Summer milk: boosting yields cost-effectively

27 May 2008

Summer milk: boosting yields cost-effectively

Boosting milk yield is set to take priority over maintaining butter fats for the majority of dairy farmers this summer according to a survey carried out by Volac.

Low summer butterfat was not an issue for 79% of more than 100 UK dairy producers participating in the company’s recent summer feeding survey. However, 41% of farmers were interested in boosting milk production by feeding a protected fat such as Megalac. Furthermore, over 68% expressed interest in introducing an ultra-high energy summer dairy compound.

“The survey confirms that many farmers are looking to exploit their cows’ genetic potential and increase summer milk production,” comments Volac’s Dr Richard Kirkland. “These modern dairy cows must achieve high intakes of dry matter if they are to meet their energy requirements for milk production. The producers surveyed seem to have recognised that feeding supplementary protected fats plays an important role in maintaining high summer energy intakes.”

“Evidence from research studies and on-farm trials confirm that milk yield can be boosted by feeding appropriate supplements. However in view of escalating feed costs it begs the question, is supplementation really going to be cost-effective this summer?” says Dr Kirkland . “Results from 18 trials collated by Penn State University demonstrated that inclusion of Megalac protected fat in diets improved yields by an average of 2.3 litres per cow per day; over a 30-day period this would result in a net return of £9.45 a head at a farm gate price of 25ppl. Megalac can be incorporated into most diets including TMRs, compounds and home blends, or top-dressed, to effectively increase energy density and increase response to supplementary feeding.”

Dr Kirkland adds: “According to the Met Office’s long-range forecast published last month we’re in for a tropical-style summer with higher temperatures and heavier rainfall than average. This will pose challenges for grassland management and lead to variable intakes from grazing. Supplementary feeding can not only help to sustain or improve performance where grass intakes are limiting energy supply, but also help maintain cow condition through the summer period.”

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