Sweet Success for Transition Cows

---

In an industry first, and brought to you by Thompsons’ Technical Team, alongside long-term Performance Partner Zinpro, Zinpro IsoFerm has been available to Thompsons’ customers since last September. Since then, we have been monitoring the performance levels of any herds that had included Zinpro IsoFerm into their diet, and the figures being recorded are both meeting and exceeding expectations. 

Following the launch of the unique product Zinpro IsoFerm last September, many dairy producers are now seeing the real benefits of having this as an integral part of their nutritional package. Where Thompsons’ Technical Team have seen the most visible improvements in performance, are in the transition portion of the herd. We took the opportunity to visit one such unit, where there has been a noticeable difference to the milk output from those cows receiving Zinpro IsoFerm as part of their daily diet. 

In Castlerock, on the North Coast, the Pollock family farm is celebrating twenty years of making their very popular, Braemar Farm Ice Cream and to top it off, the 150 dairy cows have never milked better. With the cow side of the business managed by Ian, and the ice cream looked after by his wife Ruth, the herd are currently averaging 37 litres at 126 average days in milk, with milk components sitting at 4.63 butterfat and 3.42 protein. 

Dietary decisions

As part of the overall nutritional strategy, working with their Thompsons’ Tech Team advisor Mary-Jane Robinson and Sales Rep Alan Archibald, the decision was made to focus on dry cow performance. With the aim being to achieve a stress-free and successful transition, Zinpro IsoFerm was incorporated into the dry cow diet last October. Research carried out by Zinpro has shown that, during the transition period, cows supplemented with IsoFerm produced more microbial protein as a result of increased NDF digestibility, improving dry matter intake before and after calving. These ruminal benefits reduce the extent of negative energy balance and weight loss at the beginning of lactation while increasing peak milk production.

On the Pollock family farm, dry cows run as one batch and are fed a TMR incorporating grass silage, whole crop and 2kg’s of a tailored dry cow blend to complement forages. The noticeable difference this winter is that cows are calving in with no retained cleanings and no cases of clinical milk fever, with this improvement in cow health and wellbeing, milk production has improved. More cows have exceeded 50 litres this winter, with milk persistency and body condition also holding up well.  Fertility will be the biggest benchmark when comparing year on year. 

 

 

We know from research that the increased isoacid availability during the dry period initiates

metabolic effects, increasing glucose production in the liver and improving transition energy balance. This is alongside a reduction in body fat breakdown and subsequent lowering of both blood

NEFA and BHB levels, significantly reducing the incidence of ketosis in early lactation. Something that has been noticed on Braemar Farm, ensuring that there is a marked improvement in the overall health of the transition cows. If you would like to know how Zinpro IsoFerm could benefit your herd, contact your local Thompsons’ rep or Belfast on; 028 9035 1321.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinpro IsoFerm is an essential nutrient that enhances the digestibility of fibre fractions in the diet, driving both energy and microbial protein production with significant benefits in milk yields and animal performance. Zinpro IsoFerm is a breakthrough Innovation in Dairy Nutrition.

Posted 23,02,26 by allison.

Back to News