Pushing for that extra litre

25 January 2010

Pushing for that extra litre

Exploiting yield potential may once again feature among dairy farmers’ goals this winter, but how many actually try to obtain higher yields is another matter.

A dairy farmer survey carried out by Volac in the last few weeks found that although 60% of respondents would like to produce more winter milk, over a third were concerned that it may not be cost effective to do so. They offered a variety of reasons why, including wanting to keep their systems simple, a reluctance to change when cow performance was already satisfactory, and a fear that increasing yields will lead to increased health and fertility problems.

Increasing yields can allow variable and fixed costs to be spread over more litres, (see table below) so it may be worth considering this as a financial strategy this winter.

UK dairy farm economic calculations

John Nix Farm Management pocket book 2009

Every individual dairy unit’s circumstances are different and the route to higher yields is varied.

Any changes in the diet being considered to improve yield should be based on proven cost effective results without any detrimental effects to the cow. The key driver to producing the extra cost effective litre is energy and the energy source has to be in a form that the cow can utilize effectively and safely.

Four areas to consider are:

1, Determine feed ingredients’ nutritional values

Find out and understand the characteristics of the diet’s raw materials, in particular silages. Given the challenges over the past few winters with variable forages and how they have performed in cows’ rations, it may be worth involving a feed advisor to accurately predict the diet’s ability to produce cost effective milk. 

2, Maximise energy intake

To make more energy available for milk production, and body condition, nutrient supply needs to be maximised, by increasing dry matter intake and / or stepping up the diet’s energy density. Look at a safe way to increase the energy delivered to the cow by feeding an economical bypass energy source. Proven rumen protected fats, such as Megalac contain 2.5 times the energy concentration of cereals and is one of the most cost effective ways of increasing milk yield this winter. Also, being protected from rumen degradation, this fat does not disrupt the rumen bugs and the energy is supplied direct to the small intestine for digestion.

3, Maximise rumen potential

Balance the energy properly. Farmers need to feed carbohydrates and sugars that are soluble and therefore quickly fermented in the rumen, while also providing adequate digestible and physical fibre to ensure the rumen is adequately buffered to help sustain microbial growth. Feeding more ‘cheap’ starch, in the form of cereals, than the rumen can cope with which can result in a fall in rumen pH and development of sub acute acidosis is an example of what looks  like a cost effective means of improving yield but which has a detrimental effect on cows’ health.  

4, Minimise health and fertility issues

Energy is the driver not only for yield, but also to help alleviate health and fertility problems. Correctly balanced energy sources will reduce the potential for development of acidosis and laminitis, and increasing the cow’s energy intake and body condition score can improve conception rates. Feeding an appropriate protected fat supplement can be particularly effective.

Pushing for that extra litre can be achieved cost effectively and at minimal risk. High genetic merit cows should be considered akin to Formula 1 racing cars, requiring high quality inputs and monitoring for signs of malfunction if they are to perform to their capacity.

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