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DAIRY July 2016
FARMER
ORBESEAL . MADE FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION.
Feeling the pinch? Oliver McEntyre talks farm lending Pages 66-69
Volume 63 Issue 7
®
Special preview of this year’s event
LIVESTOCK EVENT Pages 24-69
• Over 60% of mastitis cases can start during the dry period1 • 50% of high yielding cows may fail to develop a complete keratin teat plug, increasing the risk of bacteria entering the udder2 • OrbeSeal is tried and trusted to reduce mastitis by 35% with over 10 years on farm success3 • The silica component of the formulation increases viscosity to create an effective barrier against new infection Don’t take risks during the dry period. Speak to your vet about how OrbeSeal can reduce the cost of mastitis on your farm.
Dry cow nutrition key focus on Scots farm
ON FARM FEATURE Pages 8-10
How you can reduce TB risk on farm VET’S VIEW
1. Mütze K, et al. The effect of dry cow antibiotic with and without an internal teat sealant on udder health during the first 100 days of lactation: a field study with matched pairs. J Dairy Res. 2012 Nov;79(4):477-84 2. Dingwell RT et al. (2004). Association of cow and quarter-level factors at drying-off with new intramammary infections during the dry period. Prev Vet Med.;63(1-2):75-89 3. Rabiee AR & Lean IJ. The effect of internal teat sealant products (Teatseal and Orbeseal) on intramammary infection, clinical mastitis, and somatic cell counts in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis. Dairy Sci. 96 :6915–6931 OrbeSeal contains 65% bismuth subnitrate. Withdrawal period: Zero days: POM-V . Further information is available on the product SPC or contact your veterinary surgeon or contact Zoetis UK Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Walton on the Hill, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 7NS. Customer Support 0845 3008034. www.zoetis.co.uk Always seek the advice of your medicines provider. Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible) AH246/15
Pages 20-21
GOOD EVANS Pages 70-71
Tip of the month: Mastitis index coming shortly – p14 DF_07_OFC.pdf 1
03/06/2016 09:55
POWERFULLY PRACTICAL.
If you’re looking for a dependable multi-purpose tractor equally suited to smaller farms as well as the intensive professional farmer, the MK5000 from Kubota is the ideal solution. Economical and robust, this utility tractor benefits from a powerful 48.2 hp 4-cylinder diesel engine and 8F/8R gears with synchronised power shuttle for maximum versatility. While hydrostatic steering and a flat and spacious operator deck with suspended pedals ensure greater user comfort. For more information about Kubota’s diverse range of world-class agriculture machines and aftersales support service, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 873156.
Kubota_WP_DF.indd 1 Dairy Farmer_MK5000_297x210 AW.indd 1
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a word from the
EDITOR
uller’s acquisition of Dairy Crest’s liquid business was generally heralded as a step in the right direction on two scores. Firstly, Dairy Crest had struggled for years to make a profit from its beleaguered business and something had to happen to restore margins. And secondly, the incidental spin-off from contracting three processors into two was that it could help rationalise discussions when it came to the regular retailer negotiating rounds. So all seemed hunky dory. Until this week, when Sainsbury’s suddenly entered the fray. They were having none of it. Its decision to award its latest milk tender to not one, not two, not three, but four processors wasn’t what Muller may have had in mind. Sainsbury’s message was crystal clear: “We’re in charge here, not you.” It is not going to let one or two processors dominate and has ensured by its actions there will be plenty of
M
Contacts
competition for the big guns at Arla and Muller. Although there have been tenders at other retailers lately, it is impossible to know volumes or prices as figures are kept top secret. Whatever they were, it is undeniably a disastrous time for renegotiating milk prices with retailers as with all this milk swashing around it is pretty unlikely they will have agreed higher prices. Both prices and processing fees will have been under severe pressure, and any reduction is likely to be ultimately picked up by the nonaligned suppliers who have no predetermined supermarket price. Muller may be making a noble attempt to rationalise the processing sector, but it has been made abundantly clear it is going to be no stroll in the park!
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Origination by Farmers Guardian, Briefing Media Ltd, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ. Printed by Headley Brothers, Invicta Press, Queen’s Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH. No responsibility can be accepted by Dairy Farmer for the opinions expressed by contributors.
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THIS MONTH
CONTENTS July Volume 63 Issue 7
Herd health
On farm
Attention to detail is key to success on Lockerbie dairy farm
8-10 Comment 4-5 6-7 12-13 70-71
Latest news Cowmen Comment Potter’s View Good Evans
Regulars
14-17 20-21 74-76 72-73
Breeding Vet’s View Milk Prices Classifieds
14-17
Genetic indexes
Breeding
Where to next for genetic indexes? We take a look at the latest developments
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THIS MONTH
58-64
44-49
Special preview
Livestock Event 2016 Latest product launches, animal health and grassland innovations, plus meet the Gold Cup finalists and find out more about the current farm finance situation
24-39 40-42 44-49 50-57 58-64 66-69
Milk Breeding Forage & Grassland Health & Nutrition Machinery Finance
50-57
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NEWS News in brief
Dairy Crest profits
JDairy Crest’s first annual figures after it divested its loss making liquid milk business to Muller shows the company’s profits increased in 2016 by 23% to £45.4m, but on a turnover down 6% to £442m. The adjusted profit before tax was down 2% at £57.7m. Despite it selling its liquid business, its net debt was up 15% at £229m.
UK milk to China
JThe Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative has shipped its first organic UHT milk to China under a new international partnership with Organic Valley – the largest imported organic dairy brand in China. The first three consignments of UHT organic milk in one litre Organic Valley branded bottles have now arrived in the ports of Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and have been distributed to retail outlets throughout China.
World’s most expensive dairy
JA $1 billion dairy in the Russian city of Ryazan is to be built by a Thai and Chinese conglomerate. The facility will have 80,000 milking cows and 40,000–60,000 hectares of land to grow the feed. It will produce 400,000 tonnes of milk products annually.
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Markets start to show early signs of improvement
he market continues to strengthen on the back of lower than expected milk volumes in the UK. Daily deliveries have picked up slightly on those in late April and early May, and for the last week (data to May 14) are now tracking 3-4% down on last year. Sellers are finding themselves in a better position than they thought they would be during the flush, having effectively over sold product and are now in a position to turn down
low offers from buyers. As a result, UK butter and cream prices have firmed markedly to £2100 and 95p respectively, with the latter up from around 85p. And potentially adding further upward momentum to cream sales and prices is a likely record crop of strawberries this year.
JThe pace of recovery in the market is going to be slowed by the large amount of SMP in intervention stores. The EU’s initial ceiling of 109,000 tonnes was filled on April 20, which it then doubled to 218,000. That was filled on May 24. However, at the recent Dairy Industry Newsletter conference, Tom Tynan, who is part of Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan’s
team, promised the EU would support the market when intervention was filled, but declined to say how. Subsequently, Commissioner Hogan proposed increasing the intervention ceiling to 350,000t. But on top of intervention stocks for SMP, private stocks remain at about 35,000t, and there is also 80,000t of butter in PSA, plus 30,000t of cheese.
T
Sentiment Evidence of the improvement in market sentiment can also be seen in the EU prices, which have increased for the fourth consecutive week. That is something which has not happened for
months. Dutch butter increased the most, by €90 to €2580, for example. There is also an increasing amount of evidence milk volumes on the continent are falling. However, for Q1 of the year, EU volumes are up 6.7% on last year at 37.26 million litres. When buyers start to see significant reductions there, the balance should shift further towards the sellers. Already futures prices for later in the year are strengthening on the back of this changing sentiment, with futures prices for butter and SMP up.
Proposed lift to intervention level Lakeland
fixes price
JLakeland Dairies, Northern Ireland, is offering its farmers the chance to join a voluntary scheme to fix their milk prices for the next 31 months at 21.75ppl. Participation is voluntary and farmers can decide to put either 5% or 10% of their annual milk supply into the scheme.
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Pressure on antibiotic use
JAlthough the pig and poultry sector are the principal industries in the firing line on antibiotic use, and with BBC Panorama upping the anti at the end of May again by examining farming’s role in the antibiotics crisis, there is little doubt the dairy industry is under increasing pressure ‘to do its bit’ on antibiotic reduction. Arla is currently leading the way in the UK with its Arlagarden scheme and demands farmers use selective dry cow therapy as opposed to blanket antibiotic treatment at drying off. Others are expected to follow suit.
Fonterra milk price forecast
JFonterra has announced a forecast milk price of $4.25 per kg solids for the 2016/17 season, up 35 cents on this year. It equates to about 15ppl.
NEWS
Sainsbury’s opts for four suppliers ainsbury’s has surprised the industry and given a set-back to Muller’s rationalisation plans by awarding its milk supply for 2017 to four companies – Muller, Arla, Tomlinsons in Wales and Medina in the south of England. Prior to this it sourced most of its milk from Muller and Dairy Crest, with a small volume from Arla. When the German giant formally took over Dairy Crest in January this year, it would undoubtedly have wanted the retailer to have opted for a single supplier agreement like Asda has with Arla and The Co-Operative has with Muller. However, it is clear from
S
the move that Sainsbury’s was not going to let two large processors rule the roost and opted to split its 550 million-litre total volumes across four suppliers. No volume allocations are being quoted for the supply, but it is believed Muller could well have lost a similar amount of volume it gained from Arla in the recent Tesco tender. Although Muller remains the largest supplier, Arla will almost certainly gain volume. The changes will also affect individual farmers, some of whom will have to change processor as the retailer will continue to source from the same 270 farmers within the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group.
British Farming Awards entries
rWe are seeking entries for this year’s prestigious British Farming Awards and looking for technically proficient and innovative producers. Conversely, if you know of someone who fits the bill then we want to hear from you. Visit www.british farmingawards.co.uk
24 Hours in Farming is back
rAfter its success last year, 24 Hours in Farming is back for 2016. From 5am on August 18 to 5am on August 19, the farming industry will once again take over social media to show the world what goes into a full day on UK farms. The event is run by Dairy Farmer’s parent company Briefing Media and is this year sponsored by NFU Mutual. To find out more and how you can get involved, please visit www.fginsight.com/farm24
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COWMEN COMMENT
CHRISTOPHER Murley
Christopher Murley farms in partnership with his parents and two brothers at Higher Bojewyan Farm, Pendeen, on the extreme west tip of Cornwall, where they run 310 pedigree Jerseys and 140 youngstock.
ver since the cows were turned out in late February we have been chasing the grass and have so far grazed most of our farm at least twice with cows and youngstock. As of May 1 we only had 35 acres saved for first cut silage but, by May 10, with warmer weather, followed by four days of fog and drizzle, the grass grew much faster at 114kg DM/day enabling much more to be cut. Grass analysis shows excellent quality and the cows are milking very well with low milk ureas, which is good. First cut silage was cut on May 15 in ideal conditions, although yields were variable with some fields very heavy and others lighter. It did start to rain a couple of hours before we finished but with the forecast looking poor for the next few days we decided to push on and finish. As it had been cut and raked in the dry hopefully little harm was done. The grass was spread by the mower and then spread again with the tedder before rowing up and chopping with our own self-propelled machine. Although our harvester is quite old it has been very reliable and enables us to go when we want and at a speed which allows enough time to clamp it well in the pit. Next job is to get the fertiliser on and
E We had a clear TB test in April which was a big relief as there are plenty of problems locally
“
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empty the slurry tank with the trailing shoe tanker. The fertiliser will be straight nitrogen as soil testing has shown good P and K levels which will at least be a saving in these difficult times. Cows at Bojewyan are now in late lactation and will start to go dry in June. Currently they are milking well which is good as they didn't milk as well as we would have liked through the winter. They are doing 18 litres on 2kg of cake with the rest from grazed grass. Fat is 5.6% and protein 4.13%. Cows at Levant were nearly all served in the first three weeks of the breeding season starting May 2, and hopefully there won't be too many returns. After AI for six weeks we will run two sweeper bulls with them again to hopefully get a tight calving block. Levant cows are also doing 18 litres at 5.5% fat and 3.9% protein on less than a kilo of cake. We had a clear TB test in April which was a big relief as there are plenty of problems locally. We are a bit understocked at present and do not want to risk bringing in disease by buying animals, so the last thing we need is to be losing cows with TB. We are extremely thankful to hopefully have another 12 months clear. As mentioned, some of our grassland had struggled in late winter with the wet and cold weather. We overseeded 25 acres
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COWMEN COMMENT
On farm this month: Work has continued on repairing field boundaries (above). The grass was spread by the mower (right) and then spread again with the tedder before rowing up and chopping.
Farm facts
rFarm size: 140 ha (350 acres), mainly grass with 16 ha (40 acres) spring barley for alkalage rHerd size: 310 pedigree Jerseys milking and 140 youngstock rYield: 5300 litres at 5.75% butterfat and 3.97% protein rRainfall: 1400mm (55 inches) rMilk buyer: Arla Milk Link.
and did a complete re-seed on nine acres as they were too badly damaged. The fields which were overseeded were slit twice with the blades fully offset, then grass harrowed with the seed broadcast at the same time. This was followed by Cambridge rolling with fairly good results. The fields for complete reseeds were ploughed to start from scratch. Last winter’s kale fields have taken a while to reseed as we had to wait for them to dry out first. They then had some dung and slurry spread on them and were ploughed followed by several passes with the cultivator to break up the clods. The last few months has seen us mending some of the fences around the grazing fields with some new posts and wire where needed. It doesn't seem to
matter where we get our wood posts from but they struggle to last more than seven years if we're lucky, and some an awful lot less. Last summer we managed to buy a block of 34 acres which we have been renting for about 10 years but unfortunately it isn't stock proof and will need barbed wire fencing. Perhaps we should use chestnut posts even if they do cost a lot more. By the time this is published we will be close on the European referendum and I wonder if the country will stick with the devil we know or take the leap to leave. Either way, I suspect the country and the dairy industry will still have plenty of problems to deal with!
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ON FARM
Dry cow nutrition has become an important part of herd management at Martin Wilson’s Broadlea Farm, Lockerbie, with the aim of reducing metabolic disorders and maintaining high herd health. Bruce Jobson reports.
Attention to detail is key to herd’s success artin Wilson has a pragmatic approach to dry cow feeding along the lines of the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it’. This has been a maxim for his 245-cow herd at Broadlea Farm, Eaglesfield, near Lockerbie, for the past 10 years, where he considers paying ‘attention-to-detail’ as paramount. Martin owns and operates the 214-acre holding with the aid of two staff and a relief milker. He also rents a further neighbouring 60 acres and some in-calf heifers are reared off-farm. Late lactation cows are dried off 56-60 days prior to calving and are fed a specialist ration in a separate cubicle building before calving down in straw pens. “Managing cows in the dry period has advanced considerably over the past decade or more,” he explains. “We started feeding Almins Biochlor 10 years ago and had fantastic results. We cut it out of the ration after 18 months but
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At eight months, the heifers are fed a diet of silage, wholecrop, straw and concentrate.
noticed within two months we had a few concerns. We then put the supplements back into the ration and haven’t had any problems, and it has remained in the ration ever since.”
Dry cows Dry cows receive a diet of 19kg silage, 8kg of wholecrop and 2kg straw. Biochlor Down Calver concentrates are fed to cows and heifers during the dry period for the three-week transition period leading up to calving at a recommended rate per cow or
heifer per day, depending on ration content, explains Martin. He said: “The aim is to successfully adapt the cow’s rumen for her lactation and give her as good a start as possible by helping to prevent some of the troublesome metabolic problems, while maximising the cow’s dry matter intake during this crucial period. “Milk fever rates run at between 1-2% on an annual basis and we have virtually eliminated retained placentas – including cows which have had twins. When cows
start to calve down we have the confidence to give them time to deliver the calves themselves – 95% of our animals have natural calvings. We monitor what’s happening, and obviously if there is a concern, we get involved.” Martin applies the same down-calving philosophy to replacement heifers coming into the herd. In-calf heifers return to the farm onemonth prior to calving and this gives the animals time to adjust back to the home farm environment. New born heifer calves are all reared at Broadlea
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ON FARM
The target is to reach a weight of 350kg at 12 months of age.
Farm in purpose-built rearing units including an igloosystem with adjoining 25-metre exercise areas. The five igloos are 4.4 metres each in diameter, with calves being fed by automatic milk replacer at feed-
ing stations and the diet is supplemented with a starter concentrate at a rate of 2kg per day. Heifer calves are weaned at 60 days and fed a diet of straw and concentrate mix at a recommended rate of
Cows are housed in cubicles and graze outdoors for about half the year.
1-1.5kg per day before moving into a specialist rearing shed at five months of age. At eight months, the heifers are fed a diet of silage, wholecrop and straw, and concentrate at a rate of 2kg, reducing to 1.5kg per day.
The new facility was built in 2012 and was designed by Martin as a continuation of the beneficial health and welfare aspects of the igloo system. The rearing unit incorporates calf cubicles, an automatic scraper system
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ON FARM
The igloo system has an adjoining 25-metre exercise area.
and centralised feeding passage, and is designed to provide adequate light, ventilation and exercise. Calf diseases such as pneumonia have been virtually eliminated and this has helped calves achieve specific target goals, especially calving age, explains Martin.
Targets “We have specific targets and our dietary requirements are designed to achieve a target weight of 350kg at 12 months of age. We also want our maiden heifers to be 1.26m at the withers and be strong and healthy at service. Age at first calving has gradually been reduced over the past few years and today our heifers are calving down from 22 months onwards. “We use sexed semen on the maiden heifers and are achieving 75% conception rate. All the heifer matings are a result of using Heattime transponders to help accurately identify the onset of oestrus. After first service,
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Dry cows are housed separately at Broadlea Farm.
Our dietary requirements are designed to achieve a target weight of 350kg at 12 months Martin Wilson
“ the heifers run with a natural service beef bull that helps ensure we have ‘tight’ calving age appropriate groupings.” Once the maiden heifers have been served, the groups are reared off farm from the age of 15 months onwards. Moving forward, Martin is considering the option of using more sexed semen on specific milking cows and using beef semen on a greater proportion of the herd. The milking herd is provided with pedometers and the monitoring process is proving highly successful with the herd currently achieving a 380-day calving interval. Martin does not
rely on visual identification of animals in heat, either as maiden heifers or as milking cows, but has placed complete confidence in Heattime transponders and pedometers. A pregnancy is achieved for every 2.2 units of semen used and the herd has a current replacement rate of 22%. Cubicles The cows are housed in cubicle facilities and fed a TMR ration in winter and graze outdoors for six and a half months per year. The herd is milked through a 20:20 Westfalia parlour and averages 9000 litres per head milk sold at 4.3% fat
and 3.3% protein. Due to the high compositional quality, milk is supplied to Arla for cheese production at its nearby state-of-the art factory at Lockerbie. Paying attention to detail on all aspects of farm management has enabled Martin to achieve a series of targetdriven goals. The process has enabled him to identify specific criteria during each stage, starting with dry cow transitional diet and supplements, through to calf housing and heifer rearing, and finally onto entry into the milking herd. “We start at the earliest point in order to get our cows calving down healthy and trouble free, without potential concerns of milk fever and retained cleansings. This allows the cows to start well in early lactation, achieve optimum production and in turn return to early oestrus cycles. High herd health and animal welfare, including high levels of reproduction, starts 60 days before calving not 60 days post partum,” he says.
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 12:11
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03/06/2016 09:44
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POTTER’S VIEW
IANPotter
This month, Ian Potter reports on the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference and the need to be able to produce at competitive world prices, and that will mean some producers having to quickly adapt to the new market conditions. t the recent Dairy Industry Newsletter conference, which had the title ‘Managing the Extremes of Dairy Market Volatility’, David Dobbin, the current but soon to retire chief executive of United Dairy Farmers, said farmers must be able to survive deep and extended milk price cycles and that this current down cycle is set to continue into 2017 if not 2018. He also stated survivors will have either low costs of production, or deep pockets. Those with high debts and/or high costs of production won’t survive and this, unfortunately, means some of the most efficient who have ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Speakers and some delegates were asked by me for their predictions and forecasts as to what the ‘average’ farmgate milk price is likely to be in the next five years and the answers ranged from 21-25ppl, with most in the 22 to 23p bracket. This is exactly the price I believe farmers need to budget on. The European dairy industry has changed since the end of the 30-year quota regime, during which time farmers couldn’t respond to increased milk prices. Now, 28 member states can respond to milk price signals as quick as anyone in the world, and whether you like it or not the likes of the Netherlands and Ireland intend to fully exploit this opportunity. With quotas gone the only output control is the price. But that
A “
It’s likely to be the same for a significant number of dairy farmers who sadly keep plodding on burying their heads in the sand
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hasn’t worked during this downturn yet! Jim Bergin, from Glanbia, which processes a third of Ireland’s milk, amplified the Irish (ROI) target to increase milk output by 50%. The example he used was that the average producer in ROI has about 60 cows. To expand, the typically mixed farms simply cut back beef numbers and put an extra six cows on a year for five years. At the end his milk output is up by more than 50%, especially so when combined with genetics and technological advancements. Consequently the 50% target is one they expect to exceed by 2020. Across the world different dairy organisations and processors are keen to support and relieve a little of the pressure this crisis is putting on dairy farmers and their families at a time when they desperately need it. For example, Glanbia is supporting farmgate milk prices by €23 million (at a rate of 1 cent/litre). In Victoria, Australia, there is a $1.5 million (£750,000) support package in place, of which almost £500,000 is directed to counselling services for dairy farmers. My recent involvement in the Dairy Allied Industry forum was in the hope AHDB would acknowledge funding in this area is necessary and could help save families’ marriages and lives. This funding, alas, has not materialised and AHDB Dairy decided it wanted to focus on better returns, improved feed utilisation and producing the right milk for your contract –
JULY 2016
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POTTER’S VIEW
‘Some farmers have to read the tea leaves’
Ian Potter rIan is a specialist entitlement broker and dairy industry commentator. Comments please to ianpotter@ipaquotas.co.uk
as is the case with its current series of workshops. It’s not the key message which came out of that meeting so far as the majority of the delegates present were concerned, including David Handley. I know I can be accused of being a stuck record but some farmers have to read the tea leaves and decide whether they have a profitable future in this industry. Only recently I was interviewed by BBC Radio Cumbria along with an anonymous south Cumbrian farmer. He claimed his average milk cheque was just over £9000 a month and his ‘essential’ average bills were £14,000 a month, with another price cut confirmed for June. His position is simple to analyse because his milk cheque needs to increase by a whopping 50% just to break even and pay his essential bills. Whether he is on 18p or 21p his milk cheque will not go up by 50% in 2016 or 2017 to cover his outgoings on a monthly basis. He is digging himself a very big hole and must make radical changes or he and his family will continue to haemorrhage cash and be extremely pressured. He, like many others, needs some independent guidance as to the right road to take. That’s the sort of help I hoped our organisations would champion. John Jordan, chief executive of Ornua (formerly The Irish Dairy Board), said: “Everyone has a duty to support dairy farmers in this crisis.” He is right. Recently there has been discussion about member state compensation to farmers who reduce milk production. In my opinion it would be a nightmare to police and won’t have any impact on the huge financial hole many farmers face. In the UK, one group is
even proposing getting 20ppl compensation for litres not produced! The problem here is while the EU has approved the measure, it is down to member states to provide the funds from national coffers and there is no hope of the UK coughing up so much as £1. The consensus at the conference was the troughs are getting deeper and appear to be on a three-year cycle. Volatility is increasing and pre-2007 SMP prices varied by + or 10%, but now it’s close to + or - 50%. Futures markets might help. They aren’t for farmers but they give better early warning signals than some of the other rubbish farmers are presented with. It’s a topic I will return to at some later stage. On the second day of the conference there was almost a beauty parade of big hitters giving their views on the industry and the direction of their processing businesses, pointing out neither processors or farmers are making money. All of the speakers with the exception of one, Andrew McInnes of Muller, referred to the financial pain their supplying farmers are experiencing. However, while the three co-operative head honchos (David Dobbin, Jim Bergin, and Peter Giortz Carlsen of Arla) focused on inadequate returns to farmers, McInnes did catch my eye when he said his question to suppliers is ‘what are you doing differently?’. He said most give no answer. It’s likely to be the same for a significant number of dairy farmers who keep plodding on, burying their heads in the sand. They aren’t prepared to play their part and make any changes to become world competitive and profitable and will, in many cases, wither on the vine and lose more than money.
JULY 2016
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BREEDING A new clutch of genetic indexes is expected to be launched in 2017. What traits will they improve, who will collect data and who determines the genetic direction? Ann Hardy reports.
Where to next for genetic indexes?
enetic improvement is moving at a faster pace in the Holstein population than ever in the breed’s history, thanks to better recording of data, the ability to share the data across a variety of platforms, and the growth in our understanding and use of genomics. As a result we have seen worthwhile genetic progress in traits such as somatic cell count, female fertility and lifespan, alongside continued improvement in the more traditional traits of milk, fat and protein. Today, virtually anything which can be measured and recorded can be improved through breeding, as long as it is proven to be a trait with a genetic background. So, what will be the next genetic indexes to be brought into use for the UK Holstein, who will collect the data and
G
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what will drive this forward? Marco Winters, head of animal genetics for AHDB Dairy, says we can expect three new indexes in 2017 and more are in the pipeline not far behind. Mastitis “Mastitis is something we looked at in 2010, as part of the Expanding Indices Project, a Defra and industry consortium led by the then Scottish Agricultural College,” says Mr Winters. “Since that time farmers, through their milk recording organisations, have more than doubled the amount of data collected and we have been working towards an index for all dairy breeds for launch next year. “Ongoing work has established that the heritability of mastitis – or the amount of variation that can be explained by genetics – is about 7%, which indicates
A mastitis index for all dairy breeds is likely to be launched next year.
that some improvement will definitely be possible by breeding for this trait.” However, he points out we have already made some improvement in mastitis by breeding for lower cell counts. “Somatic cell count and mastitis are closely related and there’s a correlation of about 0.7 between the two traits,” says Mr Winters. “This means by breeding for lower cell counts, we have improved the genetics of mastitis too, but because the relationship between the two is not perfect – which would be shown by a correlation of 1.0 – we can achieve better results by breeding for mastitis itself.” This is a principle Mr Winters is keen to stress, as breeding for the trait you want to improve is always more effective than breeding for a proxy or related trait. “The milk recording or-
ganisations (MROs) now have well over one million records of mastitis cases, which means we have a lot of information regarding which bloodlines have the best mastitis resistance,” he says. “We will use this information in the calculation of a mastitis resistance index which we hope will help every herd breed healthier cows, and we see this trait as a high priority as we strive as an industry to improve animal welfare and cut antibiotic use.” Lameness Lameness is another health and welfare issue which is increasingly unacceptable and, as with all health issues, it should be addressed through better management in the first instance. “But again we are confident that breeding can play a role and we know the heri-
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BREEDING tability of lameness in the UK is about 8%,” he adds. As with mastitis, he says it is another trait which has improved through selection in favour of related traits, with selection for both locomotion and foot and leg conformation playing a positive role. “But we have not made as much progress as we had hoped,” says Mr Winters, “and this may be because the correlation between lameness and these other traits is not particularly high.” The answer he says is to work with actual records of lameness itself, and, as with mastitis, these records are
Dry matter intake indexes are slowly being launched around the world.
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with data which is collected by Holstein UK,” he says. “The breed society has been collecting information about digital dermatitis for many years, so we will use this trait together with some others in the calculation of the index,” he says. “And although we are using some proxy traits – such as foot angle, locomotion, angularity and body condition score, all of which have been shown to have an influence on lameness – we will make far more progress by using the records for lameness itself.” As with mastitis resistance the plan is to launch a lameness index in 2017, but this, in particular, will be a work in progress as more information is introduced, and initially the index will only be calculated for the Holstein breed. “There will be a ‘version two’ of the lameness index which will include foot trimmers’, vets’ and other data as the more actual lameness information we
can include in the index the more reliable it will be,” he says. Dry matter intake (DMI) indexes are now considered to be the Holy Grail of genetic indexes and are slowly being launched around the world. “Feed accounts for the majority of a farm’s variable costs, so the potential savings to be made from selection of animals which eat a little less and convert their feed into milk more efficiently is huge,” says Mr Winters. Complex trait However, he says feed efficiency itself would be such a complex trait to develop as an index that DMI as a stand-alone index is a more straightforward approach at this stage. “We are using two sources of data to develop a DMI index – the first is actual dry matter intake collected through a collaborative international project involving nine countries and 10 data sets,” he says. “The UK has played a central role in this project as much of the feed intake data has come from the Langhill herd in Scotland, managed by Scotland’s rural college SRUC.” The second source of data comes from the mid-infrared (MIR) analysis of milk, which – through work undertaken by NMR and SRUC – is revealing particular signatures which are
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BREEDING proving to be reliable indicators of cows in negative energy balance. “We may soon have this information available for hundreds of thousands of UK-housed cows, and – with the additional availability of genomic information – it won’t be long before we have a Predicted Transmitting Ability for DMI,” says Mr Winters. “Even though this is not 100% accurate it will be by far the best predictor of DMI we have ever had and we are now working together with NMR and our partners EGENES at SRUC on embedding this information into the routine AHDB
It won’t be long before we have a Predicted Transmitting Ability for DMI Marco Winters
“ genetic evaluation service in 2017,” he says. Longer term Other developments are likely to be a little further ahead, with genetic indexes for carcass traits for dairy sires probably the next in line and maybe methane
emissions even further down the road. “Genetic indexes are constantly under review and any changes are based on the direction the industry has already taken, the progress it has made and predictions of future needs based on domestic and
world market information,” says Mr Winters. “At AHDB Dairy, this role is undertaken by the Genetics Advisory Forum, which comprises, and is advised by, stakeholders such as farmers, scientists, breed societies, milk recording organisations, and the AI and milk processing industries. “This forum takes its responsibility for genetic improvement for the dairy breeds very seriously indeed, and knows that with the tools now available to AI companies and dairy breeders it is possible to make rapid genetic progress in whatever the chosen direction,” he says.
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DAIRY FARMER
17 03/06/2016 10:25
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**DF July p20 21 Vets View_Layout 1 02/06/2016 14:24 Page 1
VET’S VIEW Measures are being introduced to reduce the spread of bTB, but what can you do to help stop it coming onto your farm? Phil Elkins from Westpoint Farm Vets gives us a few pointers.
What can you do to reduce risk of bTB?
am writing this having spent most of the day reading a bovine tuberculosis (bTB) test which thankfully was clear and allows the farmer to continue to trade without extra restrictions for another year. However, during this test the standard soundbites were heard from the farmer about the ‘TB lottery’ and how the results of the test are essentially pot luck. Being in an area which is one of the proposed cull zones, it also highlighted how polarised bovine tuberculosis control has become in the eyes of many people. In fact this issue is often seen by the vocal sections of social media as being all down to either ‘dirty farmers spreading disease and infecting badgers’, or ‘infected badgers giving cows TB’. As is often the case, the reality is far less clear. Social studies have found while farmers see bTB as a major threat, few perceive it to be high risk for their farms, and many do not perceive their actions influence the risk of
I
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There are often small changes which can help reduce interactions between cattle and wildlife Phil Elkins
“ being affected by bTB. Yet we also know a large number of herds in the high risk area have been free of bTB for the last 10 years, even in parishes with high rates of bTB. So what do these herds do differently and can that be replicated? That is something the APHA is currently looking into – can we identify risk factors for herds becoming infected with bTB, and quantify how much they increase the risk? There are some factors we know are related to an increased risk of bTB spread, and these are being tackled by increasing control measures from the APHA. For example, there is a 15-20% breakdown rate at six-month tests in
England compared with 5% in Ireland. This could be due to either latency (infected animals in early disease being missed by the test) or a continued risk of infection from outside. Clear tests As such, APHA now requires two clear tests at severe interpretation prior to lifting restrictions in the high risk area. This should reduce the rate of latency and as such reduce spread from herds where restrictions have recently been lifted. Equally, as was demonstrated by one high profile case in the last 18 months, where animals in the early stages of infection pass a pre-movement test and then enter the low risk
area, significant spread may have occurred before this is detected in fouryearly testing herds. As such, APHA requires postmovement testing of all animals which leave the annual testing regions for the low risk area. As stated, there are many actions carried out in a number of herds which significantly reduce their risk of becoming affected by bTB. Obviously the risk of purchasing TB-infected animals is controlled by significantly reducing the number of purchased animals and, ideally, becoming a closed herd. This is not always possible, but you can still reduce the risk further by asking the right questions when buying animals: n Never buy a previous inconclusive reactor – these are 12 times more likely to fail a TB test in the future (Wolfe et al, 2010). n How long has the herd been clear of bTB? The longer the better in reality, but be aware of those herds in the High Risk Area that have recently had restrictions lifted. n Check the iBTB.co.uk
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VET’S VIEW
Closing feed stores and fencing badger latrines are some measures to help limit wildlife interaction with cattle.
website for information on the surrounding region. Where possible avoid those farms with surrounding TB. n A private blood test called Interferon gamma
can be used prior to purchase to provide additional assurances of freedom from bTB. Permission must be sought from APHA prior to testing, but where single animals are being
purchased this may be a sound investment in the health of a herd. Biosecurity is not limited to purchased cattle. It is good practice for many diseases to limit interac-
tions between your cattle and other animals, be they other cattle or wildlife. There are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce these interactions, from closing feed stores to fencing badger latrines. Having performed a number of bTB biosecurity audits, there are often small changes that cost little to implement which can help reduce interactions between cattle and wildlife. It is important to remember other species such as deer and other cattle play a role in bTB spread and good stock fencing at all boundaries, preferably double fencing, is a good investment.
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21 03/06/2016 08:46
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OPEN DAY
Costs of production must be under scrutiny all time riving down the costs of production was the well trodden theme at the RABDF/NMR Gold Cup open day, hosted by the current title holder Neil Baker. But undercurrents of dissatisfaction with an ‘unsupportive Government’ and the direction the industry is taking were also a recurring concern. Speaking at Mr Baker’s Somerset farm, RABDF chairman Mike King, himself a producer in neighbouring South Gloucestershire, said for dairy farmers to be resilient in the current market place they had to know the cost of producing each litre of milk. “This is not an exercise that happens once a year,” he said. “Calculations must be made on a month-bymonth basis in order to respond to market conditions and build resilience into the business.” For his own 550-head herd, Mr King monitored his COP on a week-by-week basis, and said: “Every Monday morning it’s the first thing I do. “If we are going to survive at 21-25ppl that’s
barriers to physical performance. Citing leptospirosis, BVD and Johne’s in particular, he praised the Irish Government for its compulsory BVD eradication scheme but regretted the UK Government expected the industry to take the lead.
D
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Neil Baker, winner of last year’s Gold Cup, hosted the farm open day.
what we need,” he said. “That’s where most analysts see the market recovering to and some predict that price for the next five years.” Calculating costs Open day host, Neil Baker, whose 1750-head herd of mostly Holsteins gives over 11,000 litres on his Crewkerne farm, said calculating costs of production on a pence per litre basis was ‘really not easy to do’. Suggesting this was a real and understandable barrier to calculating COPs, he spoke of the benefits of investing in the right management package. “Many people manage the business by the bank account, but they need to look after the strategic things,” he said.
However, he believed many external factors mitigated against the dairy business, not least, the link in milk prices to world markets at a time when the UK was undersupplied. “Some of our processors and retailers do rip us off,” he said. “How can our prices be so similar when they are all selling for different end uses? “They will give our margin away to retailers and they [in turn] will give it away to consumers, and that keeps the Government happy,” he said. Further criticising the UK Government for its lack of teeth when it came to preventing processors labelling cheese made from imported milk as British, he said there were also many
Barriers “How can we do that at 19p?” he asked, alluding to the price drop announced by Arla for a standard litre the day before his open day. However, Mr Baker believed if barriers to performance were removed, the industry could achieve quite big improvements. “We don’t know what the Holstein can do yet,” he said. “When I was a kid, the best cows were doing 35 litres. Now they get culled at 35 litres and our best cows now are doing 60 litres.” He said he would continue to make changes to his business in an effort to improve its performance and reduce the costs of production. This ranged from genetic improvement through more genomic testing to a reduction in the use of antibiotics.
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OPEN DAY
Cutting antibiotic use at Rushywood Farm
JGold Cup winner, Neil Baker, has drastically cut antibiotic use on Rushywood Farm and says the biggest impression has been made through a reduction in dry cow therapy. “We have now stopped using antibiotics on healthy cows,” he said. Speaking at the open day, vet Duncan Williams from Kite Consulting, reiterated: “This was not done by not treating sick animals – this has been done by driving down disease.” He explained how 160 courses of antibiotics per million litres of milk had
now been cut to around 60 courses, and that within this figure there had been a significant shift away from antibiotics which are critically important to human health. Critical antibiotics now represented about 40% of those used on the farm, compared with 70% in the past. “These are not necessarily stronger or better but they are the ones that are used in [human] life-threatening situations,” said Dr Williams. “Often, if we are honest, we are using them because they have nil milk withdrawal.” Alongside this cut in an-
tibiotic use has been a remarkable decline in mastitis, which had exceeded 30 cases/100 cows in 2014 but was heading towards five cases/100 cows today (sixmonth rolling average). He said this reduction had been achieved by the whole team working together and adhering to agreed proto-
cols, and the introduction of a teat brush in the parlour had led to a massive drop in mastitis. “Every person is prepping in exactly the same way,” he said. “The lesson is that if you have consistent and high quality teat preparation you will drive down mastitis.”
Rushywood Farm facts r1748 cows (1662 Holsteins and 86 Jerseys) rAnnual production 11,022 litres/cow rMastitis 10 cases per 100 cows (12-month
rolling ave) – national average is 56 cases per 100 cows r96.47% of herd is mobile (national average is 60%).
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JULY 2016 DF_07_P23.pdf 1
DAIRY FARMER
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**DF Jul p24 25 LE Milk Powell_Layout 1 03/06/2016 17:17 Page 1
LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK With milk prices at critically low levels, surviving the next few months will be a real testing time for producers. Ian Powell, managing director with The Dairy Group, gives us his thoughts on the industry’s future.
Next six months will be critical to survival
he range in milk prices received by dairy farmers is huge ranging from 12ppl to 34ppl, but with many milk buyers, including Arla, paying just 20ppl, such figures are now a reality for UK dairy farmers. There are some positive
market signals with the Fonterra GDT index up 6% in April and increased Chinese imports, but the fundamental issue is the relationship between supply and demand. The graph shows the sixmonth daily average supply for the EU, New Zealand and the US. The UK MPE
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The fundamental issue is the relationship between supply and demand.
(market price equivalent) shows the sensitivity of the UK markets to relatively small changes in supply. The black line represents the growth trend over the last five years. Markets only take off when the supply is below the trend line for a sustained period, beyond the normal seasonality pattern. The red line is the forecast supply which is expected to reduce below the normal seasonal pattern from late summer. A similar departure from the trend in 2012 did lead to a market response which was sustained and enhanced by a weak supply response. Markets are unlikely to respond unless supply weakens more than either 2014 or 2015. The degree of market response will depend on the
levels of supply and the speed public stored dairy products are released back onto the market. World milk production was up 3.4% in January and February 2016, but there are now signs of milk production falling, with New Zealand down 1.7% in March and Australia also reported down. Time lag There are also increased cow slaughterings, which in the UK increased in March by 20% compared to the previous year and +40% in Ireland. So while there are signs of the market starting to improve, there is normally a three to six-month time lag before improved market returns are reflected in farmgate milk price. Most market analysts do
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 17:19
**DF Jul p24 25 LE Milk Powell_Layout 1 02/06/2016 13:54 Page 2
MILK LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW Six-month daily average supply for the EU, New Zealand Source: Nick Holt-Martyn, The Dairy Group and the US
not expect to see any real improvement in milk price until the beginning of 2017, which is likely to be too late for many hard-pressed dairy farmers. The key factors will be the willingness of dairy farmers to continue to produce milk at a loss, and whether their business is strong enough to survive the drain on cash. The next six months will be critical as milk prices are likely to be at their lowest due to seasonal price deductions and the spring input costs for seed, fertiliser and contractors incurred in growing the forage ready for next winter. Understanding the cash needs of the business and the peak borrowing requirement is essential management information for those requiring additional funding or looking at ways to mitigate the cash crisis. The worst situation is to simply run out of cash and to be unable to pay for the key inputs to the business. There clearly are opportu-
DF_07_P25.pdf 1
nities for cost reduction and with cereals remaining at just over £100/t there should be scope for feed cost reduction down to 4ppl, whereas, for many, the feed cost is still over 8ppl. Dairy farmers should be looking at their mediumterm (five-year) budget to examine business viability, cost of production and
Dairy farmers should be looking at their medium term budget to examine business viability Ian Powell
“
where improvements can be made in business performance. Many business accounts ended in March, so now is a good time to review and benchmark business performance and to look at cash flow over the next 12 months. Volatility There is also a need for businesses to plan how to deal with future volatility and whether there is scope with milk buyers for contracted volumes at fixed prices. Ireland does seem to be further ahead in helping its farmers deal with volatility, with Glanbia offering ‘phases’ of voluntary fixed
price for up to 33 months, and flexible loans and repayment systems based on milk price. The proposed changes to five-year averaging of farm profit in the UK should help mitigate some of the impact of price volatility, so that more cash can be retained during the higher priced periods to help fund the business through the troughs. While the current dairy crisis is grim for many, UK dairy farmers have coped with major external challenges in the past and for those who are committed and willing to adapt there remains a long term future in dairying.
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**DF Jul p26 27 LE MIlk King_Layout 1 02/06/2016 15:11 Page 1
LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK
Last year’s negative margin from production looks like being repeated this year at the Friesian Farm model, and is minimised only by even tighter control of variable costs and overheads. According to the predictions from Richard King, at Andersons Farm Business Consultants, we won’t see things bouncing back until next year.
Tight cost control needed to offset fall in milk price
ilk prices could well remain low for at least another 12 months, but there is significant scope for costs savings to help dairy farms weather the downturn, according to figures for our Friesian Farm model. Just to remind you, the Friesian Farm model runs 150 cows and its replacements on a year-round calving system for a liquid, but not supermarket-aligned, milk contract. The farm comprises 100ha, of which 40ha are rented on an FBT. The proprietor provides labour along with one fulltime worker (plus casual and relief). Milk yields are about 8000 litres per cow. The table (right) shows the farm’s performance for the previous three milk years based on actual returns and costs. An estimate is given for the current 2016-17 year, and a forecast for 2017-18. The farm made good returns in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 milk years, and this fact should not be over-
M
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More cost savings are required to help dairy farms weather the downturn, according to Friesian Farm figures.
looked in the current downturn. Dairy farming is now a cyclical business – industry profits are poor at present, but they have been good in the recent past, and will be again in the future. Full effect The 2015-16 year saw the full effect of the milk price fall come through, and although the slide started in 2014, it did not fully affect the 2014-15 figures. Variable costs continued to decline due to cheaper feed and fertiliser. Overhead costs were reduced through savings in casual labour, contract costs, re-
pairs, fuel and electricity. Despite this, Friesian Farm dipped into a loss-making position from its farming activity. The contribution from support payments dropped in the year as well. Partly this was a result of the move to the Basic Payment from the SPS, and the effect of currency changes. But Friesian Farm also saw its ELS agreement end last year. It has not yet gone into the successor scheme, the Countryside Stewardship, so has lost some scheme income. For the current 2016-17 milk year, there is little opti-
mism on milk prices. Without a supermarket aligned contract this farm is budgeted to see an average milk price for the year in the low twenty pence per litre. However, as the figures show, Friesian Farm is looking to take a robust approach to costs to minimise the impact on its bottom line. Concentrate, feed and fertiliser should be cheaper for the current year. Usage levels can also be looked at – while bearing in mind not to cut corners and affect optimum output levels. There are also cost saving opportunities in the ‘lower pro-
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MILK LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW Table 1 ANDERSONS FRIESIAN FARM Pence per litre 2013-14 (Result) Milk 32.4 Culls anc calves 2.9 Output 35.3 Variable costs 14.7 Overheads 11.3 Drawings 3.1 Rent and finance 1.6 Cost of production 30.7 Margin from production 4.6 BPS/SPS (and ELS) 2.2 Business surplus 6.8 file’ categories of variable costs – vet and med, bedding, bulk feed and dairy sundries. Overhead costs are also squeezed. This is a continuation of the trends seen in the last year with reductions in fuel cost, electricity, contract charges and business administration. Some of this is a result of general price drops, but it also assumed the proprietors of Friesian Farm will be proactive in negotiating better deals and challenging all items of spending. As a result the cost of production on the farm is cut significantly. While this does not eliminate the loss from pro-
2014-15 (Result) 29.4 2.7 32.1 13.2 11.0 3.0 1.7 28.9 3.2 1.9 5.1
duction, it is minimised. Just as importantly, it sets the farm up to benefit from any upturn in markets.
Slow Such an uplift looks like being slow to arrive. There is a sense that commodity markets may have ‘hit bottom’, but it will be some months before this becomes clear or not. Even then, with large amounts of milk products in store, it may be some time before farmgate prices improve. The sector may have to wait until after the spring flush in 2017 before tentative increases start to appear. Thus, only a relatively
Friesian Farm is looking to take a robust approach to costs to minimise the impact on its bottom line Richard King
2015-16 (Result) 22.7 2.6 25.3 12.0 9.8 2.9 1.8 26.5 (1.2) 1.6 0.4
2016-17 (Budget) 20.9 2.5 23.4 10.3 9.2 3.0 2.0 24.5 (1.1) 1.5 0.4
small, and very speculative, price increase is factored in for the 2017-18 year. Costs are kept under control, meaning Friesian Farm returns to profitability before the inclusion of support payments, albeit at low levels. The efficient running of your business is the one
2017-18 (Forecast) 22.6 2.7 25.3 10.2 9.2 3.1 2.0 24.5 0.8 1.5 2.3
thing dairy farmers can control. In tough times, low costs of production are the difference between success and failure. n Andersons will be available in the Business Management section (Stand BM-318) to discuss how dairy businesses can prosper now and in the future. WWW.WOPA-UK.COM
“
TEL 01362 820254 MOBILE 07511 009981 / 07745 368538
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK
To help you study the form, we’ve given the six finalists in this year’s prestigious NMR/RABDF Gold Cup a short trot around the paddock. This is what the form book shows.
Six top notch finalists under starter’s orders Simon Bugler, Dorset JHerd health and maximising income from sources other than milk have been high on the agenda in running the pedigree Holstein Bettiscombe herd in Dorset. Simon Bugler is the fourth generation of the family who now manages the high yielding herd of pedigree Holsteins – 570 cows in milk plus 700 followers at Pilsdon Dairy Farm, Bridport. He runs the farming partnership with his parents Roland and Heather with 12 full-time employees. Simon says: “We want a herd of cows which will be able to produce the milk but will be able to have a calf and maintain a good level of health throughout the lactation.” The housing has an integral 40:40 Boumatic quick exit parlour which milks the cows three times a day. Cubicles are sand bedded with a flood wash system for passageways. “Mobility scoring is down to between 1 and 2, according to the farm vet, and digi-
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tal dermatitis is negligible,” adds Simon. “We are sure this is down to the automatic footbaths which empty three times during each milking. Formalin is used twice a week. This all helps to keep the cows’ feet clean. “We also found housing the cows year round has improved foot health and resulted in fewer foot ulcers and stone damage. Feet are trimmed twice a year at 70 days calved and just before drying off.” Health The decision was taken to house the cattle year round six years ago which Simon says has improved cattle health as well as lifting yields. Cases of mastitis have recently reduced to 20 per 100 cows, down from around 35 in 2014. Cell count runs at 111,000 cells per ml and Bactoscan at 6. The herd achieved 11,260kg of milk, at 3.56% butterfat and 3.1% protein, on three times a day milking
Simon Bugler
Farm facts
r570 Holsteins in milk, plus 700 followers rPurpose built unit for cows in 2010 includes 40:40 Boumatic rapid exit parlour rSand bedding with liquid spread via
umbilical system rMilk sold to Muller on a Sainsbury’s contract rCalving interval of 380 days rAll young bull calves sold to Blade on Sainsbury’s system.
in the Gold Cup qualifying year to September 2015. Calving interval was running at 380 days. Since then average yield has edged over 11,600kg and cell counts have fallen in this allyear-round calving herd. And while they believe a 13,000kg herd average is achievable, they would not
sacrifice herd health and fertility to get there. “Welfare and health targets are key to maintaining our Muller Sainsbury’s milk contract,” says Simon. “We have weekly vet visits, primarily to check on fertility and PD cows, but also to take into account the general health of the herd. X
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK And we follow a strict vaccination programme for BVD, leptospirosis, salmonella and IBR. Recently all our calves have been ear sampled for BVD which so far have proved negative. Johne’s is also monitored
and we have a control plan in place.” Mastitis Mastitis control is an area which Simon has worked hard to improve. “We have changed the pre-milking
protocol in the past few years. We have three milkers at each milking and they foremilk 10 cows at a time with two washable wipes – within a 90 second interval – to achieve a good milk let down,” he says.
Continuing the theme of cow health, Simon has cut antibiotic use at drying off and now up to 95% of the drying-off cows have no antibiotic treatment, just Orbeseal, whereas previously all were double tubed.
Tomos Davies, Carmarthen JThe Davies family’s Carmarthen-based herd has made it into the final six in this year’s competition. This is the third time the Davies family has entered – and the first time they have made it to the final. Not surprisingly, Tomos Davies, who farms in partnership with his father Glyn and mother Myrtle, is extremely pleased on making it to the final on his third attempt – not least because it shows the business has moved forward and improved during the past decade. Housed The family runs 325 milkers, plus 230 young stock, at Rhydygors Farm in Talog. Housed all year round and fed a TMR, the Holstein herd’s average production, for the year ending September 2015, was 12,109kg at 3.92% butterfat and 3.21% protein, with a somatic cell count of 191,000 cells/ml. Yields have certainly in-
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creased during the past few years due to consistent feeding, with advice from nutritionist Andrew Holland, and a switch to three-timesa-day milking. “We added an extra milking in October 2013 and not all the team were keen. So we agreed we would give it a go and I said if it didn’t work out then we’d stop the third milking on Christmas eve,” explains Tomos. Suffice to say the team hasn’t looked back since, and neither has the herd. “The expected extra 10% in yield was, in reality, more than 20%. Heifers are producing 30% more milk than they would on twice-a-day milking. The herd’s TMR comprises grass silage, a custom blend, caustic-treated wheat, fat, minerals and buffers. All cows are fed the same ration and just 1kg of concentrate is fed per milking. “One of the challenges on our unit is that we’re reliant on a single forage. At 265 metres above sea level,
Tomos, Glyn and Myrtle
Farm facts
Davies
rHerd run on a 145hectare unit (80 owned and 65 rented) r325-cow Holstein herd, plus 230 followers rImprovements in young stock and fertility management during past three years rMilk sold to Muller Direct Milk rGood fertility – 54% in-
calf 100 days post calving rFocus on calf health – mortality just 1.2% during past two years rRolling MOPF per litre – 12.22ppl rProduction, for year ending September 2015, was 12,109kg at 3.92% butterfat and 3.21% protein, with 191,000 cells/ml.
our farm isn’t suited to growing maize or any other crop – just grass. So that’s what we’re feeding cows to produce large amounts of milk, maintain milk quality and get back in calf.” With Andrew’s help, the
Davies make it happen. “We’ve worked with him for more than 15 years and during the past two years we’ve seen a dramatic lift in yields. We have sold 12,000 litres per cow during the past 12 months and, X
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK month on month, that figure is still increasing.� Tomos adds that, with some tweaks to dry cow feeding and management, 13,000 litres per cow is within their reach. Fertility is also impressive and has improved since the herd began using Genus RMS in 2014. Calving interval has come down from 420 days to 406 days, and Tomos says he’ll push on until it falls to around 390 days. “I also want fewer open cows at 200 days – we’re working towards less than 5%,� he adds. Herd health is also a focus of attention. The herd’s mastitis rate is just 16 cases per
Hygiene “The secret of our success is meticulous hygiene and colostrum management. And all calves are tagged and tested for BVD.� Having struggled with this disease for a number of years, all animals on the unit are tested for BVD, and Johne’s disease is also monitored on a quarterly basis through milk recording.
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David Irwin, Co Tyrone
100 cows and significant improvements have been made in terms of young stock health and growth rates since the Davies employed a dedicated calf rearer.
David Irwin
JHaving adopted the motto ‘if you can’t get bigger get better’, David Irwin not only runs a high yielding, high health status herd, but has also built up an enviable reputation for selling high quality breeding stock which is worth in excess of 5ppl to his business. David farms in partnership with his parents David and Sylvia and, along with two full-time staff, they run the pedigree Redhouse Holstein herd of 170 autumnwinter calving cows plus followers at Derrycreevy, near Benburb, Co Tyrone. The 93-hectare unit is mainly down to grass with 20ha of spring barley grown for inclusion in the dairy rations. The milking herd is fully housed and averages 12,300kg milk at 3.84% fat and 3.21% protein on three times a day milking. Since completing his electronic engineering degree
seven years ago, David has been working full time on the farm and is very much an early adopter of technology. Recent investments have included a Westfalia heat detection system to improve submission rates to AI; a switch to triangular vented liners in the milking clusters to improve teat end condition; CCTV in the calving pens; and new headlock gates in calving pens to aid handling and allow milking in situ so he can feed colostrum within an hour of calf birth. Rations are formulated with the help of independent nutritionist Steve Swale, and diets are reviewed monthly based on the most up to date straights and silage analysis to keep as consistent a diet as possible in front of the milking herd. The cows are lead fed in the parlour to 45 days and then to yield. X
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK David says: “We feed a relatively high level of concentrates at 4.5t/cow but we have a high stocking rate and grass rents are uneconomical in this area. Overall
feed costs are running at 8.5ppl against a March milk price of 21.5ppl.” Running a block calving herd also requires a keen focus on fertility, and a com-
Farm facts
384-day calving interval rEmphasis on high health status herd – accredited Johne’s and BVD free rPedigree stock sales generate equivalent 5ppl revenue rFarm diversification – two 73kW wind turbines producing electricity for farm and National Grid.
rPedigree Holstein herd of 170 cows plus 120 followers rMilk sold to Fane Valley Co-Op rProduction on three times milking to end of September 2015 – 12,300kg milk at 3.87% fat and 3.21% protein and an SCC of 144,000 cells/ml rFocus on fertility –
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bination of good heat detection, DIY AI and good stockmanship to make sure cows are fit and ready to breed as soon after calving as possible. Currently, David and his dairy team of two full- time staff are maintaining an impressive calving interval of 384 days. High health status David’s concentration on developing a high health status herd with good fertility has enabled him to grow sales of pedigree stock. The herd is accredited Johne’s and BVD free, and is vaccinated for IBR and is also TB free. “Since we started using genomic testing we have seen a dramatic improvement in fertility – five years ago we would cull 30-40 barren cows, now the number of empty cows is in single figures,” he says. This improvement in fertility, combined with such a pro-active approach to overall herd health and nutrition, has cut the involuntary culling rate to just 10% and has released more breeding stock to sell. Between 60-70 weaned heifer calves are sold each year along with about 50 freshly-calved cows and heifers and 20 stock bulls. “The other knock on effect of genetically selecting for fertility is that we can hopefully push yields in future without compromising our calving block,” he adds.
Adrian and Sharon JA combination of good technical performance and an emphasis on producing high quality forage have earned the Northern Ireland farm of Adrian and Sharon McFarland a place in the finals. Adrian farms in partnership with his wife Sharon and they have been joined on the farm part-time by their eldest son Ryan who has recently finished his university studies. Together they run a herd of 106 Holstein-Friesian cows plus followers on their 64hectare farm near Omagh, Co Tyrone. Running a smaller unit does mean they have to be technically efficient to survive especially in the current economic climate, and it is the McFarlands’ attention to detail and cost control which has won them their place in the final. The herd calves from September to March and is TMR and parlour fed in winter and grazed in summer. It produces an average 8069kg milk at 4.2% fat and 3.28% protein, with an SCC of 101,000 cells/ml. Farming in the west of the province, where annual rainfall is in excess of 51ins (1300mm), makes for challenging grazing and forage-making conditions.
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MILK LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW aron McFarland, Co Tyrone “Three years ago we invested in our own forage wagon which has allowed us to take advantage of the few dry windows in the season to make high quality silage,” Adrian explains. Soil fertility In addition, Adrian and Ryan have focused heavily on improving soil fertility through extensive sampling and targeted use of fertiliser to optimise grass growth and quality, which they hope will take them close to their target forage yield of 18tDM/ha. A combination of high D value grass silage and well managed strip grazing means the herd is averaging 1835 litres of milk from forage/cow (3443 litres/ha) which is an improvement of 800litres/cow in just 12 months. Herd health and biosecurity is a key area of focus for the McFarlands who run a closed herd to reduce the risk of TB infection. They have an extensive vaccination programme X
Adrian, Ryan and Sharon McFarland
Farm facts
r106 Holstein-Friesian cows plus 44 followers rProduction to year ending Sept 2015 – 8069kg at 4.59% fat and 3.28% protein with an SCC of 101,000 cells/ml rMilk sold to United Dairy Farmers rEmphasis on forage quality – milk from forage 1835 litres/cow rFocus on fertility – 55% in-calf at 100 days and 4% overall barren rate rExcellent udder health – eight cases mastitis/100 cows/year.
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK for leptospirosis, BVD and IBR as well as routinely monitoring their Johne’s disease status through NMR’s Herdwise scheme. A combination of a scrupulous parlour routine with pre and post-dipping, breeding for low cell count cows coupled with good housing hygiene, means the herd is also running at
an impressively low annual mastitis rate of eight cases/100 cows. Stockmanship This same attention to detail and high level of stockmanship is also reflected in the fertility performance of the herd with 55% of cows in-calf by 100 days post calving
and only 4% recorded empty at 200 days. The McFarlands’ policy of getting on top of potential problems as soon as possible not only delivers high herd health but also keeps their annual replacement rate to under 25%. The prolonged period of low milk price has also not only called for technical
efficiency but also a close eye on costs. In the financial year just ended, the McFarlands achieved a margin over purchased feed of 18ppl and an overall cost of production just under 20ppl, excluding family labour. This has been achieved through good control of overhead costs in particular.
Richard and Grant Walker, Dumfriesshire JFarming company directors Richard and Grant Walker farm in partnership with their mother Shona and together they run a herd of just over 500 Holstein-Friesian cows on their 329ha grass and arable unit at Lakehead Farm, at Closeburn, Dumfriesshire. Over the past four years, since the brothers returned from university, there has been substantial investment in farm infrastructure and the herd has seen a threefold increase over that time. Richard and Grant head up a young enthusiastic team of five that look after the herd of pedigree Holsteins which averaged 10,575kg of milk at 3.88% fat and 3.33% protein in the Gold Cup qualifying year ending September 2015 on a flat rate TMR system. Yield average is now above 11,000kg.
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Richard (left) and Grant Walker
Farm facts
rHerd size – 515 Holstein-Friesian cows plus 405 followers rFive-year business investment programme rMilk sold to Muller Wiseman’s Co-op Dairy Group rProduction for the year ending September 201511,180kg milk at 3.88% fat and 3.33% protein
with a SCC of 161,000 cells/ml rFocus on fertility – 100 day in-calf rate of 62% rAge of heifers at first calving 715 days rZero to eight week calf growth rate is 0.78kg/day r175ha grass silage and 70ha wholecrop barley/wheat.
“Cow health and fertility hold the key to the success
of our business. If we keep the cows in good condition,
everything else falls into place,” says Richard. Working closely with Kite Consulting nutritionist Tim Davies, they aim to formulate rations which minimize body condition loss in early lactation as this determines how quickly cows get in calf and reduces the risk of metabolic disorders and other health issues. Consistent “Through minimising the interval between calvings, the range of cows is reduced so we can feed a consistent TMR for the whole lactation, aiming for a daily intake of 24.5kgDM of a 17.4% CP ration based on high quality grass and whole crop silages, plus home blended straights, providing 290MJ ME per cow per day,” Richard explains. Successful large herd management relies on X
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DAIRY FARMER
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MILK clearly defined roles and protocols which all the staff buy into, as well as continuous detailed recording of the physical and financial performance of the unit. Analysed Feed usage relative to milk output is constantly analysed on a daily feed monitor excel file. This gives the ability to see real time variations in MOPF as quality and quantity of feed input varies. Buying straights allows feed market opportunities to be exploited giving more control of input costs.
The Lakehead team is committed to a high level of stockmanship and this is particularly evident when it comes to herd fertility. The farm uses Heattime activity monitors and the herdsman, Daniel Henderson, carries out inseminations. Their attention to heat detection at Lakehead is well rewarded with an impressive 62% of cows in calf at 100 days, and a current calving interval of 382 days. Although mastitis levels are well below the national average at 32 cases/100 cows, the Walkers have identified mastitis incidence
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DAIRY FARMER
If we keep the cows in good condition, everything else falls into place Richard Walker
“
as a key area where costs can be recovered. Routine teat end scoring aims to measure and monitor levels of hyperkeratosis, and in addition they are constantly looking at the parlour operational set-up and cubicle management protocols to drive down the rates of clinical mastitis in the herd. Business skills As part of their involvement with the Co-op, Richard and Grant are now involved in the Co-op Farming Pioneers project. This gives them the opportunity to further enhance their business skills through better understanding of the retail environment, and to meet and share ideas with other young, like-minded farmers from other sectors of agriculture. “This ethos of sharing best practice and the CoOp’s approach to benchmarking performance also helps us to continually develop our business,” says Grant.
Brian Yates, JBrian Yates is thrilled that, once again, his family’s Castle Douglas-based herd has made it through to the final line up. The 280-cow herd is based on a 137-hectare unit at East Logan and managed with help from his wife Sheila, son Michael and daughter Anna, as well as herdsman Trevor Hough and parttime worker Leslie Craik. The pedigree Logan herd also qualified in 2014 and 2015. A close look at his business reveals it is attention to detail which has paved the herd’s way to success. Housed all year round and fed a TMR, the herd’s average production, for the year ending September 2015, was 12,273kg at 3.83% butterfat and 3.09% protein, with 102,000 cells/ml. Yields Impressive yields are fuelled by feeding a consistent ration and benchmarking the performance of his herd – something which has proved essential during the past ‘difficult’ 12-month period. Feed conversion efficiency stands at 1.58 litres per kg of feed – the Scottish average stands at 1.34. The herd calves all year round and its fertility figures are also eye catching. The in-calf rate 100 days post-calving stands at 53%,
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MILK LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW Castle Douglas with just 6% of cows not in-calf by 200 days. Brian says: “We monitor activity levels using pedometers and technology in our Westfalia parlour to help us identify heats efficiently, and we also have regular vet visits to preempt fertility problems and deal with any we do pick up very quickly. Cubicles “We have added 40 cubicle spaces by creating an extension at the side of the existing cow shed. “Cow comfort was already good on our unit, so this was really just to enable us to milk heifers, in the short-term, until replacement stock prices pick up,” explains Brian. “It also gives us the option to run a heifer group in the herd, which could be handy since the age at first calving
Farm facts
rHerd run on a 137-hectare farm r280-cow Holstein herd, plus 320 followers rInvested in business during the past four years rThree times-a-day milking – liners changed every three months rMilk sold to Arla rExcellent fertility – 53% in calf 100 days post calving
Michael (left) and Brian Yate
s
is now close to 24 months old. The heifers are a little immature and may benefit from being grouped in the milking herd.” The mastitis rate for the herd stands at just 10 cases per 100 cows, but he would like to see it lowered even further. “The average cell count has been below 85,000 cells/ ml for the past 10 months and, again, we have worked hard at it,” says Brian. The herd is milked three rFocus on health – just 10 cases of mastitis per 100 cows rMOPF per litre – 13.05ppl rProduction, for the year ending September 2015, was 12,273kg at 3.83% butterfat and 3.09% protein, with 102,000 cells/ml rFeed efficiency – 1.58 litres/kg.
times a day using a comprehensive routine which comprises dry wiping, stripping out and using a post-dip teat barrier. Brian says: “We use Udder
Gold barrier and we are also using triangular-shaped liners in the parlour. Both have helped to improve teat-end condition and, therefore, udder health.”
TEEMORE ENGINEERING LT LTD D LIVESTOCK LIVESTOCK HOUSING SPECIALISTS
Cubicles – Cow/Heifer/Calf
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OPEN LUNGING SPACE ROBUST STRUCTURES FAST DELIVERY For a full brochure Telephone: 028 6774 8377 www.teemoreengineering.com www .teemoreengineering.com
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW BREEDING
Check bloodlines prior to devising herd mating plan new inbreeding tool has been developed by AHDB Dairy which will check how closely related any sire is to any heifer or cow in the herd. Called the Inbreeding Checker, it is said to be the first tool in the dairy industry with the scope to check the inbreeding level of any proposed mating from the entire database of dairy sires listed on the AHDB Dairy website. This means any worries a dairy farmer may have concerning a mating can be checked for inbreeding before semen is purchased. This should help farmers reduce the risk of inbreed-
A
ing depression or, conversely, it could allow a breeder to use a bull which was previously discounted because he was thought to be too closely related to existing cows in the herd. This is said to be important as any commercial breeder should be aiming to optimise his herd’s genetic potential. Difference The tool is said to differ from other commercial mating programs as these usually require a farmer to have reduced his bulls to a shortlist which will then be run through the program. The Inbreeding Checker, in contrast, allows bulls to be picked from the entire genetic evaluations data-
base, and even allows historic sires, with straws remaining in the tank, to be included. However, the tool is not a corrective mating program and once a farmer knows his chosen match of sire and dam are acceptable from an inbreeding perspective, the final decision about whether to breed the two animals can still be made – with or without a computer mating program – on the strength of their genetic and phenotypic qualities. “Farmers are well aware that inbreeding can have a detrimental effect on the performance and vigour of the resulting offspring, and can also bring together undesirable recessive genes,” says Fern Pearston, genetics
manager with AHDB Dairy. “This is particularly the case for traits such as health and fertility. “Any matings which result in an inbreeding level of more than 6.25% are best avoided, and the Inbreeding Checker can be used to ensure no matings beyond this level are made. “Furthermore, it will also help farmers choose bulls which have genuine outcross pedigrees in relation to their own cows. “This is the first time such a bespoke tool has been available to UK producers, and we hope it will be widely used to improve the performance and genetic diversity of the UK’s national dairy herd,” she added. rStand AH194
company’s newly launched drafter. A camera located in a
booth on the drafter identifies either the dye or a missing patch, and drafts the cow in readiness for breeding. Patches are priced at £1.10 each and the EID tags required for the operation of the system are £2. The entire system, set up for heat detection, is priced at £16,000. rStand GE32
Heat selection uses patches and shedding gate
JLIC Automation has launched an assisted heat detection system which the subsidiary of the farmer-owned New Zealand co-op, LIC, says is much cheaper than collarbased systems but gives a highly reliable diagnosis of heat. Called EZ Heat and based on patches which release a dye when subject
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to standing pressure, the system is designed to run in tandem with the
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 09:00
Geno Genetics WP_Geno Genetics WP 03/06/2016 17:43 Page 1
Ferskvann Foto: JH studios
More time for...
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Geno UK – Bridge House, Rossett LL12 0HE, Tel: 01244 659 622 Email: info@geno-uk.com, Website: www.geno-uk.com
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW BREEDING
Genomic testing takes off MR will be promoting its GeneTracker service which the company says has taken off in popularity over the past three months. The extent of the interest is said to have taken the milk records organisation by surprise at a time when
farmers are cutting their costs of production.
JA heat detection system which is claimed to be one of the most accurate on the market has been launched by Northern Dairy Solutions.
The HerdInsights system operates on the basis of gesture recognition, multi-metric analysis and proprietary behavioural algorithms, developed by
N
Value But Nick Kirby, managing director of Bullsemen.com, NMR’s genetics subsidiary, says producers are appreciating the value of genomic testing as it allows them to make better management and breeding decisions.
“Breeders cherry picking their top genomic animals for genetic sales are just a small specialist market,” he says. “By far the majority are using the results to make better breeding decisions, choose which females to breed to sexed semen or put to beef, and maybe weed out the herd’s bottom end.”
He says similar services in the USA have now been used to provide genomic indexes for well over one million dairy cattle, and with April and May 2016 setting new records for the Gene Tracker service, the UK appears to be heading in the same direction. rStand BM282
its manufacturers, Alanya Animal Health Monitoring.
rates with drafting gates and delivers alerts by text and email. It can be accessed through a smartphone, tablet or computer and is continuously updated through Cloud technology. The base station is priced at £3500 and collars at £120, with reductions for volume. rStand AH210
High heat detection rates from gesture recognition Unique approach Said to be unique in this approach, a heat detection accuracy of 97% is claimed, while the system is also said to give an early insight into each cow’s health status. Using a base station and collars, the system integ-
Top bull for grazing systems
Ballycairn Darius will be one of many top genomic bulls promoted at the Livestock Event. Darius is the number one bull ranked on Spring Calving Index (£SCI) and weighs in with high milk components and great health, lifespan and fertility. A star of the Genus ABS stud, he is UK-bred into the bargain and now available sexed. His SCI is £402 and his Profitable Lifetime Index is £656, ranking him in the top 15 £PLI sires in the world.
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LEADING PLI SIRES
WHAT MORE PROOF DO YOU NEED? No.1 Proven PLI at £626 Gen-I-Beq LAVAMAN
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Semex continues to consolidate its status as the PLI pacesetter. It might be a surprise to some, but not to us, that Semex most sought after genetics includes the No.1 genomic and proven PLI sires plus many leading sires over £600 PLI. That’s the Semex Difference.
THE SEMEX DIFFERENCE 0800 86 88 90 | www.semex.co.uk
Semex WP.indd 1
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW FORAGE & GRASSLAND Grass is playing an increasingly important role as a means of lowering milk production costs. Wendy Short takes a look at some of the new developments at this year’s Livestock Event.
Top ranking grass variety on display
new grass variety, described by its marketer, Germinal, as ‘the best ever bred’ will be on display in the Forage Field at the event. It is the latest variety from the IBERS Aberystwyth University breeding programme to enter the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (England and Wales).
A
Described as the ‘topranking intermediate heading perennial ryegrass’ across the spectrum of criteria covered by the RGCL, AberZeus offers the best yet combination of quality, yield, ground cover, persistency and disease resistance. Excelling in particular for its grazing performance, the variety grows
exceptionally well in early and late season and has the highest annual metabolisable energy production on the list at 107% of the control. Its D value averaged 77.5 and it is one of the best on the list for crown rust resistance, says the firm. Preparations to include AberZeus in mixtures are well under way and it is expected to be included in
Demonstration JMaking more from grass and other forage crops is the focus of the Forage Field, a hands-on demonstration organised in conjunction with the British Grassland Society and sponsored by Germinal. all of Germinal’s quality grazing leys and to feature strongly in the Aber High Sugar Grass mixtures from spring 2017. rStand FF392
New forage and slurry additives showcased
JThe silage season will be well under way in time for Shepherd Agri to launch its three new grass, forage and slurry additives: CombiSILE, FlexiSILE and N-fix Slurry Booster. Combi-SILE is a bacterial and chemical preservative containing three separate species of lactobacilli. It also has two ingredients to combat fungal problems and heating after the clamp has been opened. The product is designed to ensure the fast and efficient preservation of the feed value of grass, maize or wholecrop cereals, re-
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Shepherd Agri will be launching its new range of additives.
sulting in lower dry matter losses, says the firm. FlexiSILE comes in two versions – one for clamped or baled grass silage and one for maize and wholecrop silage. As long as the
forage has been correctly preserved, the clamp face can be opened four weeks after ensiling. N-fix Slurry Booster has benefits for the quality and handling of slurry, as well
as having a positive effect on the environment, says the company. It is added at the start of winter and then topped up on a monthly basis over summer. The product fixes nitrogen and ammonia into larger molecules, such as poly-peptides and proteins. It also lowers ammonia production and limits odour. The easy-handling effect is due to a reduction in crust formation, and therefore less mixing is required to break up the surface. rStand AH170
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 09:00
MEGA YIELD MEGA FERTILITY
Megalac rumen-protected fat has been proven to increase milk yield and cow fertility around the world for over 30 years. • Average increase in milk yield of 2.3 litres/cow/day • Improves conception rates and egg quality • High energy density without risk of acidosis Megalac increases fat in the diet – one of the essential nutrients for productivity.
More milk, better fertility
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T: +44 (0) 1223 208021 www.megalac.com 03/06/2016 02/06/2016 14:19 13:48
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POINTERS FOR PROFIT
W
Now is the time to decide how to maximise the value of any home-grown cereals post harvest. Alkagrain offers the ideal solution, according to FiveF.
“
ith
is increase in dry matter intake would create about 2-2.5 litres of milk in dairy cows, worth £150-180 per cow
dairy farmers striving to cut
feed bills and make their systems as efficient as possible, nutritionist Malcolm Graham suggests using Alkagrain could be a cost effective option, which will help make the most of home-grown cereals. And, he says, when using
Malcolm Graham
home-grown grain, Alkagrain – the leading application for Home n’ Dry Alka feeding technology – is likely to cost
300kg of concentrates per cow
around £125 per tonne fed
(worth about £60) for dairy
this season, the lowest price
cows. For beef cattle, mean-
for 10 years.
while, 100 days on a lower concentrate and higher forage
Reduce costs
ration would save about 100kg
Mr Graham says: “Using
or £20 per head.
own-grown feeds with the
“Alkagrain can allow grain to
Alkagrain system can create
be fed at up to three times the
the highest quality feeds and
normal level without causing
reduce the cost of equivalent purchased feeds by at least £40 per tonne.
any problems for the cow. is Malcolm Graham says alkalised feeds can help increase feed intake by between 5-10% when fed at effective levels.
could mean an increase in the amount of total food used per
“But there are many other
allows the diet to be either
dairy cows, worth £150-180 per
cow that is either grown on the
benefits from using alkalised,
more powerful – to create
cow. For a beef finisher, in 100
farm or sourced as simple high
high starch cereal-based feeds,
higher performance – or contain
days, this increased feed intake
quality grain to 65-80% of the
either grown on the farm or
a higher proportion of forage,
is worth £30-£40 per head at
diet. is compares to 45-55%
bought in,” he adds.
to help reduce the purchased
current prices,” he explains.
on conventional systems.”
According to Mr Graham,
feed cost.
From a cost saving per-
Alkalised feeds can help
“Even with the current low
spective, Mr Graham says
More home-grown feed
increase feed intake by
milk prices, this increase in dry
the 1kg per cow DMI could
Mr Graham notes recent on-
between 5-10% when fed at
matter intake would create
alternatively be used to replace
farm evaluations have shown a
effective levels. at increase
about 2-2.5 litres of milk in
concentrates with forage, saving
surge in interest in Alkalised
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POINTERS FOR PROFIT Case study: Neil Parkhouse, Treveor Farm, Gorran, Cornwall USING Alkagrain for the past six years has allowed Cornwall-based dairy farmer, Neil Parkhouse, to cut feed costs and concentrate on making as much milk from forage as possible. Mr Parkhouse farms 587 hectares (1,450 acres) alongside his wife Joanne, sister Anita and father Derek, and is currently milking 600 cows, with a further 420 youngstock and a similar number of dairy-bred beef animals. They grow 162-202 hectares (400-500 acres) of wheat and barley, in rotation with maize and grass but, despite this, yield objectives meant they previously still relied significantly on boughtin feeds. “We tried out Alkalage, AlkabupHa and Alkagrain, and we found that Alkagrain suited our
system best. For us, that one product covers several bases – it allows us to maximise the amount we can feed without causing any negative side-effects, and saves money as we no longer need a mycotoxin binder. Now, almost 70% of the dry matter fed comes from the farm as forage or grain,” says Mr Parkhouse. The current diet for the milking cows includes grass silage, maize, Alkagrain, rape, soya, minerals and Energizer RP-10, and from that they are producing an average yield of 11,000kg. Alkagrain is currently fed at 5kg, although they have used as much as 9kg successfully in the diet.
Straightforward process
“We’ve also found the making process straightforward and very labour efficient – we can
now process about 60 tonnes an hour – and there is very low wastage. “We mix the grain whole with Home n’ Dry (35kg of Home n’ Dry per tonne of grain, to get a bit extra protein and alkalinity) and then crush during the winter as we need it, which has also reduced drying costs. “Because of its alkalinity, we’ve discovered rodents are not keen on the Alkagrain, which is obviously another plus point for us.” The Parkhouse family have their own crimper, which they say assists in lowering the workload, plus they can hire it out when they are not using it themselves, which helps justify its cost. “It’s more important than ever for all aspects of dairy businesses to be as efficient as possible, and
“
It’s more important than ever for all aspects of dairy businesses to be as efficient as possible Neil Parkhouse using Alkagrain has helped us achieve that objective by allowing us to make the most of low cost, home-grown produce,” adds Mr Parkhouse.
systems based on wheat, where Alkagrain, Alkastraw and the resurgent interest in Alkalage wholecrop means farmers can grow and utilise much more feed from their land.
Greening “At the same time, they are able to reduce their exposure to the risks of growing maize, and improve pasture and grass output and quality through a better rotation and reseed plan. It will also satisfy the greening requirements on having multiple crops in the rotation, and produce feeds which are drier and much less acidic. “Using Alkalised systems can help farmers control their production costs through improved feeds and diets,” adds Mr Graham.
Neil Parkhouse says using Alkagrain has allowed him to cut feed costs and concentrate on milk from forage.
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW FORAGE & GRASSLAND
Brassica break crops offer solution to pests
he withdrawal of agro-chemicals used to control common pests of new grass reseeds should not hamper livestock farmers’ ability to renew grassland swards, according to forage specialist Germinal. Germinal GB national agricultural sales manager, Ben Wixey, anticipates crops will be increasingly used alongside cultivations, to combat pests which are common in new grassland. His forecast comes in the wake of the April 1, 2016, ban on the use of all chlorpyrifos-ethyl products, including Dursban. “These agrochemicals have been used effectively for many years to control pests of new grassland such
Hybrid brassicas can produce up to 10 tonnes of dry matter per hectare of quality forage and are sufficiently frost-tolerant to be used for out-wintering.” Leatherjackets are larvae produced by the crane fly, which lays its eggs in late summer, he explains. The larvae develop over winter, feeding on the roots and Hybrid brassicas, such as Swift, are advised for use before reseeding next spring. stems of plants. They cause as leatherjackets and frit fly, sistant summer grazing crop crop damage, including loss of yield and bare patches, but the most effective prodin the short window after from early spring until miducts have now been withfirst cut or spring grazing.” summer when they pupate. drawn,” says Mr Wixey. Hybrid brassicas, such as The frit fly frequently pro“Brassicas offer an effecRedstart or Swift, are sugtive solution, because they gested for use before reseed- duces three generations a year, with the larvae of the are not a food source for the ing next spring. They pests and they will provide should be sown by the midthird generation emerging additional forage. dle of August, he adds. in late summer. These larvae harm grass leys and ce“For autumn reseeds, the “The plants will establish reals by tunnelling into the fast growing, leafy, stubble and grow quickly, to proturnip, Appin, is a good opvide autumn or winter graz- centre of the plant, causing dead-hearts. tion, as it offers a drought-re- ing within about 10 weeks.
JAberystwyth University has long been associated with grassland research and two of its students have recently completed the organisation’s Advanced Training Partnership (ATP) Pasture Programme. It offers post-graduate students a number of distance learning modules related to pasture-based agriculture,
as well as access to cutting edge research on the subject. Last summer saw Sam Kelly of Kelly Farm Consulting and Mark Jelley, a beef and arable farmer from Northamptonshire, as the first students to be awarded a post-graduate certificate. Mr Kelly left education at 18 after taking A-levels and has worked as an agricul-
T
Pasture learning programme students graduate
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tural consultant for the last 12 years. The university counted his years of experience as a consultant as equivalent to a degree for acceptance and he took three online modules. Mr Jelley had an agricultural degree from Harper Adams. He has completed several ATP-Pasture distance-learning modules.
He says: “I have made small changes to the way I farm as a result of the course and I have started adding yeast to the finishing bull rations. Studying has provided insight into how yeast affects the system by improving rumen fermentation and offering some protection against an overburden of concentrates.”
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FORAGE & GRASSLAND LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
Advice on silage making
r Dave Davies, of Silage Solutions, will be on hand to offer some tips on silage making. He strongly advises producers who bring in outside help to supervise operations at the clamp, as their crop is coming in. “To ensure silage quality is maximised, it is worth standing at the clamp and making sure the crop is delivered at a steady pace,” he says. “If too many loads come
D
It is worth standing at the clamp and making sure the crop is delivered at a steady pace Dave Davies
“ in at once, it will not be possible to achieve the target, which should be for the grass to be spread in even layers measuring about 15cms in
thickness and compacting as you go.
Increased losses “However, if loads are brought in too slowly, there
will also be increased losses due to the clamp being open for longer than necessary. Another reason for overseeing the process is so dry matter and chop length can be monitored.” At the end of the day, the clamp should be sealed using side sheets, with an oxygen barrier film under the standard plastic used for the top. Care should be taken to seal the edges, with plenty of top weight to maintain consolidation of the top 1m during storage. rStand FF382
Slurry tanker offers resistance to rust
JT H White Agriculture is an appointed dealership for Bauer equipment in the UK and will be bringing along the Bauer Polyester slurry tanker. This comes in sizes ranging from 10,500 litres to 26,000 litres. A unique feature of the tankers is the polyesterreinforced resin tank, which is coated with an exterior gel coat of the type which is used in yacht fabrication. The firm says this makes it impervious to rust and provides good protection against ultra-violet light. The Bauer models have a heart-shaped tank which gives them a lower centre
Models have a heart-shaped polyester reinforced resin tank.
of gravity, compared with some other models. Surfaces which rest against the support frame and wheel cut-outs have been designed with increased thickness, while the top and lid are comparatively
thin in order to enhance stability and keep the overall weight low. Stirring system The automatic, loaddependent brake force controller comes as a
standard fitting, along with a stirring system with a three-way valve to feed slurry back into the tank, circulating the entire tank content at a high flow rate. The 15,500-litre model includes a 4000 litres per minute Bauer scroll and stator pump, with a powered top hatch for fast filling from an independent pump. It also has a self-fill system, which can be operated from both sides. Among the accessories available with the polyester slurry tanker is a suction arm, which can be swivelled from the tractor’s hydraulics. rStand MK468
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW HEALTH & NUTRITION
Automated body condition scoring system launched utomated body condition scoring has long been awaited, and DeLaval has become the first company off the blocks with a product which takes the human out of the process. Based on a 3D camera, the system videos every cow as she passes below the device and selects the best still image of the video sequence. Analysing the image to find the characteristics of the cow’s back, it then converts these characteristics into a body condition score (BCS). Designed to save hours of labour and cut out human error, the system links to DeLaval’s own
A
DelPro herd management software, where it can identify cows which are not in peak condition (or over fat), alerting the farmer to consider making adjustments to their feed.
the part of the farmer. That is valuable information which can have significant benefits to the health of the cow and to the running and profitability of the farm.”
Rapid changes The equivalent scoring undertaken manually is said to introduce subjectivity, potentially miss rapid increases or decreases in condition, and too often only be written on paper unlinked to management software and unable to highlight trends. Hugh Black from DeLaval says: “This does the same day after day, cow after cow, and has been compared to the gold standard – a highly trained human.
“The technology is a world first and completely changes the way the farming community will look at body condition scoring,” he adds. “It gives consistent and daily feedback on the condition of a herd without any work on
Installations The system has already been installed on farms across Europe, Asia, and North and South America, while six installations are in place in the UK and Ireland. Available for use with the DeLaval voluntary milking system, parlours and rotaries, the cost is about £4500, plus a running cost of about £4/cow/year (depending on herd size) based on the software and licence. rStand MK432
65cm by 200cm and 130 by 200 – and is easily installed with Kraiburg’s special fastenings.
Marketed by Kitt, it is priced at £37.25/sq m plus VAT. rStand MK462
More grip for cows on slopes
JFarmers whose cows have to walk up or down slopes now have a solution in the form of non-slip floor covering which has been trialled successfully on slopes of up to 17degrees. Manufactured by Kraiburg and called Monta, the vulcanised rubber matting features a V-shaped raised rib profile which is said to improve
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claw traction while permitting the free draining of liquids. With a square micro relief pattern between the ribs to enhance the slip resistance, the mat is said to work equally well whether cows are travelling up or down hill. Designed not to compress or break up and to give years of use, Monta is available in two sizes –
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Give your cows a head start. Reduce negative energy balance focus on liver health
Boost cow health focus on immunity
Improve calf performance focus on colostrum quality
Increase Dry Matter Intake focus on rumen development Control milk fever focus on calcium balance
The transition phase is the most important period in the production cycle of the cow. Research shows that over 80% of health and performance problems occur due to poor management and nutrition during this period. By focusing on key areas of transition cow nutrition significant performance improvements and cost savings can be made. This could realise over ÂŁ11,000 or 1.5ppl per 100 cows. ForFarmers TRANSLAC nutrition programme and products are designed to improve performance by giving the cow and calf the best possible start.
08457 22 88 53
DF_07_P51.pdf 1
info.uk@forfarmers.eu
www.forfarmers.co.uk
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW HEALTH & NUTRITION
Johne’s risk assessment tool to help limit spread of disease Johne’s risk assessment tool has been developed by NML which is designed to help dairy producers manage the risk of Johne’s disease entering their herds, as well as the risk of spread within the herd. The tool uses a questionnaire, completed by the producer and their vet, to pull together information on their current Johne’s
A
management controls. The questionnaire results are entered by NML into the MyHealthyHerd web program where a report will be generated that clearly shows any risk areas for Johne’s entry and spread. The report highlights the areas of highest risk on the farm, allowing the vet and producer to target these areas for improved management. It also shows the likely outcome of the current management plan,
in bar-chart format, by predicting the herd’s future Johne’s disease prevalence.
Charted If current management is not robust then the prevalence chart will show an increase over time, but for farms with excellent protocols it will project a decrease in the prevalence over time. The tool is available free of charge to NML’s HerdWise customers who
are already testing the Johne’s status of their herds through their milk recording sample, although non-HerdWise customers can use the tool for a £30 stand-alone fee (plus charges from their vet). Because the report also fulfils the remit of the National Johne’s Management Plan, it is also expected to be picked up and used by some milk buyers. rStand BM282
Tip-over drinking bowl for ease of cleaning
JPlastic manufacturer, JFC, has launched a 3.5litre drinking bowl which empties on the press of a button and swings back into position ready to refill.
Pressure Said to remove the unpopular chore of cleaning troughs, the DBL9 Dumpy Tip-Over Drinker refills in 20 seconds with three bars of water pressure. Another key feature of the drinker is that the
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float valve is housed in a separate capsule and mounted on to the integrated frame, protecting it from knocks and reducing the amount of adjustment required over time. The bowl is available through agricultural merchants at £139. rStand LE536
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HEALTH & NUTRITION LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
New hygiene standard in calf feeding station erman manufacturer Holme and Laue is claiming ‘a new standard for feeding calves’ with the introduction of its hygiene station, an add-on component to its existing H&L100 automatic calf feeder.
G
Features Features of the hygiene station include the automatic flushing of the entire
milk pipeline, including the teat, between every feed, with a mucus bowl beneath the teat to catch saliva, washing water and surplus milk rejected by the calf. In addition, the facility can be tipped forwards at 90 degrees to allow for tractor cleaning under the unit. The hygiene station also includes an LED light to illuminate the teat. This is claimed to increase milk intake at night and to improve calmness during
the day as feeding is more evenly distributed over 24 hours.
Angle The teat’s downward slanting angle at 45-degrees is also designed to encourage the natural reflex of the oesophageal groove and reduce the risk of milk passing into the rumen. In addition to the high pressure wash at 65degC between each calf’s visit, the station carries out a wash with chemicals twice a day.
As an add-on to the H&L100, it also features individual mixing for each calf with no temporary milk storage, a peristaltic pump which delivers a small amount of milk to the teat end as a training tool, and an anti-pirate valve to prevent the wrong calf drinking the milk mixed for another. The hygiene station costs €1250 as an add-on to the H&L100, at €5400, which takes up to four stations. rStand HS595
JULY 2016
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW HEALTH & NUTRITION
Calf kit makes storage and feeding of colostrum easier
new colostrum management system has been launched by Pyon, the company which introduced the prize-winning Heatwave Milk Warmer at last year’s event. Developed by husband and wife team, Alan and Gill Dickson – who have been in the business of calf rearing for 25 years – the new product, branded
A
Store & Thaw, comprises two parts. The first is for the collection and storage of colostrum, and the other focuses on thaws and feeds it.
Colostrometer The system includes a colostrometer which gives a red, amber or green indicator of colostrum quality; a pack of heavyduty transparent screw top bags which can be reused if cleaned with peracetic
acid or hypochlorite; a water bath with tap and insulated lid; and a thermostatically controlled water heater and circulator. Designed to make collecting and storage quick and easy, and equally so for thawing to the optimum 39 degrees centigrade in 15 minutes, the system is set
up to have everything in place for the rapid feeding of colostrum to new born calves at day or night. Store & Thaw will be distributed through agricultural merchants at around £3000, although the storage and thawing components can each be bought separately. rStand HS96
First in-line CMT launched
JLIC Automation has launched what the company believes to be the first in-line California Milk Test which produces a result within two minutes of the cow starting milking. Requiring no intervention from the farmer, CellSense measures the DNA released from the somatic cells in milk to give a reliable reading of cell count. Easily interpreted with red, amber and green
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lights, the system has an integrated wash function which allows self cleaning during the routine milking system wash. Because the sensor operates at every milking, it is only required to be installed on every second or third unit, which should ensure every cow in the herd is tested around once a week. The system costs £1500 per unit. rStand GE32
JULY 2016
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HEALTH & NUTRITION LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
On the spot SCC readings by lab-quality equipment
omatic cell counting technology said to be ‘laboratory standard’ has been introduced for onfarm use where it gives a reading in 25 seconds. The Lactoscan Somatic Cell Counter comprises a high end fluorescent microscope which interprets a milk sample from any quarter of the cow and expresses the result in a green, amber or red format to indicate whether the cow is healthy or has sub-clinical or clinical mastitis. Also able to give a precise reading
S
of cell counts, the system allows any sample to be retested with a 60-second test to give an exact SCC figure. Marketed in the UK by Calibre Control, a company involved in a cross-section of tests including antibiotic residues and mycotoxins in
grain, the system is manufactured in Bulgaria and is in use across farms in Eastern Europe. Available for farmers to buy at around £2000 or to rent at £15/week, each test (quarter) costs 50p to run. rStand MK428
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JULY 2016
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW HEALTH & NUTRITION
Two-step approach to lameness control wo new foot-bathing products have been developed by Kilco which are said to have the potential to replace formaldehyde and copper sulphate for foot health management.
or for treating increased levels of lameness, respectively. Farmalin Maintenance is said to condition the skin and hoof and increase foot health over time, while Farmalin Intense is designed to kill the bacteria behind infectious lameness.
T
Toxic The company says formaldehyde – which has
long since been flagged as toxic, carcinogenic and
expected to be banned – is ineffective as a disinfectant for short-contact footbathing, while copper sulphate does not break down well in the environment and can contaminate pasture. Its newly-launched products – Farmalin Maintenance and Farmalin Intense – have been designed for regular use
Minimal risk By using the two-step programme, Kilco says farmers can effectively manage infectious causes of lameness with minimal risk to the staff and environment. Available through agricultural merchants, the two products together cost about £15 to treat 200 cows. rStand AH168
Concentrated teat dip to save
JA teat dip system supplied in a concentrate form, and said to cut packaging by 75%, has been launched by G Shepherd Animal Health. Containing a disinfectant based on chlorine dioxide, which has only recently become available in a ready-mixed, stable form, it
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is combined with teat conditioners, an exfoliant and dye. Called infection control on demand (iCOD), the system is supplied as a unit which only needs linking with a mains water source and piping to the parlour. The unit will dilute and mix the concentrates to produce
JULY 2016
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HEALTH & NUTRITION LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
Automatic teat sprayer for rotary parlour
JHoofcount, a company better known for foot-bathing technology, has launched an automatic teat sprayer for use in rotary parlours. Comprising an arm on a compressed air ram, the sprayer detects the position of the rotary bail, senses whether a cow is in the stall and then extends the sprayer under the udder. With an adjustable length of reach, the arm begins spraying as it is travelling, so minimising both the time and amount of teat dip product used to spray. Suitable for spraying both pre- and post-milking, the product is designed to use as little as 15-18ml per cow per spray, which is said to give effective coverage. Savings in both teat dip and labour are such that the company says the sprayer can pay for itself in one to six months. The sprayer is selflubricating and self-cleaning. For an introductory period, the Hoofcount automatic sprayer is available for £5000 plus VAT, including installation. rStand LE555
ave packaging costs solutions for pre- and post-dipping and cluster flushing. The dosing equipment specification and cost varies from farm to farm but approximate costs are £275 per 1000 litres for pre-dipping, £360 per 1000 litres for post-dipping, and £25 per 1000 litres for using as a cluster flush. This is said to be substantially less than conventional products. rStand AH170
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JULY 2016
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MACHINERY Although money is tight in the dairy sector, those looking for some replacement kit will not be disappointed. James Rickard and Ann Hardy put a rule over some of the livestock machinery.
Plenty of kit to cast eye over in machinery lines
JCB goes compact with its latest range JAs well as its latest range of premium Loadalls, the AgriPro machines with DualTech transmission, JCB will also be showcasing its new compact model, the 525-60. Replacing the estsblished 524-50 and 527-55 rear-
58
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engine machines, the new addition gets a more loadall-like layout with the engine positioned to one side, coupled with a low boom pivot for improved rear three-quarters visibility. Designed to work in small buildings and traditional
yards, it measures just 1.95m to the top of the cab and is 1.8m wide. Maximum lift capacity is 2.5 tonnes and maximum lift height 6m. A two-stage hydrostatic transmission provides working and travel speed
ranges up to 30kph, while its Varispeed option allows a fixed forward speed to be set regardless of engine revs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ideal for operating hydraulically-driven attachments such as a rotary yard brush or auger feeding bucket, says the firm.
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MACHINERY LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
New fore-end loader from Deere
JJohn Deere is to show a new premium specification fore-end loader for its Stage 4 tractors, which will also be compatible with older Stage 3a and 3b tractors. The loaders will replace the existing H series, with the addition of a new midrange model. Adopting the styling of the 6R and 6M Stage 4 tractors, the loaders feature curved booms for improved visibility and are designed to cope with full front axle oscillation, tight steering
angles and the larger tyres now used on these tractors. An increased roll back angle gives extra lift capacity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; up to 2538kg on the top of the range 683R, designed to lift to 4.5m when fitted to large frame 6M/6R tractors. Mounting frames New mounting frames incorporate an automatic mast latch which allows the loader to connect to the tractor without locating pins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the operator simply
has to attach the hydraulic quick coupler. Implements are also attached without crowding, as a lever on the frame activates the pin when the loader connects with it. The loaders also incorporate self-locating parking stands which adapt
their angle to the ground conditions, and can be specified as non-self levelling, mechanical or hydraulic self-levelling. Return to position is also available, storing preselected crowd and dump positions for up to four implements.
Revamped spreaders from Shelbourne Reynolds JShelbourne Reynolds has revised its Powerspread side-discharge muck spreader line for 2016, to create the Powerspread Pro. Now shod with 620/75 R26 radial tyres, the new machines feature a body which sits slightly lower on the chassis for improved ride and handling, says the manufacturer.
Available in 7250 to 14,500 litre volume sizes, the machines incorporate new extension top designs for improved loading, and are now equipped with a larger door ram, stiffer door and new door seal. Rotor bearings have been beefed up too and LED lights enhance visibility. Air brakes are an option.
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MACHINERY
Schaffer to show new compact loader JWith an operating weight of three tonnes, Schaffer will be revealing its latest compact telescopic handler cum wheeled loader at the event. The 2345T features a lift capacity of 1900kg and a maximum lift height of 3750mm. Power comes from a four-cylinder Kubota engine producing 45hp. Channelling power to the wheels is a two-range hydrostatic transmission capable of a top speed of
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20kph. As an option, a ‘rapid’ version can be specified, offering 28kph.
Working height Its compact credentials include an overall working height of 2110mm with cab or 2215mm with protection frame, and a turning radius of 950mm to the inside of the machine. Other standard features include a 42l/min hydraulic pump, hydraulic parallel linkage, hydraulic carriage locking and maintenancefree multi-disc brakes.
High capacity slurry pump from Hi-Spec Engineering JHi-Spec Engineering will be using this year’s Livestock Event to launch its new HS385 high capacity slurry pump. Unlike its existing lower capacity, three-point mounted HS450 pump, the HS385 is a new design which is two-point lower linkage mounted and is hydraulically raised and lowered into the tank. The HS385 pump is aimed at contractors and larger livestock farmers, says the manufacturer, and is designed for use with tractors of at least 110hp. Pump output is about 17,000 litres per minute (3800 gallons per minute). Based around a heavy duty support frame, it
incorporates a safety platform to fully cover the tank when lowered in the working position. The design is such that unlike some two-point pumps, even when raising and lowering the HS385, there is no need to remove the PTO shaft, says the manufacturer. The HS385 is fully galvanised as standard and fitted with a quick change top fill outlet. Its spout is adjustable over a wide arc during agitation and mixing. As an option, the HS385 can also be specified with a hydraulic extension function which allows the working depth to be set from the tractor seat.
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MACHINERY LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
Massey Ferguson to show 5700 SL tractor series JReplacing the popular 5600 Series, Massey Ferguson will be showcasing its new 5700 SL tractor series. Ranging from 100hp130hp, the series comprises four models, all of which feature a 2.55m wheelbase and base weight of 4.8t. Power comes from the 4.4 litre, four cylinder Agco Power engines featuring the firm’s ‘All in One’, maintenance free, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with diesel oxidisation catalyser (DOC) clean-up system, meeting Stage 4 emissions requirements.
DF_07_P61.pdf 1
The tractors include a choice of the firm’s Dyna-4 or Dyna-6 transmissions, with brake to neutral function whereby the clutch is automatically disengaged when the brakes are applied. A front axle suspension option is also available. The tractors also benefit from the same cab comfort as larger models, while offering extra visibility across a sloping bonnet. A new ‘speedsteer’ option makes it possible to vary the number of steering wheel revolutions needed to turn the wheels from lock-to-lock –
reducing effort during loader operations or headland turns, for example.
All MF 5700 SL series tractors can be ‘loader ready’ straight from the factory.
JLIC Automation has launched a drafter for either herringbone or rotary parlours which is able to schedule drafts from any location and is loaded when
within wireless range of the parlour from a smartphone app. The system also has the ability to report on missing cows live in the shed. The price is £14,000.
Smartphone drafter launched
03/06/2016 09:03
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MACHINERY
Better feed distribution with V-shaped pusher
BvL adds new diet feeder model
JExtending its diet feeder range, BvL has added a new model between its VMix 20 2S and the V-Mix 24 2S machines in the form of the V-Mix 22 2S. With a capacity of 21.8cu m (9240kg), it is aimed at farms with herd sizes of about 140 to 160 cows, says the manufacturer. The twin, vertical auger machine can be specified with various door and discharge configurations, including front or rear conveyors. Standard
features include a front viewing window, 8mm hopper walls and 20mm floor. A reduction gearbox can be specified, which reduces minimum power requirement from 113hp to 88hp – recommended for this size of machine, says the manufacturer. In addition, the firm hints at developments on the combined mixer wagon/straw bedder front – expect a launch at the German Eurotier in November.
JA V-shaped feed pusher has been launched by Kitt Ltd which will push feed along a fence in either direction. This is said to overcome the problem of accumulating feed at the end of the passage while leaving cows at the other end missing out, which tends to happen with a single bladed pusher. As well as pushing feed
the f o rt 00! a p Be ST 1 ranty FIRear war
towards the cows, the V Plough (or Mensch m920v Dual Blade Feed Alley Scraper) also lifts and rolls the feed, which is said to reduce heat build-up in its base. Manufactured from recycled plastic, the blades are said to be quiet, gentle and replaceable. The V Plough is priced at £1995 plus VAT.
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW
New injector improves disinfection and helps economise on dip use JADF has patented a new injector for use with its Automatic Dipping and Flushing system. This is claimed to give better and more targeted coverage of the teat with post-milking dip, and to spray the liner after milking with more accuracy, leading to more effective disinfection between milkings. A reduction in product use of 20% is also claimed with the system. The injector can be retrofitted to all ADF units with some alteration of the programme, and is also an optional feature of new ADF liners. The linersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cost will be about 5% more than those without the injector. The injector works
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through the movement of a stainless steel ball which makes use of gravity to change its position and obscure one of two outlets in the injector. While the unit is attached to the cow, it angles the dip uphill, so giving coverage to the top of the teat. But when the unit is removed from the cow and the teat cups inverted, the sanitiser is sprayed out of the lower injector outlet and directed uphill, into the body of the liner.
Hammer grinder gives high throughput JA grain grinder from Rotogrind has been launched by Enegis which is said to achieve a far greater throughput of cereals than any of its close competitors. Also said to be suited to grinding peas and beans, the GG-7 and GG-10 grain grinders have a simple method of operation based
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JULY 2016 DF_07_P63.pdf 1
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63
ENGINEERING
More ways to add more productivity
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03/06/2016 10:47
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW MACHINERY
Better mixing and discharge from new diet feeder JTrioliet has launched the Solomix 2 VLL New Edition diet feeder which includes a number of design features which the company says make the feeder better at mixing, quicker and more efficient to discharge, as well as more compact to give access into tighter spaces. Available in a range from 12 to 20 cubic metres, the new features of the vertical mixer wagon include a large discharge door, said to be bigger than any other machine’s on the market, a rounded-off opening which stops forage being trapped, and a completely new tub design featuring more heavy duty augers. Inserts are pressed rather than welded into the machine for better durability and their
offset design helps improve the mixing performance and time. The wheels of the new wagon are built into the chassis and the side of the tub, which allows the overall
height of the machine to be reduced by about 45cm to give easier loading. The various sizes of the feeder cost from around £26,000 to £38,800, depending on the choice of
conveyor which could be a cross-mounted conveyor belt, a cross chain, a curved chain, or a chain conveyor with height adjustable chain extensions. Bespoke models are also available.
as a smart phone, although it has been designed to operate through gloves. It can be accessed remotely through a smart phone.
The price per unit is from £600 to £800 depending on whether it is retro-fitted or part of a new parlour.
Cow data now at your fingertips JDairymaster has launched a touchpad, the Swiftflo Commander, for use at each milking station which gives a complete picture of each cow as she comes in to be milked. Offering audible as well as visual signals, the touchpad provides a range of information from milk yield, milking time and somatic cell count to measures of reproduction, health and system para-
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meters such as pulsation and disinfection. It will also prompt the farmer to do a California Milk Test, to divert colostrum, or to withdraw milk from medicated cows. Full system diagnostics are given in less than 10 seconds, and the system can also be programmed to give customised messages. The touchpad is based on the same touch technology
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 09:03
WIN A RE RATU E P M TE ING R O T I MON EMâ&#x20AC;¦ SYST
Marley Eternit WP.indd 1
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW FINANCE
As times get tougher, producers are increasingly turning to the banks to tide them through the current crisis. Peter Hollinshead talks to Oliver McEntyre, national agricultural strategy director at Barclays Bank, the principal sponsor of the Livestock Event, about how he sees things changing.
Borrowings ratchet up as producers feel pinch arm incomes have plummeted and agricultural borrowings are said to have doubled in the last 10 years – as one of the major high street lending banks how concerned are you about what can only be desribed as a crisis in agriculture? Obviously we are one of the first people to know when there are financial strains on a business, and it all comes down to communication between us and our customers. There are some real challenges out there for all sectors at the moment, not just dairying, but while we do have concerns we believe the long-term future for the industry is positive, but that’s not to underestimate what some individual farmers face at this time.
F
Alright, we’ll come onto those challenges in due course but, somewhat unusually, both horn and corn are down together so what is the extent of the
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industry’s bank borrowing at the moment? UK farming debt at the minute to all UK banks is sitting at about £17.5 billion which is an increase of about 7% year on year, so the industry is quite heavily borrowed, and set that against the credit balance of £6bn, then the industry is a net borrower to the tune of £11bn. However, across the industry the asset base is estimated at over £200bn on land and buildings, so as an industry it is quite lowly geared.
And, of course, that is one of the things that encourages you to lend money to agriculture, but do we know what Barclays’ exposure is to agriculture as a bank? In 2016 already, Peter, our lending is up on 2015. We’re seeing increases in debt across the sector as an average nationally at 7%, and our debt levels are increasing by 10-12% which demonstrates our support to the industry.
We are supporting a number of customers to invest in efficiencies to try to drop their cost of production Oliver McEntyre
“
Let’s move on to the dairy sector specifically. How many people have you had coming to you over the last year, say, desperately looking for help to keep them afloat through these critical times and, just as crucially, what do you say to them? We talk through the options with them and their future goals. We have seen an increase in our dairy customers needing assistance and guidance from the bank, and there are plenty of things we can do to help them through capital repayment holidays on
mortgages and loans and increasing working capital. Can you give me some estimate of the increase in terms of actual dairy farmers coming to you wanting help? We have seen overdraft – working capital – lending increase by 10% across the agricultural sector and for the dairy sector that figure is nearer a 20% increase for working capital facilities. By the same token, how many with loans outstanding have had difficulty servicing them? We see a number of very demanding cases at times and businesses which are under real pressure, but as always we sit down with our customers and their consultants and try and work our way through. Let’s look at it in more stark terms as ordinary people would. One measure would be how many forced sales and foreclosures have you had over the last year?
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FINANCE LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW Considering the pressure the industry has been under for the last two years, really our default level in the agricultural sector is extremely low, and part of the reason is because we look at things proactively with our farming customers and we try to find solutions before we get to that point. Even as a cold measure of the industry’s performance can you give me a figure of how many dairy farmers have come to you over the last year who are unable to see a viable future financially? You only have to look at the number of dispersal sales there are at the moment to see some people are taking that choice to exit the dairy sector. They have decided enough is enough with the low milk price and they are not prepared to carry on making losses. But can you give me a rough figure for those people who don’t see a viable future in dairying when they have a loan to service with you? No, Peter, it’s market sensitive. Ok, let’s look at the two sorts of borrowing – first the shortfall in working capital where the milk cheque is insufficient to service incoming bills – is
this the most common scenario and what view do you take here bearing in mind milk prices don’t look like improving much in the near future? You are right, Peter, this is the most common scenario and it is also the first sign the business is under financial pressure. What we tend to do is increase the working capital for a period of time to give the farmer and perhaps his consultant time to assess the business to see where any savings can be made, to cut costs and make the decision on how they want to go ahead for the future.
it… what does it cost to increase overdraft? It depends on risk factors such as management ability and past performance, and a whole range of factors as any lending organisation would take into account when lending money.
Yes, it is that period of time that is crucial which would beg the question as to when you see prices improving, if at all, as I presume if they are not making a living now and prices don’t improve much the prospects are not very good? It comes down to the objective of each individual business – there are businesses that are cash negative each month and if they want to stay in business and weather this storm and have a viable, longterm business plan we will support them through that.
Good. Then there’s the other borrowing element for investment… this presumably has slumped has it not? We have seen a bit of a drop off… the industry is tremen-
Yes, but you still haven’t given me a figure there have you? There’s a broad range, but I suppose at the lower end of the market you could be seeing 2.5-3% over base. So that is 3-3.5%, is it? Yes.
dously driven by confidence so it is only natural we would see some people being a little more cautious at the moment. However, we are supporting a number of customers to invest in efficiencies to try to drop their cost of production to make them more viable in the longer term. You say dropped off… just give me a measure if you would of that decline over the last year of people coming forward for an investment loan… has it halved? No, it hasn’t halved. Can you give me a figure? I can’t give you a figure specific to investment… except as I say our debt levels to agriculture are actually up between 10-12% and the national year-onyear figure if 7%. What about those already borrowed at
And presumably most of that working capital extension is through increasing their overdraft, isn’t
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LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW FINANCE say 8% – a loan here of say £1m would require £80,000 pa on interest alone without any capital repayment – that’s around £1500 a week which will take a heck of a lot of finding for most people in the current climate, would it not? You are quite right that the money is going to take some finding. However, whenever we lend we stress test it against things such as movements in feed price and movements in milk price, and, as a responsible lender, we only lend money where we can see serviceability and viability in the long term. That assumes your calculations are spot on and had allowed for the dramatic drop in milk price we are currently seeing?
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DAIRY FARMER
Nobody can get everything right all of the time, and as for the dramatic drop in the milk price I don’t think anyone saw it coming. Incidentally, in relation to this what is your prediction on milk prices rising... and I should gently remind you that you told me that last autumn would be the turning point when we met before? Thank you for reminding me, Peter. I think there were a lot of people who thought autumn would be the turning point. I think we are going to see a flat market and then when we get to the tail end of the year we may see increases in the market. And you say you are happy to lend to milk producers for investment purposes, is that because you have half a hand
on the deeds of the farm? We lend money against serviceability not against security, so it would be extremely irresponsible of us to go out and lend say 60-70% of the value of someone’s farm without us being able to demonstrate they can pay us back in a fair and equal market. Yes, but if your serviceability sums, almost by happenstance, are proved to be wrong, then your fall back situation is that you often have that security of farm deeds behind you? That is correct but it is no different than any other mortgage, whether it be business or personal. Yes, but I suppose what I am saying is your lending to the dairy industry in particular is perhaps not as risky as it might be owing to the better security you get from farm properties vis a vis what you might get lending to other industries? You are quite right, the quality of the security we have in the agricultural sector gives us a great deal of confidence but that is reflected in the risk margins and fees the sector as a whole pays, and as a group these tend to be the lowest of any industry sector in the UK.
We are seeing several big herds being dispersed, presumably because of the squeeze, and cow prices seem to be holding up with these cows presumably going to those on better contracts. Are you seeing a two-tier industry in your dealings? There is such a huge range of milk contracts and there are people on far higher prices, and you can only assume that those people investing in more cows have the milk contract which allows them to increase production without penalty and can clearly make a profit, or have a business plan that shows increasing numbers will drop their cost of production. When you make any commitments now, what sort of milk prices are you building into your feasibility studies? It’s very individual and depends what contract each farm has. So as a general rule we will look at the figure they are on now and stress test it with a penny or two off and a penny or two increase, and we also do it for feed, interest rates and things like that. What percent of your borrowings would be on aligned contracts? As we have national coverage it would be in line with the figures you see
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 09:02
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FINANCE LIVESTOCK EVENT PREVIEW quoted in the press at between 10 to 20%. Let’s broaden it out if we may. In your view, what is the milk price producers will need to produce at in future to stay globally competitive? Every producer really needs to get their cost of production as low as they can, and that must be relentless and not when the market is down. Yes, but the question is what do you see producers need to produce at in the future to stay in the global market place, and secondly you talk of constantly bringing costs down, which is quite right, but what do you see them doing to bring costs down further? There are all sorts of things a business should be looking at and I am a huge believer in benchmarking, and sometimes it’s not about reducing costs but understanding why your
Every producer really needs to get their cost of production as low as they can Oliver McEntyre
try prices just because you are a big farmer.
“
costs are higher and knowing whether there is something you can do about it. In your meetings up and down the country, are you finding it is the smaller producers with say 100 cows that are feeling the worst of the draft, or the bigger 500-cow units with hired staff and little or no flexibility to mitigate their ongoing overheads? We are seeing it across the spectrum – we have people from 50, 60, 80 cows right up to those milking 500 and above. You are not insulated from cash flow pressure and tough indus-
What I suppose I was thinking was that the small family farm will have often taken on less debt in the first place and secondly cut their cost in terms of drawings from the farm to match their income? Yes, you are right, and family labour can often be key in helping profitability, and likewise the larger producer will have labour bills and additional costs, and some of our farmer customers who have really expanded in the last four to five years are seeing cash flow pressures. I note you have a new title, do you not, which is the national agricultural strategy director. Well done on that, but what is your strategy for going forwards? We have a mandate to lend more money to the agricultural sector in a re-
sponsible and considered way, either to support businesses through difficult times or to help farming businesses develop and become more efficient, and we are always looking for opportunities to do that. Right just finally, if I may… in any belt tightening activity promotional budgets are usually the first to suffer. We are seeing free entry to the Livestock Event this year which is an unusual move which I can only presume is to encourage visitors. Are you signed up to continue as major sponsor next year? I think the free entry is a great initiative. The profile we get from indicating our support for the sector is positive and we will sit down with the RABDF after the event, as we always do, and our marketing and sponsorship for 2017 will be decided in the autumn as it always is.
•M Many any varying varying o options ptions a available. vailable. arious ssizes izes to to suit suit different different situations. situations. •V Various £160.00 per per cow cow place. place. Simple kennels kennels for for small small cows cows from from £160.00 • Simple or large large herds herds £500.00 £500.00 per per cow cow place. place. • TThrough hrough tto o ffull ull h house ouse a and nd ffeed eed u units nits ffor
Tel: T el: 0 01772 1772 7 785252 85252
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DAIRY FARMER
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GOOD EVANS
GOOD Evans
Only way they paid rent was by catching rabbits This month Roger Evans reflects on the devastating effects of protracted low milk prices, and wonders with food prices low and electrical power in demand whether we won’t all be growing for the digester market shortly.
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ou, and certainly I, probably spend a lot of time wondering when this dairy farming recession will end. And when it does eventually end, where will we be as an industry, and more importantly what sort of state will our individual businesses be in. Because it is a recession we are in and its effects are there to see, all around us. I will always remember some of the things my wife’s father told me. He was a young man in the recession of the 20’s and 30’s. He told me that when he moved to the rented farm where he ended up, that at the same time he had the chance to take five other farms to rent and all of them were rent free for the first year. He told me it was quite common to go to Welshpool market in the spring to buy some beef weanlings, to keep them for two years, and then sell them on for less money. And that the only way it ‘worked’ (which is another way of saying how they survived) was by being almost entirely self-sufficient. Buying anything would have been with extreme caution. They grew their own power (horses), and the only way they could pay the rent was by catching rabbits. They are extreme examples of where we find ourselves today,
Y
but they are examples which indicate we are heading in that direction, and if we are to survive there is a lesson to be learned there and a philosophy that we may well have to adopt. Seven years ago I bought a Limousin bull from a friend and, although we’ve moved that bull on now, I’ve bought a 12 monthold replacement from the same man. I’ve bought a similar bull out of a similar cow for exactly the same money. This sounds ok, and it probably is for me, but it isn’t really is it? It’s no good for him. Years ago I used to go to a lot of farmer meetings and some of my journeys would take me into areas of the country which are best described as the south Midlands. Several times I met farmers who had the use of summer grazing off people who weren’t farmers but who had bought farms. They could have the grazing for free just as long as they kept it tidy and cut the hedges. That sort of thing was unheard of around here and I never ever thought we would see it. There’s too many sheep about for one thing. Around here you can get sheep in your fields even when you haven’t let any out. I haven’t been outside yet today but I know there’s probably sheep on one of my grass fields and sheep in my winter barley, and I haven’t got any sheep.
JULY 2016 03/06/2016 09:02
**DF July p70 71 Evans_Layout 1 02/06/2016 14:29 Page 2
GOOD EVANS
Just as soon as producing power becomes more profitable than livestock farming, that is where that food will go
“
Not far from here I know of three adjoining farms which have been bought by the same person apparently with money that didn’t come from agriculture, and they were not bought for farming reasons. Looks as if we are heading the south Midlands way. I drove past one farm yesterday and even at this stage of the year there is no stock in the fields. I fully expect that there will be sheep there before long, probably at the cost of cutting the thistles and keeping the hedges tidy! Auctioneers tell me letting grass keep has been very difficult this year and that they’ve not had bids on some land. But that’s on land that is only for grazing. Arable lets are still making good money. However it’s not farming, at any rate not proper farming, that is driving arable rents up. The demand is driven by the need to feed digesters. I’ve been saying for years now that anything that could be fed to livestock could also be used to produce power, and just as soon as producing power becomes more profitable than livestock farming, that is where that food will go. And that is where it is going and
that is why we are seeing, around here, a two-tier value for land. Land that is only suitable for grazing and land that you can plough. I sold some calves yesterday. We have started to specialise in producing strong calves which will drink high cell count milk. Calves remain a good trade. Yet everywhere I read about impending trade agreements that will see more beef imported from North and South America. When all that starts, and it is only starting because politicians think that the beef it brings will be cheaper, what will that do to the value of calves? And there are things going on with beef production in America, things like the use of growth hormones and animal welfare, that will only hasten people down the vegetarian route. It’s not for me to depress you with all this talk of recession. I’ve always tried to tell it as it is, or how I see it. Dairy farming is fine, you grow your crops and tend to your livestock as best you can. You enjoy that, you always have. Just don’t open any post and don’t answer the telephone!
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DAIRY FARMER
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DAIRY FARMER
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72 DF_07_P72.pdf 1
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JULY 2016
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DF_07_P73_DF_01_P53 03/06/2016 16:24 Page 22
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JULY 2016
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**DF Jul p74 75 76 Milk Prices_Layout 1 03/06/2016 14:25 Page 1
MILK PRICES
MILK prices
Arla set to cut 1ppl from June
JDespite the positive omens, some prices are still not out of the woods and we may yet experience further decreases, especially those that may not have reduced in May or June. Reflecting the broader picture across Europe, Arla Foods has reduced its on account price by a further 1.3 euro cents per kg from Jun’16. The company says the market continues to be impacted by the global imbalance between milk supply and demand, adding that recent data suggests the global growth in milk production is levelling off, which may lead to volumes
stabilising later in the year but that it is too early to predict whether this trend will continue over the coming months. This latest decrease takes our UK Arla Farmers liquid standard litre* down from 20.12ppl to 19.12ppl, this price includes the company’s forecast 13th payment currently at 0.73ppl and unchanged from Feb’16. Our manufacturing standard litre* decreases from 20.90ppl to 19.86ppl. This takes the company’s total price reduction for 2016 to 3.92ppl and 13ppl (40.4%) down since the first price reduction taken from Mar’14.
JFurther indication of the changing sentiment is that mozzarella maker, Glanbia Cheese, LLangefni, has decided to reduce the level of its initial May’16 price cut by 0.5ppl from 2ppl to 1.5ppl. This takes our manufacturing standard litre up from 16.04ppl to 16.54ppl. The company has decided
to cap seasonality deductions at a maximum of 4.2ppl and not at 6.3ppl. Any differences between the 4.2ppl cap and what was deducted above in April will be reimbursed in the May payment. Seasonality premiums in October, November, December 2016 and January 2017 will remain at the current maximum of 6.3ppl.
Glanbia Cheese eases price cut
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**DF Jul p74 75 76 Milk Prices_Layout 1 03/06/2016 12:59 Page 2
Milk price analyst Stephen Bradley on the latest milk industry developments.
News in brief... More price cuts Muller retail JSuppliers on Muller Direct Milk contracts to Waitrose have had their price reduced by 0.67ppl. Following the 0.43ppl cut from April this takes the price down by 1.1ppl for 2016 to date while taking our Liquid standard litre down to 30.88ppl. Since the start of 2014 the milk price has now reduced by a total of 4.68ppl or just 13.1% from its high of 35.56ppl. Crediton Dairy is reducing its milk price by 1ppl. In addition, the b/f adjustment, +/- the 4% b/f base, is to reduce from 2p per % to 1.5p per % although this will have no material impact on our liquid standard litre price. The decrease follows the 1ppl reduction from Apr’16 and takes our liquid standard litre down from 23.36ppl to 22.36ppl.
*Our Liquid standard litre is 4%b/f & 3.3% protein, and our Manufacturing 4.2%b/f & 3.4% protein. In both cases this is for Bactoscans of 30,000/ml & SCCs of 200,000/ml, 1mltrs/yr on EODC but before B pricing, balancing, seasonality, monthly profile payments, capital deductions or annual/part annual growth incentive schemes not directly linked to market price moves.
supplement
JMuller has confirmed its monthly retail supplementary payment for April is 2.451ppl. Paid to suppliers of both the Muller Milk Group and Muller Direct Milk supplying on non-aligned milk contracts (also excluding MDM Liquid Formula and Simplified contract volumes), this is an increase of 0.406ppl on the March payment. Currently this additional payment represents an increasing percentage of the milk price at circa 12.5%.
United Dairy Farmers down
JHaving held its milk price since Dec’15, United Dairy Farmers has reduced its Dale Farm base price by a penny from Mar’16. The reduction takes the base price down to 17.2ppl and our Liquid standard litre to 17.74ppl. United’s Dale Farm (Kendal) price for Mar’16 remains unchanged from its Feb’16 penny reduction at 22.14ppl.
JULY 2016 DF_07_P75.pdf 1
DAIRY FARMER
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MILK PRICES Latest milk prices from LIQUID PRICES (4% b/f & 3.3% prot) Müller Milk Group – Booths Müller Direct Milk – M&S ∞ Müller Direct Milk – Waitrose ∞ Müller Milk Group – Tesco Müller Milk Group – Sainsbury's Müller Direct Milk – Sainsbury's Arla Foods – Sainsbury's Arla Foods – Tesco Müller Milk Group – The Co-op Dairy Group Müller Direct Milk – Liquid Formula ∞ Müller Direct Milk – Formula Simplified Liquid Crediton Dairy Blackmore Vale Farm Cream UK Arla Farmers – Tesco Yew Tree Dairy Grahams Dairies UK Arla Farmers – Liquid Dale Farm GB (Kendal) MWD – Standard Freshways Pensworth Dairy Müller Direct Milk – Standard Liquid ∞ Paynes Farms Dairies Meadow Foods Meadow Foods Lakes Dale Farm NI ≠ First Milk – Northern England Balancing First Milk – Scottish Mainland Balancing First Milk – Midlands & East Wales Balancing Simple Average Simple Average (excl. retail contracts) Parkham Farms D.C – Davidstow ∞ Wensleydale Dairy Products UK Arla Farmers – Manufacturing Barber A.J & R.G Belton Cheese Wyke Farms The Fresh Milk Company – Level Profile ‡ South Caernarfon Glanbia – Llangefni (Constituent) The Fresh Milk Company (Lactalis) First Milk – Haverfordwest Arla Foods – Direct Manufacturing First Milk – Lake District Solids MWD – AMPE/MCVE Formula Simple Average 'B' Price Indicators FCStone/Milkprices.com UKMFE (gross) FCStone/Milkprices.com UKMFE (net) Delivered spot milk (net to the producer)
Feb'16 4.0/3.3 Before Seas'lty
Mar'16 4.0/3.3 Before Seas'lty
12mth Ave Apr'15 Mar'16
Diff Mar'16 v Feb'16
Latest Confirmed Milk Price
(i) 32.00 31.33 31.98 30.58 30.37 30.31 30.25 30.33 27.43 25.41 25.33 24.36 24.00 23.23 23.75 22.25 21.81 22.14 21.35 22.05 21.40 20.69 20.20 19.00 19.00 18.74 18.12 17.93 17.28 24.23 21.31
(ii) 32.00 31.33 31.98 30.58 30.37 30.31 30.25 30.33 27.43 25.21 25.14 24.36 23.00 23.23 22.25 22.25 21.81 22.14 21.35 21.12 20.65 20.69 20.20 19.00 19.00 17.74 17.52 17.51 17.28 24.00 20.96
(iii) 33.13 32.42 32.14 30.87 30.76 30.70 30.64 30.62 28.31 27.20 27.13 25.44 24.50 24.45 24.00 23.88 23.49 23.33 22.85 22.84 22.11 22.10 21.58 19.92 19.92 19.58 19.04 18.92 18.42 25.18 22.43
(i) v (ii) N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C -0.20 -0.20 N/C -1.00 N/C -1.50 N/C N/C N/C N/C -0.93 -0.75 N/C N/C N/C N/C -1.00 -0.60 -0.42 N/C
(iv) 32.00 30.47 30.88 28.69 29.98 29.92 29.86 28.44 25.94 24.54 24.47 22.36 21.75 20.54 20.00 20.50 19.12 22.14 18.66 19.07 18.65 18.00 18.20 17.00 17.00 N/C 16.14 16.22 15.66
32.15 25.38 24.74 24.40 24.27 23.72 23.33 22.78 22.32 22.27 22.21 21.54 21.28 20.08 19.53 23.33
N/C -1.60 N/C N/C N/C -1.00 N/C N/C -1.00 -1.30 N/C -0.97 -3.37 -0.62 N/C
29.88 21.72 22.07 19.86 20.92 19.75 19.96 17.63 17.03 16.54 17.06 19.78 15.72 16.95 17.97
17.11 14.26 14.45
16.39 13.57 14.06
17.31 14.44
-0.72 -0.69 -0.39
31.85 24.32 23.07 22.65 21.95 22.75 21.77 21.78 20.03 20.34 21.21 22.58 20.03 18.83 17.97 22.07
31.85 22.72 23.07 22.65 21.95 21.75 21.77 21.78 19.03 19.04 21.21 21.61 16.65 18.21 17.97 21.42
Notes to table Prices for both Liquid & Manufacturing tables paid for a producer sending 1mltrs/yr on EODC with Bactoscans of 30,000/ml and SCCs of 200,000/ml. Prices exclude capital retentions or AHDB levies, seasonality, B prices and balancing schemes. Excludes annual/part annual growth incentive schemes not directly linked to dairy market price movement. Liquid price for milk containing 4% b/f and 3.3% protein. Manufacturing price for milk containing 4.2%/b/f and 3.4% prot. (i) Feb’16 prices before seasonality or B pricing. (ii) Mar’16 prices before seasonality or B pricing. (iii) Table ranked on simple rolling 12mth average of monthly prices before seasonality or B pricing. (i) v (ii) The difference Mar’16 compared with Feb’16. UK Arla Farmers prices include forecast 13th payment +0.73ppl for Mar’16. Müller Milk Group & Direct Milk standard prices quoted before monthly supplements for Mar'16 +2.045ppl. Grahams price before monthly supplement +1.69ppl for Mar'16. First Milk Haverfordwest includes Tesco Winter Cheese Premium of 3.65ppl for Mar'16. Fresh Milk Company price before Morrisons monthly cheese supplement +0.378ppl for Mar'16. ∞ Price includes 12mth rolling profile payment fixed at 1.15ppl. ∞^ Price before seasonality includes 12mth rolling profile payment fixed at 0.52ppl. ‡ Price includes 12mth average rolling profile fixed at 0.57ppl. Müller Direct Milk & Müller Milk Group Formula prices assume 100% of producer supply. UK Milk Futures Equivalent (UKMFE) net to producer includes 5% processor margin and allowing 2ppl ex-farm haulage + milk testing. Average delivered spot milk price net to producer allows an average 2.5ppl covering haulage from farm to customer + milk testing/admin and margin. Tesco milk prices include the 0.5ppl bonus for co-operation with Promar costings. (iv) Latest confirmed milk price (before seasonality or B pricing) at the time of going to press. First Milk Haverfordwest includes Tesco Cheese Premium (latest 2.7ppl for Apr'16). Tesco Promar 0.5ppl bonus for co-operating with costings disbanded from May’16 with Promar cost reinbursed directly to the producer. Milkprices.com cannot take any responsibility for losses arising. Copyright: Milkprices.com
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JULY 2016
03/06/2016 15:32
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THE NEW
01.07.16
Change is coming...
DF_07_IBC.pdf 1
03/06/2016 15:49
NO ONE WAS EXPECTING THIS Treating mastitis with Metacam® also improves fertility 1
We’ve come to expect therapeutic efficacy and productivity benefits from Metacam. What we didn’t expect, until recently, were fertility benefits too. A new large-scale (over 500 cows) landmark study found that adding Metacam to standard antibiotic therapy for mastitis is associated with a greater first-service conception rate, fewer inseminations required to conceive and a higher probability of pregnancy by 120 days post-calving compared with cows receiving antibiotic therapy alone1. Expectations of Metacam treatment are changing. Are yours? Ask your vet if treating mastitis with Metacam could work for you.
Reference 1. McDougall et al (2016) Addition of meloxicam to the treatment of clinical mastitis improves subsequent reproductive performance. J Dairy Sci 99(3): 2026-2042. Advice on the use of Metacam 20mg/ml solution for injection of cattle, pigs and horses or other therapies should be sought from your veterinary surgeon. Metacam contains meloxicam. UK: POM-V IE: POM. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Vetmedica, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK. Email: vetmedica.uk@boehringer-ingelheim.com. Date of preparation: Dec 2015. AHD8671. Use Medicines Responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible)
Boehringer Metacam WP.indd Metacam Cattle_farmer A4 SPS1and DPS.indd 3
02/06/2016 16:30 11:11 15/02/2016