Irish Farm Business - Vol 10 Issue 2 Autumn/Winter 2023

FANTASY?

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 38

>> SEE PAGE 46

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Vol 10 Issue 2 Autumn / Winter 2023 Edition Price 3.95/ £2.95 Price €5.95 £5.00(Stg) (Stg)

DAIRYING

Managing Derogation Restrictions PG 4

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

FARM DESIGN DEVELOP A LONG-TERM PLAN FORYOUR FARM

COW LAMENESS OVER WINTER MONTHS PG 8

MANAGING LABOUR ON FARMS PG 16

PREPARING YOUR SHEDS FOR CALVING PG 38

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

Click & Collect

CLICK & COLLECT

coopsuperstores.ie

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Foreword/Contents/Credits

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

CLICK & COLLECT

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Features

DAIRYING

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Vol 10 issue 2 Autumn / Winter 2023 Edition Price 3.95£5.00 £2.95(Stg) (Stg) Price €5.95

4 Farming Under Derogation: The Harsh Reality As Farmers under Derogation, we are now regularly reminded that it is a temporary reprieve with the norm throughout the

SHOP ONLINE

SELECT STORE

YOU CAN NOW BUY ONLINE & COLLECT INSTORE

COLLECT ORDER

(selected products only)

EU being 170kg organic manure per hectare.

8

16

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

8 Dairy Cow Lameness Over The Winter Months A guide to awareness of winter lameness by Ger Cusack MVB MRCVS Cert HHH Veterinary surgeon.

12 Farmers & Contractors Embracing progress, change & mechanisation.

Your local Co-Op Superstores SHOP ONLINE

SELECT STORE

COLLECT ORDER

- Everything you need to prepare for the season ahead!

PART OF

YOUR

LOCAL COMMUNITY Stores Across Munster & Online @

www.coopsuperstores.ie for Nationwide Delivery

38

56

Foreword

your stocking rate.

What can we do to improve our nitrogen use efficiency nationally on Irish farms currently at around 35%. This would seem to indicate shocking wastage in how we utilise nutrients as they pass from the cow, when we apply slurry and how or when we apply artificial nitrogen.

Most farms have seen tremendous gains on milk solids produced per hectare since the ending of quotas.

An area that we all need to look at is meal feeding, where I believe usage has crept up to an unacceptable level on most farms over the last number of years.

Over the last few years many of us have embraced the 17 actions in the Teagasc MACC which have been delivering improved returns from our slurry and the use of red % white clover has seen huge reductions in the use of purchased nitrogen on those fields.

To me these are actions that have started to deliver cost savings and we need to remember the old saying “Output is Vanity, Profit is Sanity”.

A difficult year ahead is predicted but farmers are resilient and have been here before in different ways.

FARM DESIGN

All farmers have been surprised by the sudden nature of the change in Derogation limits. In an effort to find a positive way forward I am setting out here the proposed actions of Henry Walsh: The on-farm reality is the new limit of 220kg must be complied with so each farm affected by the change must draw up a plan to help reduce the financial impact on the farm.

In real terms, to use the example of a 100cow dairy farmer, they now have no choice but to reduce herd size to 90 cows unless more land becomes available at an affordable cost.

The real question here now is how we can achieve a similar profit with 10 less cows.

While this may look like an impossible task, many of the possible solutions to reducing the financial impact of the blow still lie within our existing farm practices and the actions we take.

Inside our own farm gates, we must ensure that every decision we make is a good business decision while also ensuring a positive environmental outcome.

To start with we must be proactive in ensuring no under-performing cows are milked on the farm and that empty cows or those identified for culling are sold in a timely manner.

Could the contract rearer hold onto the in-calf heifers a little longer to help with

DEVELOP A LONG-TERM PLAN FORYOUR FARM

Publisher: Denis Lane Editorial: Denis Lane Advertising: Denis Lane Production: Hugh Lane, Lauren McGregor Email: dlane@dawnmedia.ie Contributors: David Gleeson, Joe Patton, Donal Patton, Philip O Connor, Aidan Kelly, Richard Walsh, Tom Houlihan, Cara Sheridan, Dave Merrins, Stephen

Kelly, Rebecca Dawson, Henry Walsh, Donal Carey, Amanda Dunn, Christine Cummins, Bernadette O’Brien, Marion Beecher, Pat Aherne, Tom Farrington, Tom Fallon, Martina Gormley, Pat Griffin, Clive Bright, Alistair Chambers, Diarmuid McSweeney, Des Cronin, Sarah Rose Fitzpatrick, Stuart Childs, Tom

Understanding labour time-use on dairy farms is key to identifying strategies to reduce labour demand and establishing sustainable workloads.

22 Revolutionising Milk Cooling Introducing the Charriau Spiral Tubular Pre Cooler’s innovative design and energy-efficient benefits.

24 Why Farmers Should Grow Trees Forest planting make sense from a commercial perspective.

30 Effective Foot-bathing Without Antibiotics The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued advice warning against the ‘off label’ use of soluble antibiotic powders such as erythromycin and lincomycin in footbaths to treat lameness in dairy cows.

34 The Benefits Of Using Milk Replacer Volac’s feeding recommendations will lead to healthier, faster growing calves.

38 Preparing For Calving Prepared by Aidan Kelly of Agri Design & Planning Services (ADPS) Molough, Newcastle, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

Until the next time…

42 Thermoduric Bacteria In BulkTank Milk

The Publisher Irish Farm Business Stapleton, Michael O Donovan, John Paul Murphy, Kate Sugrue, Kieran McCarthy, Michael Reynolds, Paul Lyons, Lorna Twomey, Emer Kennedy, Adrian O Callaghan, James O Donoghue, Patrick Gowing, Ger Cavanagh, Eugene Hendrick, Henry Phillips

16 Achieving Sustainable Workloads On Dairy Farms

Distribution: EM News Newspread

Thermoduric bacteria which can survive pasteurisation must be minimised at farm level.

Published by: Dawn Media Ltd, 2 Barrack St Clarinbridge Co Galway Tel. + 353 91 777 222 Email. dlane@dawnmedia.ie

All material contained in this edition is copyright of Irish Farm Business 2023 and may not be reproduced or electronically stored without the permission of the publisher. However items may be freely reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. Content and views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the publishers.

Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF have developed an

Derogation

Farming Under Derogation: The Harsh Reality As Farmers under Derogation, we are now regularly reminded that it is a temporary reprieve with the norm throughout the EU being 170kg organic manure per hectare.

A

s the new reality unfolds for those of us farming under derogation, we find ourselves having to adjust to the new guidelines under which we are expected to operate. As dairy farmers and food producers we constantly strive to be better in every aspect of our farming and the Nitrates Derogation is focused exclusively on nutrients in our groundwater, rivers, and estuaries. The two nutrients of greatest concern are nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P).

Measurement

The (EPA) environmental protection agency is the body responsible for the testing and reporting on the quality of our Irish waterways and their findings are reported to our government, then ultimately to the European commission. While their reporting is based on factual measurements of our water bodies it is difficult to equate the results with the positive actions implemented throughout Irish agriculture over the past years but particularly in the recent past. Action such as more slurry storage on farms, longer closed periods, fencing of water courses, buffer zones and particularly over the last two years the incredible reduction of over 30% in nitrogen purchased, incredibly seem to have had little or no positive impact on our water bodies. We have seen water quality improve in some catchments with the highest density of derogation farmers operating in them which is what we are expecting but not as widespread as we need to defend the derogation.

Derogation

It was the EU commission who granted us permission to farm at the higher stocking rate of 250 kg organic rather than the more standard stocking rate of 170kg organic manure per Hectare across most of the EU. As we know the derogation was granted subject to

certain conditions and over the last few years N & P levels have been scrutinised in our rivers and lakes. The conclusion of their testing is that water quality has deteriorated slightly in certain rivers but also improved in a few. The EPA report led to a lot of negative reaction and headlines towards farmers, but we must also keep in mind that aside from Finland & Norway Ireland has the highest quality water in all of Europe.

From my own experience over the last number of years I think the change to the derogation will impact to a much greater extent on the average 70 to 100 cow family farms who have built good, viable business for themselves through hard work and applying exceptional attention to detail to every aspect of their farming.

It is also the case that farmers operating under derogation are subject to more regulation including for example soil testing and nutrient management plans which means they are farming to a higher standard.

Alarmingly for dairy farmers since the decision was taken to reduce the derogation to 220kg we have seen a lot of headlines where raw sewage is being systematically discharged into our waterways by councils all over Ireland particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when the infrastructure gets completely overwhelmed, yet agriculture was and is conveniently seen as the culprit for our water quality issues.

Selective Commentary

Many commentators quote selectively from the EPA reports to suit their anti-farming agenda but the EPA while vocal on farming are often silent on other sectors when breaches occur.

Frustratingly, we are now farming in an environment where every regulation is focused on reducing production which will have a negative effect on all commercial farmers but we must now face the new reality of farming within the 220 kg organic N limit imposed by

Online Farm Sustainability Toolkit

providing accurate and verifiable data to farmers working to deliver on Climate Action Plan targets.

There are 3 elements to the platform: • Assess emissions for individual farmers • Analyse opportunities to adopt technologies to reduce emissions • Act by creating a custom made sustainability plan for individual farms

www.AGNAV.ie

A targeted

Advisory Programme

to support climate and sustainability actions on farms.

The programme is available free of charge to all farmers and will build on the network of Signpost Demonstration Farms already in place.

We will train and support you to prepare and implement a plan for your farm to improve your sustainability.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

4

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

www.teagasc.ie/signpost

Derogation

A LITTLE

BOOST

MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

has our farm st Cows ie the happ rld! in the wo

At farm level we also have to come to terms with “Banding” which means if your average yield is 6,500 kg (6310 litres) or higher your farm is in the top band of 106kg per cow which will further impact an estimated 17% of all dairy herds.

Ultimately, we are now farming within a strait jacket of EU policies none of which do anything to improve our productivity or profitability.

Every new regulation or law brings further costs and compliance obligations all of which are borne by us the primary producers.

when we apply slurry and how or when we apply artificial nitrogen.

Most farms have seen tremendous gains on milk solids produced per hectare since the ending of quotas.

An area that we all need to look at is meal feeding, where I believe usage has crept up to an unacceptable level on most farms over the last number of years.

Over the last few years many of us have embraced the 17 actions in the Teagasc MACC which have been delivering improved returns from our slurry and the use of red % white clover has seen huge reductions in the use of purchased nitrogen on those fields.

To me these are actions that have started to deliver cost savings and we need to remember the old saying “Output is Vanity, Profit is Sanity”.

Premium Quality

Politics

the EU which will directly affect 2,600 (about 40%) of the dairy herds farming under derogation.

Effect of Rule changes at Farm level

One thing we have to ensure is that we retain our Green, Grass Fed reputation on the international stage that delivers a premium, particularly through the Kerrygold brand. While I definitely do not believe in going down the Organic road because there is no premium market for the produce I do believe that we have become too dependent on expensive imported fertiliser and grain. Over the last few years, I’m hearing of more and more spring calving dairy herds feeding as much as 1,000kg to 1,300kg of grain per cow annually. My first concern is that this is in effect buying milk because in a grassbased system it takes 1kg of grain to produce 1 litre of milk so most of us lose money by replacing grass with meal. But secondly and even more serious it probably indicates a forage deficit in our farming model that needs to be addressed to ensure we have the correct stocking rate to match grass grown on each of our farms.

Farm Actions

The on-farm reality is the new limit of 220 must be complied with so each farm affected by the change must draw up a plan to help reduce the financial impact on the farm.

In real terms, to use the example of a 100-cow dairy farmer, they now have no choice but to reduce herd size to 90 cows unless more land becomes available at an affordable cost.

The real question here now is how we can achieve a similar profit with 10 less cows. While this may look like an impossible task, many of the possible solutions to reducing the financial impact of the blow still lie within our existing farm practices and the actions we take.

Inside our own farm gates, we must ensure that every decision we make is a good business decision while also ensuring a positive environmental outcome.

To start with we must be proactive in ensuring no under-performing cows are milked on the farm and that empty cows or those identified for culling are sold in a timely manner.

Could the contract rearer hold onto the in-calf heifers a little longer to help with your stocking rate.

What can we do to improve our nitrogen use efficiency nationally on Irish farms currently at around 35%. This would seem to indicate shocking wastage in how we utilise nutrients as they pass from the cow, IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

6

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

One of the concerns I have at this point is that I don’t think the EPA or the Greens or the EU legislators behind the green Deal want to accept the derogation at 220 and in my view will not rest until it is at most similar to the rest of the EU at 170.

By pursuing this strategy, they will “Kill Two Birds with One Stone” and reduce the livestock numbers in the country.

This places an onus on every farmer but particularly every Derogation farmer to ensure we farm to the best of our ability using all the scientific knowledge available to us. We must make best use of all the resources available to us particularly slurry by getting the timing right regarding the weather to maximise the return from it and minimise any losses to the groundwater which I would describe as “Money Down the Drain”.

The sequential use of identical PI3 and RSV antigens in live and killed presentations, called a PRIME-BOOST effect, can optimise the immune response to two of the key viral pathogens associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

®

BRD PROTECTION DELIVERING A TO YOU AND YOUR HERD

Wrong Narrative

We must fight back against the narrative that it’s the 7,000 farmers in derogation of the 135.000 farmers in the country that are causing the nitrates in the groundwater. This cohort of farmers are the ones who are most regulated and probably well ahead when it comes to implementing best practice around soil testing, lime, LESS, protected urea and nutrient management plans, and thus the most efficient producers of food.

We must also defend ourselves against the groundless opinions that it is the milking platform stocking rate causing the problems.

The reality is that almost every farm I know has out-farms to use to produce winter feed and rear the dairy replacements. A nutrient management plan based on soil tests will ensure that slurry is returned to the correct fields in a scientific manner.

We must also believe in ourselves because we are producing milk, to the highest quality, most affordable protein available to humans on this earth.

Finally, for the farmers in Derogation this is another layer of stress which means It was never more important to look after our physical and mental wellbeing and remember to put farm safety as your highest priority every day.

BOVALTO® is the ONLY BRD VACCINE RANGE which provides ALL of these benefits: Efficacy proven by challenge studies1

Intranasal efficacy against BRSV and PI3 unaffected by MDAs, providing the optimal start to immune protection against BRD2

A duration of immunity proven by challenge: 12 weeks for BOVALTO Respi Intranasal2 6 months for BOVALTO Respi injectables

1

Enables sequential use of identical PI3 and RSV antigens in different forms for rapid and long-lasting immunity3

References: 1. Philippe-Reversat et al. (2017) Acta Vet BRNO. 86: 325–332 2. Metcalfe et al. (2020) Vet Record Open 7: e000429 3. Ellis et al. (2018) Can Vet J. 59: 1311–1319

Bovalto® Respi Intranasal, nasal spray, lyophilisate and solvent for suspension contains Bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3V), modified live virus, strain Bio 23/A 105.0 – 107.5 TCID50 and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), modified live virus, strain Bio 24/A 104.0 – 106.0 TCID50. Bovalto® Respi 3 Suspension for Injection and Bovalto® Respi 4 Suspension for injection contain inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus, strain BIO-24, inactivated bovine parainfluenza 3 virus, strain BIO- 23 and inactivated Mannheimia haemolytica, serotype A1 strain DSM 5283. Bovalto® Respi 4 also contains inactivated bovine viral diarrhoea virus, strain BIO-25. UK:

POM-V IE: POM (E). Advice should be sought from the prescriber. Further information available in the SPCs or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. UK Tel: 01344 746957, IE Tel: 01 291 3985. Email: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. Bovalto® is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France, used under licence. ©2022 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: September 2022 BOV-0108-2022. Use Medicines Responsibly.

Are you familiar with the organic alternative to battle lameness?

Have you met the you world’s mostwith Are familiar Are you familiar with eco-friendly hoof with the organic alternative the organic alternative Are you familiar to battle lameness? bandage? to footbath solutions? the organic alternative

Winter Lameness

Dairy Cow Lameness Over The Winter Months

Intra Eco-Bath is a newly developed, innovative Evenhoof after 250Maintenance COW of bath solution to maintain and support healthy hooves and A unique organic passages the bath dermis. Based on natural ingredients the product fits in and essential oils the European organic farming philosophy. remains fresh and Strong adhesion Passing the bath will give the hooves a fresh green Long-lasting activ green colour, which clearly indicates which ones have passed.

Intra Eco-Bath str The fresh minty smell stimulates all cows to easily walk Safe and friendly through without hesitation. manure digester

Bath remains fresh & green up to 250 passes

5 REASONS TO CHOOSE INTRA ECO-BATH LAMENESS REDUCTION Intra Eco-Bath is a newly developed, innovative < 5%to a UNIQUE Evenhoof after 250Maintenance COW of lameness Thanks Contains a bath solution to maintain and support healthy hooves and A unique organic composition with chelated zinc passages the bath ORGANIC dermis. Based on natural ingredients the product fits in and essential oils UNIQUEBLEND BLEND pathogenic bacterial the European organic farming philosophy. remains fresh and Strong adhesion for fresh green hooves of chelated zinc Passing the bath will give the hooves a fresh green Long-lasting activity, growth determinedisbysuppressed green INTRA ECO-BATH: READY FOR A FRESH AND GREEN FUTURE

A guide to awareness of winter lameness by Ger Cusack MVB MRCVS Cert HHH Veterinary surgeon.

colour, which clearly indicates which ones have passed.

The fresh minty smell stimulates all cows to easily walk through without hesitation.

and essential oils

Intra Eco-Bath strips Safe and friendly for cow, farmer and biogas manure digester

INTRA ECO-BATH: READY FOR A FRESH AND GREEN FUTURE

Treatment

Percentage non-lame after 5 weeks (Mobility Score 0 or 1)

Treatment Trim only

69%

Treatment Trim + Block

72%

Treatment Trim + Anti-inflamatory

76%

Treatment Trim + Block + Anti-inflamatory

85%

Thomas et al (2015). Journal of Dairy Science IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

8

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

V0720-EU

FRESH AND GREEN FUTURE or on the field.

Intra Eco Tape, the new degradable

INTRA ECO-BATH

Ecologically packed without plastics

REDUCTION IMPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE tape preserves its original properties such asLAMENESS a good No chemical coloring

V0720-EU

Intra Eco-Batheasy-tear is a newly developed, innovative hoof Maintenance of lameness < 5% stretchability, great adhesive properties.

Even after 250and COW Thanks to a UNIQUE Essential PEPPERMINT The Intra Hoof & Skin Care Programme includes products with che bath solution to maintain healthyBLEND hooves and OIL Aindividually unique organic composition passages the bath and support ORGANIC relieves joint and to apply as well as products for full herd maintenance.

This green is farmers’ first choice! remainsonfresh and ingredients pathogenic bacterial muscle pains andconcept acts oils as dermis. Based natural the product fits in and essential LEARN MORE green growth is suppressed a natural air freshener the European organic farming philosophy.

Strong adhesion for fresh green hooves For a better Works OPTIMALLY Up to 4 HOOVES Passing the bath will give the hooves a fresh green Long-lasting activity, determined by ENVIRONMENT with Intra Hoof-fit Gel. in one roll colour, which clearly indicates which ones have passed.

Intra Eco-Bath strips Remove Intra Eco Tape The fresh minty smell stimulates all cows to easily walk Safe and friendly for cow, FRIENDLY farmer and b ENVIRONMENTAL LAMENESS REDUCTION IMPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE after 3-4 days. through without hesitation. manure digester No synthetic rolls in the manure pit, so fewer problems for the

The world’s most eco-friendly hoof bandage?

manure mixer, the slurry injectors and on the field.

ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY

The Intra Hoof & Skin Care Programme includes products No synthetic rolls in the manure pit, so fewer problems for the farmer with the to apply individually as well asmanure products for herd mixer, thefull slurry injectors and on the field. maintenance. This green concept is farmers’ first choice!

LEARN MORE

Even after 250 COW Thanks to a UNIQUE Essential PEP LET’S CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY FUTURE FOR PLANET AND ANIMAL passages the bath ORGANIC BLEND OIL relieves j INTRA ECO TAPE: FUTURE PROOF 6 REASONS TO CHOOSE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY DEGRADABILITY DEGRADABILITY remains fresh and pathogenic bacterial muscle pains FOR PLANET AND ANIMAL ECO TAPE No synthetic rolls in the manure pit, so fewer problems for the farmer withHoof the The Intra & SkinINTRA Care Programme includes products manure mixer, the slurry injectors and on the field. green suppressed a natural air f to apply individually is as well as products for full herd Annually, no less than 15 million synthetic hoofgrowth bandages Biodegradable V0720-EU

The application of a block to the sound claw has immediate and clear benefits. It gives the cow immediate pain relief by taking pressure and concussion away from the affected claw. Blocks are particularly helpful during the grazing season. Cows that are lame graze for shorter times, have reduced dry matter intake, have reduced milk yield, and tend to lose body condition. The application of a block to the sound claw mitigates these effects and, in many cases, enables the affected cow to remain part of the main herd.

It is reasonable to conclude that the hooves of cows that are affected by conditions such as white line disease, sole bruising or sole ulcer, suffer damage to not only the horn capsule, but also the deeper tissues.

These include the corium, the laminae and the pedal bone. The addition of non-steriod anti-inflamatory (ketoprofen x 3 days) may reduce the inflammatory effect and reduce the longer-term damage that occurs in these deeper tissues. As this medication is a prescription only medicine, consult your veterinary surgeon for advice about the use of such products.

If we regard mobility score of 0 or 1 as a cure, this study of recently lame (≤ 2 weeks) cows, the cure rate was in the range 69-85%.

The results of studies from John Huxley and associates at Nottingham University clearly demonstrate that early detection and prompt treatment of lame cows greatly improves treatment outcomes.

In a further study, the same researchers selected cows with Mobility Score 2 or 3 that had been lame for at least 4 weeks or longer. The same treatment protocols were employed as the group in the first study.

The findings in this group were in stark contrast to the first study. If we define cure as a cow returning to Mobility Score 0 or 1, the cure rate in this group was extremely low. This was true in the case of all four treatment protocols.

The take home message here is clear. To achieve good treatment outcomes when treating lame cows, they need to be treated early in the course of the lameness condition. To quote Roger Blowey MVB MRCVS, recognised expert in the field of lameness, “a lame cow is an emergency and needs to be treated as such”.

I see a marked contrast between how cases of mastitis/high cell count issues are handled and how cases of lameness are addressed on many farms. If a cow is detected with mastitic clots in her milk, she is treated straight away with a course of antibiotic tubes, possibly with a course of antibiotic injections and possibly non-steriod antiinflamatory injections. No farmer would consider waiting for a week or two to see how the disease process would develop. There is a clear understanding that immediate treatment is the best course of action.

LAMENESS REDUCTION IMPROVES ANIMAL WEL A unique organic composition with chelated zinc and Intra Eco-Bath is a newly developed, innovative hoof Maintenance of lameness < 5% to a UNIQUE Even after 250 COW Thanks Essential PEPPERMINT Essential bathno solution to maintain and support healthy hooves and A unique organic composition with chelated zinc Annually, less than 15 million synthetic hoof bandages Biodegradable passages the bath ORGANIC BLEND OIL relieves joint and essential oils PEPPERMINT dermis. Based on natural ingredients the product fits in and essential oils The Intra Hoof & Skin Care Program remains fresh and Good stretchability, pathogenic bacterial muscle pains and acts as are used on lame organic cows by hoof trimmers, professional the European philosophy. green hooves easy-tear OIL acts as to apply individually as well as product Strong adhesionfarming for fresh greengreen hoovesStrong adhesion for freshgrowth is suppressed a natural air freshener the bath give the hooves aworldwide. fresh green These Long-lasting activity, livestockPassing farmers andwillveterinarians determined by and great adhesive properties maintenance.

This green concept is far a natural air colour, which clearly indicates which ones have passed.

Intra Eco-Bath strips Safe and friendly for(approx.7 cow, farmer manure non-degradable hoof tapes km2), endand up biogas Soft fit freshener REASONS TO CHOOSE INTRA READY The ECO-BATH: fresh minty smell stimulates all cows to easily walk FOR Safe A and friendly for cow,5 farmer and biogas indigester our environment waste containers, manure pits manure digester Apply up to 4 hooves with 1 roll through without in hesitation.

DEGREE OF DEGRADATION IN 4 WEEKS

V0622-EN

W

ith cows indoors, and not walking the distances that they would at pasture, cases of lameness may go undetected This is a time when vigilance and good stockmanship on the part of the farmer become more important During the dry period, it is a good idea to walk through the dry cow shed every day, get all cows up and walking and observe for mobility issues, rumen fill and check for mastitis.

The majority of cows that become lame do so as a result of problems in the lower limb in the region of the hoof. While upper limb injuries do occur, these injuries cause a small proportion of the lameness cases we see on Irish dairy farms.

Common disease conditions causing lameness in Irish dairy cows • White line disease • Sole bruising • Sole ulcer • Foul in the foot • Mortellaro or Digital Dermatitis In grazing herds, white line issues and sole bruising are the most common hoof lesions that we see. Many vets and hoof trimmers also report anecdotally that Mortellaro (also known as Digital Dermatitis) has become more prevalent in recent years.

When it comes to deciding how best to treat conditions such as white line disease, the results of a study carried out at Nottingham University are worth considering.

This study involved a large number of cows that were mildly lame (AHDB Mobility Score 2 on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 being 100% sound and Mobility Score 3 being obviously lame). All these cows suffered from claw horn lesions such as white line disease, sole haemorrhage/bruising or sole ulcer. Cows with Mortellaro lesions were excluded.

5 REASONS TO CHOOSE INTRA ECO-BATH

V0720-EU

ECO TAPE: FUTURE PROOF 6 REASONS TO CHOOSE to5 INTRA battle lameness?

REASONS TO CHOOSE INTRA ECO-BATH FOR PLANET AND ANIMAL INTRA ECO TAPE

maintenance. is farmers’ first choice! are used on lame cows by hoof trimmers, professionalThis green concept Good stretchability, easy-tear LEARN MORE livestock farmers and veterinarians worldwide. These and great adhesive properties DEGREE OF DEGRADAT non-degradable hoof tapes (approx.7 km2), end up Soft fit in our environment in waste containers, manure pits Apply up to 4 hooves with 1 roll or on the field. Intra Eco Tape, the new degradable Ecologically HOW TO APPLYpacked without plastics tapeDEGRADABILITY preserves its original properties such as a good No chemical coloring TO APPLY stretchability, easy-tear and great adhesiveFor properties. more information callHOW Agrihealth

LAMENESS REDUCTION IMPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE Agrihealth

on 047 71800 or email info@agrihealth.ie Distributed in Ireland by Agrihealth. www.agrihealth.ie

Winter Lameness If on the other hand, a cow goes lame, she may be left untreated until a few more go lame, or until she has deteriorated significantly to the point where she simply must be treated. Those of us treating lame cows know from experience that best treatment outcomes are achieved with diseases such as white line disease and sole ulcer are treated early in the course the condition.

Based on research work carried out by John Huxley et al at Nottingham University, we now have clear research evidence to back up our experience.

My own experience is that best treatment results are achieved on farms that call early, ideally within days of the cow going lame.

Mortellaro is a bacterial infection affecting the skin in the region of the hoof. It causes an extremely painful erosion of the skin, resulting in flat strawberry-like lesions that can be up to 5 centimetres in diameter.

This condition is contagious, and if left unnoticed and unchecked, has the potential to spread rapidly through a herd.

While cows are indoors, the risk of Mortellaro or Digital Dermatitis causing cows to go lame significantly increases. When cows are at pasture, we tend to see sporadic or occasional cases of Mortellaro, maybe 1 or 2 per week. In contrast, when cows are indoors, we can see outbreaks of this condition. This often happens when cows are dry and not observed daily.

The purpose of walking cows through a foot bath containing a disinfectant is simply to reduce the level of infections (both Mortellaro and Foul in the Foot causing infections) on the cows`feet and in the cow environment.

If Mortellaro is diagnosed in a cow herd, it is important that control measures are put in place to reduce the number of new infections appearing. Spot treatment of Mortellaro lesions by spraying may cure the lesions, but many cows may be affected unless control measures are adopted.

These measures include • regular foot bathing ( up to 3 or 4 times/week may be necessary) • running scrapers as often as possible, • cleaning up yards and passageways to prevent cows walking through banked up slurry • keeping young stock (weanlings and replacement heifers) away from contact with cow slurry • Early detection and prompt lifting and treating of lame feet.

Affected feet should be cleaned, dried with paper towel, and sprayed with oxytetracycline spray daily for 3 days. This treatment

•

will cure the vast majority of Mortellaro lesions and ensure few recur. As oxytetracycline spray is an antibiotic, consult with your veterinary surgeon before using it.

It is important to state that there is no scientific evidence to support the widespread belief that foot bathing with formalin or anything else hardens hooves.

Essential elements of a lameness control plan • Prompt treatment of cows that become lame • Routine preventative trimming of higher risk cows (cows with history of lameness, cows with overgrown feet, older cows, mildly lame cows) • Regular foot bathing (if Mortellaro present in herd) • Record all cases of lameness in herd • Cull cows that are chronically lame • Assess roadways, yards, cubicles and feed barrier space • Familiarise yourself with AHDB Mobility Scoring system and use regularly to identify mildly lame cows for early treatment (Youtube videos very useful)

Conclusion

In conclusion, lameness in dairy cows is a significant challenge on many farms.

Treatment outcomes can often be disappointing resulting in the development of a cohort of cows that develop long lasting lameness conditions and only achieve a partial cure.

The following few key management changes could significantly improve treatment outcomes: 1. Identify and treat cows lame cows as early as possible 2. If Mortellaro present on the farm, foot bath cows regularly and do so consistently all year round (Discuss with vet/hoof trimmer) 3. Keep indoor environment as clean as possible Making these few changes can bring significant improvement in lameness incidence over the coming winter months.

In the next issue, we will consider management changes and adjustments to infrastructure that would be helpful in reducing the number of cows that develop lameness conditions as cows head outdoors in the spring.

Parts Now Available

BOBMAN Bedding Machines

online bobman.ie

BOBMAN -Value Your Time

CLEANS 150 CUBICLES IN UNDER 5 MINUTES Features z 3 in 1 – All Bobman bedding machines scrape the slats, brush the cubicle bed and

spread an even layer of bedding. z Bobman Bedding machines can spread all types of bedding, including Lime or

powder disinfectant, sawdust, chopped straw, peat bed, paper mulch and more. z Bobman Bedding machines can also be fitted with a disinfectant sprayer to spray

the cubicle bed. z Using a Bobman will reduce farm workload, saving the average farm over 1 hour

per day. z Cleaning the beds and shed with a Bobman regularly will help to reduce herd

disease and cell count. z The majority of herds using a Bobman will reduce their use of bedding materials. z Using a Bobman reduces the risk of physical injury to farmers or their employees

whilst cleaning the cow shed.

Moreway Ltd 086 8130876 or 01 5332875 Email - info@bobman.ie web www.bobman.ie

Visit agritraining.ie or Call Ger on 087 2510704 Is Lameness a problem on your farm?

Would you like to learn how best to deal with it?

Looking for a new and relevant topic for your 2024 Discussion Group?

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

10

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

Greenway Agritraining deliver on-farm Hoofcare courses across Munster and Leinster.

Progress

Farmers & Contractors: Embracing Progress, Change & Mechanisation

The breed society that gives you more The Irish Holstein Friesian Association is made up of more than 4,000 members across Ireland. Responsible for the upkeep of the Pedigree Holstein Friesian and Pure Friesian Herdbook, the IHFA boasts some of the top dairy herds in the country.

The Friesian breeds are versatile, productive, fertile, long-lasting and greatly profitable. They can be breed and managed to suit a range of farm types and systems. This was never clearer than at the recent IHFA Farm Focus Open Day - where 7 very diverse but equally successful IHFA Herds were on display.

Large quantities of milk with valuable high fat and protein components, a valuable calf and cull cow as well as a fertile resilient animal is what you can expect from pedigree IHFA animals.

Pedigree registration gives you a guarantee of the families and genetics behind your animals as well as vital tools to help make the best breeding decisions for you herd. In addition to this, IHFA Membership gives you access to valuable services such as classification, catalogue services, sales & marketing support and a vast network of knowledgable pedigree breeders.

“Solids, Value, Fertility, Longevity”

W

e are all in favour of progress. After all, wasn’t it progress that brought us the electric kettle and the pop-up toaster?

BUT, human nature being what it is, it’s the change that progress brings that many of us fear most.

One current example is the relentless drift towards a cashless society.

Whether or not farmers will delight in not needing to carry cash in their trouser pocket is something that remains to be seen.

That said, in many other aspects of life – not least those that relate to their own livelihoods – it could be argued that, across almost every facet of their highly diverse lives – farmers occupy a pole position when it comes to embracing progress and accepting the change it brings.

Within the lifetime of many readers, farming life as once portrayed on John Hinde postcards – that of a farmer, pony and cart transporting a milk churn to the creamery, or cutting corn with a horse-drawn, rideon reaper – bears no comparison to the life farmers enjoy today.

In the business of land use, food production, and the embrace of all IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

12

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

things new, farmers have shown themselves to be amongst the most progressive of us all.

Facilitating much of this change is mechanisation and the emergence of the agricultural contractor.

Highly-equipped, expertly staffed, and hugely-efficient – with the means, know-how and energy to free farmers of the toil and manpower needs to prepare, plant and harvest their land – contractors have become a force for change across many aspects of farming life. With them in lockstep are leading machinery suppliers amongst whom names like IAM, Farmhand and Atkins are prominent.

At the forefront also is ‘crossover’ construction-to-farming equipment distributor, McHale Plant Sales whose distinguishing element is its strong presence in agriculture, forestry, construction and civil works.

From a farming viewpoint, their product lines span a spectrum that includes Komatsu construction, civil works and forestry equipment, Merlo telehandlers, Metso stone crushers, and Prinoth tracked dump

IHFA Services: • Pedigree registrations • Classification • Herd Grade Up • YMA • Advertising • Marketing • Catalogues AND SO MUCH MORE Don’t delay - become an IHFA Member today!

Call 023-883 3443

Herds can be graded up to pedigree in 3 generations or less depending on your herd records with expert support from our field officers. A superb Young Members Association is thriving across the country which helps devlop our next generation of dairy farmers.

For more information on how to become an IHFA farmer & grade up to pedigree, or engage new services as an existing member visit our website www.ihfa.ie or call the office on 023-883 3443. Our dedicated team will be delighted to help you on your journey to a more marketable, profitable herd.

Progress trucks and mulchers.

According to their sales director, Denis McGrath, the synergies that McHale Plant Sales brings to the contractors’ party can be seen “within our diverse, yet complimentary, equipment portfolio”.

Spanning what he terms ‘a fascinating divide’ between heavy-duty Komatsu wheel loaders and Merlo telehandlers – exhibition favourites popular in sileage harvesting, grain storage, animal care and foodstuffs production applications – a primary point-of-interest for contractors can be found also in what McGrath says are “the many other fields of opportunity into which agricultural contractors could diversify”.

Citing their Komatsu excavators range as one example, McGrath underlines the ‘expansionary’ possibilities that excavator ownership opens-up for contractors.

Beyond crop planting and harvesting, McGrath suggests that “significant opportunity exists for contractors in flood abeyance and drainage projects, in the reclamation of scrub land, in farm buildings construction, and in landscape renewal, water, energy and environmental projects”.

Moving outside the realm of farming, McGrath points to other equipment lines distributed by McHale Plant Sales which, he believes would “open new vistas for contractors active in farming and rural environments.”

Citing their new Prinoth range of tracked vehicles and mulchers, he foresees opportunity for contractors “in ground works and bog reclamation arenas; in the restoration of forest sites; in road building, planting and maintenance of verges; wind, in solar and alternative energy projects; in parkland, sporting and amenities development; in the re-routing of streams and rivers, and in storm protection and snow management scenarios”.

In a letter published by West Cork’s Southern Star newspaper recently under the heading ‘Farmers should educate city folk on their plight’, a reader noted the gap in understanding that exists between city dwellers and rural communities when it comes to understanding the contribution being made by farmers for which they are not given proper credit.

Reflected in their willingness to invest in their businesses and in the

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

14

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

maintenance and care of landscapes which we all value so much, east coast dwellers keen to get a sense of this should treat themselves to a drive into the North Dublin and Meath countryside.

There - west of Drogheda in the vicinity of Bellewstown - motorists can see what farming on the grand scale is like. Amongst the sights to feast-their-eyes-upon is a tapestry of fields amongst which, at 334 acres, is the largest one in Ireland.

Within the space of an hour or less, agri-sceptics can compile all the evidence anyone would need to underline the immense contribution to life in Ireland that farmers and contractors make - in terms of their care and love of the land, animal welfare, financial investment and labour. If they fall short in any way, it is in their failure (as the Southern Star writer noted) to fully convince city dwellers of those facts.

Labour management

Labour management

Achieving Sustainable Workloads On Dairy Farms Understanding labour time-use on dairy farms is key to identifying strategies to reduce labour demand and establishing sustainable workloads. By Marion Beecher, Bernadette O’Brien and Conor Hogan

individual elements that could save time, the effect of these techniques, individually and in combination on labour demand, using real-time on-farm data, is unknown to-date. More in-depth examination could highlight the most effective strategies to reduce labour demand and guide farmers on decision-making.

Seventy-six farmers and their workers recorded their labour time-use on one alternating day each week using a smartphone application from the 1st February to 30th June 2019. This ensured that tasks completed routinely on an individual day were recorded, while at the same time, the recording would not be considered too inconvenient for the farmers involved. Contractors and any workers not using a smartphone recorded their labour input through an online form. Following this labour input recording period, and largely as a consequence of the labour data generated, a variety of labour saving techniques were implemented and work practices modified on some of the farms over the latter part of 2019 and 2020. These changes made on farms were recorded through a survey questionnaire of the individual farmers. A subsequent recording of time use was conducted in springtime of 2021 (February to April) on 57 of those farms who made technology and/or work practice changes.

Time-use

I

n recent years, Irish dairy farms have expanded to meet increased demand for dairy products, resulting in larger farms with greater requirements for labour input. Simultaneously the number of people employed in agriculture has been in decline. The issue of labour requirement and availability is exacerbated within pasturebased milk production systems which are characterized by a compact calving pattern designed to maximize the utilization of grazed grass, IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

Information regarding technology and work practice implementation was acquired through a survey of farms, and fifty nine work practices and technologies were identified as being associated with labour efficiency (Figure 1). On average, farms implemented 31 of these labour efficient work practices and technologies (ranging from 10 to 45). The most labour efficient 25% of farms implemented 37 work practices and technologies compared to 25 on the least labour efficient 25% of farms. There remains scope to increase the adoption of these work practices/ technologies on farm with even the most labour efficient farms implementing only 63% (37) of the 59 available. When accumulated, these labour efficient practices and technologies have the potential to have a large impact on labour demand. Additionally, many of the work practices included required minimal capital expenditure and focused on improved work organisation so should be relatively easy to implement. Other strategies identified incur a cost, which in some cases, the farmer may not wish to spend. However, the cost may be lessened when the farmers own time costs are considered.

For example, if contractors are employed, they generally have more efficient equipment, reducing the time spent at the task and the farmer has a lower requirement for machinery. Consequently, farm machinery running costs and depreciation, which can account for 60% of total machinery costs on-farm, are reduced. The ease of technology implementation is also an important consideration.

Certain technologies such as automatic heat detection aids can reduce the mental workload of the farmer by identifying the correct time to inseminate a cow. Yet other technologies have the potential to increase the mental burden through the volume of information/ data produced, making it difficult to establish what information is key for decision making. Therefore, the degree of comfort that a farmer has with smart technology and computers/ smartphones may determine whether a technology is adopted or not.

Work organisation

A further novel aspect of this study was the development of a framework to measure farm work organisation effectiveness using the time-use data collected. Improvements in work organisation can have positive outcomes for job satisfaction and optimise business performance, particularly through improved labour productivity and efficiency. Studying work organisation in other industries and within agriculture allowed us to identify three key characteristics or measures of work organisation: efficiency and productivity, flexibility and standardisation. Work efficiency and productivity are key characteristics of any work system, focusing on maximising the output of inputted labour without negatively affecting work quality. Flexibility is important in terms of achieving a balance between work and personal life. This can be challenging on farms due to the repetitive nature of tasks such as milking and calf care; the consequent effects of which mean farmers often work 7 days per week. Standardisation IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business

Farm Business

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

>> SEE PAGE 22

16

but also create an unbalanced workload throughout the year. The reduced availability of workers, combined with farmers placing increased emphasis on achieving a good work/life balance has led to work organisation and labour efficiency emerging as priority research topics. To achieve improved labour efficiency through better timeuse and productivity, a greater understanding of the peak workload on farms is required. While a number of studies have identified

Labour efficiency improved as herd size increased, though there were large variations observed across farms; highlighting both highly efficient farms and farms with scope for improvement. However, herd size did not impede farmers in being labour efficient; highly labour efficient farms were observed with small and large cow herds. In the 2019 study, farmers worked on average 60 hours/week from February to June, while milking (31%) and calf care (14%) were the most timeconsuming tasks. Then using the longitudinal data of 2019 to 2021, the positive effects of implementing new facilities, technologies and work practices (e.g. milking parlours, automatic calf feeders) on labour efficiency were observed; total labour efficiency was improved by 7% (0.6 hours/cow) during the intervening period.

Case study farms that made substantial changes to the milking and calf care facilities and practices between 2019 and 2021 were selected to examine the impact that these changes had on labour demand and efficiency. Four case study farms that implemented new milking parlours or added additional milking units improved their milking efficiency by 15% (2.89 to 2.45 h/ cow per farm) and reduced milking labour input by 15% (402 to 342 h per farm). Seventeen farms made substantial calf care changes including constructing a new calf shed, installing an automatic calf feeder, selling male calves and contract rearing heifer calves pre-weaning. These farms had on average 26 more cows per farm in 2021 than in 2019 (increasing from 137 to 163 cows), but calf care labour input declined by 5% (240 to 228 h per farm) and calf care labour efficiency improved by 16% (1.83 to 1.53 h/ cow per farm). Of these farms the largest improvement was observed on the eight farms that installed automatic calf feeders, where calf care labour efficiency improved by 23% (1.76 h/ cow to 1.36 h/ cow).

Labour efficient work practices and technologies

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

17

Labour management

Labour management

Item

Work organisation effectiveness Top 25%

Bottom 25%

Average herd size

112

113

Labour efficiency (h/cow)

17.4

20.9

Labour input per week (h/week)

51.2

70

Farmer length of working day (h)

11.4

13.2

Farmer days off between start of calving and end of breeding

2

1

Number of tasks completed by the farmer per day

9.6

12.5

Farmer finish time

18:25

19:58

Table 1. Characteristics of farms (n=55) ranked in the top and bottom 25% for work organisation effectiveness

refers to the sequence and structure of tasks to ensure high standards of work quality.

Efficiency and productivity were measured in terms of farm hours worked per cow and farmer hours worked per day; flexibility was described by the length of the farmers’ working day and the number of days off for the farmer between the start of calving and end of breeding; and standardisation was expressed as the number of different tasks completed by the farmer per day and the finish time of the farmer. Table 1 presents results for the top and bottom 25% of farms for work organisation effectiveness.

The top 25% of farms for work organisation effectiveness had better labour efficiency, lower labour input, shorter work days and earlier finishing times than the bottom 25% of farms. Some of the savings in hours worked is likely due to those farms having labour-saving facilities, technologies and work practices as well as effective work organisation. In addition, a small sample of farms had profitability data available, and among these farms, the most effective for work organisation had higher profitability than the least effective farms.

The data generated allowed us to identify patterns of good organisation which we can describe as ‘the ideal working day’. ‘The ideal working day’ was characterised by: • Later start and earlier finish times (than the average farm) • Having more free evening time through earlier and fixed finish times • Fewer different tasks completed during the day • Longer non-farm activity time during the working day Examples of this work day pattern during March are presented in Figure 2; illustrating an example of an ‘ideal working day’ (Farmer 4) and a farmer with ineffective work organisation (Farmer 50).

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

Benefits

This study has shown that dairy farming systems can be sustainable in terms of workload. The consideration of the different strategies highlighted with respect to farm facilities, work practices, technologies, work organisation can allow farmers to make logical decisions to address their given labour challenges. Placing greater value on the sustainability of workload will be essential for future dairy farming

systems. The positive cases observed in terms of farmer working hours and the potential flexibility of the dairy farming workload should be highlighted; both to address the negative perceptions associated with careers in dairy farming and to show farmers what can be achieved on their own farms.

Funding details: This project is funded by Dairy Research Ireland and Teagasc’s Walsh Scholarship Programme.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business

Farm Business

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

>> SEE PAGE 22

18

Figure 2: Examples of work day pattern during March illustrating an example of an ‘ideal working day’ (Farmer 4) and a farmer with ineffective work organisation (Farmer 50).

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

19

Figure 1: Visual display of the work practices and technologies associated with labour efficiency

Milk Cooling

Charriau Spiral Tubular Pre Cooler

T

he Charriau Spiral Tubular Pre Cooler was exhibited at the recent National Ploughing Championships on the Milking 4 U stand and also at the National Dairy Show in Millstreet, Co. Cork on the Care Chem Supplies Ltd stand.

The Charriau Spiral tube cooler, manufactured in France, has been installed in dairy farms for many years throughout France. They are maintenance free and last a lifetime, combined with tremendous energy savings on milk cooling on the farm.

This unique milk pre cooler comes in 7 different sizes and has many advantages compared to a plate cooler.

The spiral cooler comes with all stainless steel milk and water jacket coils with an outer plastic cover on each coil.

Coolers with 3 or more coils have a stainless steel manifold with an internal distributor/diffuser to distribute the milk (and water when washing) into each coil evenly. The patented design ensures vigorous turbulence of the cold water flowing in the opposite direction to the milk within the cooler and maximises the heat exchange temperature of the milk to within 5ºC of the cold water temperature.

Our pre coolers are the only ones to offer control panels that allow the milk/water ratio to be controlled and regulated, thereby maximising cooling efficiency.

The easy movement of the milk from milk pump through the tube cooler guarantees gentle cooling of milk and no damage to milk solids, which is an important component of milk price. As there are no seals or dirt traps within the cooler, cleaning and maintenance is not an issue, as it is washed as part of the circulation cleaning of the milking machine. For more information see www.charriau.com.

Care Chem Supplies Ltd, Dromalour, Kanturk, Co.Cork.

P51CF70 Email. carechemsupplies@eircom.net Contact Joe Murphy Mob.087 2598537

Email: sales@mchaleplant.com

Unit 525 Greenogue Business Park Rathcoole, Co. Dublin P: +353 (0)1-4018540 IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

22

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

P: +353 (0)61-379112 IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

Birdhill, Co. Tipperary

DAIRYING

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

www.mchaleplantsales.comFarm Business IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

23

Forestry

Why Farmers Should Grow Trees Forest planting make sense from a commercial perspective

By Eugene Hendrick1 and Henry Phillips2

IT PAYS TO PLANT TREES

T

he government has recently launched a new forest strategy that aims to increase the level of forest cover from 11% at present to 18% over the period to mid-century and beyond. Many will have heard the programme being promoted on the radio and in other media.

The strategy and accompanying programme aim to deliver a range of ecosystem services which include the provision of wood for fuel, timber and other products. Forests and forest products also play a role in climate change mitigation by removing and storing carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, and this is a strong driver of the strategy.

A wide menu of grant aid is available under the programme in terms of forest types (FTs), and these are geared to incentivise land owners to plant part of their land. An outline of the programme is available at gov.ie3, while Teagasc has a useful guide to the FTs included and the levels of grants and premium payments available4.

The focus of this article is on the commercial end of the forestry programme - wood production and sale. We show the type of financial returns a land owner can expect by investing part of their land asset into mixed high forests with spruce and broadleaves (Forest Type 12 or FT 12). We also briefly touch on the level of carbon dioxide removals that can be expected from FT 12, bearing in mind that the framework for potentially crediting forest removals remains under development at the EU and national levels.

FT 12 involves establishing spruce forest, typically fast-growing Sitka spruce, with an admixture of a minimum of 20% broadleaves, either mixed through the spruce or in separate blocks. The stocking rate is 2,500 trees per hectare (plants spaced at 2 x 2 metres), which is necessary to produce good quality logs which are easy to fell and delimb, and process into wood products, be that woodchip or woodbased panels from early thinnings, or sawn timber from later felling.

Under the FT 12 category there is an establishment grant of €3,858 per hectare, plus an annual forest premium of €746 per hectare, payable for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers. A separate fencing grant is also available.

So what level of income can actually be generated by investing part of a farm or land holding into FT 12.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

24

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

A first thinning from a Sitka spruce forest being chipped for energy use after a period of stacking and drying at forest roadside. Thinning not only provides early income to the grower, it also makes the remining trees grow faster and reach more valuable sizes quicker.

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

Young spruce forest showing good stocking and leader growth (photo Teagasc).

DAIRYING

SmartEarth – smartearth.ie – forest policy and climate change analyst – eugene.hendrick@smartearth.ie Forestry consultant – forest valuation and forecasting - hprphillips@gmail.com 3 https://assets.gov.ie/268252/59e8729c-9e6a-4221-bbc6-d1a5d9fa2f44.pdf 4 https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/grants/ 1 2

Ireland’s new Forestry Programme is now open. Attractive grants and premiums worth more than €1,100 per hectare are available. Plan for the future with trees on your farm.

Explore your options at www.gov.ie/forestry

Forestry

Forestry

Income and returns from forest type 12

Income levels depend on premiums, but also, and particularly in the case of spruce crops on growth rates and wood prices.

Following two to three years in the establishment phase when some control of competing vegetation may be necessary, growth will accelerate to 60 to 80 cm a year and the trees will fully occupy the site by age 10 or thereabouts depending on growth rate.

The range in growth rates and commercial wood yield of spruce crops in Ireland is well-established following many years of investigation in trial plots and growth modelling. This work has also shown that spruce growth rates in Ireland are among the fastest in Europe. Essentially this is what makes spruce growing an attractive and profitable investment for the landowner.

Markets for spruce timber in Ireland and the UK are well established and set to expand with the increased emphasis on timber construction to replace concrete and other high carbon emission products. Harvest levels, a reflection of strong markets, have been steadily increasing, and in recent years have reached and exceeded 4 million cubic metres per year.5 The All Ireland roundwood production forecast predicts a harvest level of close to 7 million cubic metres by 2030, with most of the increase coming from the private sector. So, strong markets and a foreseen higher level of use of wood products in construction.

Prices for most categories of wood harvest will vary over time, but owners are in a position to delay or bring forward thinning or final felling harvest according to market prices. A word of caution, final felling too early, at say 25 years, when there may be good prices in the market, can be a false economy. The high rate of growth at that age will mostly cancel out market fluctuations and the level of overall income will be significantly reduced compared to holding the crop for a further five to 10 years. Guidance on the best time to consider final felling is available via the Forst Service felling decision tool6.

Depending on site fertility and exposure the growth of Sitka spruce will vary. Foresters have a number of ways of classifying forest growth rate and productivity. Here we use a commonly used measure of productivity called yield class. It simply tells the forester and land owner how fast the crop is growing and how many cubic metres of commercial wood volume there are likely to be in the forest at a given top height or age. Assortment tables are used to calculate the proportion of different sizes of log in the forest. Using these data sources and timber prices the value of the standing crop at different ages can be calculated.

Using the calculated values and taking into account the forest premium payments on the income side and management and other costs we can calculate the rate of return on the investment of the land asset into forestry (assuming the land is owned by the farmer). We also calculate what is called the net present value (NPV), also called present value. It brings all the costs and income to the present day at a certain rate of interest. It’s a way of saying how would you value a series of future costs and revenues if they were all to happen in the current year.

For example, the table below assumes that prior to afforestation the land is used for rearing cattle. Based on the recent Teagasc farm survey this yielded an average €316 per hectare in annual income in 2021.

The NPV of this annual income forgone was calculated at 4%. At the end of the rotation the value of the land is credited back to the farmer.

Income from BISS (Basic Income Support Scheme) payments is not included in the analysis, nor payments to flat rate farmers i.e. those not registered for VAT based on the timber revenues. If landowners qualify, they can charge 5.6% on timber revenues and keep this income for themselves in lieu of VAT payments on other goods and services. The normal costs for maintenance, roading, licensing etc are included. The planting assumes 72% spruce, 18% broadleaves and 10% biodiversity/open space. The revenues are based on a three thin model and seven-year average prices. The discount rate used was 4.5% which approximates the current market discount rate. Finally it is assumed that the grant payment fully covers the cost of establishment up to year four.

The table shows the progress in growth and income, as well as costs per hectare for Sitka spruce plantation at yield class 24. NPV is the net present value. The crop is grown for 35 years and is thinned three times. The main income is from timber sales, and at final felling the estimated income is over €20,000 per hectare.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

26

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

Using the same approach as in the above table we have calculated the net discounted revenue and internal rates of return for a range of yield classes, and these are summarised in the table below.

Year

Costs

Other Revenues

Timber

Net Cash

NPV

2024

5,898

746

-

- 5,152

- 5,152

2025

-

746

-

746

714

2026

-

746

-

746

683

2027

-

746

-

746

654

2028

35

746

-

711

596

2029

35

746

-

711

571

2030

35

746

-

711

546

2031

35

746

-

711

522

2032

35

746

-

711

500

2033

35

746

-

711

478

2034

35

746

-

711

458

2035

35

746

-

711

438

2036

35

746

-

711

419

2037

35

746

-

711

401

2038

75

746

-

671

362

2039

35

746

-

711

367

2040

35

746

-

711

352

2041

1,895

746

180

- 969

- 459

2042

35

746

-

711

322

2043

54

746

2044

35

-

-

2045

59

-

529

470

186

2046

35

-

-

- 35

- 13

2047

35

-

-

- 35

- 13

2048

35

-

- 35

- 12

2049

54

-

1,301

1,247

415

2050

35

-

-

- 35

- 11

2051

35

-

-

- 35

- 11

2052

35

-

-

- 35

- 10

2053

35

-

- 35

- 10

2054

35

-

-

- 35

-9

2055

35

-

-

- 35

-9

2056

35

-

-

- 35

-9

2057

35

-

-

- 35

-8

2058

154

-

20,220

20,066

4,493

5,898

1,264

2059

-

5,898

-

Totals

9,064

20,818

22,230

692

300

- 35

- 15

forest. Nevertheless, for a land owner the attractions of investing in forest are clear, and forest income is not subject to income tax.

Where the forest is to be worked using thinning a minimum area of around 5 hectares is required to pay for machine movement costs.

Smaller forest areas can be economically managed if thinning is not considered, though cash flow analysis shows that thinned forest will yield a higher level of return to the owner than unthinned forest.

9,301

Yield Class

Rotation

IRR

22

35

10.11%

NPV/ha 8,276

24

35

12.01%

9,301

26

33

13.60%

9,666

28

32

14.31%

10,231

30

31

14.79%

10,570

1 cubic metre of freshly-felled spruce at say 55% moisture content weighs about 0.8 tonnes. Timber stacked in an open space over the summer drying period can dry to a moisture content of 40% and lower, and now 1 cubic metre will weigh about 0.6 tonnes because of moisture loss. As a result, it is better to transact wood sales in cubic metres than in tonnes.

6 gov.ie - Tree Felling Licences (www.gov.ie) or https://forestry.designwest.ie/public/ 5

The internal rates of return from the analysis range from over 10% to close to 15%. The higher yield classes are more the exception than the rule, so the IRRs are likely to be in the range 10-13%. These represent the rate of interest that a FT 12 forest assert can attain over three and half decades. These rates compare well with the rates obtainable from most other asset classes, and from most types of farming. Noting of course that the calculations exclude the cost of land, and refer to returns where a land owner invests part of their asset into commercial

Sawlog stacked and ready for transport – the most valuable assortment

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

27

Forestry Tel: 057 9151417 Email: info@banagherslats.com Web: www.banagherslats.com

Dermot Devery: 087 2591742 Jim O’Gorman: 087 2570755 Billy Guilfoyle: 087 2526723 Johnathan Sutton: 087 6572249

Inspect & Replace Slats Now! Climate change mitigation

One of the main aims of the government’s policy to expand forest cover in order to address national and EU climate goals to radically reduce greenhouse gas emission – at the national level the target is to reduce emissions by half by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

Our colleague Dr Kevin Black7 has estimated that FT 12 with a yield class 24 crop has an average removal rate of 9 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year, up to a maximum of 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare. In other words, if the carbon uptake in the forest is to be balanced with emissions from say dairy cattle, 300 tonnes per hectare is the maximum amount that could be offset. As we note, the exact mechanism for crediting forest removals under the EU’s carbon farming initiative have yet to finalised, although there are several socalled voluntary carbon market initiatives related to afforestation and forest management in existence.

Conclusions

Forest Type 12 will provide good rates of income and returns on land converted to a forest asset. For example by devoting an area of 5 ha to forest will generate a tax-free income in the range of €100,000 after 35 years, as well as intermediate income from forest premium and timber sales from thinnings.

The same 5 ha has the potential to remove some 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and contribute to climate change mitigation at farm and national level.

Further information on FT 12 and other forest types is available from Teagasc or from the companies and individuals listed at forestry.ie

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

28

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

Dr Kevin Black is Forest Ecologist and GIS Analyst at Forest, Environmental Research & Services (FERS) Limited – fers.ie. He compiles national greenhouse gas inventories for the forest sector on behalf of the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as advising a number of other government departments and agencies on the land use, and-se change and forestry (LULUCF) sector.

7

BANAGHER SLATS SUPERIOR DURABILITY SUPERIOR QUALITY

Trusted by Irish farmers for over 40 years

Animal Health

Effective Foot-bathing

Without Antibiotics The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued advice warning against the ‘off label’ use of soluble antibiotic powders such as erythromycin and lincomycin in footbaths to treat lameness in dairy cows. The unauthorised use of antibiotics carries a significant risk to public health, due to potential residues in milk and meat, antimicrobial resistance and environmental contamination. Alternatives to antibiotics must be the first choice for use in footbaths as part of a prevention programme to control lameness.

F

oot-bathing for lameness control helps to reduce the incidence of new infections and improve the condition of the hoof - effective foot-bathing can reduce lameness by up to 70%! Renowned cattle veterinarian Roger Blowey, FRCVS steadfastly advises fellow farmers to treat hoof issues as you would treat mastitis and footbath all milking cows daily, just like teat dipping. He emphasises that for effective control of lameness, prevention is the best approach. He also asserts that greater economic benefit comes from foot-bathing more frequently than any other animal health change made on farm.

Mortellaro, or digital dermatitis (DD), is an infectious condition and one of the major causes of lameness reducing mobility, comfort, feed intake, milk yield and fertility. This infectious condition can spread quickly through the entire herd and can reduce milk yield by at least one litre per cow per day. Foot-bathing throughout the year consistently keeps the number of lame cows to a low number and is an important way to reduce the DD challenge.

Footbath solution

Formaldehyde and copper sulphate are the most commonly used non-antibiotic footbaths and both have issues for sustained use. These chemicals quickly become ineffective when in contact with organic matter so choosing a scientifically proven footbath solution which also has robust on-farm data is important. A clinical trial by the Royal Veterinary College compared Hoofsure Endurance to formalin. 90 cows were involved in a 24 week split footbath study. Results after 12 weeks showed Hoofsure Endurance to be 19% more effective than formalin*. The Journal of Dairy Science published a study comparing Hoofsure Endurance to copper sulphate. After 9 weeks, Hoofsure Endurance was 7% more effective than copper sulphate at reducing the incidence of lesions*.

Topical application

While foot-bathing plays a vital role in preventing many lameness conditions, topical applications to lesions is required where infection rates or pressure are high.

Hoofsure Endurance can be used as a 25% topical spray in conjunction with or as an alternative to foot-bathing. Provita Konquest Gel (see image 1) is a unique concentrated blend with potent penetrating action and advanced bio-adhesion properties. Can be used with or without a bandage on those larger lesions. Provita Combat is a unique film-forming spray which provides long-lasting activity, it can be used easily in the parlour.

NATURALLY BETTER than formaldehyde and copper

New Developments

Spraying infected animals with 25% Hoofsure Endurance Solution Hoofsure Endurance can be used as a 25% topical spray using an acid resistant sprayer in conjunction with or as an alternative to footbathing. This involves 4 simple steps: 1. Clean feet if necessary.

2. Do not overfill the sprayer, leave at least 1 litre space at the top. If overfilled and/or over pumped the sprayer will be damaged.

3. Spray feet with Provita Hoofsure Endurance (1 part product to 3 parts water).

4. Apply for three consecutive days.

Increase productivity and reduce lameness with Hoofsure Endurance – the safe, clinically proven and cost-effective footbath:

For further information please contact Whelehan Animal health at 01 4688900. *References available on request

Clinically proven – Active organic formulation that helps to clean feet and prevent lameness. Up to 44% more effective than copper and formaldehyde.*

SPECIAL OFFER Purchase 3 x 20 litre

Safe to use & dispose – Biodegradable, natural footbath solution that’s better for the environment and safer for animal and human health.

Hoofsure Endurance

RECEIVE FREE

Formaldehyde is carcinogenic

5 litre acid resistant sprayer

Copper is illegal

Valid whilst stocks last. Terms and Conditions apply.

50 kg

COPPER SULPHATE 300 COWS

25 litre

FORMALDEHYDE 375 COWS

*References available on request

20 litre Hoofsure Endurance 5000 COWS

MORE COWS PER LITRE!

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business

Farm Business

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

>> SEE PAGE 22

30

Contact Whelehan Animal Health on: (01) 5742410

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

65

PROVITA EUROTECH Ltd. 21 Bankmore Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT79 0EU Tel: +44 (0)28 8225 2352 Fax: +44 (0)28 8224 1734 FREEPHONE 0800 3284982 Email: info@provita.co.uk www.provita.co.uk

UNIT B NURE HOUSE CLONCOLLIG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TULLAMORE CO OFFALY

CALL LIAM BERGIN 086 607 9564 EMAIL: LIAMBERGINGREMO@HOTMAIL.COM WWW.LBGREMO.COM

When things get tight, the articulated steering system causes the rear carriage to automatically follow the front end.

Neither the working tool nor the rear end of the machine protru-de beyond the turning circle. That makes it easier to manoeuvre in tight areas!

With the additional swing function, it is possible to easily navigate large attachments through tight areas.

PAUS IRELAND

German loader - designed and built in Germany by PAUS who have been building construction, lift, mining and agriculture machines for over 50 years The PAUS TSL 9088 is a telescopic swing loader - 180 degree swing gives unrivalled visability - Makes loading and unloading in tight spaces much easier - telescopic reach of 4.8 m - Payload: 1.7 ton fully extended to 4.8m, 2.5 ton fully retracted and 800 kg on swing at 3.2m Hydraulic lock makes changing attachments very quick and easy. Can be paired with multiple attachments eg bucket, grapple, flail

NATIONWIDE SERVICE Sales and servicing for all PAUS machines is provided on a nationwide basis. Same day or next day service is facilitated by our team of outstanding fitters and by our strategic location in the Midlands in Tullamore Co Offaly. We have a wide range of parts in stock at all times and have developed a very efficient supply chain that enables overnight delivery of parts when required ensuring that there is minimal disruption to your operations.

We provide complimentary advice to all of our customers by phone or video conferencing to enable you to get the most from your machines and to be your partner in business.

Contact us to discuss your needs and requirements so that we can develop a bespoke product solution for you and be your trusted partner. Call us on 086-6079564 to speak with our sales department.

Tier 5 115 hp Deutz engine makes it both powerful and environmentally friendly Ergonomic cab design making driver comfort a priority

CALL LIAM BERGIN 086 607 9564

Commercial Feature

The Benefits Of Using Milk Replacer Volac’s feeding recommendations will lead to healthier, faster growing calves.

TAKE A MOMENT

TO REFLECT.

M

ilk is the primary source of nutrition for calves during their first three to four weeks. However, by feeding them a higher level of milk replacers within their first few days, farmers will help the calf to:

Imunopro® contains a blend of super-concentrated functional milk proteins. These proteins make up most of the protein content in colostrum, carrying most of the biologically valuable ingredients to the calf, including immunoglobins and amino acids.

• • • • •

Imunopro® contains 35% concentrated milk protein: twice as much as whey powder, which only contains 12.5 – 13% protein. Imunopro® also contains high levels of lysine and leucine, which are vital for growth and muscle protein synthesis.

Maximise feed efficiency Prevent early weight loss Maximise early growth potential Improve health and Improve future performance

It’s important to feed calves the same concentration of the same calf milk replacer at the same time every day and should be fed at 38 41°C. In addition, feeding a precise level of high-quality precision formulation milk replacer that has been replaced with the optimum level of vitamins and trace minerals will ensure that calves reach their full potential and meet the farmer’s target.

As a general rule of thumb, a calf fed 800g of Volac milk replacer daily will lead to an average growth of 0.81kg per day. Doubling the calf ’s birth weight by the time they are weaned is equally important as feed efficiency is highest during the milk feeding period.

If calves are to achieve that growth target, there are three key factors that farmers must consider: Environment, Nutrition and Health – collectively branded as the ‘growth triangle’.

By keeping your calves in a warm and suitable environment, providing them with the tools required to fight disease, and by ensuring they have the best nutrition in their diets, they will grow more efficiently.

To put it simply, warm, healthy calves grow much more efficiently than cold, underperforming calves.

Imunopro® also powers Volac’s performance-formulated Lifeguard Range, which features: • ImunoGard® • Heiferlac® • Blossom® Hi-spec • Blossom® Easymix and • Enerlac™ Lifeguard embodies a set of Volac principles which drives its milk formula development and manufacture. Each Lifeguard formula is designed to meet the different challenges faced by modern livestock farmers, making them more productive and giving calves the best start in life.

Trial research conducted by Volac (2019/20) revealed that calves that were fed milk replacer with a high inclusion level of Imunopro® grew faster in comparison to those fed milk replacer with a low-level inclusion of Imunopro®.

When it comes to the calf, maximising growth and development during the milk drinking phase helps with overall development and helps to build a strong immune system, ensuring that calves remain healthy and will meet their full potential.

Imunopro® forms the basis of Volac’s precision-formulated calf milk replacers, allowing Irish dairy farmers to rear the next generation of high performing milking cows highly effectively.

From the farmer’s perspective, increasing the pre-wean daily growth is proven to have an impact on age at first calving and the first lactation milk yield. Using high quality milk replacer ensures calves will get off to the best possible start when it comes to establishing and maintaining sustainable systems.

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

34

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

HEALTHIER FUTURE.

Adhering to Volac’s milk formula feeding recommendations will lead to healthier, faster growing calves; a younger age at first calving; and, ultimately, more milk produced per cow thanks to increased herd longevity.

Feeding calves a high-quality milk replacer with optimum levels of vitamins and trace minerals has many benefits for both animal and farmer.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

FEED FOR A

Drawing on over 40 years’ experience of both feed and feeding expertise, the Lifeguard range is supported by the industry’s best technical and training support, which also includes a comprehensive range of feeding equipment, giving farmers the flexibility to choose a system tailored to their individual requirements.

It’s also worth noting that not all milk replacer is the same: in fact, the type of milk replacer and its ingredients can have a significant impact on the calf ’s performance.

Imunopro® also helps dairy farmers grow better cows more economically and sustainably. It sets calves up for a lifetime of productivity when they reach the adult milking herd.

DON’T JUST FEED FOR GROWTH,

For further information, visit https://feedforgrowth.com/home.htm

Volac’s Lifeguard range of milk replacers all contain ImunoproTM, our unique concentrated milk protein, which enables better development of the early life immune system and stimulates the young calf’s digestive system, crucial for fast, healthy and sustainable growth. feedforgrowth.com

Animal Nutrition

DAIRYING

Volac International Limited, Volac House, Orwell, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5QX, United Kingdom T +44 (0)1223 208 021 · enquire@volac.com · Copyright © 2023 Volac International Ltd. All rights reserved.

Animal Bedding

Animal Bedding

Tottenham Timber

Disinfectant

Biocel Ltd – Launch Interkokask Disinfectant To The Irish Dairy Sector

T

ottenham Timber, established in 2003 is a family run business providing specialist supply & services within the Forestry, Farming and Animal Bedding sectors. We are one of Irelands leading independent suppliers of Quality Animal Bedding for the agricultural, equine & industrial sectors, providing a nationwide delivery service throughout all of Ireland & the Uk. Various grades of high quality Sawdust, Woodchip, Woodshavings are available to choose from in stock.

Tottenham Timber provide a wide range of supply options from single pallet deliveries to bulk walking floors using our in-house fleet of vehicles for our animal bedding supply. We strive to have a product and suitable delivery option for all our clients depending on their various circumstances.

Tottenham Timber are also leading in their field of Forestry Consultancy and also specialise in Timber Harvesting and the Marketing of Timber, Biomass supply and all other Forest Products.

B

iocel Ltd – Ireland’s leading manufacturer of Dairy Hygiene, Teat Care & Biosecurity products, are pleased to announce the launch of INTERKOKASK disinfectant to the Irish Dairy sector.

Coccidiosis & Cryptosporidium infection is one of the key causes of calf mortality on Irish Farms, & control / disinfection of these organisms is key to the reduction of scouring & resultant mortality in the calf herd.

Coccidiosis & Cryptosporidium organisms are resistant to conventional disinfectants, as they have a protective triple layer, which must be broken down before these conventional disinfectants are effective.

INTERKOKASK unique formulation breaks down this protective layer enabling the disinfectant to kill mature organisms, worm eggs & Coccidal oocysts in one application.

INTERKOKASK is also effective against TB, Brucellosis & Mycobacterium.

INTERKOKASK is packed in 1kg containers which can cover an area from 625 – 2500 Square metres depending on the target organism.

INTERKOKASK is European EN 14349/ 14675/1657 & 14204 tested and is a registered with the Department of Food & Marine.

INTERKOKASK is available along with the complete Biocel Dairy Hygiene & Teat Care range from your local stockist & a full Technical backup package on any aspect of Biosecurity / Dairy Hygiene is available if required by contacting Biocel Ltd @ 021 4353516 or info@biocel.ie.

Visit www.tottenhamtimber.ie or find us on facebook.

ATTENTION FARMERS, IT'LL BE HARD TO BEAT OUR PRICES!

• Sawdust • Woodshavings • Woodchip • Forestry Consultancy • Timber Harvesting & Marketing For further information contact us at 057 9302020 or visit www.tottenhamtimber.ie IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

36

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

Farm Business IRISH

53

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

37

Calving

Calving

Preparing For Calving Prepared by Aidan Kelly of Agri Design & Planning Services (ADPS) Molough, Newcastle, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

wind or by the heat from calves which causes the ‘stack’ effect.

Adequate fresh air Fresh air without draughts is the objective. In a house, fresh air is provided by ventilation which may be natural or mechanically generated.

The optimal air temperature for calves under three weeks old is 1520°C Ideally, the long axis of the shed should be perpendicular to the prevailing wind, which in Ireland is typically West or South West.

Note: On exposed sites reducing the gap to .6’’/ 12mm and the space to 0.05m2/ calf gives good results, especially if the house is not more than 12.5m wide.

There should be 5cm/ 50mm / 1.9’’ of ridge opening for every 3m of building width.

The inlet/outlet size should be 0.08m2 on sheltered sites and 0.05m2 on exposed sites depending on site and requirements.

The outlet should be at least 1.5m above the ventilation inlet.

Outlet Ventilation • • •

M

ake sure all calving areas have been power washed and disinfected. This should be carried at least two months before you plan to use these areas. I advise clients to spread lime over these areas the day before they first bed them with straw.

To comply with department regulations all winter accommodation requires concrete floor that slopes to a slatted tank or it must have channels that lead to concrete effluent tanks. A hardcore floor is not allowed with today regulations.

The fall should be at least 1 in 30 to a drainage channel discharging into the underground tank (it is recommended that the fall on straw floor should be 1 in 20). This taken from Minimum specification for bovine livestock units and reinforced tanks s.123 at S124A - Minimum Specification for Calf Rearing Equipment - December 2019 When considering building a new calving shed one should consider the location wisely as cows will be brought here to calf and then brought back to cubicle shed or to the milking parlour. It needs to be easily accessed with a machine to clean it out regulatory. If possible, it is best to incorporate it into the cubicle shed as it is easy to move cows in and out of this area using just one person.

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

This can be used where the calf shed can not achieve natural ventilation or when the shed required extra inlet or outlet ventilations.

It can also be used in older shed to help improve ventilation.

Essentials for good calf health • Suitable fresh air (minimum 5-6 air changes per hour) • Clean feed and water • Cleaning feeding equipment after each feed • Adequate space (2.5 m²/calf floor area) (7m³ air cubic capacity).

• Dry lying environments (straw, shavings, peat, mats) • The bed must be dry at all times and replaced frequently • Micro environment for calf to stay extra warm • Limit outside people entering the calving area and calf shed I find on our farm that straw is the best disinfectant for calves. You need to be able to lie down in a calf pen at any time and not get wet. If calves get sick on a dairy farm you will lose 10 to 20 man hours a week just trying to get them healthy again. We have disinfectant points for boot dipping outside all calving sheds, calf shed and milking parlour during spring time. I step into them as I move from shed to shed.

Ridge Capping Ridge upstand Simple ridge outlet

Ventilation

Ventilation is the key to keeping stock healthy. It controls temperature, humidity and draughts within the building. This is a major issue in many existing farm buildings where poor ventilation leads to sick animals.

The key point is to get air into a building to freshen it up but not to cause a draft. This can be achieved in existing building by lifting one sheet in each bay to allow air out the roof. This can be do on round roof and pitched roofs. The second thing is to get air into the building vented sheet on side wall or wind breakers can allow extra air into the building if required.

Doors should not be used to provide extra inlet or outlet area. Doors may be opened in mild/warm weather to supplement ventilation as long as they don’t cause draughts. Doors used to supplement inadequate ventilation will lead to draughts.

Calf House Requires

Natural ventilation & light Natural ventilation air is moved within the house and to the outside, by

Above from .S101: Minimum Specifications for the structure of Agricultural Buildings - July 2016

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business

Farm Business

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

>> SEE PAGE 22

38

Mechanical Ventilation

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

39

Calving

Calving

Planning a new calf shed? Things to consider Roof • •

Roof pitch minimum 15 ° ( Preferably 17 ° to 22° ) Spaced sheeting in the roof is not recommended for calf housing as rain can gets in, and will wet the calf bed and affect performance.

Calf sheds need to have ample lighting. Ideally provide 20pc of the roof/side sheeting as translucent sheeting to provide natural light.

•

•

The roofing material should be a non-drip material. There are three options 1. Metal sheeting with no drip, this can heat up the shed too much on warm days and does retain the heat.

2. Fibre cement sheeting it keeps the shed cooler in the warmer day and warmer on the colder day, it will retain heat into the evening also.

3. (Greenhill system) Heatguard Polycarbonate roof sheeting non drip, retains heat, highest light transmission.

Floor

Concrete floors 1:20 slope, from the back of the pen to the front, running into drains that ideally have a 1:60 slope.

A front drainage channel 75mm x 75mm shall be located a minimum of 300mm inside the feed barrier if there is a concrete clean area. If the pen is fully strawing with no concrete clean area the drain should be just outside the straw area.

Calves spend about 80pc of their time lying down therefore a warm dry bed is essential. Deep straw bedding is the preferred bedding material as it allows calves to nestle down into it.

Doors

I advise the use of roller doors into calf sheds as them seal better and stop any drafts. We try to have them located on the Northern or Eastern facing sides. This will not allow the prevailing wind and weather into the building when they are opened. It is also good to have a smaller door for daily access to keep the micro environment regulated and the temperature in shed the same.

info@eclipsefeeds.com IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business

Farm Business

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS

>> SEE PAGE 22

40

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

>> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

41

Bacteria

Thermoduric Bacteria In Bulk-Tank Milk Thermoduric bacteria which can survive pasteurisation must be minimised at farm level

by David Gleeson and Lorna Twomey.

•

Thermoduric bacteria are organisms capable of surviving pasteurisation which results in negative effects at both processing and product level Thermoduric bacteria are widespread in the farm environment, e.g. soil/faeces The major routes of entry of thermoduric bacteria into milk are dirty teats, poor milking parlour hygiene and poorly washed milking equipment Milk payment penalties are applied when thermoduric counts exceed 500 cfu/ml

• • •

Introduction

Milk is a nutritious medium that can support the growth of a large selection of bacteria which are capable of utilizing the proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins in milk for their growth and metabolism.

Bacteria that contaminate milk include thermoduric bacteria which can survive pasteurisation and subsequently grow in pasteurised milk or contaminate other dairy products. Thermoduric bacteria can limit the shelf life of pasteurized milk, result in late blowing of cheese and cause ‘bitty cream’.

Categories of thermoduric bacteria

Thermoduric bacteria can be categorised as follows; • Thermophilic thermodurics: ‘thermophiles’ grow at temperatures between 40 and 60°C. Environments conducive to their growth are the pre-heating stages of processing which can result in an increase in their population post processing.

• Mesophilic thermodurics: ‘mesophiles’ grow at temperatures between 5 and 50°C. Therefore, they can grow during poor refrigeration conditions on-farm or during processing. These sporeforming and non-sporeforming bacteria include but are not limited to strains of Bacillus, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Arthrobacter. Spore forming bacteria have the ability to form spores when subjected to harsh environments (i.e. high temperatures, extreme pH values or IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

42

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY? >> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

•

nutrient lacking environments). Thus, shielding themselves from elimination.

Psychrotrophic thermodurics: psychrotrophs grow at or below 7°C, therefore they can grow at refrigeration temperatures in on-farm bulk tank milk. They have the ability to withstand pasteurisation and can subsequently grow in dairy products.

Testing for thermoduric bacteria

Testing for thermoduric bacteria involves pasteurising milk samples in the laboratory by heating them for 30 minutes at 62.8oC, after which samples are plated in accordance with conventional total bacteria count methodology utilising either plate count agar or Petrifilm Aerobic Count plates to enumerate the surviving bacteria.

No.1 in Holland & USA. 25mm floor, 22mm Auger and 8mm side walls

CUBICLE BEDDERS

Sources of thermoduric bacteria

The major routes of entry of thermoduric bacteria into milk are dirty cow teats, poor parlour hygiene and poorly washed milking equipment.

Total elimination of thermodurics at milking is not feasible.

Therefore, knowledge of their sources and strategies for their minimisation are important.

Contamination of milk from cows teats

Teat skin is considered the primary source of thermoduric bacteria in raw milk. As a consequence of either milking action, poor teat preparation or both, thermoduric bacteria often disguised within visible soils are displaced from the teat skin and suspended in the milk. They then either adhere to milk contact surfaces or remain in the milk. Such adherence to milk contact surfaces and subsequent spore growth as a consequence of poor washing practices and ultimately poor hygiene are responsible for the majority of the thermoduric contamination in bulk-tank milk. Predictive models have been used to quantitatively identify factors that have the greatest effect on spore concentrations in bulk tank milk. Using such models, it was estimated that when teats were contaminated with soil, 33% of bulk tank milk

Kubota diesel or Honda petrol engines, 85cm Brush, Quality Components.

Made in Germany

JOHN O’DONNELL | TEL: 086 2497983 | EMAIL: anneragri@gmail.com WEB: www.anneragri.com | Killaloan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Bacteria will contain >1000 spores/L, whereas when feed is the main source of contamination, this figure is only 2%. Therefore, cleaning of teats prior to milking can reduce the spore count of milk. The most effective method (showing a reduction of 96%) was shown to be using a moist washable towel followed by drying with a dry paper towel for a total of 20 s.

It has been demonstrated that during the grazing season, the spore concentration in bulk tank milk can be directly related to the contamination of teats with soil. High water content of soil and dirty access roadways have been considered the most important factors associated with high spore concentrations. It was also suggested that increased soil consumption occurs during wet weather due to increased levels of soil present on grazed grass. Spores in the subsequent faeces can contribute to some extent to the spores in milk via contamination of teats from cows lying on pasture. During the housing period, poor quality silage with a spore count of 4.5 log10 cfu/g is considered a likely source of teat contamination. Cubicle bedding is also considered as a source of spore contamination with Bacillus cereus shown to be present in the upper layers of sawdust used for bedding cows whilst indoors, which was in direct contact with cow’s teats.

Contamination from milking equipment

Milk contamination with thermoduric bacteria from teat surfaces will, in turn, contaminate milking machine clusters, milk pipelines, receiver vessels and bulk tanks. With inadequate cleaning, contamination will build-up on equipment surfaces, particularly in hard to clean areas, such as pipeline joints, dead ends and on non-stainless steel surfaces such as claw-piece bowls. Biofilm formation on pipelines due to inadequate plant cleaning and disinfection will contribute to

high bacterial counts in subsequent milkings. Biofilms may develop in storage and piping systems that are partially filled or where residual liquid remains after a production cycle (poor drainage) where they facilitate the growth and multiplication of thermoduric bacteria which can be released into milk. Biofilms allow greater resistance of bacteria to temperature and sanitation.

Milking equipment-cleaning steps required to minimize thermoduric bacteria

Following each step of a recommended milking machine wash protocol (5 Teagasc protocols) will help to prevent biofilm formation.

These protocols incorporate both detergent (sodium hydroxide) and acid descale washes. Having the correct concentration of detergent is vital for successful cleaning. When liquid detergent is used with hot water a 0.5% detergent solution is generally adequate, provided the detergent product has a concentration of sodium hydroxide greater than or equal to 24%. Products with lower concentrations may require a usage rate of 0.7% to reach the required concentrations in the wash trough. However if cold water is used the solution concentration must be increased to 1%. To calculate the correct amount of detergent required on a given farm, multiply the quantity of water in the trough being used for the wash cycle by either 0.5/ 0.7 or 1%. The need for double the amount of detergent when using cold water is based on the fact that the effectiveness of liquid cleaning agents improves as water temperature is increased. Moreover lower wash water temperature can be associated with more variability in farm milk bacterial levels. Hot water provides a greater microbial kill than chemical cleaning with cold water. A rise in temperature of 10°C has been shown to increase the reaction rates of chemicals by between two and eight times.

Therefore, for effective cleaning using chlorine-free caustic detergent

SOBAC Your Natural Fertilisation Partner

C

M

J

CM

MJ

CJ

CMJ

Kiln Dried Fine White Sawdust • • • • ❖ ❖ ❖

Our Sawdust is a premium product made from 100% kiln dried softwood.

Stays on the Cubicle – Works through any Sawdust Dispenser – Red Tractor Compliant – No MDF – Quality Assured Supplied in a variety of ways to best suit your system and Farm Bales / Jumbo Bags / Tipper Loads / Walking Floor Loads Wood Shavings in Bales and Bulk Wood Pellets in 10kg Bags and 1 Ton Jumbo Bags Straw Pellets in 25kg Bags and 1 Ton Jumbo Bags

N

BACTERIOSOL® - BACTERIOLIT® Natural fertilisation process Unlock the potential of your soil Increase micro-organisms’activity Increase your farm gross margin

Our lorries come equipped with Moffett Mounty Forklift for ease of unloading at your Farm / Yard Large and Small Deliveries made throughout Northern and Southern Ireland

www.mcevoyrunofthemill.co.uk 07803234844 / 07922674578 / 02840650963 2 Carnalroe Road, Ballyward, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9UG IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

44

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

Farmers’testimonies videos on : www.bacteriosol-sobac.com Tom Stapleton 087-2328051

Bacteria solution a start temperature of 75°C (in the filled wash trough prior to cleaning) and an end of cycle temperature of 45 - 50°C is required.

Alternative cleaning protocols, which involve the use of powder detergent require a lower frequency of hot washing due to the high concentrations of sodium hydroxide present in those products (70 to 80%) as compared to liquid products with much lower concentrations (18 – 30%).

Acid descalers should be used to prevent any build-up of mineral deposits on equipment surfaces as these deposits facilitate the growth of thermoduric bacteria. Generally, acid descalers are used at a usage rate of 1% and can be used with either hot or cold water. A twiceweekly acid wash should be carried out for milking equipment and at least once a week on the bulk milk tank. More regular acid washing (7 times per week) should be applied if the water supply is considered hard and there is no water softener in-place. The inclusion of a disinfectant such as peracetic acid to an additional final rinse has been shown to be effective in reducing bacterial levels in milk when used at least one hour before milking and is especially beneficial where the microbial count of a farm water supply is considered unsatisfactory.

Water hardness

The level of water hardness has been shown to have an impact on equipment hygiene. Levels of water hardness expressed as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can vary from soft (<60 mg/L) to very hard water (>200mg/L)). Hard water has increased magnesium and calcium levels which have a negative effect on detergent efficacy and can result in mineral deposits on surfaces and an increased likelihood of biofilm formation. In addition to regular plant descaling, the installation of water softeners provides an effective method of combatting water hardness and the issues that it poses and should be considered where water hardness levels are > 200mg/L.

Milk cooling

The rate of bacterial growth in milk is dependent on both the initial microbial load and the temperature at which the milk is stored. Milk should be stored at ≤ 4°C. Moreover, the time required for milk to reach 4°C should be minimised because during the duration of cooling some microorganisms may multiply, especially fast growing psychrotrophic bacteria that re-produce in the temperature range of 4 to 7°C. Therefore, rapid cooling of milk within the processor regulated temperature (2-4°C) using efficient plate coolers may prevent further psychrotrophic bacteria growth. Cooling of milk to the required temperature should be completed within a half hour of the completion of milking.

Other factors that can influence the levels of thermoduric bacteria in milk: •

• • • • • • •

Dirty cow tails – tails should be clipped at least three times a year Milking cows with dirty clusters Washing clusters, while they are still attached to teats – wait until cows have left the parlour!

The cow platform should be washed regularly during the milking process - wait until cows have left the parlour!

Thermoduric bacteria survive in cracked rubberware - replace rubberware at recommended intervals and when damaged!

Insufficient water volume for wash cycles- all surfaces may not come into contact with detergent Dirty vacuum lines especially where foaming of milk and cracked liners are an issue – vacuum lines should be washed by a competent operator regularly and as required.

Conclusions

Thermoduric levels in milk may be minimised by: presenting clean cows for milking, replacing cracked milking machine rubberware and using correct milking equipment cleaning protocols. Drying of teats with individual paper towels prior to cluster attachment is considered critical. Particular attention should be paid to teat preparation whilst cows are indoors, during periods of wet weather and extremely dry weather (thermodurics on teats as a consequence of mud and dust).

Following a recommended plant cleaning procedure is critical for the prevention of an environment that will facilitate the growth of thermoduric bacteria. In addition to regular hot washes (75-80ºC) and a minimum of two acid washes per week the installation of water softeners provides an effective method for improving water quality.

Dirty collecting yards – yards should be scraped/ washed down after each milking.

Petrifilm Aerobic Count plates which were used to enumerate the number of thermoduric bacteria in a sample of milk (thermoduric bacteria colonies are indicated by the red dots on each plate) IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

46

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

Significant build-up of biofilm on a claw-piece as a result of inadequate cleaning; a perfect environment for thermoduric growth.

An example of an extremely worn rubber milk tube which provide the perfect environment for thermoduric bacteria to multiply.

A revolution in dairy roofing To me Marlon CST Heatguard is a game changer within livestock buildings. The cows are far happier and healthier, their hide is in great condition. Conception rates are better, milk yields are up and replacement rates have improved.

Dairy Farmer

Watch the video

Available From:

Contact: e. info@aneuco.ie t. 00353 1 485 1323

IFB0219 ISSUE 1.qxp_Layout 1 07/03/2019 13:30 Page 1

TEAT DISINFECTANT HOW TO SELECT FROM 100 PRODUCTS

CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS COW TOILET: FACT OR FANTASY?

FINANCE CHANGING FARM STRUCTURES

Farm Business >> SEE PAGE 22

>> SEE PAGE 46

>> SEE PAGE 38

IRISH

Volume 6 Issue 1 Spring 2019 Edition Price 3.95 £2.95 (Stg)

PARLOUR PROTOCOLS HELP THE COW & THE MILKING PERSONNEL

DAIRYING

47

Our pioneering Calf to Beef Club supports farmers in developing sustainable beef businesses through leading genetics, market-leading pricing, and technical support.

Greater Beef Price Certainty Twenty20 Club bonus results in an extra €100 to €200 a head, always above market price.

Hereford and Angus breeds 50c/kg bonus Limousin, Charolais and other Continental breeds 40c/kg bonus Friesian breeds 30c/kg bonus

OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS

For further information, please contact: Ross Brady rossbrady@tirlan.ie 086 783 4252 Tirlán - www.tirlanfarmlife.com Edwin Carroll edwin.carroll@kepak.com 086 145 4772 Kepak - www.kepak.com

SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PAYMENT