Newsletter
Issue 9
Latest News 2014 Silage research project Dairy farmers are potentially risking their cows’ health, fertility and production by inadvertently feeding rations containing mycotoxins and bacteria, according to new research.
In the first study of its kind, a collaborative research group called Hy-Sil, led by Dr Mike Wilkinson of Nottingham University and partnered by Bristol University, Duchy College and commercial partners Micron Bio-Systems, Mole Valley Farmers and AB Vista examined silage and ration samples taken from 50 farms across South West England and found that 78% of the maize and TMR samples contained mycotoxin presence.
Farms where the samples were taken
The research team tested farmers’ grass and maize silage, wholecrop and total mixed rations. “This is only the first phase of the Hy-Sil project,” says
Mr Cox. “The next step will be to work with the farmers and vets to identify the actual impact of such feed contamination on dairy cows’ performance, and then open it up to more national study.”
“The key message is to know what you’re feeding. Gone are the days of simple nutritional analysis; you have to test for mycotoxins and bacteria within your ration. Don’t wait until you have a drop in production - these results show how vital it is to test your forage and TMR before it turns into a serious problem.”
Initial Findings
• 89% maize silage samples tested positive for mycotoxins • 71% of TMR’s tested positive for mycotoxins • 4/6 Wholecrop silage samples tested positive for mycotoxins
Hy-Sil results’ presentation On the 1st of October, the organisations behind the Hy-Sil project - Micron Bio-Systems, AB Vista, Mole Valley Farmers, University of Bristol, Duchy College and University of Nottingham, organised a short seminar at the Bath & West Showground’s theatre. In the seminar, they presented some interesting and in some cases, concerning results and gave guidelines on how to get the most out of your homegrown forage this winter. 24% 56% 20%
High (>500ppb)
TMR 19% 42% 39%
Maize silage
Medium (250-500ppb) Low (<250ppb)
Product Trials Advance Legume trial 2014 - first results
• Figures 1 & 2 demonstrates the benefits of this twin strain mix of lactic acid bacteria on fermentation. Fig 1: Average pH of Advance & Control alfalfa during 20 days
Results Naturally occurring levels of LAB in the fresh alfalfa crop were low and the ME was 10.12. Advance Legume contains two forms of lactic acid bacteria and stimulants to support their activity.
Advance
Legume
SILAGE INOCULANTS
Four steps to Advance 1. Advance formulations
contain a two strain mix, proprietary to Micron, comprising of a Pediococcus which dominates the upper pH range together with a Lactobacillus to drive the pH drop to completion.
2. Advance products contain Lactobacillus brevis which produces acetic acid to retard
7 6
pH
5 4
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Fig 2: Average LAB counts of Advance & Control alfalfa during 27 days • The LAB counts support the fact this improvement in pH was a result of a boost to LAB populations with Advance. 1.00E+11 1.00E+10
Lactic Acid bacteria CFU/g
The objective of this trial was to demonstrate that application of Advance Legume Silage Inoculant results in a more rapid drop in pH as a result of higher number Lactobacillus spp. present during ensiling of an alfalfa crop. The trial was conducted in the Charente region in France in May 2014. Freshly chopped alfalfa was either treated with water (Control) or Advance Legume Silage Inoculant (Treated).
• No pH drop was observed in the control over 20 days whereas the Advance treated alfalfa was below pH 5 within 3 days.
1.00E+09 1.00E+08 1.00E+07 1.00E+06 1.00E+05
Control
1.00E+04
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1.00E+03 1.00E+02 1.00E+01 1.00E+00 Time From Treatment (Hours)
the growth of spoilage yeasts and which fully translates into animal moulds to give greater stability to performance data. silage crops and the TMR rations 4. Freeze dried bacteria are that they comprise. present in a dormant state in 3. Micron’s R & D program has silage inoculants and can be slow identified new and more effective to become active when added enzymes for use in silage to silage. Advance inoculants inoculants. These breakthrough contain specific components enzyme formulations have shown which stimulate the bacteria to significant increases in the ensure maximum activity once digestibility of treated forages rehydrated. with improvements of up to 20%. For more information on This has been achieved because these enzymes are effectively able to separate the carbohydrate from the lignin in the fibre,
Advance Silage Inoculants or
other Micron products, please go to our website: www.micronbio-systems.co.uk
Over the Pond Fall Feeding Challenges Autumn is officially here and the fall corn silage harvest is well underway if not complete in some areas. As inventories of forage are replenished, a new set of challenges present themselves. A little planning and “microbial management” can help smooth out the bumpy road of transition.
Three of the most common new crop feeding challenges are; • Feeding corn silage that has not completely cured • Adjusting to new forage nutrient profiles
• Potential for a new mix of mycotoxins
There are many reasons why an operation might find the need to feed new crop silage before it is
by Micron Bio-Systems Inc. completely cured. Many farms will put up a transition pile or bag to feed while the main silo or bunker is being filled. Regardless of the reasons, this green silage can be unstable and problematic; causing milk production losses and digestive upsets. Once the silage is deemed cured and stable, samples are taken for nutritional analysis and new rations are formulated and fed. The art of feeding cows is being able to adjust the ration created on paper into a ration that is producing milk on the farm. This can only be done by listening to the cows. This adjustment period may take a significant amount of time and result in lost production.
From one year to the next, the conditions under which the crops grow will differ. The amount and types of mycotoxins produced each year will also vary. It is typically not until we feed the new crop that the signs of contamination become apparent. Mycotoxins can cause a host of problems and at the very least can extend the time required for animals to adjust to new crop forages.
Taking steps to reduce the effects these challenges may have on animals begins at a microbial level. An animal with a stable rumen and a healthy intestinal tract is capable of adapting to changes quickly and efficiently. Using quality Direct Fed Microbial products, such as Bio-Boost and Booster Pack, before and during periods of stress and change ensure an efficient transition onto new feed. Shielding animals from mycotoxins with Ultrasorb will reduce the risk that animals will develop mycotoxicosis and increase their ability to handle feed changes. Keeping the TMR fresh with Profresh promotes feed intake and retains nutrient quality. Recognizing when and how to employ a microbial strategy keeps cows producing and healthy. Before long, the silage will be stable, cows will be transitioned and winter will be around the corner.
For more information on the Micron tools and strategies for a healthier cattle go to our website: www.micronbio-systems.com
More News New member on our technical team!
Emma Higgie studied Biological Sciences at the University of the West of England, Bristol and graduated this July with a First Class hons degree. She has previously worked two summer seasons abroad in France for Eurocamp and at OneScientific (a microbiology lab in Bristol) as a laboratory assistant during her time at uni. Her role at Micron is to assist the technical department either in the lab or preparing reports. In her spare time she enjoys going to the beach and attempting to surf, playing hockey for her local team (Minehead Ladies 1st) and baking.
UK Dairy Day
The first UK Dairy Day at Telford was a resounding success with over 3,000 visitors to the expo and over 100 top quality dairy livestock on display.
Upcoming events
We were pleased to combine with New Breed UK on the stand and would like to thank Richard, Mark and the team for their kind invitation and it was great to meet so many satisfied customers through out the micron range and new potential customers .
They also visited a broiler farm and Rushywood Farm, a dairy farm managed by Neil Baker. They finished their trip with a day out in London enjoying England’s most famous landmarks.
The Dairy Show
This one day event has become Much discussion was held on the one of the most important dates in the dairy farmer’s calendar, day about current milk pricing combining a comprehensive and winter feed challenges and trade show with an exhibition of the need to confront potential challenges before they impact on top quality dairy cattle. milk production and how quality Micron is pleased to announce it is the main sponsor for the forage production can really country’s only national dairy drive feed efficiency and herd specialist event, the Dairy Show, profitability. which takes place on Wednesday October 1st at the Bath and West UFAC Egypt visits Showground. Micron Micron is delighted to be UFAC Egypt is a Micron involved in this exciting year distributor partner based in of change, supporting the Cairo, Egypt. They visited Micron team’s endeavours to increase on the second week of September the number of trade stands, for a training session on various educational seminars and Micron products. showing classes.
September 30th - October 4th - World Dairy Expo (WI, USA) October 1st - The Bath & West Dairy Show (Shepton Mallet) November 11th-14th - Eurotier (Hannover) November 19th - Agriscot (Edinburgh)
December 11th - The Royal Ulster Winter Fair (Belfast) BFF Business Park, Bath Road Bridgwater, TA6 4NZ, UK Tel: 01278 427272 - Fax: 01278 427273 info@micronbio-systems.co.uk