Dairy Newsletter Spring 2016

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: p2

Dairyman’s column

p3-4

When the reality of the low milk price hits - Straight talking

p5

Management of calf pneumonia for lifetime productivity

p6-7

LifeStart Sets Life Performance

p8-9

Nutrition Interaction in Relation to Immunity in Dairy Cows

p10

Wynnstay Grazer Compounds - Balanced to your Grass

p11

Fewer worms, better growth rates in cattle

p12-13

Making better mastitis treatment decisions

p14

Plan parasite control for heifer performance

p15-17

Five ways to make better use of forage

p18-19

NEW DTSmetrics

p20-21

Prepare 80/20

p22

Do we need dry cows?

Back page

So you want to reduce bought in feed costs to less than 6.5ppl?

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DAIRYMAN’S COLUMN

Welcome to the Spring 2016 Dairy Newsletter Our focus at Wynnstay has always been to provide our customers with the best possible products and technical advice to improve efficiency.

The UK dairy industry currently sees farm gate milk prices at a 5 year low, with a 14% decrease from December 2014 to 2015. With recent announcements of further cuts, as an industry we must work together to achieve maximum efficiency.

Within this Spring Newsletter we introduce our DTSMetric reports; a FREE Technical Analysis Report for our customers, which highlights areas which when improved will increase efficiency within the herd. For more information on this and to read some customer experiences, please go to page 18.

The Wynnstay dairy team is on hand to answer any technical queries you may have and our new dairy blog site is full of industry articles and opinions from our dairy team - which makes for a great read! Visit Wynnstaydairy.uk

Dairy Technical Services Team Dr Huw McConochie - Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 e: huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk Iwan Vaughan - Dairy Specialist m: 07990 578548 e: iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk

@HuwMcConochie

@maesmochnant

Thomas Stephenson - North England m: 07469 851 607 e: thomas.stephenson@wynnstay.co.uk

@m_priceo

Stuart Miles - South Wales m: 07788 310 254 e: stuart.miles@wynnstay.co.uk

@stuartrmiles

INTRODUCTION

Dairy Nutritionist Steve Brown - Ruminant Feeds Product Manager m: 07774 855026 e: steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk

@sirbilly55

Youngstock Specialists Rebecca Richards - Senior Calf Specialist m: 07881 093633 e: rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk Naomi Walters - Calf Specialist m: 07780 683043 e: naomi.walters@wynnstay.co.uk

Wynnstay Retail - 01691 662690 Wynnstay Arable- 01939 210555 Wynnstay Feeds- 01691 828512

The mild wet winter has been ideal for us on the farm, with grass continuing to grow throughout; average farm covers have increased by 500 kg/dm/ha and are currently at 2600.

The challenge we face now is getting this winter windfall into the cows. All cows are currently dry and are looking in very good condition after their winter break. This year’s calving started on the 1st Feb, 10 days later than last year, as a spring calving farm a good rule is to start calving 50 days before the magic day. This has been done to better match the grass growing profile of the farm and will enable us to feed less concentrate and hopefully no silage to the cows once they have calved.

A close eye will have to be kept on the body condition score throughout the early spring when freshly calved cows to an extent will lose weight - we run a small once a day herd on both units, normally less than 40 cows, and any cows which are seen to be needing extra attention will join these. These cows will quickly gain condition due to less walking, and are then more likely to get back in calf, often it only takes a few weeks and although there is a drop in milk it is a small price to pay for getting a cow back in calf.

With grazing about to start, now is a good time to go over the basics. The first rotation needs to last 50-60 days with a proportion of the farm grazed daily, these first grazed paddocks will be the beginning of the second round and therefore need time to recover. Paddocks need to be grazed out cleanly to a cover between 1500 and 1600 kg/dm/ha, poor residuals now will affect quality going forward. This is achieved by correct allocation of grass, cows will be on 24 hour grazing with residuals being assessed daily and the amount they are given being adjusted accordingly. Continually assess what is happening, weekly measuring and budgeting of grass is vital for any farm wanting to make the most of spring grass, every day grazing costs less than a day inside on silage.

William Astley - Mid and North Wales and Staffordshire m: 07502 311 181 e: will.astley@wynnstay.co.uk Mark Price - Midlands m: 07876 824 314 e: mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

CHALLENGES FOR SPRING CALVERS

@richardscalf1

@NaomiWalters11

For the latest information from our dairy team...

With no sign to the end of low milk prices forecast, January has been a good time to look at farm costs and evaluate where savings can be made, the higher prices of a few years back undoubtedly brought inefficiencies and higher costs on to the farm. The mind-set this year has to be “do we really need to do/spend this” or is there a more cost effective/efficient way of achieving the same result?

Gethin Brown Herd Manager, Stackpole Farm

To find your nearest store visit

www.wynnstay.co.uk/locations.html

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DAIRY NEWSLETTER

WHEN THE REALITY OF THE LOW MILK PRICE HITS – STRAIGHT TALKING If it has not hit already there is a good chance it will in the near future, that point when cash outflow exceeds cash inflow and all of a sudden the business starts losing money. in order to generate enough cash, which can pay all the bills?

The business model you end up with might look very different to what you are currently doing know but remember you are doing this exercise because the way you have always done it is not working.

There will inevitably be periods throughout the production cycle when cash flow turns negative, but when it starts to accumulate with no possibility of enough revenue to correct the situation the warning lights should be flashing. The point to remember about cumulative negative cash flow is that it usually takes 3 times longer to get out of it as it did to get into it. Think long and hard about your business and life objectives. What does success look like? But more importantly what does failure look like? Do any of these statements describe your business objectives in the current crisis?

Success or failure? To me, and to you as business men, changing your business model should not be regarded as failure, even if it involves selling the cows in a strategic plan to return at a later date. Success is being able to adapt or change course in order to remain competitive, profitable and safeguard assets even if in the short term this involves some drastic action. The pessimists among us complain about the milk price, the optimist expects it to change but the leader and the survivor adjusts his business accordingly.

1. Survive the current milk price crisis utilising credit facilities available to you 2. Draw on accumulated assets to support your business – Land, Savings etc.

This of course brings me to option 6, which to some may sound very radical but if after exploring every possible option the business is still forecast to lose you money there may be no other option. There are a number of reasons why I say this:

3. Cut overheads and introduce a simplistic low cost, low production system 4. Reduce cow numbers, inputs and output to a level that can generate enough surplus to sustain current cash obligations

1. We don’t know how long the milk price crisis is going to continue

5. Cut variable costs

2. The longer you allow yourself to be dragged into a negative cash flow situation the options available to address the situation get less

6. Sell or cull the cows, stop doing what has or what is going to lose you money and plan ahead

3. You may come to a point where you have no more assets to liquidate and all you have done is delay the inevitable, lost your assets or burdened yourself with lifelong debt

These are all obviously options that are open to you but the option you choose will be dependent on how far down the road you are or how much negative cash flow you have already accumulated.

For those on the verge of entering the negative cash flow zone I would seriously consider ruling out the first two. Both these options, at worst are delaying the inevitable, and at best, are likely to affect the business long term.

Option 6 in many cases may be your best option, although the mere thought of it for many may be just too much arguing that it is inconceivable to sell the herd you have built up over

YOUNGSTOCK

Options 3, 4, and 5 rely on your ability to find cost savings. In reality is it possible to cut enough production costs to generate a return at less than 20ppl on the current system? Remember the most expensive words in business are “that’s the way we have always done it”. Savings on variable costs will have a positive effect provided they do not affect production. A cut in production is justifiable only where fixed costs are also reduced.

If the business already has a large finance obligation sit down and plan a system based on affordability. By affordability I mean what can the business afford to spend on inputs 3

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generations. At times like these sentiment has to take a back seat, for me, stopping what is losing you money and planning to restart at a later date with the young stock you have bred should be regarded as success in business and not failure. This is how it could work: 1. Dry off any cows within 3 months of calving 2. Keep inseminating bulling heifers with sexed semen 3. Sell the rest of the cows 4. Feed all young stock on the forage you have in store and in spring graze. Forage production costs this spring will be negligible. Maybe rent some land out; make better use of the slurry you have 5. Maximise the use of home produced forage 6. Sell off down calving cows and heifers; these will generate the cash you need to live and maintain the young stock 7. Rear all heifer calves; this will allow you to build up stock numbers ready for milk production 8. Look at contract rearing for another producer to generate additional cash Before taking this option there are a few points to consider: 1. Are you allowed a sabbatical from your milk contract 2. What is your TB status? You may have to cull as opposed to sell your cows 3. If you already have finance obligations, the asset value of the cows must be sufficient to pay these off. This system will not generate enough cash for monthly repayments

YOUNGSTOCK

This option may appear drastic to many but to others it may well be the only option. Remember surviving without saddling yourself with lifelong debt and keeping hold of your assets is not failure it is success regardless of how it is achieved.

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie

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Wynnstay Group Plc

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

MANAGEMENT OF CALF PNEUMONIA FOR LIFETIME PRODUCTIVITY The impact of disease in calves early in life on their future performance is increasingly recognised, and calf pneumonia remains a major challenge on many farms.

A recent study looking at dairy heifer rearing in Wales found that the average cost of a case of pneumonia was £431. But, other investigations suggests that these immediate costs are just the tip of the iceberg, and may only represent 40% of the overall loss, with losses in productivity in the short and long term making up the remainder2.

Disease in dairy replacement calves is recognised to have significant long term impact. A study carried out in a Northern Ireland found that dairy heifers that had suffered from pneumonia as calves weighed on average 13kg less at calving3. Although no milk yield losses were noted in the first lactation of heifers that had received a single treatment for pneumonia as calves, heifers receiving more than one treatment produced approximately 5% less milk during their first lactation, and 10% less in their second lactation3. The quality of the milk they produced was also reduced.

An elevated temperature is one of the first signs of respiratory disease in cattle, shown to occur 12-72 hours earlier than the first detectable clinical signs appear, providing an early indication of impending disease6. However, the significance of a single temperature measurement can be difficult to interpret due to the normal fluctuations that occur throughout the day.

An animal’s temperature may also become transiently elevated during periods of stress, activity, and as the result of a normal protective immune response.

Similarly for beef animals, research has shown that cattle with pneumonia-associated lung damage at slaughter had reduced daily live weight gains and were significantly more likely to produce a lower grade, less valuable carcase4.

Identifying cases of pneumonia based on the detection of sustained, unrelenting fever, improves detection accuracy; 73% of cattle with a fever lasting for longer than 6 hours go onto develop signs of respiratory disease6.

This highlights the importance of taking measures to prevent disease, but also having solid protocols in place to identify animals that become ill as early as possible and to implement an effective treatment plan.

FeverTags® are a novel, lightweight, ear-mounted temperature probe, that provide real-time monitoring for prolonged episodes of fever in calves and in older cattle. FeverTags® measure the animal’s temperature every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Following an episode of fever where the temperature remains above 39.7ºC for the 6 hours verification period, the red LED will flash, giving a visual alert of potential early disease.

Calf pneumonia is a complex disease caused by a group of pathogens that includes both viruses and bacteria. Although the factors that predispose cattle to becoming ill are well understood, they can be difficult to manage. Improving housing conditions to optimise ventilation and air quality are key to maintaining respiratory health, and implementation of an appropriate vaccine programme alongside good biosecurity and colostrum management will all help to achieve long-term control of this costly and frustrating disease.

Used as part of a calf pneumonia control plan, developed in conjunction with your vet, FeverTags® provide a simple, direct and effective method of identifying potentially sick calves to allow targeted, timely treatment of affected individuals, reducing the short and long term impact of this costly disease.

Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of calf pneumonia is recognised to5:

1.

Dairy Youngstock Project Wales (2015), Dairy Development Centre

2.

Andrews, A.H. (2000). Calf pneumonia costs! Cattle Practice, 8 (2)

3.

Morrison, S. et al., (2013). The impact of calf health on future performance. Veterinary Ireland Journal 3, 264- 268

4.

Williams, P. and Green, L., (2007). Associations between lung lesions and grade and estimated daily live weight gain in bull beef at slaughter. Cattle Practice 15, 244-249.

5.

McGuirk & Peek (2014) Timely diagnosis of dairy calf respiratory disease using a standardised scoring system. Animal Health Research Reviews 15, 145–147

6.

Wolfger et al. (2015) A Systematic Review of Bovine Respiratory Disease Diagnosis Focused on Diagnostic Confirmation, Early Detection, and Prediction of Unfavorable Outcomes in Feedlot Cattle. Vet Clin Food Anim. 31, 351–365

• improve response to treatment • reduce lung damage and chronic cases

Written by Merial Animal Health

• reduce retreatment rates • reduce cross infection and new cases

Rebecca Richards

Senior Calf Specialist m: 07881 093 633 rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk @richardscalf1

• minimise the impact on productivity

5

YOUNGSTOCK

But, even with control measures in place, disease outbreaks may still occur during periods of high stress and challenge. It is critical to identify affected calves swiftly and treat them effectively to minimise the impact of the disease.

www.wynnstay.co.uk

LIFESTART SETS LIFE PERFORMANCE

Heifer rearing is the second highest cost of dairy farming.

A focus on maximising genetic potential could help to reduce the indirect costs of sub-optimal milk production whilst increasing overall herd productivity.

The latest science shows that the first eight to ten weeks of a calf’s life represent a huge opportunity to improve the long-term performance of a dairy herd. Numerous trials show that increasing the nutrient supply from birth until weaning results in increases in first lactation milk yields ranging from 300 to 1,300kg. The LifeStart Programme helps dairy farmers take advantage of this opportunity. LifeStart defines a proven approach for rearing healthy calves by quantifying and promoting calf rearing best practice. Easily followed protocols and advice mean farmers can help calves grow and develop into productive cows faster with improved first lactation milk yields leading to improved profitability and efficiency.

Calves must receive sufficient high quality colostrum quickly and must be kept in a clean, comfortable environment to help reduce challenges that might negatively affect growth. They must then be fed a high quality milk replacer consistently delivering the calories required for optimum growth. Applying the 5 Cs consistently together will have a lasting positive effect on your herd and will help give calves the best possible start in life.

Colostrum is key for healthy calves. Feeding adequate volumes of good quality colostrum at the correct time is one of the most important factors that can influence calf health and performance.

Colostrum has a very different nutrient profile to whole milk.

Colostrum is a nutrient dense feed with approximately twice the dry matter, five times as much protein as well as a higher fat and mineral content than whole milk. Not only does colostrum provide essential nutrients to the new born calf, it also stimulates digestive activity and is a critical source of immune protection.

Inadequate colostrum feeding leads to higher mortality rates, low growth rates and generally poorer health. Following colostrum management protocols based on the 3 Qs – Quantity, Quality and Quickly - will help get calves off to the best possible start.

YOUNGSTOCK

The growth potential of a calf can be optimised using the LifeStart calf feeding plan. The key scientific principle behind the development of these specific feeding recommendations is metabolic programming – an entirely natural phenomenon that has been proven to exist in all mammals. Research has shown that an elevated plane of nutrition in the critical first eight to ten weeks leads to increased pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) which can have a significant impact on lifetime productivity. This is due to enhanced mammary development which is essential for the future productivity of the cow. Increased ADG using the LifeStart Programme can also lead to a reduced age at first calving. This has the obvious benefit of bringing forward the start of the first lactation, increasing the potential productivity of the animal. The programme also includes a unique new approach to the formulation of calf milk replacers. Based on comprehensive research, Trouw Nutrition has developed a milk 6

Wynnstay Group Plc

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

stressed. Stressed calves are more likely to become ill. Calves thrive on routine; so implement simple and clear protocols that ensure calves are treated consistently on a day to day basis, even when different people are left in charge of calf management.

This will include protocols surrounding the new born calf such as navel treatment, calf identification and colostrum management as well as daily calf rearing management routines. Adopting set protocols can also make life easier for those responsible for calf management.

replacer formulation matrix which ensures all LifeStart endorsed milk replacers have the appropriate and specific nutrient profile to support the growing calf. This allows feed rates of at least 900g/day of milk replacer to be fed safely to encourage faster, healthy growth.

Calf health and survival is a balancing act; maximising immunity with excellent colostrum management while minimising the risk of infection by implementing structured and consistent hygiene protocols on farm. High standards of cleanliness are crucial in all areas of calf management including environment and housing; milk preparation and feeding as well as animal and feed handling.

Cleanliness is vital to reduce the risk of infections which can have detrimental effects on health, growth rates and overall calf performance. A good starting point is to ensure the basics are being done correctly.

The LifeStart Programme is now taking the investigative science into a new phase. In partnership with institutions around the world, Trouw Nutrition is undertaking a unique five year trial at its Ruminant Research Centre in the Netherlands which will follow calves reared using the LifeStart Programme through into milk production, allowing us to show the real return from better calf rearing. Results will be communicated every step of the way.

Consistency is an important but often overlooked aspect of calf rearing. Improving consistency of management may help improve calf performance for little or no added cost. In simple terms, calf management should be as consistent as possible. Inconsistent management or feeding can have detrimental effects on calf health and performance and can cause calves to become

The LifeStart Programme is helping understand nature’s way to unlock the early growth potential of the calf to further improve dairy farm efficiency in the future.

CALF MILK POWDERS

Stock

Protein Source

Analysis Protein/Oil

Health Package

Turbo Start

Dairy

Whey

26% Protein/ 17% Oil

Greenline/Protimax 500 iu VitE

Rich Cream

Beef, Dairy

Skim

23% Protein/ 20% Oil

Greenline/Protimax 500 iuVitE

Bloom

Beef, Dairy

Whey

23% Protein/ 20% Oil

Greenline/Protimax 500 iuVitE

Thrive

Beef, Dairy

Whey/veg

22% Protein/ 18% Oil

Greenline/Protimax 250 iuVitE

Stellar

Beef, Dairy

Whey

23% Protein/ 20% Oil

Gardion 500 iu VitE

Enerlac

Beef, Dairy

Whey/veg

20% Protein/ 20% Oil

Gardion 250 iu VitE

Also available - START N WEAN Nuts high energy calf starter for calves 0-12 weeks

WYNNSTAY CALF COATS Don’t let all your hard work go to waste this winter, keep your calves strong and continuing to gain those all-important daily live weight gains by ensuring they are warm and comfortable.

Calf jackets can be used in the first three weeks of life to give calves a head start. The jackets are machine washable at 30ºC. Trials have shown an extra 5kg LWG on calves that had worn calf jackets during the cold weather.

Sizes: 70cm 80cm

£23

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Rebecca Richards

Senior Calf Specialist m: 07881 093 633 rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk @richardscalf1

YOUNGSTOCK

Wynngold Rich Cream and Turbo Start milk powders are Lifestart approved products, meaning they have specific nutrient profiles to ensure the calf gets the best start in life.

www.wynnstay.co.uk

NUTRITION INTERACTION IN RELATION TO IMMUNITY IN DAIRY COWS Introduction

pathogens entering into the mammary gland. Inflammatory responses are evident through signs of heat, redness, pain, swelling and loss of function. Phagocytosis involves the activity of neutrophils and other ‘defence cells’ that respond to signals from damaged cells, migrate to site of infection, recognise, ingest and kill harmful pathogens.

The transition period is an integral part of the Vital 90 Days (the timeframe from dry-off, approximately 60 days prior to calving, to one month post-calving) and a stressful period for dairy cows. Many changes take place and all cows are faced with the challenge of immune suppression. The immune system is the animal’s natural defence mechanism against pathogen invasion and it is now widely accepted that immune status has a major role in addressing challenges such as mastitis, metritis and retained placenta. In addition to immunity, cows also subject to the challenge of a period of negative energy balance.

Neutrophils are a key weapon of the immune system and during a period of immune suppression, cows are subject to the challenge of reduction in neutrophil numbers and function2. The ability of neutrophils to respond to the first signs of a pathogen invasion is key to preventing new infections.

Nutrition Status on Immunity

Nutrition, management and environmental practices all have a pivotal role in addressing the immune response. Without appropriate action, this can translate through to significant economic losses relating to lower milk production, discarded milk, increase culling rates, increase replacement costs, extra labour and additional veterinary input. Farmers are also faced with the intangible consequences of stress, frustration and perceived failure.

Nutrition status has a pivotal role in the immune response and this relates both to energy and dietary supplementation of certain vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

In terms of energy, glucose plays a critical role in the effectiveness of immune cells such as neutrophils and is the preferred source over alternatives such as fatty acids. This represents a major challenge during the transition period when supplies are limited and cows are subject to negative energy balance3. The demand for glucose increases significantly post-calving and is the building block for lactose that determines milk volume.

Immunity The immune system is often viewed solely as white blood cells (leucocytes) that either engulf or destroy invading pathogens (e.g. phagocytosis) or respond to vaccines to produce an antibody1.

In relation to innate immunity there are three major components physical barriers, inflammation and phagocytosis. As an example, physical barriers of the udder (teat skin, teat sphincter muscle and keratin plugs) work together to reduce the risk of mastitis

In addition to energy, the role of dietary nutrients on immune function has received significant research focus. Recommended dietary intake levels of vitamins, minerals and trace elements are published by the National Research Council (NRC)5.

NUTRITION

The immune system can be sub-divided under the headings of ‘innate’ and ‘acquired’ immunity. The former is the first line of defence against invading pathogens and action takes place within minutes or hours. The latter is a selective and slower response, takes hours or days and requires the presence of specific antigens. Acquired immunity is the principle behind the application of vaccines.

Nutrition and management strategies that lead to increases in glucose supply should lead to improvements in immune function4. From a practical viewpoint, this means real focus is needed during the transition period on dry matter intake and diet composition in relation to alternative energy sources (sugar, starch, digestible fibre, fat) to optimise rumen fermentation and deliver the desired outcome (volatile fatty acids, in particular propionic as a building block for glucose).

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Wynnstay Group Plc

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

Key Messages

Adopting feeding practices that ensure adequate intake of certain dietary nutrients is critical to optimise an immune response6.

Some dietary nutrients are directly involved in immune cell function and others have important roles as antioxidants.

Vitamin E and selenium have primary roles as antioxidants, the former has a direct role and the latter an indirect role as a component part of antioxidant enzymes. Both are very important because of the relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. During the transition period all cows are subject to higher levels of production and risk of accumulation of free radicals that are toxic to cells and can lead to cell damage or death. If production exceeds antioxidant capacity, immune response is impaired and cows are more susceptible to a disease challenge7. This has been demonstrated by a lowered antioxidant status during cases of metritis, retained placenta, mastitis, acidosis, milk fever and ketosis8. This highlights the importance of supplementation.

Whilst fresh green forages are an excellent source of vitamin E, levels in conserved forages and concentrates are generally low and this means dietary supplementation is a requirement in most situations2,5. For dry cows, the NRC recommended minimum level is 80 IU/kg DM intake (c. 1,000 IU/day) and for cows in milk is 20 IU/kg DM intake (c. 500 IU/day) 5. In practice, it is not uncommon for higher levels to be applied during the dry period in response to scientific studies.

•

The transition period is a stressful period for dairy cows and a period of immune suppression where oxidative stress has a significant impact on health and productivity of dairy cows.

•

Innate immunity is the initial response to a pathogen invasion and this is dominated by the activity of neutrophils.

•

Nutrition and management strategies both have a pivotal role in supporting an effective immune system during the transition period. This relates to energy status (glucose supply) and dietary supplementation of certain vitamins and trace elements.

•

Vitamin E and selenium have leading roles as antioxidants.

•

Ensuring adequate intake of vitamin E and selenium can help to reduce incidence of transition diseases such as mastitis, metritis and retained placenta.

•

Inadequate supplementation of vitamin E and/or selenium decreases neutrophil function during the transition period.

•

Other vitamins (ß-carotene, vitamin A), trace elements (copper, manganese, zinc and iron) and minerals (calcium) also have a role in support of immunity.

•

Strategies to reduce negative energy balance postpartum and increase glucose supply offer benefits for both metabolic health and immune response.

•

Additional consideration must also be given to the environment and management practices to help in reducing the risk of pathogen infection and unnecessary stress.

Elanco Animal Health

REFERENCES

Other vitamins (ß-carotene, vitamin A) and trace elements (zinc, copper, manganese and iron) have roles in support of an effective immune system. Trace element supplementation is also important in relation to calf health, as calves rely on the placental transfer of trace elements for proper foetal growth and dam status can affect colostrum quality including trace element concentrations, somatic cell count and immunoglobulin levels7.

From the mineral position, calcium also has an important link with immunity and further highlights the importance of strategies to reduce the risk of hypocalcaemia.

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1.

Saun, R.J. Van. 2015. Nutrition, immunity and mastitis. PennState Extension. http://extension.psu. edu/animals/health/diseases/mastitis/mastitis/nutrition-immunity-and-mastitis

2.

Spears, J.W. and W.P. Weiss. 2008. Role of antioxidants and trace minerals in health and immunity of transition dairy cows. Vet. J. 176: 70-76.

3.

Eys, J.E. Van and S. Moreland. 2015. Nutrition and immune status of the transition cow. Nutriad. http://nutriad.com/2015/01/nutrition-and-immune-status-of-the-transition-cow/

4.

Ingvartsen, K.L. and K. Moyes. 2013. Nutrition, immune function and health of dairy cattle. Animal 7: 112–122.

5.

NRC (National Research Council). 2001. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. 7th Revised Edition, National Academy Press, Washington. DC.

6.

Spears, J.W. 2011. Role of mineral and vitamin status on health of cows and calves. WCDS Advances in Dairy Technology (2011) Vol. 23: 287-297.

7.

Linn, J.G., M. L. Raeth-Knight and G.L. Golombeski. Trace minerals in the dry period - boosting cow and calf health. WCDS Advances in Dairy Technology (2011) Vol. 23: 271-286.

8.

Bruno, D.R. 2010. Mastitis, mammary gland immunity and nutrition. Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference 19 Arlington, Texas.

NUTRITION

As for selenium, the NRC recommended level is 0.3 mg/kg DM both for dry cows and cows in milk. Higher levels offer no additional benefit in relation to immune response and if supplemented at levels well above this requirement it can lead to toxicity problems6.

www.wynnstay.co.uk

WYNNSTAY GRAZER COMPOUNDS – BALANCED TO YOUR GRASS With increasing pressure on margins, efficiency has to be a priority going into the next grazing season.

Compound feeding on spring calving herds has been reduced over the last 12 months and looks again to be kept to a minimum, however, even at lower feeding rates the selection of compound used can still have a great effect on the bottom line.

second/third round, the NDF within the grass will drop, although producing higher crude protein and energy and also potentially higher intakes. There is reduced structural fibre within the diet which can lead to scouring, SARA and reduced milk solids.

Targeting higher milk solids through the grazing season could see a higher milk price. Going into the second and third rounds when grass quality is at its best and also when cows are at their peak will often see milk solids drop, especially having an effect on milk fat.

This can also be said about autumn grass as the structure within the grass falls along with lower dry matter which will lead to lower NDF intakes. During mid-summer NDF levels within the grass rise as grass growth rates slow down; this doesn’t then necessitate the supplementation of fibre required during the spring and autumn.

SARA (Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis) isn’t often associated with grazing cows, however grazing highly digestible perennial rye grass contains high concentrations of rapidly fermentable carbohydrate and low concentrations of physical effective fibre can cause an increased acid load compromising milk yield as well as milk solids. O’Grady et al. (2008) showed the incidence of SARA associated with grazing cows in Ireland by measuring ruminal pH.

Wynnstay have formulated a unique grazer compound range to utilize grass to its full potential to increase milk solids and boost margins. NIS (Nutritionally Improved Straw) has now been included at different levels within compounds to balance diets out at grass. NIS has an alkaline affect that, along with the fibre, will reduce the acid load on the rumen, leading to higher production of desirable volatile fatty acids to increase milk solids. As well as using NIS, utilizing other quality raw materials to make sure that feeding rates are low. The materials fed to the cow will make a difference with a quality mineral pack.

Figure 1: Ruminal pH in grazing cows on perennial ryegrass pasture fed 2kg of concentrates

There are 3 compounds which will fulfil the needs of the cows through the season:EXTRA BALANCED 16 - when a 16% compound is required on deferred grazing of buffer feed silage.

(L. O’Grady et al., 2008)

GRAZER 35/13 - formulated with 35% inclusion of NIS is ideally suited to feeding during the second and third rounds and into the autumn. The fibre inclusion from the NIS will boost NDF intakes, and boost overall DMI. When grass protein is at its best there is little need for a higher protein level.

Figure 1 shows the range of ruminal pH associated with grazing cows. Eleven percent of cows were classified as affected with SARA (pH 5.5), 42% were marginal and affected by SARA (pH 5.6–5.8) and 47% were normal (pH > 5.8). SARA would have a direct effect on milk yield, milk quality and have an influence on fertility. Can we supplement to increase productivity through the risk period?

GRAZER 15/15 - formulated for the mid-summer period when grass NDF’s have risen, there is still a 15% inclusion of NIS to supplement the fibre which also have an alkaline effect on the rumen. This compound is now a 15% protein as grass protein levels drop mid-season. Depending on your milk processor, increasing milk fat percentage by 0.2% could mean an increase of 0.35ppl, when cows are at their peak, whilst averaging 24 litres this would be an extra income of 8.4p a day. Feeding 3kg of compound through this period would mean that you could be paying £28/t more for your compound and still be having the same margins, however all of this increased margin should be retained.

THREE COMPOUNDS TO GET THE BEST FROM GRAZED GRASS THIS SUMMER Fill the fibre gap, boost intakes and maintain solids

NDF INTAKE

NUTRITION

Figure 2 shows the potential NDF intake of cows at grass during the grazing season. This is a reverse mirror image of the typical yearly grass growth rates; as grass growth rates climb, NDF within the grass is reduced. During the spring when cows are on the

To boost milk solids, improve efficiency and add to your bottom line speak to a member of Wynnstay’s Dairy Technical Team before the start of the grazing season.

DEFERRED

SPRING

SUMMER

AUTUMN

Extra Balance 16

Grazer 35/13

Grazer 15/15

Grazer 35/13

Iwan Vaughan

Dairy Specialist m: 07990 578 548 iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk @maesmochnant

POTENTIAL NDF INTAKE OF COWS AT GRASS

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DAIRY NEWSLETTER

FEWER WORMS, BETTER GROWTH RATES IN CATTLE Making best use of grazing is a must for rearers of all types of growing cattle…dairy heifers, suckler beef calves and pasture-based finishers alike. Now is a good time to start planning how to protect what you value.

It is vital to be aware that gastrointestinal worms can reduce summer growth rates long before signs start to show as loose faeces and dirty rumps, according to SAC beef adviser Dr Basil Lowman. “Over a 200-day grazing season, unseen worm infections could easily reduce growth by 0.1 kg a day,” he says.

[Ref 1] On good pasture, 1kg/day liveweight gain should be possible, according to Eblex. [Ref2] But a 10% shortfall from this could mean an additional 20-30 days of feeding next winter to reach a target weight, or selling a 20kg lighter beast in the autumn.

Either way, the likely extra cost is in the region of at least £40/ head, calculates Zoetis vet Dave Armstrong.

“There are several options available to farmers for season-long protection against worm infestations for growing cattle,” he explains. “So lack of choice is unlikely to be one of the main reasons for cattle being left unprotected.”

Tape worm

One increasingly used option to protect what you value is seasonlong cover from a single treatment with CYDECTIN 10% LA for Cattle (see graphic, left), given as a sub-cutaneous injection at the base of the ear at 1ml per 100kg liveweight.

A N I M A L H E A LT H

The active ingredient moxidectin is distributed through the bloodstream, so worm larvae need to penetrate the gut wall, thereby stimulating an immune response, before being killed (see graphic, below).

Another option that has stood the test of time is the pulse-release Autoworm bolus. At three-week intervals, a dose of wormer is released (see graphic, left), killing all the common worms that cattle may be carrying. At the same time, this method also offers the opportunity for a natural immune response to develop.

The active ingredient in Autoworm has no residual action so cattle are exposed to worm challenge during each 21 day interval between wormer pulses, thereby stimulating an immune response.

1 Dr Basil Lowman, 5 March 2007. Interview with author (notes on file). SAC beef specialist.

Comments re-validated by Dr Lowman 22 March 2011.

2 Eblex press release (viewed 27 Oct 2010). Eblex challenges beef producers on grass performance. http://www.eblex.org.uk/news/beef-producers-on-grass-performance.aspx.

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MAKING BETTER MASTITIS TREATMENT DECISIONS Is on-farm culture right for your dairy? meaning that the udder is still infected but no longer showing any symptoms of infection. These subclinical cases contribute high SCC milk to the bulk tank, impair the productive capacity of the udder, pose a risk of transmitting the infection to other cows, and are likely to flare up into clinical mastitis again in the future.

Dr Erin Royster is an Instructor at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Her areas of research and teaching include milking equipment evaluation, milking parlour performance, on-farm mastitis diagnostics and mastitis control.

She is considered a world authority on mastitis. At the end of January Dr Royster came and gave a talk on the above topics to a large group of Wynnstay Employees and Dairy Customers.

One of the factors that affects whether a case of mastitis is likely to cure (either spontaneously or with antibiotic treatment) or become a chronic infection is the type of bacteria causing the infection. Certain mastitis pathogens are more difficult to cure than others. For example, cows infected with Staph aureus typically have very poor cure rates (20 to 30%) following antibiotic treatment; whereas, a cow infected with a mild case of E. coli mastitis has a 70% or greater chance of cure even without antibiotic therapy.

Making decisions about cows with clinical mastitis is one of the most challenging things that dairy producers have to deal with.

What treatment should be used? How long should treatment be applied? Should all cows be treated the same way?

In fact, we know that not all cases of clinical mastitis are the same, and thus, shouldn’t all be treated the same way. Some cases are short-lived and seem to clear up on their own, while others persist for weeks or may recur several times throughout the lactation. In reality, most cases will appear to clear up within 4 to 6 days no matter what you do. But without intervention, a significant percentage of those cases will become subclinical,

When milk from a cow with clinical mastitis is cultured to identify the bacteria causing the infection, no bacterial growth is found in 20 to 40% of cases. A small percentage of these cases may be caused by bacteria that do not grow in routine culture conditions (such as Mycoplasma). However, in the majority of these “No Growth” cases, the cow’s immune system was able to cure the infection by the time the milk sample was collected.

Clearly, there is no need to use antibiotics when no bacteria are present, and this could be 20 to 40% of cases in your herd!

The goal of mastitis treatment should be to reserve antibiotics for infections that are most likely to benefit from treatment, and to employ other management strategies for infections that are not likely to benefit from antibiotic treatment. In particular, knowing what pathogen you are dealing with can help you make the best treatment or management decision for each case of mastitis. Onfarm culture is a quick, inexpensive way to get this information.

A N I M A L H E A LT H

Here’s how on-farm culture works:

12

1.

A milker identifies a cow with clinical mastitis

2.

A sterile milk sample is carefully collected from the affected quarter

3.

The milk sample is swabbed onto a culture plate

4.

The culture plate is incubated for 18 to 24 hours at 98°F

5.

The culture plate is examined and the results are recorded

6.

A manager or other worker decides how to treat the cow based on the culture results

Wynnstay Group Plc

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

different treatment protocol for each of these possible results.

If a dairy wishes to use a specific treatment protocol for mastitis cases caused by Strep species, the Minnesota Easy Culture Triplate allows users to further differentiate Gram-positive growth as Strep or Staph species. It is essential to work with your herd veterinarian to design appropriate pathogen-specific treatment protocols for your dairy.

To get started, you will need a fairly short list of equipment including sample collection vials and culture plates, and a clean, well-organized lab space. The most expensive item you will need is an incubator. For many dairies, a simple Styrofoam egg incubator works well. This type of incubator will hold up to 20 plates, and are inexpensive. You will also need a well-trained individual to perform and interpret culture results. The person collecting the milk samples and performing the cultures must use good hygiene and careful technique to avoid contaminating the culture with bacteria that did not come from inside the udder.

Culture supplies must be stored correctly and disposed of when contaminated or out of date.

Staph aureus

Most on-farm culture systems allow users to differentiate Gramnegative and Gram-positive bacteria. Some systems were also designed to diagnose other common categories of mastitis pathogens, such as Strep and Staph species, and even Staph aureus. In most cases, this is a sufficient level of diagnosis to make a well-informed treatment decision.

Utilizing on-farm culture can help your dairy achieve maximum treatment success, while minimizing the use of antibiotics and the risk of an antibiotic residues in milk. Not treating all cases the same and simply not treating those cases which respond poorly to antibiotics or those that can be cured by the cows own immune system will save time and money.

For example, the Minnesota Easy Culture System Bi-plate allows users to diagnose mastitis cases as No Growth, Gram-negative, Gram-positive, or Staph aureus. The dairy can then utilize a

Erin Royster, DVM, MS

PREMIER DAIRY Range Wynnstay offer a full range of dairy hygiene products to enable an effective on farm hygiene programme. The range contains a number of products to aid low bactoscan levels and cell counts, all working towards a healthy milking herd.

A N I M A L H E A LT H

All products are formulated in partnership with suppliers to ensure the range meets the needs of dairy farmers today by delivering the highest level of hygiene, while reducing cleaning costs. The Wynnstay Dairy Team offer a full parlour hygiene check followed up by practical recommendations specific to the farm system.

For more information please contact one of our Dairy Specialists.

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PLAN PARASITE CONTROL FOR HEIFER PERFORMANCE The wide ranging benefits of benefits of optimised heifer rearing systems are now well recognised.

Heifers that calve at 24 months will have a greater lifetime milk yield, whilst the shortened rearing period and the need for farms to carry fewer heifers to meet replacement requirements both result in reduced costs. are in place, pasture contamination will rapidly increase and after two to three months, animals will have heavy worm burdens, leading to illthrift and scouring.

Achieving breed-appropriate target weights throughout the rearing period is a crucial component of heifer rearing. The onset of puberty and the start of breeding are more closely linked to weight, body size and condition score than age. It is therefore critical to ensure that heifers reach approximately 60% of mature weight by 14 months of age in order to achieve a 24 month average age at calving. This requires an average daily weight gain of 0.7-0.8kg during the period between weaning and bulling.

Optimal nutrition and disease control are paramount if these targets are to be met.

Strategic worming plans, such as dosing with IVOMEC® Classic (ivermectin) at 3, 8 and 13 weeks after turnout, can help to prevent parasitic disease. Dosing at pre-planned intervals can stop the amplification of initial worm infections and ensure pasture contamination remains low throughout the grazing season. To ensure season-long control cattle must remain set stocked, or be moved to lower risk pasture such as silage aftermath. Care should also be taken if mixing groups of animals with different worming histories as this can increase the risk of disease.

Ineffective gutworm control following turnout of weaned calves can have significant impact. The importance of preventing outbreaks of clinical disease is well recognised, but it is crucial that the subclinical effects of gastrointestinal parasites are also managed if heifers are to perform. Regular monitoring of heifer weights will help ensure that they remain on the right track, and will allow underlying issues that may be impairing growth to be identified and managed.

Alternatively, a targeted approach to treatment may be adopted.

This approach relies on regular monitoring of weight gain and/ or faecal egg counts throughout the grazing season to assess the impact of gutworm and determine whether treatment is required.

Now is the time to plan which approach to take with your vet or animal health advisor.

Uncontrolled gutworm challenge in dairy heifers during their first grazing season has been shown to reduce both grazing time and dry matter intake, resulting in reduced average weight gains of 0.65kg/day compared to 0.8kg/day in treated heifers (Forbes et al 2000). There is also evidence that parasite burdens exert wider effects that directly impact on parameters influencing performance and profitability of heifers. Increased udder development and earlier onset of puberty have been observed in strategically wormed heifers in comparison to those left untreated (Mejía et al 2009, Perria et al 2013).

An integrated approach to parasite control is key to minimising the threat posed to growing heifers by worms, and farm-level risk factors and management practices should be taken into account when developing anthelmintic strategies to ensure optimal control. This will help to ensure that heifers meet growth and reproduction targets to become healthy, profitable members of the herd.

References Forbes AB, Huckle CA, Gibb MJ, Rook AJ, Nuthall R (2000) Evaluation of the effects of nematode parasitism on grazing behaviour, herbage intake and growth in young grazing cattle. Vet Parasitol 90: 111–118

Although naive first season grazing cattle are at greatest risk of parasitic disease, the resilience of older heifers to gastrointestinal nematodes will vary depending on their level of previous exposure. Low immunity in the face of challenge will place them at risk of impaired growth (Ploeger et al 1990). A steady weight gain is critical during this period if heifers are to calve at 90% of mature weight, and transition well into lactation.

A N I M A L H E A LT H

Mejía ME, Perry AF, Miglierina MM, Formía N, Becú-Villalobos D, Lacau-Mengido IM (2009) Effect of anthelmintics on reproductive performance and first lactation culling rate in Holstein heifers. Vet Rec 165: 143–146 Perria AF, Mejíaa ME, Licoffa N, Diabc SS, Formíad N, Ornsteina A, Becú-Villalobosa D, Lacau-Mengidoa IM (2013) Gastrointestinal parasite control during prepuberty improves mammary parenchyma development in Holstein heifers. Vet Parasitol 198:345-350

Putting a parasite management plan in place early in the year will optimise control through the grazing period. This should take into account the risk that worms pose to different age-groups of cattle, and determine the parasite risk of pastures on the farm.

A planned grazing programme which prioritises the use of silage aftermath and other ‘safe’ leys, not grazed by cattle last year, for the most susceptible groups of animals will provide the best foundation for effective control.

Ploeger HW, Kloosterman A, Borgsteede FHM, Eysker M (1990) Effect of naturally occurring nematode infections in the first and second grazing season on the growth performance of second-year cattle. Vet Parasitol 36:57-70

Sioned Timothy BVSc MSc MRCVS Ruminant Technical Manager UK & ROI, Merial Animal Health

Infective worm larvae can remain on the pasture over the winter, gradually dying off by mid-summer. Youngstock turned out onto contaminated pastures in the spring will become infected by these overwintered larvae and will begin to shed increasing numbers of worm eggs onto the pasture. If no control measures 14

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DAIRY NEWSLETTER

FIVE WAYS TO MAKE BETTER USE OF FORAGE Maximising milk from forage is the key to improved margins.

Every 1000 litre increase in milk from forage will be worth around £100 of gross margin per cow (Figure 1), regardless of production system. FORAGE IS THE FOUNDATION.

Action

Improving forage quality will result in increased milk production, reduced feed costs or in most cases both. For example an improvement in forage energy value from 10.5 to 11.5 would result in an extra 300,000 mj per 1000t of 30% DM forage. This would equate to an extra 60,000 litres from forage alone, or a reduction of 23 tonnes of bought in forage. Better use of forage and an effective forage production plan will be key.

1.

•

Test soils and correct Magnesium and Calcium balance; helps build a stable soil structure resistant to compaction

•

Dig exploratory holes to assess soil structure (Figure 2)

•

Aerate soils to encourage the activity of aerobic organisms

•

Tailor N applications to account for leaching of N

•

Compost farm yard manures and slurries; reduces gaseous losses and can increase available N content by up to 33%

What to look for:

THE SOIL Maximising yield per hectare and the response to inputs is vital, but regardless of forage type, fertiliser regime, weather or harvesting method (grazing or mechanical), soil conditions will have the biggest impact on both quality and quantity.

SOIL FERTILITY Good

Poor

Compaction

Not Apparent

Surface compaction

Texture

Uniform

Horizontal compressed bands

Smell

Earthy

Stale

Colour

Brown

Grey and mottled

Rooting Depth

Deep

Shallow

Earthworms

15-20

<10

Drainage

Effective

Surface waterlogging Table 1: What to look for in good soil

•

70% of soils examined will be compacted.

Compaction can reduce grass yield by up to 40%; consequentially increasing production cost per tonne of DM by 40%

•

Compacted soils will require 2.5 times more nitrogen inputs to achieve the desired yields

•

Soil compaction increases nutrient run off and losses

•

Increased solubility and uptake of Iron and Molybdenum will affect the cows immune system and fertilit.

•

Compacted soils are slower to warm up in spring

Compaction issues are inevitable following a wet winter and travelling on saturated soils with heavy machinery, slurry application and sheep grazing can further aggravate this.

FORAGE

Key points

Well-managed soils will produce grass with higher protein contents, provided sufficient but not excessive quantities of sulphur are applied. The concentrations of Iron, Molybdenum and Potassium will be reduced promoting better animal health.

Improving soil health is a cost effective strategy to improve nutrient utilisation, forage quality and animal health. It is worth remembering that forage is the foundation of profitable milk production but this is underpinned by good soil health.

15

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2. GRAZING

•

Grass is an amazing feed with massive potential to reduce bought in feed costs. This year is likely to see more and more farmers grazing cows. The production potential is massive (Figure 3) provided swards are well managed and the potential pitfalls are recognised.

If buffer feeding, depending on farm protocols, offer before milking so there is an edge to appetite when tuning cows back out to grass

•

Supplementary Magnesium will be required Stocking Rate/Ha March

3

Key points

April/May

6

•

Milk from forage potential

June

5.5

•

Grazed grass is over two times cheaper than concentrates and as much as £50 less per tonne of utilised DM than grass silage.

July

5

August

3.5

September

2.5

•

Zero grazing is a viable option where the layout of the farm is not suitable.

•

Zero graze grass that you would graze and not grass that you would make into silage.

•

The crude protein and energy content of good quality grass shows little variation; fibre content is one of the most significant variables.

•

Grazing can significantly reduce fixed costs associated with the labour of feeding, fuel, slurry handling and housing.

•

For high yielding cows buffer feeding and concentrate feeding in the parlour may be an option.

•

Grazing dry cows is a false economy; dry and transition cows will still benefit from a high fibre, low energy, medium protein dry cow diet and will result in less transitional disease

Table 2: Dairy grazing target stocking rates through the season

3.

Producing quality conserved forage should be a priority not just this year but also every year. Trying to reduce machinery costs and contractors charges by making less high yielding cuts is a complete false economy; forage quality is king! Forage quality has a direct influence on performance. Although it refers to alfalfa silage table 3 is a great example of this:

Turn out as soon as ground conditions allow. Grass is at its best in April and May but quality is highly influenced by grazing in March and removing winter growth

•

For high yielding herds we do not recommend grazing freshly calved cows. Turnout in-calf cows

•

Set up a rotation and grass wedge from the outset, but remember that the length of the rotation will depend on grass growth. The optimal grazing point is when the sward reaches the three leaf stage (2800kg DM/ha). The intervals between grazing will be less in April and May than during the rest of the season Measuring grass using a plate meter can be very efficient in allocating grass and controlling the wedge

•

Graze hard early on and take residuals down; this will help to maintain grass quality for the rest of the season and increase DM yield on the whole farm

FORAGE

•

•

The size of the grazing platform can be calculated roughly using the following stocking rates in Figure 3. In March this can include a portion of the planned silage area

•

Do not be reluctant to remove excess grass as silage and introduce additional grazing areas or feed silage when grass is in short supply

•

Forage to concentrate ratio of diets

Maturity

Success with grazing depends on implementing the following actions: •

SILAGE MAKING

80:20

63:37

46:54

29:71

Prebloom

36.2

37.8

39.6

39.1

Early bloom

30.9

31.4

35.1

35.1

Midbloom

26.0

28.4

29.4

29.4

Full bloom

23.7

25.2

31.6

31.6

Table 3: The effect of stage of maturity and forage to concentrate ratio on production of 4% fat corrected milk (Adapted from Kawas, 1983)

Key points •

Frequent cutting, like grazing, increases DM yield, forage quality and helps to maintain sward quality

•

With good soil management, a nutrient plan and effective production process producing forage in excess of 11.2ME, 15% CP and 30% DM is achievable

Action

Graze in 12 or 24 hour breaks. Turn cows into fresh paddocks at night, this is when it is at its highest DM and sugars 16

•

Over wintered grass does not produce high quality forage. Graze this off with sheep or with dairy cows in March. It will not compromise yield and will improve quality

•

Based on soil analysis put together a fertiliser and slurry plan

•

Set a target cutting date but give yourself the flexibility to cut earlier.

•

Communicate your objectives to your contractor and offer him an incentive to achieve the desired outcome

Wynnstay Group Plc

Key points

Cutting height, wilting, chop length and most importantly adequate compaction of the forage in the clamp are the most important factors.

•

Heifers from as young as four months can achieve the desired growth rates entirely on grazed grass.

•

Take control of the process, do not leave anything to chance

•

•

For large areas be realistic of what can be effectively harvested within a weather window

The cost of DM will be more than half that of a housed system.

•

There is no reason why all heifers cannot be grazed.

•

Heifers can make use of outlying land or land which it is not practical to graze dairy cows.

•

Grazing outlying land will reduce the need to carry forage long distances.

It is no surprise that the most profitable and highest producing herds make the best forage.

4.

CROPPING PLAN

Many of the principles of grazing heifers is the same as for cows; grazing residual, stocking rate and managing surplus grass will have a significant effect on their performance.

Heifers grazing land not previously grazed by adult cattle will do extremely well due to a low or non-existent parasite burden.

Inevitably, most of you will have some over wintered stubbles or poor swards that need getting back into production. Cropping decisions should be made based on their ability to reduce the costs of inputs.

Key points •

Action

Protein will still be the most expensive input going forward; grass and legumes will reduce bought in protein requirements

•

Weak cereal prices make wholecrop cereals and maize less attractive and harder to justify.

•

Take into account the suitability of land for particular crops

•

Calculate the area required from the table 4 below.

•

Heifers being turned out for the first time should be vaccinated for lungworm.

•

Do not treat heifers with long acting anthelmintics prior to turnout. The first treatment should take place post turnout in order to establish some natural resistance.

•

Turn out early; the calves or heifers should grow with the grass. Turning young heifers out onto large covers in mid-April to May will compromise grass quality and growth rates and miss the best quality grass.

Action •

Sow medium term leys as opposed to short term leys; this will help reduce cultivation costs and the swards have a wider harvesting window

•

•

Maize should only be sown where high yields can be guaranteed; sow under plastic to reduce the risk

Supplementary feeding is only required for the first four weeks, if grass quality and availability is good supplementary feeding can be stopped.

•

•

Protein crops such as Red Clover can be grown on marginal land, Lucerne on free draining neutral soils and are excellent sources of home produced protein

Rotate the grazing area. A three block system works well. In April and May when grass growth is at its highest two blocks may be sufficient to meet demand. The third block can be cut for silage.

•

•

Root crops, such as fodder beet, yield high levels of DM and energy

One month post housing all young stock will require treating for fluke and worm

•

In drought prone areas where grass availability may come under pressure, consider sowing catch crops such as kale or roots. Chicory also has great potential

•

Grow specific dry cow forage, hybrid rye or cereal/ lupin bicrops

Weight Kg

March

April - June

June - August

September - October

125

6

12

8

4

250

4

8

5

3

320

3

6

4

2

400

2

5

3

2

Table 4: Youngstock grazing stocking rates/Ha

Choose crops that will reduce the cost of bought in feed and produce high yields with minimal risk and inputs.

Now is the time to evaluate your forage plan and identify where savings and improvements in performance can be made.

The Wynnstay DTS team and agronomists are on hand do help you plan and support you this season. Wynnstay have a range of services to offer including nutrient planning and agronomy advice, preparation of grazing plans and grass growth monitoring and support with grazing management.

5. YOUNGSTOCK Most farms are carrying a high number of youngstock mainly as a result of plans to expand with home produced heifers, TB and the low demand for youngstock and low prices. Rearing this stock is a serious unwanted drain on cash flow. Grazing offers one of the most cost effective alternatives to rear these heifers.

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie

17

FORAGE

•

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

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DTSmetrics Dairy Technical Services At Wynnstay we believe there is more to doing business with our customers than simply selling products. Selling the product is only the beginning for us: we support this with a comprehensive range of technical services, to enable our customers to grow and develop their enterprise. We work with our customers with one universal goal, to improve on farm margins.

In an ever changing industry with constant challenges, the Wynnstay Dairy Technical Services (DTS) Team provide customers with access to industry leading analysis and technical supporting on all aspects of milk production. Fully aware of the vast range of factors affecting dairy profitability, we can provide technical advice and support throughout your dairy enterprise.

Wynnstay DTSmetrics In addition to benefiting from their routine monthly visit and ongoing support producers working with the Wynnstay DTS team will now have access to an exciting reporting and analysis service called DTSmetrics. DTSmetrics routinely monitors key management and environmental factors affecting herd performance, which allows the dairyman and DTS representative to easily identify the most important bottleneck in the operation.

The report also looks at the financial implications of forage quality and the performance of the heifer rearing enterprise and herd replacement policy.

The report is designed to monitor and also to highlight the key areas for improvement and the potential financial benefits of addressing individual issues on farm.

DTSmetrics concentrates on the key drivers of herd performance; those factors, many of them non-nutritional, which influence fertility and have an influential effect on the milk yield potential of your herd. Factors such as: •

Transition management

•

Feed management

•

Cow comfort

•

Time budgets

Simon and Chris Stanfield, Trefaes Fach have been involved with DTSmetrics from the outset.

Their herd of 300 Holsteins currently averages over 11,000 litres at 0.35 kg/litre feed rate.

• Lameness Heifer rearing

DTSMETRICS

•

Dave Richards has also seen how DTSmetrics has benefited his herd. In fact Mr Richards has built his system and facilities around achieving the DTSmetrics targets. Dave now runs a fresh cow group, stocked at 80% and fed a diet with reduced protein and higher energy as a result he has seen major improvements in rumen health in the freshly calved cows.

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DAIRY NEWSLETTER

The following is an example report. If you would like a member of the Dairy Technical Services Team to visit your farm and produce reports such as this one please contact our Dairy Technical Services Coordinator Nadine Pilkington.

An example of the conclusions drawn from a Wynnstay DTSmetrics report:

Transition cows: Over conditioned cows are at greater risk of sub clinical ketosis.

According to Dick Esselmont each case of sub clinical ketosis equates to a loss in revenue of £695 through increases in transitional disease, poor fertility and reduced production. These losses can be reduced by up to 74% with appropriate intervention.

Cows calving down with BCS greater than 3 are more likely to lose in excess of 1 BCS post calving and have greater negative energy balance post calving.

According to Julian Robinson Parc y Bryn Clynderwen DTSmetrics and routine visits give you something to work towards. Each month Julian agrees with DTSmetrics and draws up an action list to be completed by the next visit, each time addressing the most significant bottleneck in the system. Routine is the key; the DTSmetrics service is coordinated centrally by Nadine Pilkington who schedules visits and creates reports, which are returned to the customer within 24 hours.

Comments:

The wet weather and formulation of the diet is hampering intakes.

Over conditioned cows at calving and poor DMI will cause transitional problems.

Actions:

Considering the magnitude of losses associated with ketosis it is well worth adopting the recommended dry cow diet.

Transition Rumen Fill

“We have been buying off Wynnstay since we started in the Dairy sector 18 months ago. Wynnstay have helped us implement a good basis from which to work from - controlling nutritional requirement. Our cows are currently averaging 36.5 litres on twice a day milking with an annual 305-day average of 12,700 litres. We have used DTSmetrics since it began 5 months ago. It has proved incredibly beneficial helping us to plan ahead with regard to cow management and nutrition and allowing us to farm very efficiently. Our feed conversion efficiency is the best it has even been and continues to improve. Overall we are proud to be Wynnstay customers and value the service they offer very highly.”

3.32

% Fat Transition Cows

Doug and Katherine Leadbetter, Breach Gorse Farm, Derbyshire

34.38

£33,457.77

£12,515.15 £1,372.22 Additional rearing costs at current AFC

Additional heifers reared to achieve 86%survivability at 5 years

Nadine Pilkington

Additional breeding costs to get older heifers pregnant

Dairy Technical Services Co-ordinator t: 01691 827 145 nadine.pilkington@wynnstay.co.uk

19

DTSMETRICS

Financial implications of age at first calving

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PREPARE 80/20 The role of managing transition cows has never been more important; ensuring a smooth transition into the milking herd. up, expanding the rumen as much as possible with the provision of forage fibre to best equip her for maximum forage intake postpartum.

Anything we can do to minimise clinical and sub-clinical diseases, soon pays for itself with milk fever reported to cost £150 per case, retained cleansing £100 and Ketosis £90 in the short term. The long term effects in terms of fertility, lactation yield and mortality mean recoverable costs can soon be £5000 per 100 cows on farm.

Data generated by Wynnstay’s DTSmetrics continues to highlight transition management as the most significant bottleneck on most farms. Ensuring a successful transition every time means adhering to a few simple guidelines.

The addition of anionic salts to the mineralisation of the compound helps to provide protection from cationic blood levels, a precursor to milk fever in freshly calved dairy cows. This, along with high levels of vitamin A, E and D3 are formulated to provide support for an immune system under severe pressure through transition.

Arguably the drying off period is the most important time in a cow’s lactation as there is only one chance to get it right. Points to remember during this period: •

Maximise dry matter intake (DMI)

•

Maximise forage fibre DMI

•

Supplement minerals

•

Quality forms of starch and protein to increase palatability and drive forage intake

•

Mineral levels are important to maintain adequate immune function in times of stress.

•

Dietary Cation-Anion balance are important to fight Milk Fever

•

Feed high levels of straw and a mix of forages similar to a milking ration

•

Consistency and ease of management are fundamental to implementing transition feeding plans

Prepare 80/20 has been in use on farm for long enough to show its worth in the most challenging situations, through to farmers that want the best dry cow ration to optimise fresh cow performance.

Feeding a dry cow compound feed is often the best way of supplying the right balance of protein and energy. This can replace a proportion of the grass silage which will promote better transition health. To best achieve this, Wynnstay have developed Prepare 80/20 dry cow nuts.

A new user of Prepare 80/20, Phil Oliver, of Bank Farm, Smethcote, Shrewsbury says; “Prepare 80/20 nuts have done exactly what we expect of a good dry cow nut. We have had very little problems since using it and cows are transitioning very well”

TRANSITION

Prepare 80/20 is an industry leading mineralised dry cow compound. Formulated to 28% protein, it truly balances high straw and mixed forage dry cow rationing techniques. Protein requirements remain high for a cow pre partum, with demand for calf growth, maintenance and colostrum production. Base dry cow rations are low in protein due to a high straw inclusion and many shy away from grass silage due to milk fever risk. The result is any complementary feed needs to be high in protein to satisfy the cow’s demand, with a realistic daily intake.

There are many dry cow feeding compounds available to the farmer today, from the most basic, to extremely complicated and costly formulas. Ask yourself: Can your herd transition be more successful? Is your current policy expensively covering over the cracks in your system?

Formulated with Wheat, Soybean meal and Rapeseed meal as prime ingredients, Prepare 80/20 uses quality ingredients to provide good energy levels to the ration. Quality sources of starch and protein leaves more room in the ration to drive forage intake

There is a huge cost to sub-standard dry cow transition, but the answer does not have to be equally as costly.

20

Wynnstay Group Plc

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

Prepare 80/20 Feeding Recommendations Wynnstay recommend a single dry cow base diet which depending on the available resources can include a range of forages and feeding regimes. Prepare 80/20 has been designed to complement most feeding regimes by quite simply altering the inclusion rate.

Transition cows only need Prepare 80/20 in the last three weeks before parturition. However there is no issue with feeding Prepare 80/20 for the entire dry period. Typical dietary regimes would include: Forage 1

Forage 2

Forage 3

Grass silage

3kg/day

Grass silage Grass silage

Straw

2.5kg/day

Whole crop or maize

Straw

2.5kg/day

Whole crop or maize

Straw

2.0kg/day

For more information please contact one of our Dairy Technical Services Team or alternatively email info@wynnstay.co.uk

All dry cow diets should be formulated to the following specification: CP

13.5-14%

ME

8.5-9.5 mj/Kg DM

DMI

12.5 Kg DM/day +

Prepare 80/20

Mark Price

Midlands - Dairy Specialist m: 07876 824 314 mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

Starch 8+% Prepare 80/20 can be top dressed on the base forage mix provided there is sufficient feeding space per cow (0.75m) or alternatively fed through an out of parlour feeder in the dry cow accommodation.

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DO WE NEED DRY COWS? Recently I was asked the interesting question “Do we need dry cows?” - so I set about answering it.

The question arose from the fact that it is possible to pick up freshly calved cows at a cost differential to the cull cow which may warrant considering keeping only in milk cows in the herd.

The main points to consider were as follows; •

10-15% of forced cullings occur in the first 60 days post calving

•

Having 15% dry cows reduces daily yield per cow in the herd by at least 15%

•

Calving and calf rearing is labour intensive

•

Vet costs are mainly associated with transition and fresh cows

•

Cows would be replaced when their daily milk yield fell below 30 litres

Rearing replacements 15% dry, 25% replacement rate Milk Revenue (18ppl)

•

No cows would calve on the farm

•

Culled cows would be replaced with fresh cows

1.

Milk yield and FCE would increase reducing costs

2.

Herd maintenance costs would be reduced as all cows would be producing

In reality we would still have to breed cows to maintain 50% of the herd pregnant. Why? Because we need to be able to return to a system that relies on calving cows if the differential between culls and fresh cows grows. The model would also have to include a replacement rate of 120% to account for losses and the acquisition of poor performers. So what did the financials look like? Table 1 compares a traditional system, a flying herd and two no dry cow scenarios with different replacement/cull differentials.

With these points in mind I set out to model a possible scenario which looked something like this:

A strict no passenger policy would be implemented

The outcome would be as follows:

There is significant cash flow pressure on rearing replacements

•

•

£300 differential between cull and replacement

£500 differential between cull and replacement

Flying herd

£189,873.00

£243,090.00

£243,090.00

£189,873.00

£10,000.00

£0.00

£0.00

£20,000.00

Total receipts

£199,873.00

£243,090.00

£243,090.00

£209,873.00

Dry cow costs

£8,400.00

£0.00

£0.00

£8,400.00

Calf sales (80% sold, £250 average)

Replacement costs (Purchase-cull) Heifer rearing ((£1,500/heifer) Additional feed costs Total costs

Balance

£0.00

£49,000.00

£69,000.00

£23,750.00

£37,500.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£0.00

£6,750.00

£6,750.00

£0.00

£45,900.00

£55,750.00

£75,750.00

£32,150.00

£153,973.00

£187,340.00

£167,340.00

£177,723.00

£33,367.00

£13,367.00

£23,750.00

Financial benefit

Table 3: Cost comparison of 4 systems

Conclusion

The no dry cow approach is heavily dependent on the replacement/cull differential. This is evident in the difference between the £500 and £300 differential models. It is also worth noting the strong influence of the costs of heifer rearing. Heifer rearing requires a significant amount of input which emphasises the need to grow heifers to achieve the targets that will ensure good performance at freshening. Interestingly the most significant point arising from these models is the strength of the flying herd option.

A no dry cow system is possible and feasible; however, it does leave your business open to fluctuations in cull and replacement cows and the effects of movement restrictions due to TB. Provided you keep inseminating cows it is easy enough to get back in to a flying herd system but longer to get into a home reared replacement system.

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie

22

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SO YOU WANT TO REDUCE BOUGHT IN FEED COSTS TO LESS THAN 6.5PPL? Producing milk at less than 6.5ppl is dependent on having quality forage.

By quality we primarily mean NDF content as this will have a direct relationship between digestibility and energy content.

More importantly it controls intake potential. Table 1 shows the levels of forage intake possible for two cows of differing bodyweights on forage with different NDF contents. A 30 litre cow could easily be fed for 6.5ppl on a diet made up of grass silage, 2Kg of Wheat, 1Kg of Soya and 8kg of a high energy 18% CP concentrate in the parlour (Eagle HS18).

The magnitude of additional production above 30 litres will be dependent on what the cow is able to consume, which is of course dependent on forage NDF. On high forage diets based on poorer quality forages the absolute intake potential of the total diet will be met before the maximum potential forage intake is achieved limiting forage intake.

Although the intake potential of pasture is much higher than conserved forages its worth bearing in mind that weather, pasture

condition, time budgets and day length will have an influential effect. The high intake potential of grazed grass is so high that when grazing conditions are good very little supplementary feed is required. However, supplementary feed is necessary to balance protein intake and correct fibre levels. The difference between good quality grass silage (420 NDF, 11.5ME) and poor quality grass silage (500 NDF, 10.5ME) is a reduction of 2kg of DMI. In terms of milk production this would equate to a reduction in milk production of somewhere in the region of 6 litres when the energy content of the respective forages are taken into account.

The intake potential can be further increased by the inclusion of high quality ingredients; the lower the NDF the higher the intakes. This is the reason the 6.5 ppl and below diet uses soya bean meal and wheat. A mix of forages, especially maize will also increase the potential forage intake. Understanding the potential of your conserved forages and pastures is the key to reducing feed costs to below 6.5ppl.

Cow Bodyweight % BW

550 Kg

650 Kg

Maximum NDF intake

1.30%

7150g

8450g

Grass Silage NDF intake

1.00%

5500

6500

Maize Silage NDF intake

1.10%

6050

7150

Pasture NDF Intake

1.30%

7150

8450

a b b

b

Silage NDF g/Kg

Potential DMI Kg/day

420

13.10

15.48

450

12.22

14.44

500

11.00

13.00

Fresh Grass NDF g/Kg

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie

Potential DMI Kg/day

420

17.02

20.12

430

16.63

19.65

N E Wics

DTSmetr nalysis on farm a Av a i l a b l e NOW! . e de ta ils 18 fo r m or Se e pa ge

Table 1: Potential DMI on a range of different quality forages

To discuss any of the articles or for more information about any of the products listed in this edition of the Dairy Newsletter, contact your local Wynnstay Representative or local Wynnstay store.

0808 168 7998

Wynnstay Pick up a FREE e at your local Dairy Catalogu e, ask your Wynnstay Stor esentative pr Wynnstay Re or call

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0808 168 799

dairy@wynnstay.co.uk Images are for illustration purposes only.

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