Kentucky Dairy Notes The Dairy Industry in the Netherlands By: Sarah Atkins, Kelly Loewen, Michele Jones, Katie Kelly, Amanda Lee, Sarah Mac, Haley Reichenbach, Carissa Truman In the United States, feeding a total mixed ration, using antibiotics as dry cow therapy, housing in freestalls, and bedding with sand or sawdust are typical management practices. However, during a study abroad trip, 8 University of Kentucky students learned that on dairies in the Netherlands, producers manage differently. Although most of the visits centered around compost bedded pack barns and technology, the differences between the countries were noticed immediately. Housing with slatted floors, greater breed variability, cows bred more for milk components than production, consumers demanding minimal antibiotic use, feeding partial mixed rations, providing payment for grazing herds, and high technology adoption rates, begin to describe some of the major differences. Focusing on housing, physiology, genetics, nutrition, welfare, and technology, the students discovered how European and American dairy producers differed.
January 2017 sold based on components, the farmer receives more money for a higher fat and protein percent in the milk. The Netherlands cows tended to be smaller than most of the Holsteins in America. Additionally, Belgian Blue beef bulls were used on the lower production cows. These crosses cause a double-muscled calf and have more beef characteristics. These calves also go for a higher price at market. Dairy housing systems were one pronounced difference between the Dutch and American industries. At almost every barn toured, some variation of a slatted floor was the preferred flooring type. These systems acted as a form of waste storage, while scrapers or scraping robots were widely used to push waste between the slats. The vast majority of the barns also featured 3 rows of freestalls with various mattress types or deep bedding with sand or dried compost. Additionally, most of the housing solutions being implemented currently focus on emission control. Strict laws regarding emissions from agriculture encourage the use of slatted floors and other innovations to regulate ventilation, including barn sides that can close, to control waste emissions. Because these changes may affect air quality, optional barn designs including fans and retractable barn walls, help to prevent poor air quality within the barn. The increased use of milking robots in the Dutch dairy herds also had an impact on barn design, which was notably different from the standard American dairy because they are designed with the efficiency of the robot in mind.
Feeding strategies in the Netherlands are unique compared to traditional American feeding practices. On every farm visited, concentrate feeders provided additional dietary supplementation. Each cow was identified with an RFID reader and given her allotment of concentrate throughout the day. Each animal received concentrate based on her milk production Like the United States, the main breed of dairy cows and stage of lactation. If the herd used robotic milking is the Holstein-Friesian with some Holstein crossbred systems, then cows also received concentrate during cows. These crossbreds have a higher fat and protein milking. The more sophisticated operations would content in their milk than the purebreds. When milk is stop feeding concentrate 2 hours before the cow
would become eligible to be milked again. Therefore, the opportunity to access concentrate in the milking pen draws the cow to the robotic milker to be milked. In the United States, corn silage is a major component of a total mixed ration (TMR). However, in the Netherlands, ensiled rye grass was the primary forage in addition to grazing. If the producer allowed the cows to have access to pasture for at least 6 hours per day, 120 days per year, producers were able to receive an additional $0.01 per L of milk produced. One farm fed a partial mixed ration (PMR) of ensiled rye grass and corn silage. They would then top dress with freshly cut rye grass (green chop). It was remarkable to see cows eating a vibrant green ration. Another farm we toured used the abundance of potatoes growing in the area to add additional starch to their TMR. Some farmers capitalized on their nutrition program by investing in the Lely Vector robotic feeding system. The Vector system custom mixed the feed according to programmed group rations. Farmers with the Vector system were required to build a separate “kitchen” facility in which a partial mixed ration was prepared separate from the silage pile. The “kitchen” is equipped with a claw (Figure 3) which weighs and adds each feed component individually to create the TMR. The Vector (Figure 4) then mixes the feed and dispenses it along the feed fence. Along with feeding the Vector also pushes feed up to the cows and measures the feed height at the bunk. If the feed height at the bunk was below 2.3 inches, the Vector heads back to the “kitchen” to prepare more TMR.
Figure 3. Lily Vector Feed Claw
Figure 4. Lely Vector automatic Feed Delivery System
Both American and Dutch dairy farmers battle consumer perceptions of antibiotic use, organic versus conventional management practices, animal welfare, and genetically modified organisms. However, Dutch consumers have surpassed US consumers with their impact on management. One prominent example of such requests is the consumer demand for cows allotted time to graze naturally on pasture. Consumers have also shown a willingness to pay more for milk from grazed herds. However, when considering decreased production and the cost of land, producers must choose if an incentive is cost effective. Additionally, animal care demands dictate management practices, and ecological requirements, such as slatted floors with “antiemission flaps” and phosphorous limitations, creating additional challenges for the Dutch dairy producers.
Although there is also debate over management practices, one producer suggested providing consumers with additional options. His proposed solution, “Free Walk Milk” (as it is translated), provides additional financial benefit to producers housing cows in open facilities (compost bedded pack barns) and small amounts of grazing time. To market his idea, this farmer hosts informational sessions focused on educating consumers about the dairy industry. The course, held in a room attached to his barn via a large glass partition, allows consumers to watch cows resting in the compost setting firsthand. By allowing consumers to see comfortable cows behaving in stereotypic natural behaviors, he believes that he is bridging the farmer-consumer gap and provides consumers with more motivation to demand and purchase “free walk milk”. Of the farms visited, the majority incorporated technologies in their management practices including automatic milking systems, manure scrapers, feeders, calf feeders, and concentrate feeders. The brand of the technologies varied throughout farms. With automatic milking robots, a couple of differences between systems included their pre-milking routine and attachment of the milking equipment. Automatic milking systems allow cows to be milked individually and with greater frequency. Switching to automatic milking systems tended to increase milk production. Automatic manure scrapers were used to manage waste, while automatic feed pushers also help to reallocate time to manage other tasks while cows still were encouraged to visit the feed bunk. Automation was also incorporated into calf raising, with calves being introduced to automatic calf feeding systems after birth. These systems allowed for group housing, while allowing individual attention from recorded drinking data, including speed, volume, and number of visits. As with any investment, many considerations had to be made before deciding on the purchase, including cash flow analysis, financial feasibility, technician accessibility, and producer preferences. Although all technologies mentioned are commercially marketed, there are infinite possibilities for future dairy technology. Some robot companies, such as Lely (Maassluis, Netherlands) are putting more emphasis on technologies designed to monitor dairy cows’ feed intake and better methods of monitoring health parameters through milk. Nonetheless, research in other areas is also a priority throughout the Netherlands. Dairy Campus
(Leeuwarden, Netherlands) serves as a research institute for the Netherlands with current research focusing on the use of synthetic flooring, Nedap (Groenlo, Netherlands) locational tracking, and scraping with automatic robots. Synthetic flooring has the potential to decrease ammonia output, because the flooring absorbs urea. Cow positioning with Nedap’s Cow Position System is now only functional for cows housed within barns, but their goal is to adapt the system for grazing herds. Additionally, some companies have begun to focus more on training staff to promote animal well-being and health. CRV (a genetics company based in Al Arnhem, The Netherlands) is also working on a technology called Ovalert that combines different alerts to best advise the farmer with advice regarding cow fertility. Together these products could help to make managing the dairy herd easier for producers. Both health and longevity of cows are important considerations in running a successful dairy farm. In the majority of the farms visited, many cows presented a relaxed and approachable demeanor. Some farmers believed that the lack of bullying behavior could be attributed to installing automatic milking machines. Because cows come and go from the milker as desired, cows have more time to lie down, ruminate, eat, and drink. The producer also spends less time fetching or pushing all of the cows to the parlor, helping to reduce cow stress. Some farms are also starting to implement a system known as a cuddle box. Immediately after calving, the calf is taken from the mother and put in a box in front of the mother. The system is beneficial for the calf because it gets time with the mother, provides safety, reduces the risk of illness, and provides easier transfer of colostrum to the calf. The system may also benefit the dam by potentially reducing stress and may encourage the dam to eat sooner. On the majority of dairies, there were also automatic grooming brushes that activate when a cow rubs against it to provide additional enrichment. We had a very enjoyable experience in the Netherlands. While many things were similar to the United States, they also differed. Largely, the European consumer has more influence on how agriculture is handled in their countries. However, American consumers are beginning to influence dairy systems in the United States too. Learning how European producers have handled dairy consumers’ demands in their countries could be useful for American dairy producers in the future.
Factors That Increase PI in Milk By: Selene Reeves and D. M. Amaral-Phillips The goal of any dairy producer is to maximize milk production while producing quality milk. Somatic cell count or SCC is a universal method to determine presence of an infection based on the number of somatic cells within the milk. A low SCC is one measure of milk quality within a herd. However, there may still be evidence of milk quality issues even when SCC is low. The preliminary incubation(PI) count is a unique test that has the ability to detect bacteria that grow in cold environments called psychrotrophic bacteria. By holding milk at 55°F for 18 hours, these bacteria can be detected. If these bacteria are not controlled, milk bonuses can be lost. From a producer standpoint, PI count can be used as a reflection of cleanliness of equipment and cows. Ideally, farms should strive for a low PI (<10,000 cfu/mL). Increases in PI can be linked to the following factors: Milking Equipment Water Wash Temperature –A major contributor to a high PI count is using wash water that is not hot enough when cleaning milking equipment with detergent. Make sure the wash water temperature is between 155 to 170°F at the start. Drain water when wash water temperature reaches 120°F, if not before. Acid Sanitation – The last step in equipment sanitation after using hot water and detergent should be an acid wash to prevent bacterial growth over a longer period of time. Rubber Parts – Rubber parts, i.e. hoses, gaskets, and liners, need to be properly cleaned, air dried and changed on a set schedule as indicated by the manufacturer. Cracks within the rubber parts can house bacteria and lead to a high PI count. Bulk Tank – The bulk tank should be cleaned after each milk pick-up similar to the milking equipment. Wash water with detergent should start washing at greater than 155°F and conclude before the wash water is at 120°F. Sanitizers – an iodine or chlorine sanitizer is recommended to use just before milking. Refrigeration - Poor cooling of milk in a bulk tank will allow psychotropic bacteria to grow. Milk should be down to 40°F within 1 hour of milking for the first milking stored in the bulk tank and down to 36 to 38°F within an additional hour. For subsequent milkings, blend temperature should remain below 45°F and then cooled as for the first milking. Storing milk at temperatures of 33 to 35°F may not completely kill temperature resistant bacteria, but it can significantly slow their growth. Cleanliness of Udder – Teats should be sanitized then wiped with a clean towel until free of dirt and moisture. Various species of bacteria will grow on the udder without proper teat preparation and drying practices. Teat Cup Liners – Liners need to be cleaned after each milking and replaced after the recommended number of milkings. The goal of PI is to detect hygiene practices on a farm. Therefore, a high PI count can be an indication of improper habits on the farm. Proper sanitation practices in accordance with the list above should be applied to potentially lower the PI count.
Kentucky Dairy Partners Meeting February 21 & 22, 2017 Sloan Convention Center
Bowling Green, KY
length. Between the grooves, the floor should be smooth and flat. Stamping concrete is the most difficult of the patterns to create and often contains cracked or uneven By: Hannah Himmelmann and Donna M. Amaral- concrete. Anti-slip aggregates can also be placed on the concrete in order to minimize injuries due to slippage. Phillips, PhD These aggregates can also extend the life of concrete Lameness in dairy cows is one of the major issues in the floors. dairy industry. Lameness can cause pain to the cows, Alternative Flooring Material which in return, can decrease milk yield, fertility and While concrete floors are durable and easy to clean, longevity. This decrease in productivity can cause serious economic loss. The economic loss per cow due they can also cause stress to the legs and hooves if stood on for long periods of time. For this reason, it is to lameness is calculated to be about $220. Many important to consider alternative flooring surfaces in the factors influence lameness. One common influences includes poor flooring surfaces in the barn in which cows barn in which cows are housed. Free stall barns offer many flooring options. These include reclaimed rubber are housed as well as the holding pen. belting, rolled rubber, rubber mats Choosing a Floor Surface and pour-in-place rubber flooring. When deciding on a floor Alternative flooring material surface for any barn or holding reduces stress to the cowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hooves pen, it is important to think and legs. However, the alternative about the cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort and flooring must be maintained and safety. Cows should be able to correctly cared for. The chosen walk across the floor surface alternative flooring material must with confidence. If cows have be durable. Since the cows are difficulty walking on the going to spend the majority of their selected flooring, an increase in time on this floor, the material must lying time and decrease in feed intake may be observed. be able to withstand the force from the hooves. Rubber A decrease in water or feed intake can cause a mats can be added the holding pen and in front of the decrease in productivity which can lead to economic feed bunks to provide extra comfort for the cows. Rubber loss. The floor surface should also maintain a relatively mats are also used in free stalls. Sawdust or sand must dry state. Wet conditions are ideal for bacteria growth. be added on top of the rubber mats. Both sawdust and Bacteria can cause multiple different claw and leg sand absorb urine which will aid in the cleanliness of the diseases. For example, digital dermatitis is a claw footing. Under the mats should be a well-drained disease that is caused by bacteria and can cause subgrade. This subgrade helps eliminate excess liquid. lameness. Digital dermatitis alone accounts for more While rubber mats are comfortable and convenient, they than 50% of lameness cases in dairy herds. must be replaced often. Concrete Floors Concrete floors are common because they are durable, Overall, flooring is important for many reasons. The type of flooring chosen for both the holding pens as well as long lasting, and easy to clean. When using concrete the free stall barn can either cause or help prevent flooring in the holding pen is easy to clean between lameness. The wrong floor may cause stress to the cow, milkings. All concrete floors should be grooved to prevent slippage. Many patterns of grooves exist. These which can affect feed and water intake which eventually leads to an economic loss. Concrete grooves must be include parallel grooves, cut grooves, and stamped chosen carefully in order to prevent slippage. Anti-slip pattern grooves such as diamonds or hexagons. The reagents can also be added to prevent slippage and also grooves must be properly spaced with appropriate dimensions. These dimensions vary with each pattern of lengthen the life of the concrete floor. Rubber mats are comfortable for free stall barns, however do not last as grooves. For example, all parallel grooves should be long and must be replaced when needed. Overall, it is placed 1.5 inches apart. Groove width should be 0.40 important to explore every option before choosing the inches or less. A hexagonal pattern provides the most traction for cows. The hexagons should be 1.8 inches in best flooring option for you.
Improving Footing in Free Stall Barns and Holding Pens
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Kentucky Animal and Food Science Dept. 400 W. P. Garrigus Building Lexington KY 40546-0215
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The Dairy Industry in the Netherlands Factors that Increase PI in Milk Improving Footing in Freestall Barns And Holding Pens
Dairy Short Course January 26 Adair County February 2 Green County February 9 Taylor County UK Dairy Preview Day February 7 at University of Kentucky High School Students interested in attending UK
February 21 & 22 Kentucky Dairy Partners Meeting Bowling Green, KY
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