Monitor, Manage and Maximise

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Monitor, Manage and Maximise

With a clear mindset that everything needs to be checked, double checked, tweaked and improved, on this County Antrim dairy unit, gradual, incremental progress is always being made towards long term goals. 

Christopher McKernan farms near Mosside, outside Ballymoney, alongside his uncle, Johnston McKay. Over the past five years, the farm has undergone several changes, including replacing its conventional milking parlour with two Lely A5 robots to milk 130 cows. Milk production has increased, with the rolling herd average now just under 11,000 litres. The farm’s breeding strategy has also evolved to support higher milk yields while maintaining milk solids, but the long-term target is to hit One tonne of milk solids per cow. The cows which are 157 DIM, are currently averaging 35 litres, with fat and protein levels of 4.53 and 3.42 respectively, averaging 2.6 milkings per cow per day. Cows are calved all year-round aiming for 20 cows and 5 heifers to enter the system each month to maximise litres per box.

Historically the farm ran a more traditional three cut system, but the change to multicut silage has been the key to driving more litres from forage with first cut now typically harvested at the end of April. Forage on the farm has been tested with results as per Table 1. Silage is tested on a regular basis with intakes monitored, this allows actual intakes/performance to be compared to predicted values on modelling software and adjustments made as necessary. 

Forage update

Cows presently are being fed a mix of first and third cut, with the whole crop just being phased in. A small level of haylage and straw remains constant across all forages fed throughout the year. Second cut this year was a challenge, with quality way below a typical year, the plan would be to use 2nd cut on youngstock and dry cows.  Prior to the current mix, one challenge at farm level was sorting of TMR, with water being added in to solve this. Silo management has been more challenging this year, but as temperatures drop and now all animals have been housed, this will aid silo face management.   Cows receive two fresh TMR mixes a day with multiple push ups (throughout the day) which allows a consistently high forage dry matter intake ( >13 kilos DMI).

 The use of a tailored blend allows forages to be balanced accordingly, and the blend is adjusted as often as necessary. Cows are fed a high HDF nut through the robot maximising levels of both sugar beet pulp and soya hulls. The incorporation of protected fat helps drive energy density of the nut. The glucogenic blend drives high levels of maize which increases the blood glucose and insulin levels minimising the negative energy balance post calving, and ensures body weight loss is minimised post calving and ensures cows return to oestrus. 

Added value

Both the nut and blend are formulated to include Rumitech a unique buffering product to help reduce SARA and Zinpro Availa minerals proven to help immunity, hoof health and reproduction. Ultrasorb toxin binder is fed at farm level and has been a major reassurance with multiple forages. The inclusion at farm level allows flexibility to adjust level instantly should a problem arise with forages at farm level.Feed tables in Lely Horizon allow cows to enter the herd after calving on a gradual build-up strategy, helping them increase concentrate intake while maximising forage intake at the feed fence. Liquid feed is also delivered through the robots to help minimise ketosis. After the build-up period, cows move onto a feed-to-yield curve so concentrate allocation reflects milk production; before drying off, the feed rate is gradually reduced. This approach ensures each cow can be managed according to her stage of lactation. The addition of fixed feeding also allows individual cows to be managed accordingly for a defined period should they need a more targeted approach.

Dry-cow nutrition has also become a key focus. A tailored blend complements the forage and includes Rumitech and Zinpro Availa minerals. More recently within the dry cow diet, Zinpro’s IsoFerm now makes up part of the tailored blend. IsoFerm fed throughout the dry period has been shown to produce more microbial protein as a result of increased NDF digestibility. This translates to increased dry matter intakes both pre and post calving. Cows have been calving down with few issues and moving to high peak yields very well. The winter ahead will present its challenges, but with their sound business foundations and focus on performance, this dairy herd will continue to strive for their long-term goals.

Posted 19,10,26 by allison.

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