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3 JANUARY 2014

DAIRY FARM OVERHAUL BOOSTS BOTTOM LINE

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ARM

ING’S

CHAMPION FOR 80 YEARS ✲

FARMERS WEEKLY 1934 -201

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FWE_030114_301.indd 301 15/01/2014 14:41

DAIRYLIVESTOCK

Overhaul sees a healthier herd and finances

A n overhaul of nutrition, herd routines and herd health has helped put an extra 4p on the value of

every litre of milk sold from the Evans family’s 420-cow Holstein herd in Shropshire.

The revamped management system has been driven by close attention to detail at every stage of cow care combined with rigor-ous dry cow routines, which have slashed the calving index by 48 days to an average of 400 days.

The herd at Priddbwll Mawr, Llangedwyn, near Oswestry, has a rolling average of 9,400 litres from a total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on 65% maize and incorpo-rating a cane molasses-based liquid feed.

“We switched to three-times-a-day milking in April this year and although it’s been a real turning point for us and we’ve seen a big improvement in yield, the way we’ve fed the cows and the dry cow regime have had a big impact on improving cow fertility,” says James Evans,who farms with his father Martin.

The farm extends to 121 all-grass hectares, but there’s a further 80ha of lower land near Shrewsbury devoted to growing maize.

Since 2008 cow numbers have almost doubled – and the plan is to continue to expand.

“We made a big investment in a new set-up almost three years ago. We doubled the size of the cubi-cle shed and installed a new 25:50 rapid-exit-swing over parlour.

“Since we started milking three times a day, average yields are now almost seven litres higher than they were this time last year,” says Mr Evans.

A revamped dairy management system has boosted milk value by 4p/litre and reduced calving interval by 48 days. Jeremy Hunt finds out more

NUTRITION Cows are fed a TMR mix, which includes a high rate of maize silage – about 65% – so cows are get-ting roughly 8.1kg of DM of maize silage and 4.5kg DM of grass silage. A feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of 1.46 has been achieved over the summer months and is at 1.39, which is worth an extra £2.50 a day compared with last year.

“Before the changes, our feed conversion efficiency was about 1.22 but then, as average yields headed towards 30 litres, we reached 1.27. When we switched to first-cut silage the FCE jumped to almost

higher energy feed with more sugar. “We did just that during late

summer when we added a blend of cane molasses and by-product liquids from the food and distillery industry to the diet to cope with maize silage stocks getting low,” he says.

This winter Mr Evans has been using a cane molasses-based liquid feed which has a 67% DM and 13.1ME. “It’s balancing the protein and energy levels of the TMR mix which is giving us the first 40 litres of milk,” says Mr Evans.

Mel Broughton of liquid feed suppliers ED&F Man says the herd is targeted to achieve an average yield of 10,800 litres by next June.

“By maintaining high dry matter intakes with the correct levels of rumen-degradable protein and energy supplied by the liquid feed, it will help achieve the yield target while at the same time sustain the ongoing improvement in the calv-ing index,” says Mr Broughton.

Liquid feeds are used to regulate protein levels in the diet.

A liquid feed, comprising cane molasses and urea, has been used as a protein balancer and to enhance the palatability of the mix.

“We always feed between 1 and

2kg of a cane molasses-based prod-uct. Protein is an expensive com-modity and we’ve found that liquid feeds are the best option,” explains Mr Evans.

DRY COW RATIONS The dry cows are fed two rations: the “far-off” group gets a diet based on 7.25kg of straw a head and the “close-ups” get 5kg of straw. In both groups it’s topped up with maize, a restricted amount of grass silage and a transition dry cow syrup and a transition mineral.

But things haven’t always been as good as they are now.

“We hit a bad patch last year and cows weren’t performing. We knew we’d have to overhaul the manage-ment and get far more consistency into the system. And it’s worked.

“We’re getting more milk, having fewer vet visits, healthier dry cows and a much tighter calving index.

“Before the changes our feed conversion efficiency was about 1.22 but then as average yields headed towards 30 litres we reached 1.27.

“When we switched to first-cut silage the FCE jumped to almost 1.49 – and that was worth £1 a cow a day just on the quality of forage.

Q Protein is an expensive commodity and we’ve found that liquid feeds are the best optionJames Evans

1.49 – and was worth £1 a cow a day just on the quality of forage.”

Cane molasses-based liquid feeds have always been used as part of the herd’s rationing.

“The range of cane molasses feeds gives us plenty of options so we can precisely balance the pro-tein and energy levels of the diet as well as improve palatability and so increase dry matter intakes.

“We’ve got flexibility within the rationing so if our nutritionist feels the diet’s lacking energy we can drop back the protein and go for a

A revamped management system has driven up yields, says dairy farmer James Evans.

Reprinted from | FARMERSWEEKLY | 3 January 2014

FWE_030114_028-029.indd 28 17/01/2014 13:02

LIVESTOCKDAIRY

COW MANAGEMENTThe herd is split into high and low yielders in the summer. This year 75 low yielders were turned out to grass to work on body condition prior to drying off.

“We have had issues with dis-placed abomasums [DAs] and the calving interval went through the roof because we took our eye off the ball. So we’ve really focused on dry cow management with the aim of getting cows to calve down in the right condition,” says Mr Evans.

Historically, the herd had prob-lems with DAs from January to April because cows were just too fat when they were dried off.

Now all cows are body condition scored at drying off with extreme body condition scores taken into account.

“Leaner cows are moved into the close-up group sooner, because we know intakes won’t be as good as the others.

“Any lameness issues, the age of the cow and if the cow is carry-ing twins are all factors taken into account and reflected in how the cows are managed. And we’re having a lot of success with the introduction of a ketosis bolus on selected cows.”

NEW ROUTINE The herd also has a weekly vet visit. A typical example of the improve-

ment was a confirmed pregnancy at 102 days from a cow giving almost 60 litres.

“We’ve really prioritised manage-ment in the transition period. Every Friday is drying-off day based on an eight-week dry period.

“It’s all about sticking to a routine

and being consistent. But cows thrive on it. You can bore cows crazy with routine but that’s what they love and it’s the key to good management.”

The herd has now pulled its calv-ing interval back 48 days to 400 days and is projected to achieve

390 days. “We had 50 calvings in October

and just three retained cleansings and an odd case of whites, but that was all. Our highest yielding cow is giving 75 litres and was confirmed in-calf at 130 days.”fwlivestock@rbi.co.uk

The herd at Priddbwll Mawr is fed a high rate of maize silage.

420 cows Calving index of 400 days Produces 9,400 litres of milk TMR mix including 65% maize

silage and cane molasses 2013 maize analysed at 31%

starch and 34% dry matter Cows housed all year

FARM FACTS

Reprinted from | FARMERSWEEKLY | 3 January 2014

FWE_030114_028-029.indd 29 17/01/2014 13:03

DAIRYLIVESTOCK

Overhaul sees a healthier herd and finances

A n overhaul of nutrition, herd routines and herd health has helped put an extra 4p on the value of

every litre of milk sold from the Evans family’s 420-cow Holstein herd in Shropshire.

The revamped management system has been driven by close attention to detail at every stage of cow care combined with rigor-ous dry cow routines, which have slashed the calving index by 48 days to an average of 400 days.

The herd at Priddbwll Mawr, Llangedwyn, near Oswestry, has a rolling average of 9,400 litres from a total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on 65% maize and incorpo-rating a cane molasses-based liquid feed.

“We switched to three-times-a-day milking in April this year and although it’s been a real turning point for us and we’ve seen a big improvement in yield, the way we’ve fed the cows and the dry cow regime have had a big impact on improving cow fertility,” says James Evans,who farms with his father Martin.

The farm extends to 121 all-grass hectares, but there’s a further 80ha of lower land near Shrewsbury devoted to growing maize.

Since 2008 cow numbers have almost doubled – and the plan is to continue to expand.

“We made a big investment in a new set-up almost three years ago. We doubled the size of the cubi-cle shed and installed a new 25:50 rapid-exit-swing over parlour.

“Since we started milking three times a day, average yields are now almost seven litres higher than they were this time last year,” says Mr Evans.

A revamped dairy management system has boosted milk value by 4p/litre and reduced calving interval by 48 days. Jeremy Hunt finds out more

NUTRITION Cows are fed a TMR mix, which includes a high rate of maize silage – about 65% – so cows are get-ting roughly 8.1kg of DM of maize silage and 4.5kg DM of grass silage. A feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of 1.46 has been achieved over the summer months and is at 1.39, which is worth an extra £2.50 a day compared with last year.

“Before the changes, our feed conversion efficiency was about 1.22 but then, as average yields headed towards 30 litres, we reached 1.27. When we switched to first-cut silage the FCE jumped to almost

higher energy feed with more sugar. “We did just that during late

summer when we added a blend of cane molasses and by-product liquids from the food and distillery industry to the diet to cope with maize silage stocks getting low,” he says.

This winter Mr Evans has been using a cane molasses-based liquid feed which has a 67% DM and 13.1ME. “It’s balancing the protein and energy levels of the TMR mix which is giving us the first 40 litres of milk,” says Mr Evans.

Mel Broughton of liquid feed suppliers ED&F Man says the herd is targeted to achieve an average yield of 10,800 litres by next June.

“By maintaining high dry matter intakes with the correct levels of rumen-degradable protein and energy supplied by the liquid feed, it will help achieve the yield target while at the same time sustain the ongoing improvement in the calv-ing index,” says Mr Broughton.

Liquid feeds are used to regulate protein levels in the diet.

A liquid feed, comprising cane molasses and urea, has been used as a protein balancer and to enhance the palatability of the mix.

“We always feed between 1 and

2kg of a cane molasses-based prod-uct. Protein is an expensive com-modity and we’ve found that liquid feeds are the best option,” explains Mr Evans.

DRY COW RATIONS The dry cows are fed two rations: the “far-off” group gets a diet based on 7.25kg of straw a head and the “close-ups” get 5kg of straw. In both groups it’s topped up with maize, a restricted amount of grass silage and a transition dry cow syrup and a transition mineral.

But things haven’t always been as good as they are now.

“We hit a bad patch last year and cows weren’t performing. We knew we’d have to overhaul the manage-ment and get far more consistency into the system. And it’s worked.

“We’re getting more milk, having fewer vet visits, healthier dry cows and a much tighter calving index.

“Before the changes our feed conversion efficiency was about 1.22 but then as average yields headed towards 30 litres we reached 1.27.

“When we switched to first-cut silage the FCE jumped to almost 1.49 – and that was worth £1 a cow a day just on the quality of forage.

Q Protein is an expensive commodity and we’ve found that liquid feeds are the best optionJames Evans

1.49 – and was worth £1 a cow a day just on the quality of forage.”

Cane molasses-based liquid feeds have always been used as part of the herd’s rationing.

“The range of cane molasses feeds gives us plenty of options so we can precisely balance the pro-tein and energy levels of the diet as well as improve palatability and so increase dry matter intakes.

“We’ve got flexibility within the rationing so if our nutritionist feels the diet’s lacking energy we can drop back the protein and go for a

A revamped management system has driven up yields, says dairy farmer James Evans.

Reprinted from | FARMERSWEEKLY | 3 January 2014

FWE_030114_028-029.indd 28 17/01/2014 13:02

LIVESTOCKDAIRY

COW MANAGEMENTThe herd is split into high and low yielders in the summer. This year 75 low yielders were turned out to grass to work on body condition prior to drying off.

“We have had issues with dis-placed abomasums [DAs] and the calving interval went through the roof because we took our eye off the ball. So we’ve really focused on dry cow management with the aim of getting cows to calve down in the right condition,” says Mr Evans.

Historically, the herd had prob-lems with DAs from January to April because cows were just too fat when they were dried off.

Now all cows are body condition scored at drying off with extreme body condition scores taken into account.

“Leaner cows are moved into the close-up group sooner, because we know intakes won’t be as good as the others.

“Any lameness issues, the age of the cow and if the cow is carry-ing twins are all factors taken into account and reflected in how the cows are managed. And we’re having a lot of success with the introduction of a ketosis bolus on selected cows.”

NEW ROUTINE The herd also has a weekly vet visit. A typical example of the improve-

ment was a confirmed pregnancy at 102 days from a cow giving almost 60 litres.

“We’ve really prioritised manage-ment in the transition period. Every Friday is drying-off day based on an eight-week dry period.

“It’s all about sticking to a routine

and being consistent. But cows thrive on it. You can bore cows crazy with routine but that’s what they love and it’s the key to good management.”

The herd has now pulled its calv-ing interval back 48 days to 400 days and is projected to achieve

390 days. “We had 50 calvings in October

and just three retained cleansings and an odd case of whites, but that was all. Our highest yielding cow is giving 75 litres and was confirmed in-calf at 130 days.”fwlivestock@rbi.co.uk

The herd at Priddbwll Mawr is fed a high rate of maize silage.

420 cows Calving index of 400 days Produces 9,400 litres of milk TMR mix including 65% maize

silage and cane molasses 2013 maize analysed at 31%

starch and 34% dry matter Cows housed all year

FARM FACTS

Reprinted from | FARMERSWEEKLY | 3 January 2014

FWE_030114_028-029.indd 29 17/01/2014 13:03

What it can do for you

Improve the performance of mixed forage dietsIncrease energy intakeEnhance overall diet palatability and intakesProvide highly effective protein and energysupplementation at sensible costSimplify feeding and save you timeCorrect ERDP deficiencies in diets

Regumix is particularly suited to total mixed rations(TMR's) where lower protein ingredients are being fedalongside grass silage. In this role, it boosts overallpalatability and supplements protein and energy levels.Regumix can be used to replace a proportionof dry blend to improve performance and reduce cost.

As a forage supplement it is valuable in dairy, rearingheifer, beef and sheep rations and it is especially usefulwhere straw is fed. The feed also contains supplementarylevels of sulphur and it is known that this aidsthe digestion of more fibrous materials.

Its excellent palatability, combined with good levels ofprotein and energy also make Regumix ideal to balancebuffer feeds for grazing animals.

Where maize or wholecrop cereal silage are being fed atover 50% of the total forage ration, even higher levels ofprotein are required and another Regulated Release feed,for example, Regumaize is recommended.

About Regulated Release

This unique, patented process, developed by ED&F ManLiquid Products is designed to give rumen bacteriaexactly what they need to thrive - a balanced andsynchronised supply of energy and protein - leading toincreased microbial protein production and betteranimal performance.

How to use Regumix

Regumix can be stored and handled as easily asconventional molasses blends - and provides similarbenefits in terms of feed texture and palatability. It is easyto use in a range of feeding systems - from TMR wagonsto simply layering onto forages along feed passages orin troughs.

Typical feeding rate for cows is 2kg/head/day, so a 10tonne delivery, stored conveniently in a bulk tank, willsupport 100 cows for 50 days. Typical feeding rate forsheep is 0.25kg/head/day.

Freshguard

Regumix is available with a Freshguardoption.

Dry matter (%) 67ME (MJ/kg DM) 13.1Crude protein (%) 27Total sugars (%) 53

Typical dry matter analysis

The high performance supplement formixed forage diets.

Original and best - a proven regulated release feed

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Key benefitsExcellent source of Effective Ruminant DegradableProtein (ERDP) and Fermentable Energy (FME)

Higher dry matter intakes and increased forageutilisation

Cost effective alternative to a dry blend

Better dietary protein balance

A cost-effective supplement to optimise use ofbulk feeds

Improved animal performance and health

Ideal combination of natural and regulated releaseprotein

Regumix is a highly palatable, molasses based feed,rich in protein and energy and designed to get themost from forages.

At 27% crude protein and 13.1ME, it is designed tocomplement grass, wholecrop, maize silage andstraw-based rations, correcting both energy anddegradable protein imbalances.

For more information: Freephone: 0800 389 8450South: Dave Stanford - 07767 873748 North: Mel Broughton - 07717 341425

Scotland: Jim Howie - 07770 731919

Dairy Farmer James Evans usesED&F Man's Regumix product

A4 Regumix Leaflet:Layout 1 16/1/14 13:21 Page 1

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