteria’s cells, reducing nitrogen leaching after the slurry is spread.
f The slurry is less prone to sedimentation and crust formation which improves the flowability of the slurry, reducing agitation time and making it easier to handle. This is particularly helpful in slat-based housing and where umbilical spreading systems are used.
f Creates a more stable slurry by promoting a positive fermentation process.
The focus should be on breaking down the fibre at a molecular level to ensure the positive bacteria have a competitive advantage. If this happens, they will be able to use the sugars released by fibre breakdown, and the organic matter within the fibre will also be available to the soil and then the plant.
YOUR
Based on the same mode of action as a live yeast within the rumen, SlurriN PRO contains specific enzymes that can help breakdown the fibre in slurry and manure, allowing more nutrients to be released and used by plants once spread.
Positive on-farm trials
LAN TALK
The value of fibre extends beyond the cow and through into the manure - an increasingly valuable fertiliser, being cheaper to use and offering the potential to offset some purchased fertiliser usage.
Role of a slurry inoculant
f Reduces odours and gaseous emissions.
good drainage of moisture in calf housing and provide calves with plenty of fresh bedding to keep them dry and allow them to ‘nest’ in the straw Provide calf jackets and install an external heat source close to calves calves with plenty of fresh
However, Ms Oleszko stresses that calf jackets must be made of breathable material, be waterresistant or waterproof, be machine
She says: “If calves are in a damp environment, they can easily inhale all sorts of undesirable pathogens which hang around in water vapour, so keep your pens dry and clean out regularly, using lime if necessary, to soak up moisture.
Ms Oleszko adds that when calf accommodation is less than ideal, you should always make sure calves are always kept as warm and dry as possible for optimum growth and health.
5
Calf rearers should look at nutritional requirements of calves when temperatures start to drop.
Katie Oleszko, technical business manager with Volac, reminds producers that a cold calf must divert milk energy away from growth towards keeping warm and possibly even to ght o a disease challenge. It is therefore important to feed enough milk during winter.
“In addition, high moisture levels in their rearing environment and increased air speed will dramatically increase their susceptibility to cold stress. Draughts of only 5mph can make calves feel 8-10degC colder.
“ is can be achieved by either increasing the volume fed or by increasing the mixing rate.”
62 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
OleszkoKatie
Top five tips for keeping calves thriving during cold weather housing
washable and have adjustable straps and fasteners for low maintenance.
1 Increase milk feeding rates during periods when cold stress is likely. This can be achieved by either increasing the volume fed or by increasing the mixing rate Provide effective barriers to draughts at calf level Provide calves with places to shelter; plastic and timber are better insulating materials than concrete and steel Damp bedding extracts energy from the calf to help keep it warm; consequently, promote
Feeding enough milk to the pre-weaned calf early in life is vital. Correct milk feeding levels improve calf growth and health, as well as programme the rapidly growing pre-weaned young dairy animal for be er performance when it enters the milking herd.
“I am also keen on calf jackets and heat lamps when the weather is cold. We are quick to reach for our coats when the temperature drops outside, so do the same for your calves in winter.”
Cold managementweathertips
2
4
As the temperature drops, the nights draw in and autumn calving gets into full swing, remember to increase the amount of milk you are feeding to your newborn calves. Dairy Farmer reports.
“But for a calf less than three weeks old, you need to step up the level of milk solids by 100g/day for every 10degC drop in temperature below 20degC. For example, if the outside temperature is 10degC, feed an extra 100g of milk powder per day.
She says: “Always monitor jackets for cleanliness and replace soiled or wet jackets with a clean, dry one. Jackets must be washed at 40-50degC with detergent and dried thoroughly between each use.”
D
As the days shorten during autumn, the advice for calf rearers is to have a practical plan in place for when cold stress is likely to happen over winter.
uring periods of cold torequirepre-weanedweather,calvesmoreenergykeepwarm,soless energy is available for growth and their immune system.
3
She says: “Young calves, less than three weeks of age, are very susceptible to the cold. ey are on highly digestible feed and are not yet ruminating, so less heat is generated by digestion.
“In fact, temperatures only need drop to 10-15degC for a young calf to require more feed to maintain their body temperature, grow and remain healthy. By four weeks of age, calves are more robust and will not feel the cold until temperatures drop below 6-10degC.
Ms Oleszko says: “When the ambient temperature drops below 15degC, you are then fully prepared and can swing into action.”
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ith the pressure mounting for many this year due to rising input costs and a di cult silage season, farmers are looking at wintering strategies.
Which animals to feed?
and it could impact fertility in bulling heifers.
When looking at the best crops suited to a dairy system, Paul Morgan recommends using crops such as hybrid brassicas.
She advises only healthy animals in good body condition should be considered for outwintering, and a body condition score of 3-3.5 is advised.
64 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022 LIVESBUYINGTOCK? SPREAD COSTS & PAY MONTHLY 01827 300 333 www.financeforfarms.co.uk Finance for business use customers only; subject to application, credit, terms and conditions. Finance for Farms is a trading name of Shire Leasing PLC who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for certain types of consumer credit lending and credit related activities that are regulated under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Weather
Paul Morgan, area sales manager at Germinal GB, and Katie Evans, AHDB senior knowledge exchange manager and national specialist in grass, forage and soil, both believe brassica fodder crops could provide a low-cost option to supplement winter feeding.
She says: “Favourable weather conditions are not always guaranteed. To ensure the out-wintered cows maintain condition, at the very least it is essential they are in the best condition before they go onto the crop.”
W
She explains this would be a suitable option for robust, in-calf heifers. However, it is not recommended for calves less than one year old, as they would struggle to meet target growth rates
The out-wintering of livestock on fodder crops has long been a wintering strategy used by beef and sheep enterprises. But as winter housing costs are looming and silage rations are being opened, fodder crops may also be an option for dairy systems. Katie Fallon reports.
He also advises transitioning in-calf cows off brassicas four to six weeks prior to calving.
youngstock can graze fodder crops, Mr Morgan advises stocking density and stage in lactation should be considered.
JFor farmers who are short of silage or are concerned about straw supplies over winter, outwintering in-calf heifers could be an option, says Ms Evans.
Out-wintering fodder crops: A viable option for winter
He says that for most cattle, up to 70% of their dry matter intake can come fromHowever,brassicas.forcows in-milk, no more than 30% of their total daily dry matter intake should come from brassicas to avoid the risk of milk taint.
While both cows and
Timing
Paul Morgan says there are many financial savings from using a brassica fodder crop.
JWhen looking at the best crops suited to a dairy system, Mr Morgan recommends using crops such as hybrid brassicas, Redstart and Swift, Appin grazing turnip and Maris Kestrel kale.
65OCTOBER 2022
Farm-O-San Reviva is an easily digestible, highly palatable energy drink for freshly calved cows, that should be given immediately after calving.
Ms Evans adds the use of deferred grass and silage bales also works well and is a good option for anyone looking to Sheout-winter.says:“The deferred grass and bale option does not require the ground to be cultivated and drilled, which in turn would save money.”
Which crops work best?
The orange energy boost for recovery after trouwnutrition.co.uk/revivacalving
It helps the cow to rehydrate rapidly after calving. Farm-O-San Reviva increases the cow’s activity and forage intake.
Continues over the page...
Reviva
The deferred grass and bale option does not require the ground to be cultivated and drilled KATIE EVANS
difference of £68/day for 100 dry cows over a 100-day period during winter.
Straw (£47/tonne) 6.5kg 31p
Minerals(£120/t) (£300/t) 0.1kg 3p
Number of Total daily Total daily Total daily Days Bales/ha Ha animals area fibre brassica grazing/ha required 100 1,000sq.m 390kg (1.5 910kg 10 15 10 (100 bales)* days)
To know how much supplementary feed is required, Mr Morgan advises measuring the crop and calculating the average dry matter/sq.m, the average weight of the animals and their daily dry matter intake requirements.
JUsing the same example of the dry cow supplementary feeding, the table below shows a diet cost comparison provided by Germinal GB.
From the calculations, Mr Morgan says there is a
Out-wintering could be a suitable option this year.
Mr Morgan adds the amount of feed produced will depend on the type of crop, how well it establishes, the weather and farming system.
Source: Germinal GB
JMs Evans explains cattle should be gradually transitioned to fodder crops over the course of seven to 10 days. She advises introducing them for an hour or two to begin with, then increasing the level of forage crops in their diet by 1kg per day, or in one-hour allocations, until unrestricted.
Beyond the feed calculations, Mr Morgan says there are many financial savings from using a brassica fodder crop.
How much feed will the provide?crops
Cost savings
Note: *Assuming wheat straw bale; Source: Germinal GB
Straw (£47/tonne) 3.9kg 18p
Outside Intake Cost
Daily intake DM requirement (2% of 650kg) is 13kg 9.1kg DM brassica and 70% of this can come from a brassica crop
Total £0.44/day
AnSupplementationexampleofdailyallocation
JAHDB research has shown growing cattle out-wintered on brassicas can achieve growth rates of 0.6-0.9kg/day, says Ms Evans. However, she says good growth rates depend on the quality of hay or silage with the brassicas.
Minimum area per animal (9.1kg/0.9sq.m) 10sq.m
Brassica 9.1kg 23p
Minerals(£26/t) (£300/t) 0.1kg 3p
66 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
Mr Morgan agrees and says: “Because of the high levels of digestible carbohydrate content and low fibre content, a transition period is really important for the rumen microbes to adapt and reduce the risk of bloat.”
Grass silage 6.5kg 78p
Source: Germinal GB
Inside Intake Cost
Average weight of animal 650kg
JMs Evans says roughage with good fibre levels should be provided to complement forage brassica crops, as they are very fermentable and result in loose faeces. The roughage, she says, must form at least 35% of cattle’s daily dry matter intake
Remaining 30% of DM to come from fibre 3.9kg DM Crop yield/sq.m 0.9kg DM (9,000kg DM/ha)
He says: “From the work we are doing in the field, we know hybrid brassicas have the potential to grow up to 10 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, with feed quality up to 30% protein and 13MJ/kg ME. It is important to make full use of the crop.”
These include: limiting reliance on problems,avoidingoutputtheconcentrates;bought-inextendinggrazingseason;increasingperhectare;andhousingrelatedhealthtonameafew.
for dry cows
and should be provided ad-lib. And she says supplementationmineralshould be discussed with the farm vet and nutritionist, depending on the crop and forage choice, as supplementation may be required.
Strip grazing with electric fences is often the best way to utilise the crop and reduce waste. Strips should be long and narrow, so all animals can access the crop and the electric fence should be moved daily to minimise poaching.
Total £1.12/day
How to transition
The earliest and fastest protection from BRSV and Pi3. The broadest M. haemolytica prevention 1 Concurrent use of Bovilis® IBR Marker Live and Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP. Unique lungworm protection. Contact us to find out how we can help protect the long-term productivity of your herd or visit www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk Reference: 1. Donachie W (2002) The development of vaccines containing iron-regulated proteins (IRPs) of Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica for the control of pasteurellosis in cattle. XXII World Buiatrics Congress. Hanover. Bovilis® Bovipast® RSP contains inactivated BRSV (strain EV908), Pi3 virus (strain SF-4-Reisinger) and inactivated Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica (serotype A1). POM-V. Bovilis® Huskvac contains viable Dictyocaulus viviparus 3rd stage irradiated larvae. POM-V. Bovilis® IBR Marker Live contains live bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), strain GK/D (gE¯)*: 105.7 - 107.3 TCID50**. *gE¯: glycoprotein E negative. **TCID50: tissue culture infective doses 50%. POM-V. Bovilis® INtranasal RSP Live contains live BRSV and Pi3. POM-V. Further information is available from the respective SPC, datasheet or package leaflets. MSD Animal Health UK Limited. Registered office Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ, UK. Registered in England & Wales no. 946942. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber. Use Medicines Responsibly. © 2021 MSD Animal Health UK Limited. UK-BOV-210500003
Carbon footprint
C
e company’s technical director Michael Carpenter says: “ e cheapest feeds for dairy producers are grazed grass followed by home-grown conserved forage. But our experience is that more producers are growing their own
producersMore are growing their own totherefeedsconcentrateandseeismoneybesaved
u ing costs of production this winter will be more of a challenge than in previous years, but farmers have been advised that one solution could lie right beneath their Farm-grownfeet.feed and forage preservation specialist Kelvin Cave is highlighting opportunities to grow dairy feeds at home, or to trade from farm to farm as the next best thing. It says this applies to forage, as well as several forms of home-grown concentrates, for which they see a growing interest.
Direct
He cites Yorkshire arable producer, Russell Toothill, who has developed a thriving trade in crimped maize, selling about 2,000 tonnes to dairy and beef producers each year.
However, for those unable to grow their own feeds, the next best option could be to trade direct with other farmers.
RUSSELL TOOTHILL
“If too many people want a slice of the cake, charges can become phenomenal. For someone buying 500 tonnes of crimped maize at £12/t extra, it soon adds up.”
If too many people want a slice of the cake, charges can phenomenalbecome
Instead, he urges dairy producers to grow their feed at home, trade with neighbours, or look further a eld if the feeds they need are not close by. is cuts both the supply chain and their milk’s carbon footprint, also
Mr Toothill says: “ e benets of trading without a person between me and the buyer are huge as that middle-man is charging £12 per tonne for picking
potentially reducing the need for imported feed.
68 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
up the phone and organising payment. is can be useful if the buyer is di cult, but all in all, it is creating a cost that does not need to exist.
This winter, dairy producers are being urged to develop trading relationships with other UK farmers, to cost-effectively source their feed and keep profits in the industry. Ann Hardy reports.
concentrate feeds and see there is money to be saved, whether that is crimped cereals, grain maize, or high protein beans.”
MICHAEL CARPENTER
Keeps profits in the sector with farm to farm trading
Mr Toothill’s trading relationship with dairy farmer, Zara
Russell Toothill, who has developed a thriving trade in crimped maize, selling about 2,000 tonnes to dairy and beef producers each year.
“It may not always be a popular message, but involving a middle-man, in whatever capacity, will usually take pro ts away from farming,” he says. “Whether it is paying for fuel to dry and process compound feed, or covering import costs, this is dead money which is leaving our industry.”
The AHV Transition Programme focuses on the period before and after calving to ensure a sufficient supply of energy and minerals and to stimulate dry matter intake.
“The product has a beneficial effect on health, gives an energy boost and promotes the metabolism,’’ says Mr
Despite the current worldwide challenges with the supply of calcium products, AHV has ample stock to meet the needs of its customers, he adds.
AHVCarmichael.BoosterProducts promote the animal’s metabolism in the liver and rumen, and provide sustained or fast additional energy.
Doug Carmichael, country manager for England and Wales at AHV (Animal Health Vision), says it is crucial therefore that during this phase the cow gets important nutrients and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as energy.
AHV’s Transition Programme connects well with the AHV Uterine Health Programme to give full support to the recently calved cow to allow her to restart her reproductive cycle in the best way possible.
Dairy cow at her most vulnerable stage protected with AHV Transition Programme
“One of the key benefits of our Milk Start Paste is energy, alongside calcium, phosphate and active vitamin D3,’’ Mr Carmichael adds.
NO SHORTAGE OF CALCIUM & PHOSPHATE HERE AT AHV! #PowerToTheFarmer Find an AHV Consultant in your area by visiting www.ahvint.com or calling the UK office on +44 (0) 1769 772070. You can also email uk@ahvint.com
The AHV Milk Start products ensures sufficient intake of Calcium, Phosphate, Active Vitamin D3 and Energy By applying AHV Milk Start around calving you are supporting the metabolism of the Cow and encouraging optimal feed intake post-calving.
Those products include AHV Cow Milk Start, a complementary feed for dairy cows which ensures sufficient intake of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Milk Start is available in a range of application choices and sizes, both tablet and paste, allowing for preferential or situational product use.
ADVERTORIAL
The transition period – the three weeks before and after calving - is an important time for the dairy cow. As her metabolic needs surge, she is at her most vulnerable.
Her body has to find vast quantities of calcium from a standing start, her blood calcium level falls as she is unable to mobilise enough calcium to meet increased demand for milk production and that can result in metabolic challenges.
“It’s very much a case of supporting her immune system so that challenges associated with the transition period can be avoided’’ says Mr Carmichael.
“Everything we recommend is focused on sustainability with
JRussell Toothill grows 243 hectares (600 acres) of grain maize on mostly light, sandy soils as part of his arable rotation and finds the crop works well on his former gravel pit land.
A former NFU Environmentalist of the Year, he is keen to harvest sensitively and finds that driving over plant stems in his four-wheel drive tracked combine, creates little soil damage, despite the crop’s late harvest.Oneof his customers is farm manager, Zara Dorrington, whose family’s 809ha (2,000-acre) farm is better suited to growing forage maize than grain.
Buying crimp from Mr Toothill
His neighbour, Mr Barnett, is equally pleased with the outcome, found the beans were easy to grow, and is confident his following crop of winter wheat will benefit from the beans’ nitrogen fixation. He will grow them again after wheat every three or four years, although Mr Slater could use far more.
says Mr Slater. However, the beans have the added benefit of scratch factor, which will be beneficial to rumen health.
uncertainties. But we see this as an opportunity to embrace change and produce or procure feed from closer to home.
Standing crop Buying the beans as a standing crop on a ‘costplus’, per acre basis, Mr Slater used a contractor for harvest and ensiled the crop himself, using plenty of compaction and a chemical
expand over time to include the sharing of other resources,” he says. “ is can include equipment and even labour – especially since stock farms are busy in winter and arable farms in summer.
and a metabolisable energy of over 14 MJ/kg DM. Compared with dry rolled cereals, it breaks down much more slowly in the rumen and creates less acid loading.Shesays: “It is a lovely, palatable feed that the cows really want to eat, and the team have been pleased with the
Dorrington, is outlined in the panel below, while others have extended their trading relationships to include the return of livestock manure, creating a system that’s circular and sustainable.
In the field Paul Barnett, Lancashire, trading with Paul Slater, Lancashire
preservative to ensure no aerobic spoilage.
each farm producing what it does best,” says Mr Carpenter. “And if the feed produced is nutritious and well preserved, with good keeping qualities, it is likely to be the most cost-e ective“Ioption.haveseen excellent, longterm relationships develop between neighbours which can
He has always crimped a proportion of the crop to cut drying costs and meet a different market and finds dairy producers in particular appreciate the high feed value of the moist feed.
Crimped maize can also have starch levels in excess of 70%
Sustainability
“ e writing is on the wall for farming as we know it, with rising energy and fuel costs, and geopolitical and environmental
“We have noticed the cows’ fertility has also improved and, when fed year-round, it is preventing a dip in dietary energy at a crucial stage. So, we are seeing much more bulling activity leading into service.”
Zara Dorrington
harvest this September, the beans have been clamped as a wholecrop and will be analysed and fed from late October. The expectation is that protein and starch will be towards 20%, ME around 9.5MJ/kg DM and DM close to “We60%.hope this will be a similar composition to the bought-in feeds we plan to take out of the cows’ ration,”
70 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
Harvest
for the first time last winter, she is keen to continue with the feed. Purchased in bulk and re-compacted and sealed in an airtight clamp, it stores well and does not heat because of its treatment with a salts-based preservative on day of harvest.
results. You can achieve high intakes with it, which is helping to drive yield and milk quality.
“Even at the current milk price, buying the last few litres in a bag – especially if its contents have a high carbon footprint – is increasingly unlikely to be pro table or sustainable.”
In the field Russell Toothill, Yorks, trading with Zara Dorrington, Lincolnshire
JPaul Slater runs 220 milkers on fairly wet and marginal land near Garstang and regularly buys wholecrop wheat as a standing crop from his neighbour, Paul Barnett. However, when Mr Barnett needed a break crop, the opportunity was taken to grow spring beans, which provided significant benefits to both Takingparties.theirfirst ever
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C
Annabalance.Dinsdale, of AB Vista, says this period could be er be described as ‘negative everything balance’, which lasts until the cow regains her appetite a er calving and her lactation curve begins to plateau.
In dairy cows, RPC has long been reserved for over-conditioned close-up dry cows, but new research completed at the University of Florida showed all cows, regardless of body condition score, respond to supplemental RPC through increased milk production (+1.9kg/day) and components (+0.08kg fat/ day); improved feed e ciency (+0.09 ECM:DMI kg/kg); and
metabolised and exported from the liver quickly enough, potentially causing fa y liver disease.
disorders.Inatrial at Metcalfe Farms, which started earlier this year, the close-up dry and fresh cow groups were fed ReaShure XC, a RPC product. It was fed 14-17 days pre-partum and 0-21 days post-partum via addition in to total mixed ration in a preblended dry premix.
“Colostrum production has increased, metabolic incidences remain low and there has been a downward trend in rst test milk fat percentage which previously had been tracking up, which we were concerned may indicate ketosis.
“ e recent work from the University of Florida is particularly interesting as this follows calf performance through to rst lactation.”
is new research shows the bene ts of feeding RPC during the close-up dry period to the unborn calf. Calves born from cows fed RPC 21 days pre-partum were born lighter, improving calving ease, but were 13kg heavier at 12 months of age and 36kg heavier post-calving.
e di erence in early daily weight gain can be a ributed to both the e ects on calf development in-utero and the improved colostrum quality from the cows fed RPC; increasing dry ma er intake and enabling the calf to ght immune challenges more e ectively.
e growth and health bene ts resulted in heifer calves from cows fed PRC having a higher milk yield in their rst lactation, averaging 2.2 litres/day/head more than control.
Every dairy cow doesherdemandsandmaintenancemeetfatmobilisemustbodyreservestoextraproductionthatfeedintakenotcover ANNA DINSDALE
New research shows the benefits of feeding RPC during the close-up dry period to the unborn calf.
e incidence of either can predispose the cow to other problems associated with transition, along with a failure to reach true peak milk yield potential.
“Not only are we interested in the bene ts to the milkers at Metcalfe Farms, but we are also
of early lactation not only experience environmental and social changes, but also endure a period of negative energy
reduced incidence of metabolic
keen to investigate the additional bene ts in the calves born to supplemented cows.
is fat mobilisation causes a surge in fa y acids in the bloodstream, associated with ketosis. Alongside this risk, the increased blood ow to the liver can see fat accumulating as it cannot be
Dr Anna Sutcli e, ruminant nutritionist at KW Feeds, was involved in the trials and says: “ e recommended 30g/head/day has been fed to pre- and post-calvers and initial results are very positive.
72 NUTRITION OCTOBER 2022
Unlocking the potential of fresh cows and heifer calves
Ms Dinsdale says: “It is therefore essential throughout transition to monitor her closely and maintain an excellent nutrition programme, as every dairy cow must mobilise body fat reserves to meet extra maintenance and production demands that her feed intake does not cover.”
ows productioncalving,dryfromtransitioningtheclose-upperiod,throughcolostrumandonset
Ms Dinsdale advises that as extra fat mobilisation is inevitable for a cow on the steep incline to peak lactation, using a rumen protected choline (RPC) source will help the liver to metabolise and export the extra fa y acids out of the liver for use in milk production or tissue repair.
Downward trend
Call Andy Berry about “Crypt-Occur”07969164066 www.berrysagriculture.co.uk
JMuller’s decision to increase its October Direct milk price by 1ppl for the consecutive month a er the 1ppl increase from September has now cemented the 48ppl level for our liquid standard*. is latest increase takes the company’s total increase to 18ppl for the year to date, with the price including the 1ppl Muller Advantage premium paid quarterly in arrears for those producers who meet the conditions for the Muller Advantage programme.
74 OCTOBER 2022
Average
Cost tracker
year to date to 12.91ppl and our liquid standard price to 50.1ppl.
M&S Milk Pledge triggers another increase
e retailer’s current cost tracker for August on 42.26ppl is actually 0.65ppl lower than when costs peaked in June this year at Other42.91ppl.milkbuyers moving their price up to 48ppl from October include Meadow Foods li ing by 1ppl, as well as Blackmore Vale Dairy, which increased its price by 2.5ppl.
MILKprices
e new price, 19ppl above the company’s price for October last year, is 16.3ppl above its ve-year October average price of 31.70ppl. e company also increased its organic milk price by 2ppl, taking our organic liquid standard up to 56ppl. is price also included the 1ppl Muller Advantage premium.
JThe M&S Milk Pledge Plus model has triggered the 1.1ppl band from the current price, by our count, for the eighth time since July last year, to deliver a further 1.63ppl increase from September.
Maintaining Calf Health Muller to 48ppl from October
With Muller moving to 48ppl, most others having not reached this level have started to fall into line, including Tesco, which, for now, appears to have le its cost model to one side in favour of tracking the Muller price, has also increased its TSDG milk price by 1ppl from October to 48ppl for our Muller TSDG supplier and 47.75ppl for our Arla TSDG supplier.
The increase follows the 2.2ppl increase from August and takes the total increase for the
The new price is 14.20ppl above the price paid for September last year and 13.52ppl above its priceSeptemberfive-yearaverageof36.58ppl.
replicating the increase forTheSeptember.increase takes the retailer’s total price increase for the year to 15.59ppl and compares with 31.45ppl paid for the same month last year, as well as being 14.29ppl above its five-year October average price of 33.38ppl.
JFreshways has confirmed it is to hold its milk price for October, maintaining the company’s milk price of 50ppl for our liquid standard litre.
mothballed Watsons Dairy, now on track to commence milk processing again to take the company’s processing capacity to more than 500 million litres a year.
Stephen
Milk price analyst Bradley on the latest milk industry developments.
liquid standard litre is 4% butterfat and 3.3% protein, for our manufacturing 4.2% butterfat and 3.4% protein and, in both cases, Bactoscans of 30,000/ml and SCCs of 200,000/ml, with Thermodurics of 500/ml, 1m litres/year on EODC (max vehicle accessibility) but before B
The company also confirms it has been successful in increasing its direct milk supply and is still looking to increase its milk fields.
The company has also removed the plastic dye from bottle caps, as coloured caps cannot be recycled back into food grade plastic, thereby reducing the food industry’s dependence on virgin plastic, with more than 300 tonnes available for re-use in the food sector each year.
*Our pricing, balancing, profile adjustments from level supply, seasonality, monthly profile payments, capital deductions or annual/part annual growth incentive schemes or supplements not directly linked to dairy market price movement.
It says it will be difficult to remain competitive if the remaining bulk of the liquid market remains at a subdued level, as its customers will begin to lose business to lower milk prices available from major multiples.
The integration with Medina is reported to be continuing well, and is on time with the previously
Two Elopak fully automated lines have been installed, capable of packing 200m litres a year with a fully tethered cap, in carbon neutral packaging. Trials on this are due to start soon.
Freshways 50ppl for second month
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JWith hasmilkCo-operativesetmilkcomparedthirdforunchangedholdingSainsbury’sitsmilkpriceon47pplOctober(forthesuccessivemonth)withitscostofproductioncurrentlyat43.65ppl,theMullerDairyGrouppriceforthismonthincreasedby0.67ppl,
Arla Foods—Sainsbury’s 39.38 40.32 34.53 0.94 46.88
South Caernarfon 40.10 41.75 34.10 1.65 49.00
First Milk 40.05 42.05 34.07 2.00 49.39
Freshways 40.00 40.00 32.79 N/C 50.00
Wyke Farms 41.41 43.81 34.76 2.40 49.20
Grahams Dairies 40.00 40.00 32.54 N/C 46.00
Latest milk prices
UK Arla Farmers—Morrisons (Grazing) 42.86 47.59 37.07 4.73 50.04
*StoneXMilkprices.com UKMFE (net)
UK Arla Farmers—Tesco 43.07 47.39 37.25 4.32 49.84
May’22 Jun’22 12mth Diff Latest 4.0/3.3 4.0/3.3 Ave Jun’22 Confirmed Before Before Jul’21 v Milk Seas’lty Seas’lty Jun’22 May’22 Price
Dale Farm NI 43.02 45.02 36.26 2.00 47.02
Simple Average 41.26 43.54 34.85 2.28
Müller Milk Group—The Co-op Dairy Group 40.11 41.18 34.16 1.07 47.67
Yew Tree Dairy 40.00 42.00 33.40 2.00 48.00
Müller Milk Group—Tesco 40.84 41.59 34.98 0.75 48.00
LIQUID PRICES (4% b/f & 3.3% prot) (i) (ii) (iii) (i) v (ii) (iv)
MANUFACTURING PRICES (4.2% b/f & 3.4% prot)
UK Arla Farmers 43.30 47.79 37.24 4.49 50.35
Barber’s Cheesemakers 40.90 43.75 34.72 2.85 49.42
Arla Foods—Tesco 40.59 41.34 34.73 0.75 47.75
Müller Milk Group—Waitrose 41.10 44.20 36.57 3.10 49.00
Dale Farm GB (Kendal) 40.39 42.39 33.60 2.00 47.39
Dale Farm NI 43.91 45.91 37.08 2.00 47.91
First Milk—Haverfordwest Tesco Cheese Group 41.55 43.55 35.57 2.00 50.89
Notes to table
Meadow Foods Lakes 41.00 42.25 33.15 1.25 48.00
UK Arla Farmers 41.65 45.97 35.82 4.32 48.42
Müller Milk Group—Müller Direct 40.00 41.50 33.00 1.50 48.00
The Fresh Milk Company (Lactalis) 41.61 43.17 34.76 1.56 49.20
Crediton Dairy 40.25 42.50 33.79 2.25 48.00
Simple Average (excl. retail contracts) 40.41 42.23 33.54 1.81
Meadow Foods 41.00 42.25 33.15 1.25 48.00
Belton Farm 40.05 42.05 33.59 2.00 48.55
Simple Average 40.71 42.73 34.51 2.02
Arla Foods—Direct Manufacturing 40.72 40.72 32.88 N/C 47.76
Glanbia—Llangefni (Constituent) 40.00 42.00 33.41 2.00 49.25
76 OCTOBER 2022 MILK PRICES
Wensleydale Dairy Products 41.71 45.39 34.52 3.68 49.81
Saputo Dairy UK—Davidstow 38.75 43.75 34.59 5.00 49.50
Simple Average (excl. retail contracts) 41.13 43.53 34.70 2.40 53.53 57.05 43.63 3.52 48.24 51.59 39.15 3.35
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. Prices exclude capital retentions or AHDB levies, profile adjustments from level supply, seasonality, balancing and A&B price schemes. 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) May’22 prices before seasonality or B pricing (ii) Jun’22 prices before seasonality or B pricing (iii) Table ranked on simple rolling 12mth average of monthly prices Jul’21 to Jun’22). (i) v (ii) The difference Jun’22 compared with May’22. UK Arla Farmers 3.45ppl increase from May’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.26ppkg (+1.298ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 3.58ppl increase from May’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.31ppkg (+1.349ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. UK Arla Farmers 4.32ppl increase from Jun’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.26ppkg (+1.298ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 4.49ppl increase from Jun’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.31ppkg (+1.349ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. First Milk price includes 0.5ppl Member Premium accrued as a 13th payment paid Apr’23. 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 (last payment 0.015ppl for Mar’22). MMG Direct price includes 1ppl Premium paid annually in arrears to Direct/Organic farms meeting specific Müller Direct criteria (Quartely payments from Apr’22). Crediton Dairy price includes FarmMetrics Scheme Bonus of 0.5ppl paid monthly. South Caernarfon price includes flat 0.6ppl annual member bonus. ‡ Price includes 12mth average rolling profile fixed at 0.57ppl. * UK Milk Futures Equivalent (UKMFE) net to producer includes 5% processor margin and allowing 2ppl ex-farm haulage + 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. N/C in this context means no change made aware since Jun’22. UK Arla Farmers 1.59ppl increase from Jul’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.25ppkg (+1.288ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 1.66ppl increase from Jul’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.30ppkg (+1.339ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.86ppl increase from Aug’22 and hold for Sept’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.25ppkg (+1.288ppl) based on our liquid std litre. UK Arla Farmers 0.9ppl increase from Aug’22 and hold for Sept’22 includes forecast 13th payment +1.30ppkg (+1.339ppl) based on our manufacturing std litre. MMG Direct Premium for Direct/ Organic farms meeting specific Müller Direct criteria confirmed as 1ppl for 2022 and paid quarterly, Apr’22, Jul’22, Oct’22 & Jan’23. South Caernarfon price includes flat 0.6ppl annual member bonus increasing by 0.1ppl to 0.7ppl from Jun’22 backdated to Apr’22. All prices (excluding First Milk Haverfordwest Tesco at 1.50ppl) are before monthly retail supplements. Milkprices.com cannot take any responsibility for losses arising. Copyright: Milkprices.com
Müller Milk Group—Sainsbury’s 39.50 40.44 34.65 0.94 46.88
‘B’ Price StoneXMilkprices.comIndicators UKMFE (gross)
**Delivered 34.72 49.21 14.49
Müller Milk Group—Müller Direct (Scotland) 39.79 41.29 32.79 1.50 47.79
UK Arla Farmers—Morrisons 42.63 47.36 36.84 4.73 49.81
Blackmore Vale Dairy 38.70 42.01 33.29 3.31 48.00
The Fresh Milk Company—Level Profile ‡ 42.18 43.74 35.33 1.56 49.77
spot milk (net to the producer)
from
Paynes Farms Dairies 40.00 42.00 33.08 2.00 48.00
Parkham Farms Tesco 42.72 43.70 36.08 0.98 47.70
Müller Milk Group—M&S 41.21 42.99 37.90 1.78 50.10
Braeforge 40.00 42.00 32.96 2.00 50.00
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and the Germans for butter and SMP convert it to a milk price equivalent of about 47p, while ‘real market’ spot values convert to about 45p.
Next year’s growth is put at 3% too. is will put pressure on imports, with 2023 imports forecast to be down 13% overall.
Cash margins will remain positive, but will so en throughout 2022 and 2023, as input costs remain elevated.
As a result of all the factors in play around the world, Rabobank is downgrading its Q4 EU milk supply forecast to one of +0.5% on last year; 2022 milk production as a whole will decline by 0.3%.
Weak Chinese import demand continuing throughout 2023, plus sluggish dairy demand in home markets, will result in rising exportable surpluses in the rst half of However,2023. the report predicts ‘healthy regional price premiums’ are likely to be a feature in the com ing months, particularly in Europe, given the current market tightness.
It also predicts that New
But traders are struggling to get deals done, as buyers do not like those prices and sellers do not want to let butter go for any less. They are quoting between €6,800 (£5,900) and €6,900Cream(£6,000).inEurope and
Cheese
e report says: “ e collision between supply growth and demand rationing could be less severe, more gradual, or delayed for EU dairy prices, which are currently driven mainly by regional“Nonetheless,dynamics.there are some clear warning signals ahead, with in ation ba ering dairy demand, raised concerns over gas availability and a ordability for the dairy industry, and drought impacting corn crops and pasture conditions.”
Directionless Traders say the market is firm, but fromdirectionlesssomewhatandonedge.TheofficialquotationstheDutch,theFrench
combined big seven (EU, US, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and China) milk pool returns to growth in Q4 2022.
Cheese prices remain very firm still, with UK mild Cheddar at £4,900/t. If milk moves out of SMP and butter into cheese on the continent and it might on the back of high production costs (primarily gas), then prices may weaken. But so far there are few signs of that happening.
Commodity markets remain firm but edgy
However ‘the breakeven milk price’ sits at about NZ$8.50/ kg (£4.44/kg) solids, and the risk that the farmgate milk price forecast will weaken below break-even cost remains.
‘potential collision’ is report,Rabobank’saccordingapproachingtolatestasthe
For China, Rabobank has revised its growth forecast for the second half of 2022 to 5% from 3% and thinks self-su ciency may have increased from 75% to 80% this year.
Despite some worrying sentiment, extrapolating its pre dicted commodity prices to Q4 2023 and converting them to a farmgate price suggests they will remain strong and at current levels.
The real market price is now €3,450 (£2,996), say traders, which is way below the €3,600 (£3,126) being quoted by the Dutch.
On prices, it believes the milk price cycle has peaked and will
For 2023, Rabobank forecasts a modest increase of 0.5% in the rst half of the year and 0.1% in the second half.
Market set for a collision, says Rabobank A
Zealand volumes for the 2022/23 season will be 1.5-2% more than last year.
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a en on the back of higher costs for processors and moderat ing dairy commodity prices.
For the US, Rabobank forecasts milk production will expand by 1% for the second half of 2022 compared to last year and by just over 1% for 2023.
the UK is remaining extremely stable, at about £2.85/kg. SMP continues to be stuck in the doldrums with plenty of availability and with a huge gap it seems between seller demands and buyer asks.
JThere have been some encouraging moves on the fat market in recent weeks, with the benchmark Dutch Dairy Board butter price increasing by a decent €70/ tonne (£60/t) to €7,220/t (£6,270/t) and with German up by €100/t (£87/t) to €7,100/t (£6,166/t).
With currency changes factored in, the commodities convert into a milk price of nearer 40p now, compared to one nearer 36p at the last auction.
milk
will flatten
is
back
higher costs for processors and
Rabobank predicting prices on the of moderating commodity
The average price crossed over the $4,000 (£3,463) threshold again, with WMP crossing $3,600 (£3,117) again after a 5% rise, with butter back over $5,350 (£4,632) after a 3% rise.
prices.
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Arla’s SMP turned positive for the first time since June, with a decent price rise of €150 (£130) to over $3,500 (£3,030), which converts to €3,480 (£3,013) and £3,050 (£2,640).
JThe GDT auction turned positive for the first time since June, with a rise of 4.9% across all commodities – its biggest rise since March.
GDT rises for first time in five events
GDT predicted vs. non-aligned price (ppl) with three-month lag 2019Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov 2020Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov 2021Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov 2022Jan Mar May Jul Sep 1020304050600 GDT Non-aligned
e sample is then auto matically processed in the Lap box, which works by capturing images of the colour-change reactions within the cartridge and transmits them to the cloud for analysis and interpretation.
rMore mastatest.com/get-in-touchinformation
N
Mastitis diagnostic launched
slurry to the crop and soil. The unique bacteria in MicroZyme R [ruminant] and MicroZyme S [swine] break down fibre, starch, pectins, fats and protein residues to decrease solids and lower harmful“Theseemissions.products will help farmers to meet [new clean air strategy targets] and will also make applying slurry more efficient.”
JNew products are featured in each issue of Dairy Farmer. Please send details and pictures to Hannah Park orhannah.park@agriconnect.com,atcall01772799450.
This month, we feature Tramspread’s slurry additive, a fully automated mastitis diagnostic, a new twin-auger trailed mixer, plus an Immunity+ health Index from Semex.
agitation and will require less fuel to pump out while making the slurry more homogenous, which is said to improve application accuracy, especially with trailing shoe or dribble bar applicators.
ew to the UK from mastitisfullyMastatestMastaplex,isaautomateddiagnos
tic which rapidly informs dairy farmers about causative bacter ial type, antibiotic sensitivity and gives takesstartedhardwaretridge,sampletreatmentvet-recommendedprotocol.Touse,acollectedmilkispouredintoacarplacedinthe‘Lapbox’unit,andacycle–aprocesswhichlessthan30seconds.
Got a new product?
Processing
JA new slurry additive is said to be able to retain nitrogen and reduce emissions.
From slurry specialist Tramspread, MicroZyme slurry improvers are a biological slurry additive designed to reduce solids and ammonia emissions, while improving nitrogenManagingretention.director Terry Baker says: “MicroZyme products will reduce emissions and improve the value of
protocol determined by the farm’s vet. All on-farm data is captured in an online console, fully accessible by farmer and vet.
rMore information from Tramspread on 01449 766 133, or info@tramspread.co.uk
Within 24 hours, the farmer and vet will receive electronic noti cation of the result, stating the cause of mastitis, the anti biotic sensitivity of the strain present and a recommended treatment plan based on the
In the UK market, Agsenze, manufacturer of the HerdVision automated mobility and body condition scoring camera sys
The applicationrecommendedrateis1kg of Microzyme per 500cu.m of store capacity per year.
tem, is acting as sales agent for Mastatest.
Slurry additive boasts environmental credentials
Mr Baker says slurry treated with MicroZyme requires less
80 OCTOBER 2022
NEWProducts
The new index is calculated
with a higher proportion of cell-mediated immune response (CMIR) as opposed to antibodymediated immune response, because CIMR is better for defending against viruses which are more prevalent in calves, allowing more precise selection on calf health for those farmers who need it.
JKuhn has filled the gap between its Profile S and L range of trailed mixer wagons with the Profile M series.
81 NEW PRODUCTS OCTOBER 2022
rMore information at semex.com/uk
Fitting neatly between the narrow- and wide-bodied machines, and aimed at mediumsized farms, the M series will be produced from 2023 onwards in five mixing capacities from 16cu.m to 25cu.m.
The 20cu.m-capacity machine
rMore information on 01952 239 300, hannah.britland@kuhn.comor
JSemex has released the next generation of its Immunity+ health index. All Semex sires will receive an index for Immunity and Calf Immunity, with the aim of making it easier to make health selection choices. The new Immunity Index is generated by a new specially developed machine learning algorithm, developed by Dr Steven Larmer at Semex.
Immunity Health Index from Semex
has an overall height of less than three metres, making it well suited to housing with lowerTheaccess.largest machine in the range at 25cu.m can feed 200 cows in a single pass. Plus models are also specified with a straw blowing turbine.
Twin-auger trailed mixer launched
82 MACHINERY OCTOBER 2022
Adaptions to the calculator have allowed systems to be designed for European conditions and buildings.
Designed for success: Positive pressure ventilation
However, this is o en through
than a bespoke version, universal versions which do not allow for speci c building adjustment can be detrimental for calf wellbeing with over-ventilation creating draught and chill e ect.
David Ball, senior technical knowledge exchange manager at AHDB, says: “When designing a calf housing system, it can be challenging to balance the need for fresh air with the detrimental e ects of draughts.
“A calf building o en needs to deal with a wide range of weather conditions in which to provide the optimum environment for the calf.”
e Dairyland Initiative, run from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focuses on a range of dairy welfare and housing challenges, including the design and implementation of PPTV systems for youngstock.
rMore information
“Ideally, air speeds at calf height should be about 0.25m/second. Any air speed greater than this is considered a draught.”
Mr Ball says: “It is vital to achieve adequate levels of ventilation in calf buildings while protecting the calf from draughts.
The mild conditions in late October and November increase respiratory disease pressure in youngstock housing. Toby Whatley looks at the options with bespoke positive pressure ventilation systems.
Multiple designs of PPTV can be used, from standard designs which o er li le adjustment for the building condition, to dedicated bespoke systems matched to the building dimensions, stocking density and housing layout.
Although typically much cheaper
are made to a building is crucial for youngstock well-being.
industry-contactswisc.edu/professionals/thedairylandinitiative.vetmed.at
the design of a speci c building, dedicated for youngstock rearing.
rough building design, geographic position and stocking density, appropriate air temperatures, air speeds at calf level and air exchanges can be achieved.
JThe Dairyland Initiative, run through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, offers a free online tool to find suppliers and advisers who can design and manufacture bespoke PPTV systems.
Dairyland Initiative
ositive pressure tube ventilation (PPTV) systems are an e ective way to environmentventilationoncantionbuilding,systembeaironventilationgeneratemechanicallyconsistentforcalves,withafocusairexchangesperhourandspeedatcalflevel.Considerationmustalwaystakenofthedesignofthetubeinrelationtotheoverallassignicantover-ventila-andsubsequentwindchillinghaveequallydetrimentaleectsyoungstockinrelationtonoatall.Understandingthecorrectcalfbeforeanychanges
P
In situations where this is not possible or the building is dual use and utilised for di erent purposes, mechanical ventilation through the use of forced air through a tube or ducting can o er environmental control and a be er management of the building atmospheric condition.
“An air speed of 0.5 metres per second or greater at calf level will result in excessive heat loss.
Users of the calculator are required to undertake training from the initiative. However, the process should enable a design of tube to be both suited to the building and the type of fan operating it.
Variations in fan size and output will change the performance of the tube, so a bespoke tube is always speci ed with a particular model of fan, which should be run at a constant speed.
Some consultants may also o er multiple designs depending on fan availability and running costs. Typically most fans are single-phase operated. However, some larger systems may utilise a three-phase driven variant.
been expanded and adapted for European conditions.
Originally developed by the University andWisconsin-Madison,ofbespoketubesaremanufacturedtofitthebuildinglayoutstockingdensity.
PICTURE:TheDairylandInitiative
PPTV systems have been in use since the 1970s. However, following a process of air ow modelling and clinical investigation
Once building dimensions are collected, the design so ware allows the output hole size and position along the tube length to be changed to achieve the target airow at calf height in addition to the building air exchanges per hour.
dimensions, stocking distribution and density. Originally developed for dairy businesses associated with northern US states, the process has
83 MACHINERY OCTOBER 2022
of respiratory diseases, the initiative developed a design process which adapted the speci cation of a tube to account for speci c building
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Machinery and farm technology reporter
• Advise existing and new customers on the most e ective solution to meet client needs within the Agriconnect portfolio.
With modern agricultural machinery and emerging technology changing the face of contemporary agriculture, the right person would work alongside the Head of Machinery and Farm Technology to produce the best coverage in the sector.
You would play a key role in generating both written and video content for this part of the portfolio, with travel opportunities across the UK and abroad. As part of the team you would have a keen focus on contributing content ideas for Arable Farming, Dairy Farmer and Farmers Guardian.
Farmers Guardian and parent company Agriconnect are on the hunt for a high calibre candidate to work for its machinery and farm technology team across prominent brands such as Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer as well as involvement in thriving events such as LAMMA Show and the British Farming Awards.
Farmers Guardian Competitive
• Contributory pension scheme
Arc has ambitious plans for growth, and this is an opportunity to be part of our continuing success story whilst enjoying a fabulous work/ life balance.
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Business Development Manager
Agriconnect is a business unit within the Arc network, a global events, data, and media platform. Arc is a fast-growing global events, data, and media platform with a varied portfolio content led portals, magazines, and events. Agriconnect’s mission is to empower, inspire, and connect people and business in agriculture by creating trusted content and connections that help the industry thrive.
To
Have you got a passion for agricultural machinery and emerging technology in the farming sector? Do you want to provide great written, video and audio content for some of the leading brands in UK agricultural publishing and events? If so, then this is the job for you.
Location: Preston – temporary hybrid remote
• Be enthusiastic and motivated to continually explore new opportunities, whilst possessing a natural inquisitive nature
85OCTOBER 2022 Recruitment
• Hours: 35 hours per week – Mon – Fri
We o er an excellent package including:
• Free life assurance
• Own, support and fully develop speci c market sectors
• Highly motivated & driven, with an ability to meet ambitious performance goals
We offer an excellent package including 25 days holiday increasing to 27 after two years, an extra day off on your birthday, free life assurance, free parking, flexible working, contributory pension scheme and a 35-hour working week.
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Other sectors all have their pluses. Sheep farming, which was supposed to get a hard time post-Brexit, de es all logic. e last time I heard a sheep farmer complain, it was over the quality of sandwiches at a funeral tea.
GOODEvans
I
don’t go to the pub as o en as I used to. I stopped going so o en because my mobility isn’t good and the access is, as they say, ‘challenging’.NowInd I can’t a ord to go three times a week like I used to. But we do go about once a month for a meal. e last time we went there were only three or four people we knew there. e downside to staying at home for the past couple of years is that people discovered just how nice it is around here and so they are visiting again.
e pub was full of strangers, all having a meal. ese strangers are okay, but they know li le of tradition. ey sit on a se le all night, but when they put their bag and their dog beside them they ll the se le up all night and take no notice of the locals, who usually sit there glowering at them all night.
‘In these troubled times we have to look for the pluses’
For me, the biggest indicator of the passage of time is when winter barley goes into ear. I know that for some of you this barley has been in ear
Passage of time
I don’t know what will happen when winter comes. I can see a lot of rural pubs being closed unless we all go there just to keep warm.
I had a biology teacher at school who always referred to winter as the ‘unfavourable season’. He had protruding teeth and was lose of lip. So when he said ‘season’ he used to cover you with spit.
From careful observation, I must tell you that the average stranger drinks two pints a night, but the average local drinks at least six. Just saying.
One stranger on the se le all night equals to two pints sold, ve locals squeezed on the same se le and there would be 30 pints sold. ere is an irony there somewhere.
for some time, but it has only been in ear around here lately. We live where we live and we can’t do anything about that.
Once that barley is in ear, the year seems to fall away quite quickly and before you know it, it isereChristmas.wasaman in our village, now sadly passed away, who always used to say to me as soon as we had passed June 21: “ e nights are starting to draw in now Rog.” And he was right, the nights were starting to draw in and I hadn’t paid for last year’s turkey yet.
In these troubled times we have to look for pluses wherever we can. At the moment we are not selling any milk and we don’t see any rush to get back in. I don’t know that things will be any be er next year, but they can’t be any worse.
Silage
This month, Roger Evans ponders the future of local pubs and their takesclientele,alookat the passing seasons and discusses the impact not having milking cows is having on him.
No cows to milk means no silage to make (not much anyway) and that means there are no trac tors rushing about burning expensive diesel. There is no expensive cake to buy and no electricity to cool any milk. I miss the sound of the vacuum pump, up until now a constant in my life.
I don’t claim any credit for any of these pluses; they were directly the result of ge ing notice on more than 81 hectares (200 acres) of land we had farmed for more than 20 years.
e cows could, in theory, have stayed for another 12 months, but our TB status is clear and we could not take the chance of them failing a test. We are in a six-month testing area and there is plenty of TB around here.
Cereals are a good price for the wrong reason. Around here they have big men in black coats guarding the wheat eld gates. If they make a
86 OCTOBER 2022
Nature provides lots of indicators which show the passage of time through the year. e ones most people notice are the spring owers and the blossoms which signal the end of winter and be er weather to come.
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We once had a really good cow which would lie on her calf and kill it. She tricked us a couple of times until we worked out what she was doing.
was true, very o en it wasn’t, but the beauty of this was, only a few of us knew.
We never made a big deal of calving a cow anyway. We used to go around the cows at bed time and there was always someone about at four o’clock.erehave always been a lot of beef cows around here and these farmers would get up at any time. e only output of that cow in a year
Something which has always been a constant in my life has gone. If someone asked me to go somewhere that I didn’t want to go to, I always used to be able to say: “I’ve got a cowVerycalving.”oenthis
would be a live healthy calf, so that would be perfectly understandable.
It’s my wife’s birthday in three months time, but I can’t take her anywhere, I’ve got a cow calving. She invited me to go shopping with her the other day, but I don’t do shopping, so I said that I’d love to but I had a cow calving. And she believed me.
If she couldn’t lie on her own calf, she would lie on the calf of another cow. When we saw her she might have moved, so all we would nd was a dead calf in the straw. But it wasn’t as simple as that. I can never remember her lying on a black and white bull, it was always a heifer.
lot of money this year, it will depend on the weather and how much drying they have to do.
A
ddressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emis sions could be one of the defining issues for UK dairy farmers in the coming decades, according to a new report into tackling GHG emis sions on grassland livestock farms by farm business consultants Andersons.
The win-wins of tackling greenhouse gas emissions for the livestock industry must be promoted to a wide audience, according to a new report into the topic. Cedric Porter reports.
dairy emissions in a list of 13 developed dairy countries.
88 BUSINESS CLINIC OCTOBER 2022
Joint authors Michael Haverty and James Webster say: “In some cases, ‘doing the right thing’ environmentally is also good for business as it simply involves more efficient production.
Mr Poore and Mr Nemecek calculate that dairy beef accounts for 42% of total beef methane emis sions and suckler beef 43%.
calculated at 3.15kg of CO2e per litre.
It was ahead of Ireland and the US, matched New Zealand, but lagged intensive, often indoor, grain-based diary countries in northern Europe.
The Andersons report points out that methane from fossil fuel energy sources is much more damaging than livestock methane as it is new methane
Much of the focus on GHG emis sions in grazed livestock is on meth ane, because of its production during the ruminating process.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) calculates that agriculture accounts for 40% of the world’s emissions of 356 million tonnes of methane a year. Energy production accounts for 38%, with oil at 11.5%, gas at 10.7% and coal at 12.3%.
The latest thinking on methane stresses the importance of minimising emissions. Unlike carbon dioxide, keeping methane emissions at a constant level does not contribute to global Reducingwarming.methane will lead to an immediate cooling effect. It takes
It calculated that total emissions from cheese were at 11kg of carbon di oxide equivalent (CO2e), with 7kg of that in the form of carbon dioxide and 4kg in methane. Milk emissions were
World emissions
which has been ‘released’ after having been locked up for millions of years.
“There is much work for the industry to do to promote these ‘win-wins’ to the widest audience.”
It adds that if all world production was similarly efficient, the number of dairy cows could be reduced from 278 million to 76m.
Waste also accounts for one-fifth of global methane emissions, accord ing to the AndersonsIEA.says: “Food waste is a major contributor to methane emissions from waste and it is incumbent on all agri-food industry stakeholders, and society generally, to minimise waste with urgency.”
That opens the debate about the merits of feeding large volumes of grains which could be fed to humans rather than using grassland which cannot directly produce human food and has a role in capturing carbon.
There is, however, some encour agement for producers as they try to meet the goal of reduced GHG.
How do UK dairy emissions compare?
Meanwhile, most agricultural methane is recycled into soil, grass and other plants.
Greenhouse gas reduction takes centre stage
The report refers to a 2018 study by life-cycle analysis academics Joseph
Poore, of the University of Oxford, and Thomas Nemecek, of Swiss consultants Agroscope.
Beef from dairy cattle emits 17kg of CO2e (10kg CO2 and 7kg methane) per 100g of protein. That is consider ably less than dedicated beef produc tion – 49kg CO2e per 100kg of protein and a little lower than lamb (20kg CO2e in total). Pig and poultry meat and eggs have a lower GHG footprint.
JThe Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers says that UK dairy greenhouse emissions are 1.25kg CO2e for a litre of milk, which compares to a global average of 2.9kg CO2e.
A 2020 study by the World Resources Institute found that the UK had the eighth lowest
JThe UK and devolved governments have launched a call for evidence on methods of reducing livestock methane production using improved feed and other systems.
“Through this call for evidence we will better understand the promising role emerging feed additive technologies for cattle could play and how Government can help drive its development.”
Andersons says a step change in farming behaviour will be needed to reduce GHGs significantly and that is only likely to happen with Government support and rewards for carbon capture and sequestration.
Submissions can be made up to November 15, 2022.
For further details about Stoll front loaders and other products in the Lynx range, call Lynx Engineering today on 01327 843215 or visit www.lynx-engineering.co.uk
rFor more information, go to feed-productsagriclimate/methane-supressing-consult.defra.gov.uk/
A step change in farming behaviour will need Government support and rewards for carbon capture and sequestration, says Andersons.
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Its proponents suggest that methane emissions from livestock need to decline by 0.3% a year for the livestock sector to have no impact on global warming. Any reductions beyond
that should have a cooling effect on the climate. The UK dairy herd has been reducing at about 1% a year, so its methane impact should be reducing.
Andersons looks at a number of ways of reducing or mitigating GHG emissions. The Government’s Climate Change Commission has identified slow-release fertilisers, improved livestock health, slurry management, tree planting, restoration of peatlands and the growing of more bio-energy crops as helpful in the fight against climate change.
time before reduced CO2 emissions feed through to a stabilising of global temperatures.Thereforethe 40% reduction in UK dairy cow numbers over the last 35 years will have had a cooling effect because of reduced methane emissions.
The University of Oxford has updated the globally recognised Global Warming Potential (GWP) measure and hopes it will be adopted globally to assess climate change.
It also proposes at least a 20% reduction in beef, lamb and dairy consumption per person.
The NFU agrees that using farmland to better capture carbon is sensible, but says that the biggest gains will be made boosting productivity and reducing emissions – a strategy it estimates could reduce GHG emissions by 11.5mt of CO2 equivalent a year. Innovation is likely to play a part. The Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Livestock has said that a focus on improving feed efficiency and cattle genetics could reduce net
dairy GHG emissions by 15% and beef emissions by 23%.
90 BUSINESS OCTOBER 2022
signi cant amounts of soil will need to be shi ed from such sites, and farmers could be ideally placed to take it, says CLM land consultant Ma hew Berryman.
Another on-farm use could be making a bund to shield residential property from the noise of a road, railway track or even a busy yard.
ith underway,developmentcommercialresidentialever-moreand
diversi cation where a particular type of soil was needed to create the“Itlakes.could also be used in landscaping projects designed to provide habitats for biodiversity or recreational spaces for visitors.
Providing a home for soil from development sites could offer farmers a chance to generate revenue and help the environment. Dairy Farmer reports.
Soil from development sites could be used to build a slurry lagoon.
“It cuts diesel use and reduces road congestion if it is able to head to a more local farm.”
If you are in a suitable location, both landraising (i.e. mounding soil above ground level) and land ll can o er fantastic opportunities, he says.
andLandraisinglandfillingopportunities
Location
“Soil can be useful, for example, when building a slurry lagoon.”
ment rights process, which is quick and low cost compared to submit ting a full planning application.
Farmers could receive between £40 and £70 per lorry-load, depending on the size of the load, the distance it has to be transported and the exact access arrangements.
“Obviously it depends on where you are and how much material you can responsibly take, but some farmers have been able to add hundreds of thousands of pounds to their bo om line in this way.
As well as bene ting the environment, it can represent a ‘win-win’ for the farmer, providing a much-needed source of income, along with a material which can potentially be used in a host of landscaping and building projects.
“I have even seen it considered
Mr Berryman says: “ e dairy sector – and indeed the whole livestock sector – is under pressure to stop nutrients in manure and slurry ge ing into watercourses, so a lot of farmers will need to upgrade their storage facilities.
“You certainly do not want to risk taking what you think is ‘inert, uncontaminated’ soil, only to later discover it is not and to be faced with a bill for moving it to licensed land ll which could be many times greater than the sum you received.
Mr Berryman says: “ is means everything from payment rates and access details to the exact timescale and the precise nature of the soil being deposited.
“Local residents may, understandably, also have questions, so it is important to keep your neighbours informed. But carefully planned and site-sensitive projects can bring bene ts for all involved.”
as a way of relandscaping a vineyard to prevent a frost pocket.”
Bunds can also be used to reduce the visual impact of ba ery storage and other energy-related developments which are set to become more common.
Whether you are dealing with a developer or a haulier, or both, it is also important farmers and landowners agree all the terms of an agreement ahead of any work beginning.
W
“I have seen it used for a shing
“Ge ing planning need not always be a lengthy process. Indeed, some small-scale projects can be done under the permi ed develop
MATTHEW BERRYMAN
“ e whole land ll sector has come a long way compared with a couple of decades ago when some operators occasionally acted irresponsibly. Now it is – quite rightly – heavily regulated. Farmers are no strangers to navigating the planning system, but it is vital to make sure you have all the right permissions and paperwork in place before you bring a single bucketful of new soil onto your land.”
He says: “Construction projects o en generate big quantities of soil and, although many licensed tips take such commercial waste, this can involve moving it large distances.
It is vital to make sure you have all the inandpermissionsrightpaperworkplace
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