DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:46Page1
Dairy Technology An essential guide
December 2015 A Dairy Farmer publication in association with:
Monitoring: Why should we measure?
6
Efficient KPIs for reproduction
10
Would automation suit your farm?
14
Genetics: Cow of the future
18
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:46Page2
Welcome
DAIRY: MEETING THE CHALLENGES
o t e d i u g l a i t n e s s e r u o ‘Y y g o ’ l o n h c e t y r i da
T
he writing has been on the wall for some time for UK dairy farmers who have the measure of what it means to take part in more global trade. And while some have briefly enjoyed the highs that have come through participating in world
markets, the lows have been the enduring feature which has dragged morale down.
Encouraging news has also come from the most recent AHDB Dairy Farmer Intentions Survey which shows while short-term
The analysis is that milk producers will have to live with
industry confidence has taken a knock, the percentage of
increasing volatility, which means hunkering down and
farmers leaving the industry has actually declined and long-term
producing milk with high levels of efficiency in both good times
confidence remains strong.
and bad. Those best placed to prosper will be those who ride
We hope you benefit from this Dairy Farmer guide to meeting
out the most straitened times and are ready to capitalise on
the challenges and that some of the technologies contained in
favourable market conditions the moment they arrive.
these pages inspire you to find a better way towards an efficient
Efficient operation will be increasingly important if farms are to
and prosperous dairy farming future.
prosper, with efficiencies coming through high standards of stockmanship, superb nutrition, good genetics and in many other guises. This guide looks at some of the technologies which can help introduce efficiencies, whether that is technology that increases reproductive performance or that which allows 3,000 cows to be milked with one person. We also talk to a leading professor of farm mechanisation who was instrumental in developing milking robots and ask him for his vision of the farm of the future. His answer may come as a surprise to those who feel the industry is polarising into either fully intensive or extensive systems, and may give heart to the backbone of UK farmers who continue to occupy the traditional middle ground.
A Dairy Farmer publication in association with: 2
DairyTechnology
Contents 3-4 e tur 6-7 of the fu e farm ? e th r u r s fo 8-9 ing e mea Prepar ould w h s y h ring: W 10-11 ncy Monito ction? d efficie u e d fe o r f p o r re logy 12-13 KPIs fo Techno fficient e e th are 14-17 Which ubb G y d n ? tudy: A 18-19 ur farm Case S suit yo n o ti a 20 autom Would e r tu fu the nett Cow of ve Ben dy: Ste tu S e s Ca
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:48Page3
Dairy Technology
SET FOR CHANGE
The successful farm of the future must embrace technology, according to Toby Mottram, professor of farm mechanisation at the Royal Agricultural University.
Preparing for the farm of the future
U
K dairy farming is set to change and the successful farm of the future
must embrace technology, according to Toby Mottram, Douglas Bomford Professor of Farm Mechanisation at the Royal Agricultural University. Driving the change, Prof Mottram believes, is the need for UK farms to successfully adopt the traditional middle ground, effectively combining both grazing and housing in a way which is acceptable to the farmer, the milk markets and the consumer. It is a commonly held belief UK farming is diverging into two directions – the high-input, high-production, fully housed systems and low-input units with a heavy reliance on
Prof Mottram: Climate, geology – and political pressures – make the UK best suited to traditional farming methods.
grazing. But he says the reality is the UK’s climate and geology
better way of realising the dairy
systems is only going to build’.
– as well as political and
cow’s genetic potential and to
“There is also a compromise
“Prof Mike Wilkinson has shown dairy cows have a feed
consumer pressures – make
this end, he believes we must
on one of the Five Freedoms
conversion efficiency for
the country best suited to a
better utilise technology to
with intensive systems, which
human-consumable nutrient
more traditional way of farming
improve herd management in
is the cow’s ability to express
as good as, or better than,
which falls somewhere
the middle ground.
her natural behaviour,” he says.
poultry,” he says. However,
between the two extremes. Prof Mottram has personally
“Neither totally housed nor full
Furthermore, he believes
Prof Mottram recognises the
grazing systems are suitable
intensive systems must
industry should focus instead
played a pivotal role in the
for the UK so we have to find a
increasingly switch their focus
on using co-products, by-
development of milking robots
system that will better integrate
towards feeds which are
products and the types of
and famously believes the
grazing and robots,” he says.
unsuited to human
forage feeds the human
However, although he
consumption, despite the fact
cannot digest.
producing an annual yield of
says ‘there is no problem
cattle have been proven to be
20,000 litres.
with intensive done properly’,
capable of converting high-
farming he says grazing
Holstein cow is capable of
At the other extreme of
His latest mission is to help
he recognises ‘consumer
quality, human-consumable
systems are far from ideal and
the traditional UK farmer find a
pressure against intensive
feeds extremely efficiently.
are the subject of more
DairyTechnology
3
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:46Page4
Dairy Technology
SET FOR CHANGE
consumer complaints about
❛ ❛The greatest
cow welfare than any other system.
num complain ber of t animals i s is about n mud in winter
“The greatest number of complaints Defra receives is about animals in mud in the winter,” he says. “This not only compromises welfare but
Prof Mottram
extensive systems can also fall short on one of the Five Freedoms as the cow is likely to be hungry and exposed to disease risk for some or all of
“A robotic duster or shed
the time.”
cleaner is another product on
He adds: “Grazing systems
the wish-list because, although
cannot supply the continuous
nobody cleans their sheds
milk our markets demand and
now, they really ought to as
at the same time they wreck
every other food production
pasture, pollute water-courses
facility is kept clean,” he says.
and are inherently less
Prof Mottram says the icing
efficient.”
on the cake for the farm of the
With these drivers behind his
future will be the ‘internet of
campaign to improve the
things’ and believes this will
middle ground for farming, he
pull everything together.
says he will work to ensure the process has innovation in
“This is a network of software Professor Mottram believes grazing systems are far from ideal.
engineering firmly at its heart. “This could involve
and physical devices which will all talk together and cooperate
An alternative approach might
date have concentrated on
with each other,” he says. “The opportunities from it are
technology which predicts the
be to have ‘distributed’ robots
small, often 60-cow herds, but
quality of grazing and provides
which would move around the
now we need robotic milking
endless and could range from
buffer feeds that complement
farm and be delivered to the
on a far bigger scale,” he says.
the vet arriving on-farm with full
grass without suppressing
cow, reverting to a concept
appetite; or it could involve
from the 1920s, he says.
He alludes to the newly
details of an animal’s condition
launched rotary robots, the
to the precision application of
“Yes, the best ideas always
largest of which can milk a herd
manure, which will reduce
robotically milked cows better
come around again, but you’d
of 3,000-head up to three times
nitrate run-off, based on the
access to grazing,” he says.
need to look into hard roads for
a day.
knowledge of where cows have
technology which allows
“We need to look at geotextile
milk collection, planning, water
“This is exactly the
been grazing.
options which will reduce
course pollution, greenhouse
technology I’m talking about
poaching of pasture – not
gas emissions and all of the
and what we’ve waited 20
not be a hugely popular driver
across large areas but for land
issues associated with 21st
years to see.”
for farmers, but precision
close to buildings,” he says.
century farming,” he says.
“This would give animals the
farming can wipe 15% off
expand into many more routine
costs of production, so that is
benefit of going outside on to
technology must continue to
tasks, he says, ranging from
sure to appeal,” Prof Mottram
pasture which we know they
address is the issue of labour
mucking out and bedding up to
says.
enjoy and the consumer
shortage and here, too, he
pulling slurry off cubicle beds,
■ Prof Toby Mottram has
believes they enjoy – not
believes robots will play an
using a ‘lawnmower-sized
recently been awarded a Royal
forgetting of course the
important part.
version of a beach cleaning
Society of Edinburgh/BBSRC
machine’.
Enterprise Fellowship.
customer is always right.”
4
A further problem he says
The use of robots will also
“Reducing nitrate run-off may
“Those robots we have to
DairyTechnology
CogentWP_CogentWP19/11/201509:00Page1
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:49Page6
Dairy Technology
MONITORING
Technically efficient farms are those which measure and monitor. Undertaking this on an individual cow basis can not only help identify the best cows from which to breed, but also gives invaluable information with which to make management or nutritional change.
Monitoring: Why should we measure?
A
lthough no
modern computer mating
farm is likely to
program can help a herd
monitor every
develop its ideal type of cow
parameter we
and avoid inbreeding into the
have listed, it is
bargain.
worth picking those which are
Infectious disease: Milk
relevant to a farm and using
tests can be used to detect
them really well. We look
many infectious diseases
through some of the measures
including BVD, Johne’s, IBR
on offer, ranging from the tried,
and leptospirosis. And there is
tested and trusted to those at
even a milk antibody test for
the cutting edge.
TB under development so it
Individual milk fats and
may not be long before we can
proteins: As more milk
test for this too. Many of these
contracts become constituent-
infectious diseases manifest
based, knowing which
themselves by undermining the
individuals are pulling a herd
immune system, so there’s a
down with poor components
strong correlation between
has become more important
infectious diseases, mastitis
than ever. Similarly, breeding
and lameness. If you are
from the best fat and protein
measuring cell counts without
improvers will have long-term
An imbalance in the fat-to-protein ratio could be an indicator of
testing for infectious diseases
and cumulative benefits.
ketosis or acidosis.
you may be tackling the
Milk fat to protein ratio: An
symptoms but not addressing
imbalance in the fat-to-protein
obvious reason for measuring
is under pressure to use
ratio could be an indicator of
individual animal somatic cell
antibiotics more responsibly,
the cause.
ketosis or acidosis. High fat
counts is to identify and treat
particularly for dry cow therapy.
cow activity using modern
Cow activity: Measuring
relative to protein suggests
the animals which could be
Without routine SCC data for
accelerometer technology not
negative energy balance and
dragging a herd down and out
every animal, it is not possible
only gives a very accurate
ketosis may be a problem but
of a bonus payment band. But
to take this selective therapy
indication of heat activity, but
when protein is high in relation
high SCCs also have a
approach safely.
can also be used to detect
to fat, there is a chance of
significant effect on milk
acidosis.
production, pulling yields down
Measuring a cow’s
and restlessness. This
at even moderately high levels
conformation is perhaps the
promotes better heat detection
can be used to help identify
and by as much as 29% when
oldest technique in the book,
and more precise and reliable
whether feed protein supply is
they reach 1.5 million cells/ml.
but continues to be done for
insemination times than if left
good reason. An expert opinion
to the human eye, and can also
Milk urea: Milk tests for urea
in balance. However, it should
Cow conformation:
Monitoring each animal’s
rumination, feeding, lying times
not be used in isolation or
SCC regularly has always been
from outside the farm can
provide an early indicator of
interpreted without evaluating
important in mastitis
guide a herd’s breeding
poor health.
overall feeding management.
management, but has become
programme in the right
Somatic cell count: The
even more so now the industry
direction, while adding a
6
DairyTechnology
Conductivity: Measuring the conductivity of milk can assist
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:46Page7
the digestive health of a herd. The bolus measures pH and can be used to help explain under-performance; it may indicate feeding rates could be safely pushed upwards; or it could be used to help distinguish between an acidosis problem or something unrelated, such as a problem with mycotoxins. DNA: More and more farmers are measuring the DNA of their stock which is easily done today with a tiny notch of ear Measuring cow activity using modern accelerometer technology not only gives a very accurate indication of
tissue or a small clump of hairs.
heat activity, but can also be used to detect rumination, feeding, lying times and restlessness.
This has a value in providing a genomic index for potentially
in the early identification of
valuable livestock for sale, and
mastitis since infected cows
is also of use when selecting
undergo changes in the
which of a group of heifers it is
electrical conductivity of their
best to keep for the herd and
milk, primarily because of
avoiding rearing passengers.
changes in the concentration of
Confirming parentage and
sodium, potassium and
revealing genetic defects as
chloride ions. Modern robotic
part of the process, more and
milking systems measure
more farmers are finding
conductivity of milk from each
genotyping worthwhile.
quarter on a continuous basis, potentially allowing for early
The ‘milk fingerprint’: With Milk fingerprint technology allows new insights into cow health.
intervention. Pregnancy associated glycoproteins: PAGs are
technology advancing and the ability to analyse large volumes
the test to be wrong. Progesterone: Measuring
indication of whether a cow is
of data in real time, it is now
suffering from sub-clinical
possible to scrutinise the
produced by the developing
the hormone progesterone can
ketosis. This allows for early
results from mid infra-red (MIR)
placenta so are a very specific
give an indication of pregnancy
intervention to take place
testing of milk samples, giving
indicator of pregnancy.
and the patterns of the
which could avoid the costly
new insights into cow health.
Measured in milk, they detect
oestrous cycle, although the
metabolic problems associated
pregnancy with 98% accuracy,
measurement needs to be
with ketosis, ranging from
energy balance tool being
which is comparable to
taken on an almost continual
displaced abomasums and
developed by NMR which
traditional methods of
basis. If it is, it can identify the
mastitis to metritis and sub-
offers more precision than
diagnosis.
right time to breed, embryonic
optimal fertility.
other measures such as fat to
However, since the test is
loss or cows with cysts.
Rumen pH: Rumen pH can
An example of this is the new
protein ratios. It is also likely
non-invasive and less stressful,
Without continuous monitoring,
now be measured far more
further new measures will
it is often favoured over
it can give misleading results.
easily than in the past, since
emerge as service providers
conventional approaches. But
the advent of the rumen
gain a greater understanding of
PAGs can linger for a few days
the ketone body beta-
Ketone bodies: Tests for
telemetry bolus. This is
what else can be interpreted
after a pregnancy ends so
hydroxybutyrate in either the
administered by mouth into
from the ‘milk fingerprint’
there’s a small possibility for
blood or milk provide a good
sentinel cows and will indicate
secured through MIR testing.
DairyTechnology
7
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:46Page8
Dairy Technology
FEED EFFICIENCY
We all know the maxim ‘you are what you eat’ and this applies to cows just as much as to humans. But what about how your cows eat and how their feed is delivered – is this just as important as the feed itself?
Technology of feed efficiency
I
ndependent nutritionist and
selection gate which will either
robot specialist Mike
divert them for milking or send
Hobbis believes the ‘how’
them straight to the feed fence.
of cow feeding is a key to
“This means whatever
performance and says
happens, they will always go to
getting the feed delivery right
feed on the partial mixed ration
can improve cow health and
immediately after milking, and
milk production – and even
since they are likely to feed for
behaviour and welfare.
at least 20 minutes, their teat
He also believes technology can be used to deliver feed at the optimum time and in near
ends should have closed before they lie down,” he says. And so he has identified
perfect condition, and has
just one important feeding
Mike Hobbis: getting the feed delivery right can improve cow health and milk production – and even behaviour and welfare.
designed his own new dairy
behaviour which he will use to
business using the latest
advantage, to minimise the risk
feeding system.
of udder infection.
Mr Hobbis has worked with
amount of concentrate in the
But there is much more to the
In fact, he hopes to reduce
robot,” he explains. “This will
this level to as little as 0.5kg per
robots and advised on their
‘milk first’ system which Mr
amount to a maximum of 1kg
milking, which is significantly
use since 2006 and using his
Hobbis commends, in
per milking so even cows
less than the concentrate use
experience and knowledge has
particular that it encourages
milking four times a day will
in many robotic systems
chosen to construct his own
high forage intakes.
have a maximum daily
which more typically deliver
concentrate intake of 4kg.”
8-12kg/day.
single-robot dairy farm to
“I plan to feed only a nominal
showcase new technologies available to dairy farmers in a
“This has been a criticism of
Key feeding features at Wapley Hill Farm
high-welfare, cow-friendly unit. Into his design – based on a greenfield site near Bristol – he is incorporating all the features he believes represent best practice and he aims for yields of around 13,000 litres from his 50-cow herd. A tenet of the design at the newly named Wapley Hill Farm
many robot systems,” says Mr Hobbis. “The ‘free access’
p Eight small feeds a day of partial mixed ration rather than one or two large ones
system for instance – where cows have free access to
p Consistency stabilises rumen pH and reduces the risk of acidosis
cubicles, the feed fence and to milking robots – requires a very
p Concentrate intakes at a maximum of 1kg per feed, declining to 0.5kg
palatable compound to lure cows into the robot and tends
p Concentrate intakes of up to 4kg/day, declining to 2kg
to result in high concentrate
p Automatic weighing, mixing and dispensing of partial
intakes and hence, undesirable
mixed ration to cut out human error
fluctuations in rumen pH.”
is the ‘milk first’ principle, which
p ‘Milk first’ system gives free access to rest areas and cubicles
Similarly, he says the ‘feed
he argues is essential for long-
p ‘Milk first’ system ensures cows are hungry after milking and
first’ system – whereby cows
term performance and health. “Milk first means cows have free access to rest areas and cubicles,” he says. “They leave this area to feed and are
are unlikely to lie on open teats p Synchronised lighting helps create diurnal patterns of feeding behaviour
fence and will enter the robots on their way to the cubicles –
p Smooth trough surface tends to encourage higher dry matter intakes
has similar limitations. In line with his desire to achieve high intakes of a high
checked through a one-way
8
have free access to the feed
DairyTechnology
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:49Page9
The automated feed hopper will move along a gantry (above, under construction), and dispense feed to the cows about eight times a day. forage partial mixed ration in preference to concentrates, Mr Hobbis has taken a variety of other measures. His investment in GEA’s Mullerup Mix Feeder has this
The new unit is based on a
aim in mind and he expects to
greenfield site near Bristol.
deliver feed to the milkers eight times a day. “People have got used to the
confidence but he hopes his Lighting will be programmed to dovetail with feeding, with 16 hours of
unit can be used to address this
daylight planned for the milkers (eight hours for dries), summer and winter.
situation.
milk production but they often
inconsistencies and also rule
cows as the hopper progresses
test-bed and undertake trials
don’t consider increasing their
out the chance of human error.
along the fence.
for feed efficiency, and
idea milking frequency can have a profound influence on
“We hope to use the unit as a
frequency of feeding,” he says.
“There is no human element
“We want the cows to feed
involved with the mixing of this
have also been designed to
even more precisely when and how to feed,” he says.
Other features of the dairy unit
eventually we hope to know
little and often which will
ration and as long as we fill the
maximise intakes, ranging from
increase dry matter intakes but
hoppers, we’d expect every
the smooth, glazed, porcelain
will also stabilise rumen pH at
mix to be identical,” he says.
tiles covering the feed trough to
for around five hours a day
“Once I’ve decided on the
close to the optimum of pH 6.56.6.” He says this will optimise
For the time being he will aim
the comfortable rubber matting
spent feeding split into eight 35
ration it will be exactly the same
alongside the fence to cushion
minute feeds, leaving 14 hours
every day of the year, and the
the cows’ feet as they feed.
for lying in every 24 hours.
conditions for the rumen’s
low concentrate intakes and
fibre-digesting bacteria which
high feeding frequency will all
programmed to dovetail with
spent milking which takes only
produce acetate and butyrate –
help contribute to a stable
feeding, with 16 hours of
about seven minutes per visit,
important precursors of
rumen and overall feed
daylight planned for the milkers
leaving the remainder of time
butterfat in milk.
efficiency.”
(eight hours for dries) through
for socialising or just mooching
summer and winter.
around,” he says.
“The bacteria in the rumen need a stable pH, which is why
The Mullerup system itself – the first of its kind to be
Lighting will also be
“I expect we’ll switch on
“The rest of the time can be
Keen to continue with trials
consistency of feeding is
installed on a greenfield dairy
lighting and deliver the first feed
and to establish more
possibly as important as the
farm in the UK – comprises a
at around 5am, and we won’t
protocols to represent best-
feed itself,” he says. “In fact, I’d
series of bins which move each
alter this unless we can see
practice he believes ultimately,
go so far as to say you’ll get
ingredient via the angled chains
some advantage,” he says.
he’ll leave the cows to do the
better results even with poorer
in their base, into a hopper with
feed if you make sure the ration
an integral mixer.
is consistently not so good.” He believes the system he is installing will dispense with
As with many aspects of herd
talking – and, yes, he is
management, Mr Hobbis
confident they will say the right
regrets there is insufficient
thing.
a gantry and dispenses the
information to allow decisions
■ The Mullerup Mix Feeder can
feed, which is pushed up to the
to be made with absolute
be seen operating on YouTube.
The hopper then moves along
DairyTechnology
9
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:50Page10
Dairy Technology
REPRODUCTION
The only reliable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are those based on the input of accurate data, according to Shropshire-based dairy vet, Dan Humphries from Lambert, Leonard and May.
Which are the efficient KPIs for reproduction?
V
et Dan Humphries says your KPIs will be meaningless without reliable
data; you will not know where
Choose just three or four KPIs to
your farm stands; and you will
avoid losing focus.
certainly find it hard to make any progress – whether that is
whether or not you are
for fertility or any other aspect
achieving them.”
of your herd’s performance.
Equally, he says consistency
This, he says, is the starting
is key. “Make sure you always
point, and considered to be far
do the same, such as including
more important than the choice
or excluding your culls from a
of KPI itself.
particular index – or you can’t
“If you haven’t been good at transferring data then what
plot your progress,” he says. Once you have worked out what you are going to monitor, stick to it.
confidence can you have in the
Having established there is no ‘one-figure-fits-all’, he says 21-
decisions you take,” he says.
different outputs from different
reviewing, changing if
day pregnancy rate (see panel )
“Equally, farmers want the best
software that I’d recommend
necessary and monitoring
comes close and is a good
from their advisers – whether
identifying just a few key points
again,” he says. “Pick figures to
headline figure for a year-round calving herd.
that’s vets, nutritionists, AI
you want to monitor –
reflect pinch-points on your
companies or parlour
otherwise it can be too difficult
farm; don’t necessarily get
manufacturers – but these
to keep focussed,” he says.
sucked into what others look at
consistently very good then you
“If pregnancy rate is
people can only work with the
“Once you have worked out
and discuss your objectives
probably don’t need to look at
data they are given and if the
what you are going to monitor,
with your vet and advisers,
much else as things are going
data is poor, their advice will be
stick to it - monitoring,
deciding how best to measure
well,” he says.
poor.” Mr Humphries’ message
Because pregnancy rate is a
Ground rules for fertility KPIs
comes at a time when dairy farmers are awash with data and it’s sometimes very difficult
combination of submission rate (the number of cows served as
p Input reliable data and be consistent in what and how you measure
a proportion of the number of cows eligible to be served) and
for an individual to know which
p Choose just three or four fertility KPIs to avoid losing focus
conception rate, he says it is a
figures to choose and target to
p Choose KPIs to suit your herd, its pinch-points and objectives
useful figure because ‘you are
improve.
p When benchmarking, always compare like for like
looking at the whole process of
p Monitor, review, change (if needed) and monitor again –
fertility management – it’s the
“With fertility management, there are so many different
continuously
end result’. However, pregnancy rate
indexes out there; so many
10
DairyTechnology
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:50Page11
management plan – which can
A target of more than 90% is
have a very worthwhile impact
expected for the percentage of
on preg rate,” he says.
cows served at 100 days, and
For example, if submission rate increases from 50-70% but
same point, he says aim for
conception rate remains the
40%, although some herds
same at, say, 32%, pregnancy
achieve far more than this.
rate increases from 16% (see
The more historically
box ) to 22.4% (0.7 x 0.32 =
important calving index –
22.4%).
indicating a herd’s average
Conception rate, in contrast,
days between each cow’s
is usually a more stable figure
calving – has increasingly been
and is often harder to change,
side-lined and superseded in
reflecting more underlying
the world of instant data.
influences, ranging from health Without reliable data, you will not know where your herd stands.
for the percentage in calf at the
“To get your calving index
and nutrition to insemination
would mean waiting too long
technique.
for management information
“Another area to work
and it’s too easily skewed,”
break pregnancy rate down into
on to improve reproductive
says Mr Humphries, who
its component parts.
performance is getting cows in
admits he does not pay much
calf early,” says Mr Humphries.
attention to this figure.
“If submission rate is poor – say under 60% – that’s a sign
“So, the percentage of cows
that potentially heat detection
served at 100-days in-milk is a
aware of the constraints and – if
isn’t great, for example. The
useful benchmarking figure, as
you are consistent with its
good news, however, is it can
too is the 100 day in-calf rate.
calculation – it can be a
often be significantly improved
“And this is an important point
“It can be useful if you are
demonstration of progress over
by serving more cows –
at which to check whether
Technology now enables us to
perhaps with the help of one of
you’re being consistent, as you
time,” he says.
look at different groups, allowing
the modern aids to heat
have to decide whether this
according to Mr Humphries, is
comparisons.
detection or a tailored fertility
figure includes your culls.”
the scope of modern software
Another consideration,
to analyse and sub-section a covers only a three-week
Pregnancy rate
farm’s data.
period which means it can be wildly different from one period to the next. “I like to see a pregnancy rate
“Technology now enables us p Pregnancy rate is defined as the percentage of eligible cows
to look at different groups,
which could become pregnant which do get pregnant within a
allowing comparisons, for
21-day period. For example, if only 50 cows were served out of
example, between heifer and
consistently above 20 rather
100 eligible cows and of these, only 16 held to service, the
the performance of other parity
than, say, 24 in one period then
pregnancy rate would be 16%. This would be despite a
groups, which can give a useful
crashing to 16 in the next,” he
conception rate of 32% (16 conceived out of 50 served) and a
indicator of progress,” he says.
says. He also warns pregnancy
submission rate of 50% (50 presented for service out of 100
rate does not suit all herds,
eligible). The quick way of calculating pregnancy rate is
producers don’t make enough
Remarking ‘a lot of milk
in particular those that
therefore to multiply submission rate (e.g. 50% or 0.5) by
of the information they have’,
block calve.
conception rate (0.32) to give pregnancy rate of 16%.
he urges them to meet with their reproductive advisers,
“The next question of course is if pregnancy rate is not what
Submission rate x conception rate = pregnancy rate
you want – where do you look
0.5 x 0.32 = 16%
pinpoint the KPIs that would help on their farm and set some targets for improvement.
next,” he says. First, he says,
DairyTechnology
11
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page12
Dairy Technology
CASE STUDY
Andy Gubb makes no bones about why he and his brother, Simon, chose the activity monitors they did for their new herd of Holsteins at Barnacott Farm, Brayford, near Barnstaple.
Easy entry system helps balance sheet
A
ndy Gubb, who had a hi-tech career outside farming before returning to his
North Devon roots, says: “Yes, we both love the technology, but what appealed even more was the lack of an up-front payment for all of the technology within the system – the fact it was very easy entry and there was nothing to go on the balance sheet.” He and his brother Simon were particularly keen to avoid unnecessary capital outlay as they were starting their 370head dairy herd from scratch
Andy Gubb:“Priority was to make a profit. Everything had to be quickly turned around. We did not want to lock up capital.”
around a year ago. They had switched from beef and sheep
flying herd as the beef cross
which had been run on the
calves gave us an instant
service he says he feels
solids for a Davidstow cheese
family farm by their father for
return.”
comfortable to leave the herd’s
contract in mind – has
the previous 26 years, so they
Getting cows back in-calf has
By opting for the full fertility
formulated with high milk
reproduction management to
contributed to their strong signs
had substantial set-up costs for
been a high priority from day
Shaun Nott, his Precision AI
of bulling.
technician.
equipment and buildings, as
one and Cogent’s full Precision
well as all of the dairy stock to
Reproductive Solutions service
be bought-in.
was used from the outset.
“Before Shaun arrives in the morning I can select and draft
“The cows’ state of health and nutrition are obviously both very good which is seen in their
With heifers in-milk travelling
With PinPoint collars fitted to
both high activity and ‘suspect’
strong signs of bulling,” says
to the farm in different batches
the cows, activity is monitored
cows, and Shaun will make the
Mr Nott. “But their general
from throughout continental
and data stored continuously
final decision about which ones
activity levels are actually fairly
Europe, the brothers started
and uploaded to Mr Gubb’s
to serve,” he says.
low, which is probably because
milking in October last year and
and the AI technician’s mobile
“His involvement goes far
designed their system to
phone, as well as the parlour
beyond what I ever expected
generate cash flow as quickly
software and the farm
and we certainly now consider
“This actually meant we had
computer before the morning
him to be an important part of
to adjust the activity threshold
milking.
our team.”
on the monitors, which is now
as they could. “Our priority was definitely to make a profit,” says Mr Gubb.
“We do very little heat
they are such a relaxed and contended herd.
From his point of view,
set for a slightly lower level of
“Everything had to be quickly
observation ourselves as we
Mr Nott says the cattle at
background activity compared
turned around – we did not
are not over-staffed and have
Barnacott have been a pleasure
with most other herds.”
plenty of other things we have
to work with and he believes
to get done,” he says.
their high-quality ration –
want to lock up capital. “That’s why we chose to be a
12
DairyTechnology
The team has obviously got the fine-tuning bang on target
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page13
The aim is to see each cow on his rounds once, and hopefully not again until the following year, Shaun Nott says: “Results like this put a smile on my face.” as they now have a full 12
was said to be ‘indicative of the
months’ worth of impressive
kind of results we have seen
figures (October 15, 2014 to
over the past 12 months’, with
October 15, 2015). The 12
19 out of 20 PD’d positive and
months’ average submission
an exceptional 14 of these
rate, which reflects the success
having conceived to their first
of heat detection, is running at
service.
60%, while conception rate
Mr Nott says his aim with all
stands at an impressive 43%.
of the herds on his rounds is to
This gives an overall 21-day
see each cow once, and
pregnancy rate of 26% which is
hopefully not again until the
right at the top of national
following year. For him, he says,
expectations and around 10
it’s all about job satisfaction,
percentage points (or well over
Shaun Nott: The high-quality ration contributes to strong signs of bulling.
50%) more than the average UK herd. Mr Gubb acknowledges his
and adds: “Results like this put a smile on my face.”
“Yes, of course these things
which is far from ideal – they
Mr Gubb says he will continue
have helped, but on the flip side
were at their most stressed due
doing exactly the same; will
we brought the heifers in from
to the travel and the mixing at
increase the herd to 400 head
is probably at its most fertile,
all over Europe and they mostly
exactly the time they should
and aims to edge annual
and the use of more fertile beef
arrived at about 40-50 days in
have been conceiving.”
average milk production up to
herd of mostly first calf heifers
rather than dairy semen has
milk,” he says. “This is exactly
The most recent pregnancy
helped exceed expectations.
when you want to start serving
diagnosis session with the vet
DairyTechnology
700kg combined fat and protein per head.
13
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page14
Dairy Technology
AUTOMATION
Would automation suit your farm? MILKING
manually. Like all GEA’s robotic milking devices which
DairyProQ
share this technology, the
What is it?
Monobox measures
GEA says its DairyProQ
temperature and conductivity
represents the very latest in
for early detection of
robotic milking, increasing the
mastitis and detects the
scale of operation to as many
presence of blood by picking
as 3,000 cows. And it
up subtle changes to the
believes as the world’s first
colour of milk.
robotic batch-milking parlour, this external rotary is a game-
Who does it suit?
changer for the dairy industry,
The Monobox, to be launched
for the first time allowing
Each MIone system can be added to another up to a maximum of five.
large-scale herds to be milked using robotic technology. Size options range from
in the UK in 2016, is aimed at farmers with up to 60 milking
difficult cows or heifers. Like
and futuristic of all the milking
cows (depending on yield) per
all GEA robots, the DairyProQ
robots, comprising a
box with a maximum of two
28-80 stalls, with each stall
links to GEA’s new farm
complete stainless steel unit
Monoboxes connected to one
representing a self-contained
management software,
which houses all of the
bulk tank. Each Monobox
module and working
DairyNet and FarmNet.
robotic and milking
comes with a service unit and
components as a single
independent vacuum pump.
independently of all others. This means one difficult cow
Who does it suit?
or a module removed for
Suitable for herds of 500
service has no effect on the
cows upwards, the DairyProQ
with its identical milking
potentially suit farmers with
throughput of the other cows
may go into an existing
module, the Monobox houses
smaller, more difficult layouts
in the parlour.
building, occupying a similar
the major serviceable parts
in their existing buildings,
module. Borne out of the DairyProQ
As it is as compact as other single-box robots, it could
space to a conventional rotary
within its module which can
especially those with centre
What can it do?
and can bring the possibility
be removed and replaced in a
feed passages. Since each
The DairyProQ allows the
of robotic technology without
matter of minutes by the
unit of a two box system
whole herd to be milked with
wholesale change to the
farmer or engineer, giving the
could be located up to 30
a single operator, irrespective
layout of the farm.
option of quick replacement
metres apart, there is the
of size. The whole milking,
and off-site service. This is
further potential for versatility
pre-prep and post-milking
herds struggling to find
Particularly suitable for
the first robot on the market
of siting.
routine are all handled by
labour, the largest parlour has
with this modular service
robotics, from cluster
a throughput of 400 cows an
concept.
attachment, pre-cleaning,
hour, allowing 3,000 cows to
stripping and stimulation to
be milked in one 7.5-hour
What can it do?
A multi-box system, the latest
milking and post dipping
shift.
In common with the
MIone will be upgraded for
before cluster removal and
MIone What is it?
DairyProQ, the whole milking
2016 to incorporate much of
Monobox
process is handled within the
the new technology used in
What is it?
teat cup, from pre-cleaning
the new Monobox and
keeps a close eye on cattle
A single box robot with a
and dipping to milking and
DairyProQ rotary robot.
rather than handling the
difference, GEA says its
post dipping. Offering access
routine tasks, and can easily
Monobox undoubtedly looks
to the rear of the cow, difficult
What can it do?
attach a cluster manually for
the sleekest, most compact
cows can be attached
Each MIone robot system can
disinfection. The parlour’s single operator
14
DairyTechnology
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page15
be added to another up to a
optimum system for more
maximum of five, all of which
than 70 animals, with a three-
will operate around one
box system suiting up to 180
central pit. The central robotic
cows depending on yield,
attachment arm is shared
feeding and mobility and five
between the bank of boxes,
boxes handling 240. The
meaning the cost-efficiency of
diminishing number of cattle
the system increases as box
milked per unit for the four
numbers rise.
and five box systems reflects
Like GEA’s other robotic
the travelling time for the
milking systems, the whole
robotic arm with the larger
cleaning and milking process
set-ups.
The Monobox offers the latest voluntary milking technology from GEA.
FEEDING
tub mixer that dispenses pre-
quantity of ingredient for
is handled within the teat cup, while early mastitis detection uses the same
weighed feed using a simple,
mixing into a ration and
conductivity, and colour
Mullerup
belt system, to a fully
distribution by hopper along a
sensor technology.
What is it?
automated system comprising
rail system.
The Mullerup is a versatile
a ‘feed kitchen’ with feed
Who does it suit?
robotic feeding system which
bunks and hoppers that each
What can it do?
The MIone is said to be the
can be as straightforward as a
dispense a pre-programmed
The fully automated Mullerup
g in 6 m 1 o C 20 Monobox milking robot The latest milking technology from GEA will be available in 2016. Follow @GEA_Farming for the latest updates. engineering for a better world
GEA
DairyTechnology
15
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page16
Dairy Technology
AUTOMATION
system can dispense accurately weighed and optimally mixed rations as many times a day as required and is frequently set to eight feeds a day. The rail system can mix different rations for different groups of stock. Who does it suit? A modern automated feeding system which is said to cater for both small and large herds, from simple belt
Cogent’s PinPoint+ uses accelerometer technology to monitor the 3D movement of cattle, allowing it to detect heat activity.
feeders to the more versatile auto feed wagon system. The
unique safety valve
one bath of water to clean the
monitor the 3D movement of
rail system is ideal for small
technology – the only such
hoof and the other to contain
cattle, allowing them to reliably
and larger herds, and can
valve in any automatic
the hoof treatment product.
detect heat activity and other
often be retro-fitted as well as
dipping system – allows high
installed in new builds.
health indicators.
strength dips to be applied
What can it do?
Allowing different mixes to
without risk of contamination.
The bath can be set to
What can it do?
be fed to different groups of
The system ensures precisely
automatically fill, dose the
Activity is monitored
stock, it is said to be ideal for
the correct amount of dip is
correct amount of hoof
continuously by sensors
anyone with an interest in
applied at exactly the right
treatment product, clean and
attached to the cow, and
maximising feed efficiency
time, giving full and efficient
empty without human
transferred every 15 minutes
from their milking cows.
coverage without risk of
intervention and is set to be
by UHF radio technology
human error.
emptied and cleaned on a
whenever the cow is within
cow counter basis. This
1km of the antenna, which for
Who does it suit?
ensures the bath is kept
most herds – even those
POST-DIPPING AND FLUSHING
Apollo suits any user of a
clean, even during milking
grazing – is most of the time.
Apollo
conventional GEA parlour,
time, and doesn’t remove
Uploaded to the Cloud for
What is it?
being available as a retro-fit
labour from the parlour.
GEA’s Apollo system
for existing systems as well
automates post-dipping of
as for new installations. The
Who does it suit?
on an unlimited number of
the cows’ teats as the cluster
system is ideal for those who
PediCrux would suit farms of
devices (computers, phones
is removed, and then cleans
wish to maintain milk quality,
any size which aim to improve
or tablets) from anywhere in
and disinfects the cluster after
reduce dip use and save on
hoof condition and lameness
the world. Because the
each milking before
the use of labour.
and save on farm labour.
system is linked to drafting,
can be seen in graphic form
application to the next cow. The system includes a
storage, real-time information
cows which are flagged by
FOOT BATHING
HEAT DETECTION
the system can be easily separated for examination or
patented safety valve which completely isolates
PediCrux What is it?
PinPoint+ and CowScout
treatment.
disinfectant from milk.
PediCrux is an automated
What is it
updated by the stockman at
What can it do?
foot bath which removes the
Both Cogent’s PinPoint+ and
any time, by swiping the
Apollo automates the entire
chore of cleaning and refilling
GEA’s CowScout are activity
compatible smartphone over
post-dipping and cluster
from the farmer. The foot
monitors that use
the animal’s tag and inputting
disinfection process and its
baths are often sold in pairs –
accelerometer technology to
any change. Said to detect
16
DairyTechnology
Records can be further
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page17
heat with over 95% accuracy,
and up to 10-year battery life
the systems will supply an
– are suitable for both housed
optimum insemination time
or grazing systems and in
What can it do?
eight-year battery life ensures
while also measuring feeding,
herds of any size. They are
Using sensors attached to the
minimal maintenance.
rumination, wellness, resting
increasingly proving their
cow and receivers in the barn,
and restlessness times,
value where labour is
each cow’s location in the
Who does it suit?
particularly useful as early
expensive or limited.
shed is pinpointed every
The system is suitable for
second, and constantly
large herds which are fully
updated to the system’s main
housed and said to not only
server.
provide early health warnings
health warnings. Who does it suit?
REAL-TIME COW MONITORING
management purposes.
day or night and from anywhere in the world. An
With additional information
Suitable for anyone who
and identify cows in heat, but
wants to improve
CowView
on animal movement and
importantly, to allow cows to
reproductive performance
What is it?
behaviour, animals in need of
be located in an instant, even
through better heat detection,
CowView represents the
attention can be easily
in a shed of 2,000. This is
more precise timing of
ultimate in cow monitoring and
identified. All information will
cited as of particular value,
insemination and less semen
data capture, continually
be presented on phones,
saving significant amounts of
use per conception, activity
recording the location,
tablets or computers, allowing
labour in larger herds, while
monitors such as PinPoint+
movement and behaviour of
a herd owner to track his
those using robots can
and CowScout – with their
every cow for health,
cows and monitor their
quickly locate cows that are
extended operational range
reproduction and general
performance at any time of
overdue for milking.
Automatic feeding
DairyProQ Automatic milking systems Cluster flushing & dipping
Footbathing
MIone Herd management
Slurry handling
Thinking about automation on your dairy farm? Then talk to GEA. GEA offers a range of products which can help automise a number of tasks on your farm saving you time and money. No matter how far down the line you are with your plans there’s still time to make the right choice. Tel: 02476 692 333 Email: info.geafarmtechnologies.uk@gea.com Visit: www.automaticmilking.co.uk
engineering for a better world
GEA
DairyTechnology
17
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201513:47Page18
Dairy Technology
GENETICS
The next big drive in dairy cattle breeding will be towards improved feed efficiency, says Owain Harries, sire analyst with Cogent.
Cow of the future
T
and by-products from the energy generation and other industries. “Cogent already contributes to the development of a range of genetic indexes, and will continue to do so by providing
he pressure
largest input of all, he says
measure feed conversion rates,
genotypes for all of our sires,
to achieve
there must be a focus on cattle
with the aim of developing a
which has already helped in the
improved feed
which have been proven to be
national feed efficiency genetic
development of genomics,” he
efficiency Mr
efficient converters.
index.
says.
Harries says will
“We know this means animals
“I don’t think anyone can do
But better efficiency will not
be social and ethical – as the
of medium rather than large
this alone as no individual
simply be achieved through
world’s finite land resource is
stature but they will still need
company would be able to
direct improvements in feed-to-
asked to support a growing
enough width to give them
undertake trials which were
milk conversion, as there are
human population. And it will
robustness and strength, and
large enough to be statistically
many associated issues at play.
be further driven by each farm’s
they’ll need to carry sufficient
sound and meaningful,” he
business imperative; its need to
body condition,” he says.
says. “We need thousands of
essentially efficient cows, using
“The genetic index for
animals taking part over
fewer medications, having less ‘down-time’ and living longer.
financially survive.
maintenance which was
multiple locations and in
developed world can grow our
“I don’t believe we in the
recently introduced is a good
different farming conditions.”
cow population,” says Mr
starting point, but I still think we
Harries, “which means we will
have some way to go.”
have to make more milk from fewer inputs.” With feed representing the
He also believes cattle will
He says healthy cows are
“Living longer avoids waste and also helps reduce the
increasingly have to prove their
requirement for youngstock,
ability to convert the right type
which again helps produce
a whole will need to come
of feed into milk, with an
more milk from the same land,”
together and undertake trials to
growing emphasis on forage
he says.
He says the dairy industry as
Dairy cow fertility and ease of calving are also significant contributors to efficiency and again can reduce a cow’s unproductive time. “As a stud, Cogent would no longer purchase Holstein bulls without positive daughter Fertility Indexes as this trait has become so important to breeders,” he says. Producing pure-bred dairy bull calves he says is another inefficiency which the farming industry can avoid and has been reflected in the uptake of sexed dairy semen. “Sexed female semen now represents a high percentage of Cogent’s dairy sales, and Owain Harries believes cattle will increasingly have to prove their ability to convert the right type of feed into milk,
dovetails with the growing
with an growing emphasis on forage and by-products from the energy generation and other industries.
world demand for red meat, as
18
DairyTechnology
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:51Page19
With feed representing the largest input of all, Owain Harries says there must be a focus on cattle which have been proven to be efficient converters. we are seeing more beef sires
crossbreeding or specialist
used on the bottom end cows,”
bulls within a breed, making
line, away from straight legs, as
will be a harder nut to crack in
he says. “I think there’s only
use of tools such as the Spring
these are the cows which find it
view of a deep-seated desire to
limited room for pure dairy-
Calving Index.”
easier to walk,” he says.
breed big cows.
bred beef – we need more
However, for all systems he
“We need to find a middle
For milk quality, too, he
Reducing stature he believes
“People are inadvertently
specialist animals that are fit for
believes the fundamentals of
believes we will need to breed
breeding taller cows by
their purpose.”
good cow breeding will remain,
for different contracts, although
selecting for Type Merit, so
whether that is for maintaining
the trend must be towards
maybe it’s time for a review of
higher milk solids.
this index, with a reduction in
The requirement to specialise also extends to different
moderate stature, improving
dairying systems – whether
legs and feet, or improving
high input, intensive or low
udder conformation.
“We will tailor our breeding to different milk markets but I
input, based on grazing.
“Legs and feet are important
“There will be clear and
whatever the system whether
be towards higher milk
different bloodlines within each
cows are standing on concrete
quality,” he says.
breed which will be suited to a
or walking long distances,” he
particular system and I don’t
says.
think there will be much cross-
“At Cogent we are now our bulls meeting milk
over between the two,” he
industry has had a tendency to
quality criteria and
says.
look for extremes and believes
reject any moderate
this has been to the detriment
milk bulls that don’t have
particular will become more
of leg conformation among
positive components,” he
reliant on managed
other traits.
says.
“The extensive grazing type in
says.
think the general direction will
much more strict about
But, he adds the breeding
its emphasis on stature,” he
DairyTechnology
❛ ❛There limited ro ’s only pure dair om for beef – wey-bred more spe need c animals f ialist it f purpose or Owain Harrie s
19
DairyTechnologyToolkit20pp_Layout119/11/201514:51Page20
Dairy Technology
CASE STUDY
The struggle to find good quality labour was a crunch point for dairy farmer Steve Bennett, and provided the final impetus for the high level of automation he has installed at Tockenham Court Farm.
Robots help solve the labour problem
S
teve Bennett,
“There will always be cows in
who farms near
the herd which need close
Royal Wootton
attention whether heifers or
Bassett,
fresh calvers, or mastitic cows
Wiltshire, says
which need treatment, so it will
his father, Peter – also his
be these that are grouped to go
business partner – was
through the parlour.”
approaching retirement and
Today, he says he is happy to
wanted to reduce his hours,
have made the switch to robots
while the increasingly hi-tech
and milk yields have gradually
employment opportunities from
risen by 12% – increasing from
nearby Swindon provided strong competition for the type
8,200kg to 9,200kg at 4.0% fat Wiltshire dairy farmer Steve Bennett is happy to have switched to robots.
of people he wanted to employ. Mr Bennett last upgraded his
and 3.2% protein – over the course of two years.
liked the way the cows were
the two systems would talk to
facilities around 12 years ago,
routed through the robot which
each other,” he says.
building a single cubicle shed
I could see would reduce the
The robots were installed
to accommodate 250 cows
time involved in fetching late
around two years ago and,
existing and the new systems
and installing a 25/50
cows. I also felt the pulsation
because the buildings and set-
together and providing
swingover parlour.
was kinder, with exactly the
up were relatively modern, they
individual quarter detection of
same vacuum pressure as our
had to fit into the existing
mastitis through conductivity,
parlour.”
layout.
efficiently detecting cows in
But as the herd expanded, he felt milking was still taking too long, and his desire to move to
Also swayed by the strong
three-times-a-day would only
network of engineers available
compound the problem.
“We put two robots on either
The Dairy Plan C21 software has transformed the herd’s management, bringing the
heat, and providing detailed
side of the feed passage as
information on other aspects of
through the local GEA
we only had room for a total of
health.
dealership, RMS, he says there
four,” he says. “They fitted
going through the parlour, the
will always be one of five
really nicely into the existing
is a big help in detecting
days were long, with milking
engineers to hand.
space and sharing one arm
mastitis. The minute you see
with two robots means milking
raised conductivity you will
He says: “With 245 cows then
itself taking 8.5 hours a day.
“If you are going into robots
“Individual quarter information
And for that we needed two
of any type you have got to
is quicker than if a single arm
check for inflammation,” he
people milking and two people
have people nearby who can
is shared between a run of
says.
outside, which in reality meant
put things right and this was a
four.”
we needed a total team of eight
key reason for going with
or nine full- or part-time people
GEA,” he says.
to call on.”
And despite the slightly nerve-wracking introduction of
positioned on either side of the
recycled green bedding, also
feed passage so cows are split
during the past two years, he
intended keeping his existing
into two groups of 120. And
says mastitis rates are
farm would be found in robotic
parlour and now operates a
with the herd now approaching
low,while the herd cell counts
milking and he set about
system where the parlour and
300 head, remaining cows still
run at 150,000 cells/ml.
researching the market.
robots run side by side.
go through the parlour.
He decided the answer for his
He says: “We looked at
However, Mr Bennett also
Each pair of robots is
“Although you’re on call 24
“Because we already had a
“We didn’t have room for
everything and we went
GEA [then branded Westfalia]
more than four robots and
have night-time calls on my
everywhere and eventually
parlour and the Dairy Plan C21
keeping the parlour is actually
phone about twice a month,”
decided on the GEA MIone. I
software, we were confident
working really well,” he says.
he says.
20
DairyTechnology
hours a day, the reality is I only