Save money from your dairy ration by cutting out expensive ‘add-ons’

Dairy farmers looking to save money on their cow rations should cut out expensive “add-ons” such as yeast and excess minerals, a leading dairy adviser says.

Independent consultant Phil Clarke, of P&L Agriconsulting, says there are areas where farmers can cut costs from their rations, but care must be taken to protect long-term cow health and production.

He advises farmers not to be persuaded by feed reps claiming to have a “silver bullet”.

“There are lots of companies claiming to sell a feed product that can give you an extra litre, but don’t be fooled by them.”

Cutting out the add-ons

Farmers need to first look at cutting out the add-ons such as excess minerals, microbinders, yeasts and protected fats, he advises.

“If you are feeding a clean and well-balanced diet then you don’t need all the add-ons, they are just there as an expensive insurance policy.

See also: Feed conversion ratio not measure of dairy efficiency

“When you are yielding under 10,000 litres there’s also no need for protected fat; it is a very expensive extra. If you need to replace fat, you can do it with a little bit of cheap cereal.

“However, if you have a high-yielding Holstein then cut concentrates at your peril, as it could end up a short-term gain,” he says.

Mr Clarke says he visited a farm recently where the farmer was feeding 15 products in his dry cow mix and was still getting retained placentas and milk fevers.

“This just shows you not to overcomplicate your ration.”

He suggests that farmers looking to remove feed products from cow rations should do it slowly and monitor cows regularly.

“If you are dropping a certain product do it by a small amount and keep records of milk yield and cow health.

“Also leave it three to four days before assessing as it takes time for the cow to readjust.

“If yield doesn’t drop too much and cows remain healthy then pull some more out.”

Yield drop

He also assures farmers not to be worried if milk yield drops.

“If you are feeding a 32-litre diet and it is costing you 10p/litre in feed and you manage to cut feed costs by 4p/litre but lose a couple of litres a cow – so what?

“If you can cut feed costs you will probably be more efficient, especially for those extra litres, which are being produced for a lower price on A-B contracts.”

This year is also the time to squeeze as much milk from home-grown forages and up the management game.

Mr Clarke says attention to detail by taking the muck off the top of the silage heap, for example, and trusting the potential of the forage, is important.

He says forages should be capable of producing 10-12 litres of milk a cow a day.

Forage shortage

However, in some areas of the country forage is already looking in short supply, with farmers having to buffer feed where grass has burnt up or where wet weather has hindered silage volume.

In situations where home-grown forage is in short supply, by-products, such as brewers’ grains, could be a favourable option.

Mr Clarke says in Cheshire the prices of brewers grains has gone up in recent weeks from £24-£25/t to £34/t due to increase in demand.

Hay looks like a favourable feed to extend the forage, says Mr Clarke.

“Hay is currently trading at £70-£80/t of dry matter. Adding 2-3kg to a TMR will help eke out the forage,” he says.

Clayton Barber, head of product management at Mole Valley Farmers, says he has seen situations in the Midlands and Scotland where farmers are already eating into their winter ration supplies.

He urges farmers to measure clamps now and budget for this winter.

“The alternative-feed market is going to be important for feeding this winter, so start looking at winter feed now,” he says.