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Know How / Dairy / Feed and nutrition

Managing feed and nutrition to maximise milk output has become a precise science in dairy herds. We have information on grazing management, developments in grass and maize silage and formulating rations with a balanced protein, energy, mineral and fibre content.

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FEED AND NUTRITION

Wholecrop barley silage solves key challenges on dairy farm

Cases of milk fever in the 400 high-yielding pedigree Holsteins at Poyerston Farm numbered just two in the last calving period. Roger Lewis, who runs the autumn-calving herd in partnership…

FEED AND NUTRITION

How one farm is trialling a regen approach to forage maize

Faced with a reliance on maize but driven by a commitment to regenerative farming principles, Lucy and Rob Noad set out to prove that maize can be grown more sustainably.…

FEED AND NUTRITION

How one dairy is managing forage stocks for weather extremes

Three weather apps and a bespoke spreadsheet are helping to feed cows cost-effectively at Clive Hall Farm – despite more extreme weather patterns affecting forage stocks for this spring block-calving…

DAIRY

What is the secret to a smooth calving period?

Anything that can be done to make an intensive block-calving period run as smoothly as possible will be advantageous for a busy farm team. It stems from preparing staff, processes…

DAIRY

'Little wins' improve milk and protein yield on Cornish farm

Milk quality has not been compromised as yields have increased on a 550-cow dairy farm near Bodmin, Cornwall. In fact, while yields at Treveglos Farm are up by 1,200 litres…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Four ways tenant dairy unit manages consistent feeding 

Adding maize and an alkaline fibre nut to the feed ration has helped a Cumbrian farm maintain rumen health through a period of challenging production years. Andrew Barraclough took on…

Practical advice

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DAIRY

Advice on balancing fibre and concentrates in dairy diets

Dairy farmers who capitalise on a positive milk-to-feed-price ratio by upping concentrates in herd diets risk triggering acidosis and other metabolic issues if they fail to consider fibre. Although milk…

DAIRY

Advice on dry cow shed management for high yielders

The high-yielding cow faces immense metabolic challenges. Transition diseases such as milk fever, ketosis, and displaced abomasum cases remain costly threats, and poor fertility results in inefficiency. The transition period…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Advice on eking out forage supplies for winter

Beef and dairy farmers with poor forage stocks need to budget now – not wait until the new year when marketplace supplies are running low and prices are even higher.…

LIVESTOCK

How homeopathy can prevent and reduce livestock disease

Integrating homeopathic and preventative protocols into livestock systems can avoid up to 80% of common health problems, according to veterinary surgeon and homeopathic vet Chris Aukland. “Disease doesn't just happen,” he says. “It…

DAIRY

Advice on supporting liver health in high-yielding cows

We are all familiar with the challenges posed by the transition period in high-yielding dairy cows. However, ongoing research is demonstrating the value of more specific support for liver function…

DAIRY

Pros and cons of feeding a home-grown dairy ration

Producing a home-grown ration for cattle is an aspiration for more and more livestock farmers, and many rearing and finishing beef have made good progress in this endeavour. But dairy…

Insights

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DAIRY

Are transition cows getting enough metabolisable protein?

Dairy producers could be limiting early lactation performance by underfeeding metabolisable protein, as well as the amino acids methionine and lysine, to transition cows. Prof Jim Drackley of the University…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Forage maize yield more than double under film, trial shows

The impact on a farm’s cost of production from more than doubling forage maize yield, from 7t dry matter/ha to 18t, is significant. This yield benefit was seen when the…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Why poor water management limits dairy herd potential

How much water can a lactating dairy cow drink if she has access to ad-lib, fresh, clean and palatable water? The answer is unknown on many dairy farms, because of…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Benefits of following maize with Westerwolds ryegrass

Including freshly cut Westerwolds ryegrass in the ration during housing is increasing daily milk yield by 2 litres a cow in a Ceredigion dairy herd and capturing significant cost savings…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Is insect oil an alternative fat source for calf milk replacer?

Using oil derived from black soldier flies as the fat source in calf milk powder could offer a more sustainable solution to current alternatives – without compromising on youngstock performance.…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Why milk fat composition in calf milk replacer matters

Optimising fat composition in calf milk replacer to focus on short-chain fatty acids could unlock better growth, stronger gut health and enhanced disease resilience, according to new research. Speaking at…

DAIRY

Why efficiency is the route to dairy farm sustainability

Every time dairy farmers think about sustainability, they should be thinking instead about efficiency. This was the conclusion of a roundtable of farmers, independent experts and industry representatives who gathered…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Copper in dairy rations: Is too much as bad as too little?

Evaluating copper levels in every feed source and supplement before formulating rations for dairy cows – and youngstock – will help meet animal requirements but prevent overfeeding and protect animal…

LIVESTOCK

Feed efficiency research reveals importance of cow grouping

Breeding dairy herds for feed efficiency can be negatively impacted on-farm by managing lactating cows in mixed parity groups. This is because of competition at the feed bunk and a…

DAIRY

Cow health strategy rethink needed after bolus loss

Dairy farms need to review their strategies for preventing metabolic disease in transition cows as monensin boluses are no longer on the market, said independent veterinary consultant Dr David Charles.…

YOUNGSTOCK MANAGEMENT

Trial compares performance of whey protein v whey powder

Using a whey protein-based milk replacer, over a whey powder-based alternative, could increase saleable milk yields by almost £500 a heifer. This is according to research presented by Volac’s global…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Bacterial inoculant boosts milk yield 1.9kg/day, study shows

Inoculating silage increases available dry matter, improves aerobic stability, and increases milk yields, according to the findings of a new trial. The independent trial was carried out at Reading University’s…

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