Dairy Farmer December 2015

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DAIRY December 2015

Organic milk

FARMER

Nicholas Saphir on sector prospects Pages 28-31 Volume 62 Issue 12

UDDERMINT

®

at the first sign...

Latest on parlours and robotic milking MILK SPECIAL Pages 32-44

Challenges for new cubicle housing MUCK & SLURRY Pages 46-49

Tim Gibson, British Farming Awards Winner Hunter’s Hill Farm, Bedale @Robotmilkman

Rubbing in UDDERMINT has been our first line of defence for over 20 years, especially since switching to robots 13 years ago.

The conductivity sensors help us target the quarters even earlier and more accurately.

UDDERMINT is used worldwide over 5 million times per year!

New kit launches for dairy marketplace NEW PRODUCTS Pages 54-55

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Teisen Products Ltd. Redditch, Worcs. B96 6RP. Tel: (01527) 821488

MILK PRICES Pages 50-52

Tip of the month: dynamic parlour testing shows up shortcomings – p38

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LEADER

a word from the

EDITOR

T

hat growing optimism built up over four consecutive gains on the GDT auction has been soundly shattered by the last three trades which have all recorded losses.

With Christmas only weeks away, most traders will have done their Q4 deals which means there is virtually no chance of milk prices increasing this winter – unless, that is, more retailers step up to the plate.

Indeed, Farmers For Action is out again putting pressure on to achieve just that. The trouble is the big retailers are starting to find the going tough, as for the first time the two discounters Aldi and Lidl seize a 10% market share.

Even those fortunate Tesco suppliers will face a scale back on their premium volume, and other groups could be set to follow. There’s simply too much milk about and buyers know it.

Domestic production is riding high because of the open season, and this understandably has been exploited to

Contacts

Editor Peter Hollinshead 0203 691 5883 peter.hollinshead@briefingmedia.com

Production Editor Gillian Green 01772 799 417 gillian.green@briefingmedia.com

Head of Commercial Solutions Mike Hartley 01772 799 532 mike.hartley@briefingmedia.com

produce more litres, paradoxically to counter low prices.

However, with cows now being housed, that driver will largely be removed and expose those teeteringly thin margins. Couple that with talk of banks refusing to extend help to troubled businesses and it is expected far more farmers will quit this winter than the 4% annual average. The RABDF’s latest survey shows a frighteningly high 49% if prices don’t improve for the next six months.

Aside from those who decide to quit, the naked economics of winter milk might just curb production.

It might be that volumes tighten quicker than anyone expects, and the domestic market, if not the global one, picks up faster than is forecast. Let’s hope so!

Account Manager Mark Jackson 01322 449 624, mark.jackson@briefingmedia.com

Classified Advertisements Ben Lea, Susan Rains, Stuart Boydell 01772 799 454 Advertising Production Justine Sumner 01772 799 437 Fax: 01772 796 747 justine.sumner@briefingmedia.com

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© Briefing Media Ltd 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of Dairy Farmer are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems.

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Origination by Farmers Guardian, Briefing Media Ltd, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Caxton Road, Preston, Lancashire PR2 9NZ. Printed by Headley Brothers, Invicta Press, Queen’s Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8HH. No responsibility can be accepted by Dairy Farmer for the opinions expressed by contributors.

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

1

***DF Dec p2 3 Contents_Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:51 Page 1

THIS MONTH

CONTENTS december Volume 62 Issue 12

Housing challenge

Muck & Slurry

46-49 Comment 4-6 8-9 14-15 58-59

Latest news Cowmen Comment Potter’s View Good Evans

How an underground slurry store makes use of sloping land at a Lancashire farm

Regulars 18-19 50-52 54-55 60

Breeding Milk Prices New Products Finance

Tim’s new herd

On farm feature

Find out how Tim Gibson came to be in the ice cream business

2

10-12 DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

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THIS MONTH

32-44

Focus on milk Special feature

Latest in parlours and robotic milking technology

Levy scrutiny

Interview

AHDB’s Amanda Ball is in the hot seat to answer your questions

20-22

Free trade Canada

What the Trans Pacific Partnership means for Canada’s milk supply

DECEMBER 2015

24-25

DAIRY FARMER

3

***DF Dec p4 5 6 News_Layout 1 20/11/2015 10:30 Page 1

NEWS News in brief

Transforming data

JInnovation for Agriculture has been awarded a Horizon 2020 grant for its project proposal called ‘4D4F’ (Data Driven Dairy Decisions for Farmers) to look at technologies which collect data on cows, and how best to use that data. The project brings together 16 partners from nine EU countries.

Dairy support money arrives

JEU support payments for more than 10,000 dairy farmers hit bank accounts in mid-November – some two weeks ahead of schedule.

This was three-quarters of all eligible farmers, said Defra, and amounted to almost £19.2 million.

Payments will continue through November and December.

Milk production

JProvisional production in September was 1156m litres, 8.70m litres (+0.76%) up on the same month last year and 93.30m litres (+8.78%) up on two years ago.

October looks like it will top 1200m litres, against the previous high of 1156m last year. Volumes are 4% up on last year and 113.6% above the long-term average.

The UK has produced record volumes every month for a year. Cumulative volumes are at 8750m litres, 2.2% higher than last year.

4

DAIRY FARMER

Frustration mounts as prices fail to rise

W

ith the markets once again turning down and no early end in sight, frustrated farmers have once again taken to targeting the retailers.

One of the first in the firing line was FarmFoods, Bristol, and at the time of going to press Farmers For Action had not reported any further communication from it. “So it is fairly obvious we will need to

step up activity in the run up to Christmas,” said FFA. The run of progress on the GDT has faltered, with three successive falls on the auction, the latest being on the November 17 when prices dropped by another 7.9% over all commodities.

Powders Powders fared even worse, with WMP dropping 11% to average $2148, and SMP dropping 8.1% to $1851.

EU and New Zealand futures prices have also

Morrisons gets mixed reaction to milk brand

JMorrisons has come under fire after it emerged only a quarter of the 10ppl premium on its Milk for Farmers brand will go back to UK dairy producers.

The Bradford-based chain launched the brand in autumn and promised an extra 23p on every four-pint bottle would go to struggling farmers.

However, Morrisons has confirmed only a quarter of the 23p extra on the For Farmers range actually goes to British dairy farmers. The money is sent to Arla and then re-distributed among the co-operative’s 12,700

DECEMBER 2015

farmers across Europe.

Since the announcement, which was made amid the UK-wide summer dairy protests, farmers raised concerns about how much of the premium would go back to producers and claimed it was a ‘PR stunt’ by the supermarket.

Despite seemingly just one complaint The Sunday Telegraph highlighted the story with the headline “Sour truth behind Morrisons’ For Farmers milk”. Morrisons confirmed it had received hardly any complaints from its 11m weekly customers.

dipped on the back of the falling sentiment, putting off hopes of some sort of early recovery.

However, most market observers believe a higher than average number of farmers will quit – either by choice or because the banks are forcing their hand.

This could potentially tighten milk supply moving into 2016, but this has to be set against the fact EU milk stocks are extremely high, and growing, which will delay the recovery.

First Milk upbeat

JFirst Milk is upbeat about its prospects and confident it will renew its ‘payable on demand’ bank facility next year to ensure the business remains a going concern.

This is despite posting pretax losses totalling £24.9m on a turnover of £442m and having £6m of assets to offset against net bank borrowings of £60m. However, the loan facility from Barclays and Lloyds is only in place until February 1, 2016.

The company said: “The Group will have sufficient funding to continue as a going concern for at least the next 12 months although it is noted the current funding is repayable on demand.”

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Strategy for change

JDairy farmers need to adopt a business-led strategy and stop relying on unions and protest groups to bring about change in the sector, it was claimed.

Speakers at the Agrihive Dairy Summit in London gave a blunt assessment of the current issues affecting UK dairying.

William Neville, director of agri-business at Savills and owner of William Neville Associates, said expecting others to change industry fortunes was the wrong approach.

Allan Wilkinson, head of agriculture at HSBC, said industry had to look to solve problems itself, rather than looking to the state for help.

NEWS

Tesco farmers face scaled back supply

T

esco has announced the changes to its Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) scheme – and its farmers will have to work significantly harder for their money and could end up getting less money too.

It is thought incomes could dip by an estimated 22.5ppl depending on what is being called scaleback – effectively the amount of milk Tesco buys from a farmer. Some farmers will only end up being paid the

Tesco price (which is effectively an A price) for between 60 and 70% of their milk at certain times of the year. The remainder (effectively the B element) will be paid at the Arla direct price, or standard Muller Wiseman price.

Significantly increased production standards and record keeping demands will now be required. All farmers will be given Quality, Value, Innovation and Service (QVIS) points according to how well they score on a number of aspects

relating to their herd, management practices and willingness to communicate with Tesco consumers. The worse 5% of farmers will be struck off the scheme over time, with the best rewarded and given more ‘core’ litres.

Tesco should be left with increasingly efficient farmers, with ever-lower costs of production. Although its price is still linked to cost of production, this will be reviewed every three months rather than six, and the effect is the retailer’s milk bill will continually reduce.

Bovine TB linked to herd size, study finds

JLarge cattle herds are significantly more likely to suffer bovine TB outbreaks than smaller herds, a new study has found.

University of Exeter researchers said their

finding showed ’intensive farming practices’ increased the likelihood of cattle contracting bovine TB and linked bTB risk to specific farming practices.

These included the

amount of maize grown, the use of silage and even landscape features such as hedgerows.

Dr Fiona Mathews, associate professor in mammalian biology, who

led the study, said: “If lower intensity production means better animal health, it offers a sustainable long-term strategy in high risk areas.”

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

5

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NEWS

Defra agrees deal on cuts

JDefra has agreed with the Treasury there could be cuts of about 30% made to its resource budget over the next four years.

The department is one of four Government departments to agree to cuts averaging 30% across them.

The news has prompted renewed concerns over Defra’s ability to respond to major disease outbreaks and that other front-line services will be damaged.

Chancellor George Osborne announced ’provisional agreement on the spending plans of four government departments’ had been reached during a speech in London.

He stressed the average 30% savings related to the departments’ resource budgets, that is their ’day to day spending’, and not their capital budgets.

He said: “These savings will be achieved by a combination of further efficiencies, closing low value programmes, and focusing on our priorities as a country.”

Call for figures on antibiotic use

M

andatory reporting of antibiotic use could be on the horizon in Europe, and a new practical approach to gathering antibiotic usage data on UK cattle farms has been identified in a new review from the Cattle Health and Welfare Group (CHAWG).

The review by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (Ruma) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

(VMD) has highlighted the need for better data gathering – which could help reduce antibiotics use – and to also accurately report usage levels.

“We found while data is already stored at every vet practice and in every farm medicine book, it currently exists in many different forms,” said CHAWG chairman Tim Brigstocke.

He said with the support of the VMD, CHAWG will set up a working group to implement the report’s recommendations.

“It is in cattle farmers’ own interests to anticipate the kind of figures it might be asked to supply in the future, and develop a way of collecting that data which suits the way the UK industry works,” said Mr Brigstocke.

“Then we can retain control over the data and the methodology, and ensure the reporting is accurate – and this in turn will help the VMD represent our case better in Europe as this debate continues.”

JNew tools and advice to help farmers protect their herds from bovine TB have been launched by leading industry bodies.

Effectively all advice on bovine TB will now be available from one ‘go-to’ website at www.TBhub.co.uk.

The six participating bod-

ies include Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, AHDB, the NFU, the British Cattle Veterinary Association and Landex.

The campaign will also promote a new bovine TB biosecurity fivepoint plan to improve disease prevention on farm

and in the cattle trade.

The five points include: restricting contact between badgers and cattle; managing cattle feed and water; stopping infected cattle entering the herd; reducing risk from neighbouring herds; and minimising infection from cattle manure.

TB tools to mitigate risk of infection

US ties link with organic milk co-operative

JThe Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative (OMSCo) has teamed up with its US counterpart CROPP (Organic Valley) co-operative, and both co-operatives will take a membership in each

6

DAIRY FARMER

other’s organisation.

Richard Hampton, OMSCo managing director, said: “OMSCo and CROPP are the two largest dedicated organic dairy pools in the world, with a

DECEMBER 2015

combined organic milk supply of almost 1bn litres.

“This agreement will allow both co-operatives to market each other’s bulk and branded products and, by working together,

OMSCo will be better prepared to satisfy the growing global appetite for organic dairy products.”

■ Interview with OMSCo’s executive chairman Nicholas Saphir, see pages 28-31.

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COWMEN COMMENT

SCOTT Kirby

Scott Kirby is farm manager at Harper Adams University and a Nuffield Scholar.

D We need the public to recognise this kind of support and ask why other retailers are not raising their game

“

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DAIRY FARMER

espite only being six weeks from Christmas as I write, there are still big acreages of maize standing in Shropshire as the lack of any real sunshine has left crops crawling towards maturity.

A few brave souls did go early into immature crops either through necessity to refill pits or impatience, but they risked lower starch levels and poorer ensiling characteristics, and I know of a couple now having to collect effluent from their pits.

While AD operators seem content that these immature crops can just be put into the AD, for a dairy farm this would represent a loss of valuable nutrients.

We finished our own maize crop on November 2, and having our own harvesting capability certainly paid dividends this year, allowing us to target individual fields as they finally reached maturity. On average our fields were cut at 34.13% dry matter. Widespread showers required strategic cutting to ensure that the wheat drill was closely behind the forager.

Maize has averaged 15.70 tonnes of dry matter, a drop of just 0.8t on last year’s record harvest, making it our second best recorded harvest. Unfortunately, the early evidence is quality has not matched that of last year. The harvest lab has typically been recording starch levels around 33%, while some of last year’s maize reached as high as 38.7% starch and 11.3 ME.

DECEMBER 2015

Like other Tesco producers we have been eagerly awaiting the result of the review of the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG).

The group of about 600 farms was established in 2007 and it became the first group of producers to supply a major retailer using a cost of production model.

Back in 2007 the supermarkets motives were perhaps more about securing supply rather than altruism. The cost of production model has meant that we have not always seen the highest prices on offer but neither have we suffered the worst of the price cuts that are currently decimating parts of our industry.

It proposes producers will be scored on key metrics such as welfare, animal health and environmental management. The top 5% scoring farms will be rewarded with an additional volume of 100,000 litres while the bottom 5% will be encouraged to improve and if they fail to do so their contracts will be terminated.

Simplistically it means farms which have used the security of their Tesco contract and price to invest in the sustainability of their cows and farms will be rewarded, while those with more short-term perspectives, who have perhaps taken the premium out of the farm, may find they are not the sort of farm the retailer wants to engage with.

It seems a fairly positive move provided the targets are appropriate ones which encourage greater sustainability and professionalism in our sector. We need

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COWMEN COMMENT

On farm: The Harper Adams maize harvest was the second best recorded (above), and as a Tesco producer, the review of TSDG was eagerly awaited.

Farm Facts

rFARM SIZE: 1359 acres (550ha) rHERD SIZE: 400 cows rROLLING MILK YIELD: 9750 litres/cow rTARGET YIELD: 10,000 litres/cow rMILK BUYER: Tesco (Wisemans) rSOIL TYPE: Sand, clay and peat rRAINFALL: 800mm/year.

the public to recognise this kind of support and ask why other retailers are not raising their game.

As we head for winter and concentrate usage increases, it is worth checking copper supplementation levels. Last winter we lost two heifers inexplicably and, at postmortem, copper toxicity was diagnosed.

The animals had been reared indoors on a straw and concentrate ration, and, as there were no other obvious sources of copper, our attention focused on the ration.

The 20% heifer-rearing cake was designed for high genetic merit animals and to complement straw and or restricted silage. When an independent nutritionist checked it, he discovered that it was formulated with 70mg/kg DM of copper.

The maximum permitted level of copper in a total cattle ration is 35mg Cu/kg DM and UK industry guidance actually limits this to 20mg Cu/kg DM. As a complement to straw we were typically feeding 4kg of the concentrate with straw which was equating to 43mg Cu/kg DM in the total ration.

There is no treatment for copper toxicity other than to take away the copper supplementation and allow levels to fall naturally in the animals.

Symptoms are not distinctive and unless a post-mortem is carried out, deaths can be attributed to more common causes. Check the labels on your youngstock compound and if copper is included higher than 35mg/kg DM, take note, and ask your compounder why.

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DECEMBER 2015

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9

***DF Dec p10 11 12 On Farm _Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:00 Page 1

ON FARM Even while he was in hospital having his hip done, Tim Gibson got a request to be involved in an ice cream enterprise. What followed surprised even him.

How I came to buy into an ice cream business

I

mentioned last time I wrote for Dairy Farmer I had been looking at an ice cream venture but the timing was wrong.

Shortly afterwards, I was approached again by the people who, in the end, bought the ice cream business and we came up with a way we could work together.

For those not familiar with it, the ice cream is known as ‘Brymor’ and was set up by the Moore family, who farmed near to me at Masham. Sadly, Robert Moore passed away in autumn last year and the farm had to be sold. At the time I looked to move the ice cream business and cows to my farm, but being on a quiet road I decided it would be unsuited to getting a lot of passing trade.

A local businessman with his own tourist attractions came forward and bought the ice cream business, and he also leased back the site where the ice cream was made along with its public parlour and cafe. This was at the eleventh hour before the farm was set to complete, and their intention

10

DAIRY FARMER

The initial brief was to move the Brymor herd from its farm in Masham by March 27 to its new location.

was to still disperse the cows and then buy in Channel Island cream and milk to make the ice cream. This proved harder than they imagined as the processing was all set up for milk coming from the farm’s own herd every day and not in wagon loads being delivered in.

Proposal I was in hospital around February 18, having just had my hip replaced, and a message came through that the

DECEMBER 2015

buyers wanted to talk to me urgently with a business proposal. The day I got out of hospital they came to see me with their issue that the milk was still needed, but in less than a month the farm was completing and the cows had to be gone by then. I had a few days when recovering to consider how we could help and what I would need to do if it was to be viable for us both.

On March 1 we agreed on a deal by which we entered into a share/contract farm-

ing agreement with Brymor Limited which leased the site, owned the plant and equipment, took over the ice cream business and bought the pedigree herd of Guernsey cows.

My part is to contract milk and house the herd on its behalf, and see the milk is delivered back to the processing site six miles from me each day. We have agreed on a sustainable milk price per litre which allows us to do this for them.

The herd remains theirs

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ON FARM and, in the same way as cow leasing works, the replacements are their own cost, as is the rearing of them. The semen and AI is also for their account, so the calves are theirs when born and the cull cows also.

I have a set number of cows to keep in milk and control the replacement rate to ensure this. The agreement has been fixed for three years to give both sides some security on the one hand of supply and the other for the investment needed.

So on March 2 this year we had a huge task facing us. The initial brief was move the Brymor herd from

its farm in Masham by March 27 to its new location, keep the milking herd milking and house the young stock. In all about 200 extra mouths to house and feed in just over three weeks. Not to mention install a robot to milk them with, cubicles, and feed for them to eat.

Foundations As it happens on that day I had a digger booked to start digging foundations for the new house we are also building, but instead of foundations the digger was re-directed to my dry cow building where a slurry channel, reception tank and

My part is to contract milk and house the herd on its behalf Tim Gibson

“

robot base needed to be dug out. I worked out what needed to be built, drafted some drawings and left the builder to get on with it, while we had to devise ways to work around them as my dry cows still remained in the building and needed to be fed over the top of the digging work.

I then needed a robot and fortunately had one to sell for a client that fitted the bill. It came with a tank and controls so it could be set up as a separate unit on my own farm but not connected to my own system as the milk from this group has to be kept separate.

The next thing to get were portable cubicles and some feed silos, a small mixer wagon to back into a narrow passage and a milk tanker to transport the milk.

All of these were found on eBay and promptly purchased.

The whole team came together and delivered. My dry cows were turned out in

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***DF Dec p10 11 12 On Farm _Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:08 Page 3

ON FARM

Installing the robot – the pictures show progress each day over three days. Speed was of the essence because of the tight deadline before the Guernseys arrived on farm.

12

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

slurry channel finished and portable cubicles for 90 were placed in where loose housing was previously.

The last pour of concrete for the robot control room was on Monday, March 23, and it was safe to walk on by the Tuesday afternoon when the robot was placed in position and the ‘installation’ could start.

Milk lines, air connection and communication was all installed and finished off on the Wednesday and the cows arrived on schedule on March 26, just four days after the last of the concrete was laid.

Having three weeks for doing everything meant buying all used equipment there and then as nothing we needed would be on the shelf, so to speak. The cows settled into matted cubicles and onto a TMR ration based exactly on what they had been getting previously.

Big bale silage was initially bought in to feed them in an old tub mixer wagon. I may add I was on crutches this whole time and only came off them two weeks after the move.

During the summer we extended the silage pits to make room for more forage for 300 cows year round. All the silage will now be outside, enabling two indoor silage pits to be used for the winter housing for the dry cows which will run communally from both herds together in two groups.

A few months on now and things are running well.

Brymor Ltd has enjoyed a busy summer and gained a lot more retail and wholesale customers. In turn it needed more milk, so we are starting to push the cows a bit more to enable this. The target is to produce more than 5% fat and the herd has exceeded this right through which is pleasing.

We fear the cubicles we put in are not suited to the cows and so being portable they are coming out to make way for straw loose housing for this winter. Fortunately we have an abundance of straw and we can see how well that works.

Heifer rearing Heifer rearing of the Guernsey herd was overcome by putting them out on contract to a local former dairy farmer who has done a good job with them. There was quite a surplus of heifers and the owner preferred to reduce some overhead cost and sell some yearlings which went exceptionally well through a sale in Exeter in September.

Selling some heifers has split the remainder into a spring block for next year and some to bull for the year after. I plan to have more cows running on in summer out at grass, and culled prior to housing each year, then calving down new heifers in spring each time.

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***DF Dec p14 15 Potter_Layout 1 19/11/2015 14:40 Page 1

POTTER’S VIEW

IANPotter

This month, Ian Potter looks at the rights and wrongs of the ongoing Morrison promotion, casts an eye over First Milk’s prospects and finally comes back to assess how well he thinks the AHDB is progressing.

T If I were the Irish I would want the Cathedral City brand because, as I have said before, the brand doesn’t actually have to be made with British milk

“

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DAIRY FARMER

hings are on the increase!

Alas, it’s not milk prices I’m talking about but the level of plotting, threatening and fighting between farmers.

Farmers working against other farmers, exemplified by one farmer who, for some inexplicable reason, stuck a spanner into the incredibly successful Morrisons Milk for Farmers brand.

While Farmers For Action and others push retailers hard for every last 0.1ppl, a farmer from Derby, believed to be aided by a dairy nutritionist from Nantwich, has complained that Morrisons has misled the public through the fact Arla is a co-op and not all of the extra money goes to British farmers.

He was dissatisfied with Morrisons’ position, so allegedly complained to the Advertising Standards Authority. In addition ‘a shopper’, named ‘Mr H’, but possibly the farmer himself or the nutritionist, sent an email chain of his dialogue with Morrisons to Farmers Weekly which regurgitated it in full under the headline ‘Morrisons slammed over ‘misleading’ milk for farmers?’ The opening few words of the article were ‘A supermarket shopper....’. On top of that, and much more significantly, The Sunday Telegraph picked up on the article and printed the same anti-Morrisons angle.

How did just one complaint result in

DECEMBER 2015

Farmers Weekly deciding to publish this article and potentially undermine everything going on in the industry to get more money from retailers? In my view I think it is irresponsible, and FFA and all other dairy farmer organisations should ask questions of it.

Thus, while some dairy farmers work hard during the day and stand on freezing picket lines at night to try and get extra money, others are undermining their successful initiatives. It is staggering.

Perhaps those complaining would like Arla to repatriate back to Denmark the share of the profits from Lurpak, Castello and other EU retailers’ money which UK farmers enjoy a share of. The fact this happens was conveniently overlooked in the Farmers Weekly’s article, though.

Now, it’s nearly 2016, so what do I predict for next year? Following the sale of its liquids division to Muller, I bet 2016 will see Dairy Crest’s remaining cheese business taken over. My money is on an Irish flag flying over Davidstow, with second favourite being a French, and with the German flag more of an outside punt. If I were the Irish I would want the Cathedral City brand because, as I have said before, the brand doesn’t actually have to be made with British milk.

Milk price wise, you all know it is going to be a long haul. Global production needs to fall in line with demand, but it is

***DF Dec p14 15 Potter_Layout 1 19/11/2015 15:38 Page 2

‘You know it’s going to be a long haul’

Ian Potter

rIan is a specialist entitlement broker and dairy industry commentator.

Comments please to ianpotter@ipaquotas.co.uk

currently still increasing. The EU28 are producing 3% more milk, for example.

There is no shortage of milk in the world, and the buyers know it.

For First Milk, 2016 will obviously be a very tough and pivotal year. Last January CEO Kate Allum stated ‘First Milk members should be confident’ and ‘the business is in very good shape’. It appears this wasn’t the whole truth, though, and the financial situation was serious with no basis for any improvement. The first hurdle is for it to negotiate its re-financing with its main bankers Barclays and Lloyds, but it is confident. I wish Gallacher and his new commercial team the very best. May the force be with it! (to quote a film out soon.) For the members I guess having your milk collected and being paid for is a bonus compared to those who have no contract.

Finally, AHDB Dairy. And I make no apologies for being like a terrier with a rat on this. I am getting a lot of emails on the subject. A former vice-chairman of a major farmer organisation sent a two-word email which summed up what many others went to great lengths to say. “Scrap it”, he said.

Another stated if AHDB Dairy was privatised or the levy was voluntary it would struggle to stay in business.

On recruitment, for example, I was surprised to learn AHDB Dairy does not follow Government guidelines (either by law or in principle or spirit) and the board decides who is employed and on what pay package. My concern was whether its recent appointments process had followed approved guidelines, were fair with open

POTTER’S VIEW

competition, and that there was accountability. I was, for example, utterly staggered to see that it will ‘produce a recruitment policy shortly’. In other words, it hasn’t got one now. This is unbelievable given AHDB’s total wage bill is £22 million – a whopping third of its income.

The job as head of AHDB Dairy was only advertised on FWi (Farmer’s Weekly Interactive) and promoted via AHDB’s internal intranet and website for three weeks, as well as AHDB alerting sector board members and senior management to the position. Not surprisingly this flaccid advertising campaign resulted in only six applications, and just two interviews, and in front of a panel of four AHDB senior people. Interestingly, and more professionally though, a further nine director and senior positions were more widely advertised in the Irish Farmers’ Journal, The Economist and Guardian online.

Its duty must be to strive to find the best talent in the country. In its response AHDB stated: “The online advertising route [for strategy director for dairy] was preevaluated as the most cost effective route for these posts.” Maybe so, but cost effectiveness isn’t what’s wanted here. The best talent is.

Finally, Merry Christmas to all readers. Despite everything, I hope you have a good one. Heartbreakingly and tellingly, I have more than one or two emails saying they’d like their AHDB levy to go to putting more food on the table for their kids at Christmas, or buying them more presents. And that explains why I’m like a terrier!

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

15

***DF Dec p16 17 Animax (signed off)_Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:22 Page 1

SPONSORED SERIES Achieving the correct balance of trace elements in dairy cow diets is vital for maximising performance, according to Animax company vet Dr Elizabeth Berry.

Vital role of trace elements

S

elenium, cobalt

to thyroid hormone production,

and iodine are the

which regulates processes in

main trace ele-

the body.

ments required,

Care should be taken over

but copper may

Retained cleansings can be a result of trace element deficiency and make it difficult to get the cow cycling again, says Robert Hunter.

older animals, changes in the

status, the results may not be wholly reliable.

decisions on whether to include

coat and, of course, the classic

also be deficient on some farms,

copper in a formulation, be-

‘spectacles’ around the eyes, as

says Dr Elizabeth Berry.

cause overdosing can have an

well as broken bones.

Trace element availability is

adverse effect on health. Copper

“Each cut of silage will vary, according to field conditions and cutting date,” she says.

influenced by soil type, types of

toxicity due to excess copper

forage and preservation of for-

will result in a build up in the liver.

“A high quality trace element

will also change, according to

age, and also season. Generally

Liver function is crucial and if

combination for dairy cows

the time of year. Blood profiling

fast growing forages have less

compromised can result in

should be available in two

is only of limited use because it

trace elements present but

death.

forms – one with copper and

too will change depending on a

one without.”

variety of factors.”

often more soil is ingested in

However, she warns: “Signs

Combination

the autumn which can lock up

of copper deficiency in a dairy

trace elements.

cow can be missed as it causes

producers will know which

elements to the cow include

a wide variety of symptoms and

trace elements are deficient on

lick buckets, drenches and

portant trace element because it

can be confused with other

their farms, but grazing land

feed additives, but Dr Berry be-

is required for muscle growth in

causes.

and conserved forage should

lieves in the long term, a trace

She says: “Selenium is an im-

young animals and for disease

Dr Berry says most milk

“Forage and other feed levels

Options for delivering trace

be analysed on an annual basis

element bolus for cattle is the

resistance in all ages, with a

was in cows that went down

as a precaution. All trace ele-

most accurate and cost effec-

higher rate being shown to be

after calving and otherwise ap-

ment mixes should be formu-

needed during the dry period in

peared bright with no obvious

lated in accordance with

dairy cattle.

signs of disease. A post-mortem

recommendations published by

showed copper deficiency was

the National Research Council,

ingredient of a cow’s diet, as it is

the most likely cause. Another

with the farm’s advisers also

used for manufacture of vitamin

case was in young dairy goats

consulted before an order is

B12. Young lambs and calves

that had fractures in their legs,

placed. Copper levels should

often have a high requirement

again due to copper deficiency.

be discussed with your vet.

for cobalt and quickly become

A lack of copper can also lead

deficient.”

to anaemia, diarrhoea, poor

and blood profiling will give an

growth rates, fertility problems in

indication of trace element

“Cobalt is another vital

She adds that iodine is linked

16

DAIRY FARMER

“One case I became aware of

DECEMBER 2015

While grass and forage testing

Milk yields Letterkenny and Clydevalley herd yields: pHolstein average – 9,200kg at 4.08% fat, 3.35% protein pJersey average – 6,900kg at 5.32%fat, 3.83% protein

***DF Dec p16 17 Animax (signed off)_Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:29 Page 2

SPONSORED SERIES The daily selenium recommendation for a lactating cow is just three milligrammes

“

Dr Elizabeth Berry tive method of providing these essential nutrients.

Most producers will have noticed lick buckets will attract certain cows, while others show little interest. Drenches can work well, but their effect is shortlived, while adding a trace element mix to the feed is also unreliable because it is difficult to achieve an even spread, so some cows will ingest more and others less. Some producers depend on the concentrate feed to supply correct levels, but feeding to yield in the parlour will also lead to a variation in dietary provision.

Boluses

When choosing boluses, Dr

Case Study Farm: Robert Hunter, Lanark pROBERT Hunter milks 75 ‘Letterkenny’ pedigree Holsteins and 25 pedigree ‘Clydevalley’ Jerseys at West Tarbrax, near Lanark.

Milk is sold to Graham’s Dairies on a contract which pays a premium on fat content.

He started using Tracesure CU/I trace element boluses for all his adult cattle this spring, with Tracesure CU/I calf boluses given from about five months old. Previously, he had relied on the trace element content of bought-in concentrates for the milkers and provided a free-access powdered product for dry cows and youngstock.

Like many other dairy farmers, Mr Hunter responded to the fall in milk price by reviewing his management practices and taking a closer look at costings.

“I decided there was room for improvement on the

Research “Having done some research, I felt trace elements within the soil could be low and I know land in this area can be copper-deficient and this factor can lock-up other nutrients. Retained cleansings were not a major problem, but I was seeing more cases than I would have liked. This made it difficult to get the cow cycling again, taking up extra time and reducing output.

“I stopped and thought about one 15,000kg cow in particular – she was giving high volumes of milk but I was expecting her to perform on just silage and concentrates.”

Mr Hunter uses the boluses twice a year and finds the system fits in well with his management routine.

“The cows’ feet are checked at drying off and the bolus is administered at the same time. The second bolus is given at 100-days calved, when their feet are checked again. Supplying the correct amount of slowrelease trace elements not only benefits the cow, it must also have a positive effect on the calf she is carrying. From my viewpoint, I am setting my replacement heifers up for success while they are still in the womb.

“I think the bolus treatments are going to be cost effective, but in fact what is much more important is the fact there has not been a single retained cleansing since they were introduced. It is a cliché, but prevention is better than cure and, so far, this system is working for me.”

feeding side,” says Mr Hunter. “I work hard at maintaining yields and quality and feed is a major input, so I need to make sure I utilise grass and silage to its maximum potential.

Berry says one consideration is whether it can be given with or without copper, and the levels of

just three milligrammes, which

nel already contain copper,

up by the reliable provision of

trace elements present and the

amounts to a packet of salt you

so their inclusion in winter ra-

essential trace elements through-

release patterns of these ele-

would get with a beef burger

tions will affect nutritional status

out the year.

ments. There can be consider-

when it is offered to a 180-cow

in those months.

able variation between them and

herd. It is just not possible to mix

“Using boluses for cows

how they release, so rely on one

this into 10 tonnes of forage with

bi-annually is the best way to

buckets and feed additives, and

with good research behind it.

any accuracy.

ensure the money you have

a bolus treatment will usually

spent on grassland production

work out to be the least expen-

and other ingredients is backed

sive,” she says.

“The daily selenium recommendation for a lactating cow is

“In addition, feeds such as distillers’ grains and palm ker-

“In general, you will pay for the convenience of using lick

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

17

***DF Dec p18 19 Breeding_Layout 1 19/11/2015 11:35 Page 1

BREEDING

Finding the show-winning sires of the future may well have become a little more difficult following the genomics revolution. Bruce Jobson reviews the show scene.

Breeding show winners becomes a little tougher

O

ver the past five years the cattle breeding world has focused on genomic technology and the ever-increasing use of science as a tool to deliver greater efficiency of production.

Faster generation turnover has helped deliver

these tangible results as the use of second generation genomic sires (unproven sires bred from unproven sires) becomes commonplace within the industry.

However, not every farmer wishes to use genomic sires as part, or wholly, as a method to breed replacement animals. For many farmers, the

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preferred option remains the use of solid, proven performers while limiting their use of genomic young sires. This option is doubly compounded in challenging times when, due to low milk prices, the cost of rearing a replacement heifer becomes more scrutinised.

The cost of rearing a quality animal is the same as rearing an inferior animal – and using proven bulls reduces the risk. In fairness the genomic bulls of today, even if they do not return to active service, are greatly superior to an on-farm bull and many a sire from yesteryear. We now live in an era of ‘population genetics’ and efficiency of production remains the name of the game.

Within each section of the cattle breeding genre, the show winning animal remains – arguably – the most respected species of each individual breed.

The Royal Shows and National Show winners provide the epitome of success – perhaps it is theatre – like bovine gladiators entertaining the

crowds at the Coliseum.

However, owing to genomics, it may now be more difficult to breed the ‘bigtime’ show winning animal.

Numbers Few of today’s top type sires have the high production numbers to become modern day genomic sires of sons. The pool of available sires is therefore ever decreasing as selection intensity depletes these bloodlines.

In reality to be a show winning sire often requires the bull to be a secondcrop bull rather than unproven or proven genomic sire.

Generally speaking, a bull has to be six years old with a record of performance on type and production. His daughters also have to have been classified – all this to give breeders the confidence of using a sire as part of a ‘complementary’ mating programme to correct the type (and production) faults of the dam.

Looking at North America, we can monitor the elite sires delivering

***DF Dec p18 19 Breeding_Layout 1 19/11/2015 11:36 Page 2

BREEDING 30 animals respectively.

For the past five years, Braedale Goldwyn (born 2000) has been the leading sire. This year Goldwyn slipped down to second place siring 53 winning daughters – but was the leading sire of cow winners with 40.

WOC-ZBW Atwood Skittles typifies the sires' high type progeny.

the 2015 show winners.

The US Holstein Association National Show listing features 162 heifers and 215 cows. Maple-Downs-I G W Atwood (born 2007) was the leading sire of

National Holstein winners, siring 63 daughters that took the top three places.

Atwood was also the leading sire of winning heifers and second leading sire of cows, with 33 and

Show scene One bull coming up fast on the show scene is Pine-Tree Sid (born 2005) who is in third place overall with 32 daughters in the top three places, as well as the second leading sire of heifers.

The combination of Sid and Goldwyn was the leading sire stack for all

2015 US National Show winners as well as heifers, with 21 animals listed in the top three places.

Breeding show winners was always considered an ‘art’. The great show breeders had the ability to know and understand how to use a bull to best effect in order to breed the cow with correct type – and have that show winning style.

In time, some of the genomic bulls will come through and deliver show winners, but it seems unlikely we will see the prolific number of daughters coming through compared to the Goldwyns and Starbucks of the past.

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***DF Dec New p20 22 AHDB_Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:22 Page 1

INTERVIEW

Anyone who has been keeping up with these things will know a lot has been going on at AHDB since the new regime came to power. Bruce Jobson talks to Amanda Ball who has recently been appointed strategy director for the dairy sector to find out more.

Is AHDB meeting the needs of its levy payers? hy can’t AHDB Dairy promote British dairy products?

As crazy as it seems, legally, AHDB Dairy cannot run a ‘Buy British’ campaign because we are not allowed to use public money to promote British over the produce from other member states. We can, and do, promote quality standards such as Red Tractor, and the relevance to shoppers of the Union flag as a clear indicator of product origin.

We have focused areas of activity, and one is to concentrate on children of school age called Food – a fact of life (www.foodafact oflife.org.uk) delivered through the education route. The other focuses on key consumer target audiences via PR, and then we have a direct route to the consumer at www.thisisdairyfarming.com.

W

But don’t farmers want you to promote their product, not just dairy farming?

It is the board that determines our activities, based on their judgement about the tangible benefits to the wider levy paying community, whose interests they are looking after.

Promotion means different things to different people. I do recognise AHDB Dairy has some vocal critics in relation to promotion, but I am also aware of the many silent supporters it has.

20

DAIRY FARMER

Amanda Ball says the levy consultation aims to listen to what farmers believe will help their businesses.

There are different ways to listen and engage with levy payers and we are in ‘listening’ mode. I feel very strongly that where farmers would like us to promote the end product, they need to let us know what their expectations would be for any return on investment. It’s really essential we understand the tangible benefit.

If levy payers want consumer product promotion as a priority, they need to tell us and there is a timely opportunity to do so now, as we are running a series of open meetings as

DECEMBER 2015

part of our activity review.

It is the AHDB Dairy sector board, many of whom are farmers themselves, who set the priorities and are fully involved in agreeing the business plans. Any dairy farmers wanting to see a shift in how levy money is spent should feel free to contact a member of the board.

Although ‘product promotion’ has not been one of the set priorities in our agreed business plan in recent years, we are involved with promoting the sector in numerous other ways.

Critics also say AHDB often tells them what they already know.

We are delivering to businesses of all sizes and at different stages of development. For some, the information may not appear relevant but for others that clearly is not the case.

AHDB Dairy is in regular face-to-face contact with over 50% of our levy payers, and we know from feedback that these farmers value the work that we do – and we continually aim to improve our services.

As part of this we run research days on host farms which offer an opportunity to see the results of research in action and to hear from

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INTERVIEW our R&D managers about research which is in progress.

As an organisation, we have something to offer everyone and that includes people considering their options for the future of their businesses. Right now, for many, how to survive low milk prices is a priority, and we have a range of help and support ready for farmers to access.

How do you envisage the long term future of the levy body – and where do we go from here?

This is the subject of the ‘activity review’ which is in progress. This review is looking at AHDB’s overarching organisational priorities and the strategic priorities for each of its six sectors. We have planned open meetings in Wales, Scotland and England as well as an online survey, to get the opinions of levy payers on three key areas.

We’re asking levy payers to tell us, firstly, what are the

biggest opportunities and challenges to your business, now and in the future? Secondly, what should AHDB do in the future to support you and your business?

And thirdly, how can we communicate most effectively with you?

For those not able to attend a meeting in person we have an on-line survey which can be completed.

The feedback will bring balance to the debate – and I welcome open communication in order to implement the views of the levy payers.

How do farmers make their views known on the business plan for next year?

As well as considering our longer term priorities, there is also a formal industry consultation on the AHDB Strategic Plan and more detailed sector business plans from late November to early January. The resulting priorities for AHDB and business plans for the sectors will be implemented in the new financial year.

Dairy Board members and contact details Jim Baird, Lanark 07811 571 205 David Cotton, Somerset 07771 824 690 Keith Davis, Gloucestershire 07770 571 585 Tim Gue, West Sussex 07971 226 974 Chris James, Pembrokeshire

22

DAIRY FARMER

07780 661 044 Gwyn Jones - AHDB Dairy Board chairman 07730 001 387 Peter Nicholson 07778 989 208 Janette Prince, Staffordshire 07973 177 163 Thomas Rawson, Yorkshire 07881 940 219

DECEMBER 2015

Any dairy farmers wanting to see a shift in how levy money is spent should feel free to contact a member of the board Amanda Ball

“

The intention of the consultation is clear – we want to listen to what farmers believe will help their businesses. Whether this is undertaking more monitor farm work, funding applied research, or pooling resources to attract additional funding from external sources, and we need the input from our levy payers to support the sector Board in their strategy decisions.

Ian Potter, in his October column in Dairy Farmer, raised the issue of your husband working for AHDB Dairy?

AHDB Human Resources operates a robust recruitment procedure. The process is auditable and stands close scrutiny. I had nothing to do with my husband David’s appointment, nor did I influence the decision. He is very knowledgeable and is keen to share his experience within the dairy farming industry with levy payers.

His role involves new building design and construction, but also includes how to get the best out of existing farm buildings and infrastructure. David has been involved within the industry for many years and, contrary to Ian’s comment, he went straight from his previous position to his current role.

What about the changes at Stoneleigh – what’s going on?

A whole range of ongoing changes are occurring across the organisation led by chief executive Jane King to deliver greater impact and value for levy payers.

To date, we have completed a rebranding process and restructured the delivery teams to bring the whole organisation closer together.

Regardless of the organisational changes, a key point to note is that the dairy levy remains ring fenced to be used only to the benefit of dairy farmers.

It’s my opinion the majority of levy payers – farmers and their staff – who engage with AHDB Dairy greatly benefit from what the organisation offers, and we must maintain and increase that engagement at every opportunity. Working effectively with levy payers and other key industry players is always important, and in challenging times it’s crucial. These priorities are central to my thinking.

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***DF Dec p24 25 Canada _Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:26 Page 1

CANADA

The ramifications of the potential relaxing of milk quotas in Canada because of the TransPacific Partnership agreement were highlighted earlier this year. Bruce Jobson now looks at the detail on the conclusion of the ground-breaking trade agreement signed in October.

Canada forced to ease grip on its milk supply

he much heralded 12 country Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was finally concluded after five years of negotiations, and the ramifications will start to be felt as the full realisation of the implications begin working through.

The agreement involved Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. It is estimated the collective strength of the Pacific Rim nations amounts to 40% of global trade.

However, with such a large number of countries involved, not all the original aims of the agreement have been met and the conclusion in such circumstances is probably far from perfect.

As always there will be winners and losers. One of the major stumbling blocks in the trade agreement relates to dairy products and Canada’s stance regarding imported products.

The Canadian milk quota system, known as Supply Management, has been an

T

24

DAIRY FARMER

integral part of dairy production for the past 50 years.

TPP countries were seeking open access to the Canadian market but this caused a furore amongst Canadian dairy farmers whose businesses have survived in a domestic only market. Furthermore, the concept of Canada mass exporting dairy products appears an improbability due to its current business model.

Slightly open Under the signed agreement, Canada is slightly opening the doors to dairy products as part of the TPP. While this may be a trickle at present, the worry for dairy producers is this will lead to an opening of the floodgates. Worse still, this may eventually lead to the collapse of the Supply Management system.

The TPP agreement is allocating 3.25% of annual production to foreign dairy products entering Canada.

The deal will be introduced over the next five years, with an increase in export levels from the 11 other TPP

DECEMBER 2015

This is the second time, in two years, we are paying the price of a free trade agreement Bruno Letendre

“

countries. In total, this figure will displace about 250 million litres of Canadian milk in the domestic market on an annual basis.

The agreement will provide $4.3 billion in federal government compensation to Canadian dairy and poultry farmers in order to offset any losses to producers due to foreign competition. For a typical dairy farmer, the figure works out at about $165,600 over the next 15 years or $11,000 per annum (£5600).

Over the course of the trade negotiations, Canada’s dairy farmers reacted to the proposed agreement with alarm. Any measure which threatened the Supply Management system, viewed as ‘untouchable’, caused Cana-

dian farmer protests around Ottawa and the parliament area, and received widespread press and media coverage.

Opening the TPP trade door will result in milk being displaced from the domestic system, in effect that can never be replaced, and a perpetual revenue loss to the Canadian economy. However, moving forward, Canadian farmers are now being asked to compete in a global marketplace – an unknown theatre of operations for dairy farmers since Supply Management was introduced in 1965.

The current system controls levels of milk by coupling production to domestic consumer demand, while at the same time limiting foreign competition through high tariffs. It is this protectionism which has antagonised the 11 other Pacific Rim nations.

A political compromise was required, but not everyone would be satisfied, least of all Canadian producers who fear a potential Government ‘sell-out’.

***DF Dec p24 25 Canada _Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:39 Page 2

CANADA For their part, Canadian Government was eager to get agreement with the other nations in order to have open market access for non-agricultural goods and services. However, the rural vote and strong lobbying prior to the Canadian General Election, which was held on October 19, appeared to sway the Government into agreeing to support the agricultural lobbyist groups.

Access Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lost the October election after the TPP was signed in Atlanta on October 4, said: “We have promised we would keep Supply Management and we have been assured now we will have free trade access to most of the global economy in the Asia-Pacific, in the Americas and in Europe, while making sure we are able to maintain our system.”

Before the TPP agreement, 10% of the Canadian dairy market was open to foreign markets. In addition to the 3.25% more dairy produce being allowed into the country under the agreement, another 2% – about 17,700 tonnes of cheese a year – could or, will, be permitted under the Canadian Europe Trade Agreement (CETA) which is currently under negotiation.

This agreement is seen as another backward step at the cost of agriculture, ac-

A major stumbling block in the TPP relates to dairy products and Canada’s stance regarding imports.

cording to Bruno Letendre, president of the Quebec Milk Producer’s Association.

He said: “The Canadian Government had promised to fully protect Supply Management. This is the second time, in two years, we are paying the price of a free trade agreement.”

There are about 12,000 dairy farms across Canada, half of which are in Quebec.

Had Supply Management been abolished – which is not now being considered under the current TPP terms – an estimated 6000 farms would not have been able to cover their cash costs, according to Canada’s largest dairy co-operative, Agropur.

There are always two sides of the coin and Canadian consumers typically pay higher dairy prices than consumers in other parts of the world. It is well known for consumers to travel over

the US border and bring back milk and other grocery produce as they can be had there at a much lower price.

But what has to be factored into the landmark agreement is that costs of production in Canada are more expensive than other countries, especially Third World economies.

Provenance Canadian farmers and consumers have expressed fears regarding the quality and provenance of imported foodstuffs, explains Canadian trade development expert Bob Lang.

He said: “It would appear most Canadian dairy farmers are not as yet, fully concerned with the concepts as long as Canadian dairy companies can, in fact, develop the relatively dormant export market potential that WTO blocked a decade ago,

at the insistence of two of the current TPP signatories, namely New Zealand and the USA. “Canadian dairy producers have, in fact, had an increasingly open market for imported dairy products in recent times.

“With increasingly stringent laws enforcing significant environmental protection investments on farms, along with animal welfare regulations, the TPP may in fact offer to producing countries, like Canada, the benefits of top quality production instead of a race to the bottom price at any cost to the rest of society.

“Additionally, the requirement to prevent ‘dumping’ of milk product, at lower than the cost of production, processing and shipping, has to be maintained,” he said.

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

25

***DF Dec p26 Mastitis Conf_Layout 1 17/11/2015 19:14 Page 1

CONFERENCE Experts from the UK, Europe and New Zealand gathered with vets and industry professionals for the annual British Mastitis Conference in Worcester. Louise Hartley reports.

Teat sealants have bigger role to play at drying off

any milk processors are now asking farmers to consider a more restrictive use of antibiotics and, if European trends are adopted in the UK, Selective Dry Cow Therapy (SDCT) will have to be embraced, either voluntarily or through policy.

Speaking to delegates at the British Mastitis Conference, Dr Karlien Supre, Flanders Milk Control Centre, Belgium, said farmers should not be afraid to adopt a SDCT programme.

She said that blanket antibiotics are sometimes used as an insurance for good udder health, especially in higher yielding herds, or to conceal poor herd management.

But on presenting the results of her research project, she said using just teat sealants on certain cows could reduce the use of antibiotics, without having a negative impact on udder health in the next lactation.

Dr Supre conducted an 18-month long project

M

26

DAIRY FARMER

The results showed SDCT did not hamper udder health Dr Karlien Supre

“ working with four dairy herds in Belgium. The herds ranged from 51-70 cows producing between 8000kg-11,000kg per lactation.

Criteria The SDCT was based on the following criteria – no clinical mastitis in that lactation, daily milk yield had to be below 15kg, and the SCC for the three days prior to drying off had to be less than 100 SCC for heifers and below 150 SCC for cows.

Farmers were asked to use an internal teat sealant on every quarter of every cow, regardless of whether antibiotics were also being used.

Dr Supre explained: “Of the 240 cows dried off, total antibiotic use reduced by just under 20% and the amount of critical anti-

DECEMBER 2015

biotics [for systemic cases] reduced by 52%.

“Udder health in the proceeding lactation was measured by SCC and clinical mastitis rates. The results showed SDCT did not hamper udder health, with no difference between antibiotic-treated and the non-antibiotic treated cows.”

Delegates commented on how low the SCC threshold of the project was, to which Dr Supre replied that another study looked at 40 farms using SDCT. “The farms used their own thresholds and found as long as heifers had a SCC lower than 300 they could be dried off without antibiotics and not encounter any problems. For adult cows, however, the use of teat sealants alone on anything over 250 SCC was a major risk.”

Convincing some farmers to switch to SDCT on a voluntary basis would be difficult, concluded Dr Supre, and all delegates stressed how critical it was to consult with a vet before making a SDCT plan.

It was also pointed out by fellow vets, that giving antibiotics to a low SCC cow increases the risk of them developing gram-negative clinical mastitis in the next lactation, so there were several reasons why more prudent antibiotic use should be considered.

Timing Dr Supre recommended using teat sealants every time a cow was dried off, even if antibiotics were not being used.

In a questionnaire of 500 dairy herds carried out by the Flanders Milk Control Centre, only half of the farms used teat sealants, and half of those used teat sealants incorrectly.

“Some farmers massaged the sealant into the udder or divided one sealant tube between all four quarters, which is very bad practice,” said Dr Supre.

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DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

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***DF Dec p28 29 30 31 Omsco Interview CORRECTED_Layout 1 20/11/2015 12:54 Page 1

INTERVIEW Despite the historical roller coaster ride of organic milk production, things currently seem to be settling into a more stable mode. Peter Hollinshead talks to Nicholas Saphir, executive chairman of the Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative.

Organic milk sets out to grab slice of action

T

he last time I caught up with OMSCo it was having a bit of a hard time with organic milk effectively going into the normal liquid pool – now you tell me you are flying. What has caused this turnaround?

If you look at the last few years, unlike northern Europe or America where organic consumption continued to grow during the recession, the UK market went backwards.

We could see conventional prices falling through the floor and that if we weren’t careful we would end up in a boom-bust cycle again, and the only way to deal with that was to find markets that would significantly add value.

We wondered if we could produce milk to an American standard, and we could, and could we find the right partner, and we did in Organic Valley, and so developed the Kingdom cheese business.

We are also exporting butter to manufacturers in the States and Europe as there

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DAIRY FARMER

are a lot of manufacturers in Europe wanting to produce organic product for the States and want organic material which meets American standards, and we are the only milk producer in Europe currently able to produce to these standards.

OK, let’s look at the nitty gritty of the UK market first. With the conventional market here struggling to average somewhere around 20-22ppl, what are you currently returning to your members?

We don’t have a single price as it depends on seasonality and the like, but you can say the current premium against Defra farmgate conventional price is probably about 14-15p.

So you are at 35-36ppl?

That’s for sure, but you are on the bottom end of it.

Okay, a figure like that, which we will say for the sake of argument is around 37-38p, would make many non-organic producers green with envy, but of course it’s not the price that

DECEMBER 2015

is important but the margin – how do your margins compare with those in the conventional field?

You have to say it is not just about the cost of production, which is higher, but it’s also higher in terms of collection and higher in terms of the management of the farm itself because you have to put much more attention into the detail. So unless you have a premium that is getting somewhere near that level, then it is uneconomic. We need that sort of level of premium to sustain organic production in the future.

I’ll come onto that in a moment, but to put your business into perspective you handle

about 0.3bn litres, around two-thirds of all UK organic milk, and it must be a logistics nightmare collecting from all those scattered producers?

Yes, we’ve taken a view historically that we have a duty to UK organic farmers, which means we don’t have the most intensive milk fields in the country, and as we haven’t been selective that means our cost of collection is comparatively high.

We do have milk swaps with other people which helps, but thickening up the milk field is going to be the primary goal of any

***DF Dec p28 29 30 31 Omsco Interview CORRECTED_Layout 1 20/11/2015 12:55 Page 2

INTERVIEW further membership extension as you cannot go, as we do, from the north of Scotland to the tip of Cornwall, for effectively 250-300m litres and not suffer compared with conventional milk where it is all ring fenced around the factory.

Can you give me a figure for your cost of collection in ppl terms?

We have three different elements – farm collection, rerouting to factories and exports – but our cost of collection compared with conventional is going to be double.

You say your salvation has partly been in the export market, what percent do you export in one form or another?

Well, at the peak of the over production we were exporting more than 30% of our total collections, and now we are reducing significantly our exports to Europe and building the American business, and wish to see exports balanced at around 25% of our total production.

I believe you have just secured a US contract for organic mozzarella principally off the back of the antibiotic free milk (this means no milk from any cows that at any time may have been treated with an antibiotic for any reason), and this is on the top on

your existing antibiotic free Cheddar. What is stopping the US producers, keen entrepreneurs as they are, from generating their own specialist milk for this market?

First of all we have this arrangement with Organic Valley – or rather the CROPP co-operative which owns the brand – which actually protects our long term position, and we have product which is different from that of the States.

You have to remember there is incredible demand for GM free product – not just organic product, and it is difficult for the Americans to produce enough GM free.

Yes, that is the arrangement with CROPP, but there will be other people producing organic milk who could come in and fill that slot you are filling?

Yes, this is a race. What is interesting about what we have done in the last two to three years is we have actually taken the concept of producing to specific market demand, and with our partnership with America, and one or two other things we are doing at the moment but haven’t announced yet, we are talking about a global reach and we are ready to be very flexible and react to change.

I’ll come onto the GM bit in a moment, but your arrangement with CROPP

says it will ‘allow both co-ops to market each other’s bulk and branded products’. Does that mean we will see US product coming over here shortly?

I think there is enough of a cultural difference between the US and UK that most of the products currently being sold in the US by Organic Valley would not automatically transfer to the UK. But I expect we will see some of their products in the UK in the fullness of time.

But the number of organic producers must be declining rather than increasing?

We are not losing any members – for the last two years we have seem no decline in membership and we would have expected 5% loss a year just from retirement, but we have seen virtually no retirees.

With all this potential demand at the back of your mind, how frustrating is it for you as a businessman that you may possibly be short of product to continue this development in due course?

Not worried at all actually. We are very clear it is our duty to produce the best return for our members and that means we will expand production initially from our own members, and then from recruitment, according to the forecasts we have for increased sales.

This year we have introduced an added premium for extra production and the members have responded.

We will start looking at taking more members in but only do it at a pace we can manage.

One of the big lessons from the past is that people have converted and then looked for a route to market – that would be a disaster.

I suppose what perhaps is most remarkable is how a fairly small co-op like your own secures these seemingly lucrative contracts – do you have a big marketing team out there drumming up business?

Well, let’s put it in context.

We turn over £100m so we are not actually a small business, but I am delighted over the last 10 years OMSCo has built a management team that is loyal and committed, and is excited by what is going on.

I think it is about focus and vision. When I came into OMSCo I said at the time I was a sceptic about organic and that organic farmers tended towards the Luddite, but I have been absolutely stunned by how innovative and creative the membership is.

Just give me a figure for your current membership, if you would?

It’s 250 members.

And you say your turnover is about £100m – does the co-op actually

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

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INTERVIEW own processing plant or does it do everything under contract?

We have a policy that says we are not in the business of running factories – we are focused on getting the best return for members and there is generally plenty of capacity out there for us to be able to use toll processing.

However, we are getting closer into partnership with our processors and customers, and you will find us becoming more integrated in that way. We have powder and speciality butter – we have been moving product across to the continent and to Ireland to process for our markets… would we love to see more capacity in the UK, we would, but we are using UK cheese makers, UK butter makers and continental powder and butter makers.

I believe you adhere to the co-op remit that prices are averaged

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DAIRY FARMER

across all producers rather than the ones whose milk goes abroad... do you make a profit and if so how do you distribute that... is there a thirteenth payment?

We don’t set out to make a profit. We return to members net everything we receive from the marketplace, and, yes, all members do get treated equally except those members that are asked to do various added-cost things and they get a reasonable return for that effort, but the balance of that particular premium goes back in the pool as well.

I think we are probably the only co-op to do it and that is to give each member an individual forecast month by month for the year ahead of what they will get, and that is the budget, and if there is a surplus on that budget at the end of the year then they

DECEMBER 2015

will get a thirteenth payment, but we don’t set out to have such a payment.

In the conventional sector we are finding it particularly difficult to compete on the global stage, especially with the surplus overhang and the strength of the pound, yet, paradoxically, you appear to be thriving, so have you any advice for us in the conventional sphere?

Far be it for me to give advice. It’s a complex and difficult world. Currency is an issue and we have a very clear policy as to how we hedge currency – we are hedged for the next 12 months so currency is not something we play with.

Yes, the pound is strong which makes it more difficult, but that means we have to be constantly looking for added value markets.

Advice? I think farmers have to accept there is no magic bullet to deal with this current problem.

The markets are going to be volatile from hereon in.

Europe is no longer the world balancer – and I’m talking of Brussels – it will not defend dairy producers in terms of pricing.

The world will be volatile, and farmers had better make sure their route to market is the right one.

Every producer has got to look as to whom they are selling, or through, and

make sure they put pressure on that organisation to do the right thing as regards added value. Otherwise all that happens is the farmer takes the bottom price, that is the price left after everybody else has had their margin.

And that isn’t going to be sustainable in a marketplace where supermarkets are using milk as a loss leader in the UK, where bottlers have invested an enormous amount of money and have got to make a return, and where farmers are seen, to a great extent, as the fodder to that process.

Farmers had better start to think how they influence their route to market and don’t look to somebody else to actually produce a return, or rely on fate, Government, or some kind distributor who has decided it is going to help you.

Which is a pretty bleak picture really. Do you see any sign of that happening in the conventional milk market?

I don’t think it is bleak – it is realistic. I think what it says, like in the commercial world generally, is that there are going to be winners and losers and there is no industry answer.

Are there signs – yes, I think there are pretty good farmers out there and some of the farmhouse cheese making activity is very interesting and some of the

***DF Dec p28 29 30 31 Omsco Interview CORRECTED_Layout 1 20/11/2015 12:56 Page 4

INTERVIEW big distributors are doing some amazing things.

My concern with the big distributors or co-ops, like Arla or Muller-Wiseman, is that their focus naturally will be to use UK milk for UK consumption and if they have a long arm then the natural inclination may be to use other sources of supply for their world markets.

I think it is for their members and suppliers to keep making sure their organisations focus on UK returns to UK farmers, and that they have a belief in the UK to make that investment in not just UK liquid or cheese, but also addedvalue opportunities.

Do you see any future while we have that devaluation of milk in the domestic market by the retailers of ever lifting that price very much?

I think there is general recognition in the industry that we cannot go on like this or we will lose a lot more milk in the future.

I think there is momentum beginning and the pressure from retailers, distributors and particularly farmers is focused on just that – how you add value both in the UK and for export.

Just to come back to something you mentioned earlier and that is the GM

element. Are you perturbed the UK government may be looking a little more benignly upon the idea of GM? You have to remember that Scotland and Wales are different – both have said they will not go along with GM development and we have a lot of production there. Do I think the UK Government’s thinking about lifting the barrier on GM production is going to hurt us, yes, I think it could.

Science has moved on since GM was introduced and there are other ways to lift agricultural yields economically without the

risk or potentail commercial damage.

It is interesting American consumers have started a significant movement in wanting to buy GM free products to the extent they have an organisation to certify GM free, and it goes on the label.

Does your US product have GM free on the label?

Yes. Finally, in your chequered history of organic production, you seem currently to be on a roll, how do you plan to safeguard your future?

Run faster!

THE IMMUNITY DIP:

THE RISKS ARE REAL

During The Vital 90 Days around calving almost all cows experience a dip in their natural defence.1 Immune cells called neutrophils drop below normal levels making cows more vulnerable to mastitis2, metritis3 and retained placenta4.

This can reduce milk output, as well as taking up valuable time and disrupting day-to-day farm management.

Ask your vet about disease monitoring and identifying risk factors for immune suppression.

1. Hoeben D. et al, 2000, Journ. Dairy Res. 67 (2) 249-259 2. Sordillo L.M., 2005, Livestock Prod. Sci., 98 89–99 3. Hammon D.S. et al, 2006, Vet. Immunology 113 21–29 4. Kimura K. et al, 2002, Journ. Dairy. Sci., 85 (3) 544–550 Elanco, Vital90 and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. © 2015 Elanco Animal Health. UKDRYRUH00021

***DF Dec p32 34 Newton Rigg_Layout 1 17/11/2015 19:17 Page 1

MILK

A new parlour installation at Cumbria’s Newton Rigg College enables the 200-cow herd to be put through in just one-and-a-half hours. Jeremy Hunt reports.

Newton Rigg’s rapid exit parlour cuts milking time

A

unique solution to meet a specific situation – that is how staff at Newton Rigg College, Cumbria, describe the installation of a Fullwood QS parlour servicing the college’s 220 pedigree Holstein milkers.

This rapid exit parlour may be considered to be something of a hybrid with its extra-wide pit to aid student instruction – as well as its in-parlour feeders. But it is cow positioning and the speed of cow exit that are notable features of this system.

Cows are presented at 90-degrees in the 30-point parlour to achieve even milk-out and the Fullwood QS (Quick Start) system enables the entire stalls gantry to be lifted at the end of milking to achieve rapid exit.

Newton Rigg herdsman Wayne Stead says: “This was the first parlour of its type Fullwood had installed. So instead of having 30 cows and just 15 milking at one time, we can milk 15 cows down each

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DAIRY FARMER

Cows are presented at 90-degrees in the 30-point parlour for better milking out, and the Fullwood QS (Quick Start) system enables the trough tube work to be pivoted upwards to achieve rapid exit.

side at the same time.”

The milking routine begins as cows are moved towards the parlour using manually operated backing gates. To prevent cows lingering to clear up any uneaten nuts, trough gates ensure the first cow moves to the far end and then the gates sequentially open

DECEMBER 2015

down the row. All cows are fitted with auto-ID.

Routine “Our pre-milking routine involves spraying all the cows with an iodine solution. We then dry wipe half the cows along one side of the parlour with one paper towel and then

attach the units. This routine avoids cows having to wait too long after being wiped before they start to be milked,” says Mr Stead, who is assisted by Sarah Sutton.

The first 25 litres of production is met by the TMR diet. Cows are then topped up in the parlour at

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DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

33

***DF Dec p32 34 Newton Rigg_Layout 1 17/11/2015 19:18 Page 2

MILK a rate of 0.3kg for every litre above that level.

Feed is delivered to each cow automatically once the units are activated and are ready to be attached. The parlour stalls are fitted with rubber flooring and the clusters fitted with ACRs. It takes about oneand-a-half hours for two operators to milk 200 cows.

A touch-screen computer provides the operators with individual cow data.

Shedding race “It’s an excellent set-up to work in – fast, efficient and safe. And as well as the benefits of cow positioning and the ability to move cows out of the parlour quickly, I really like the shedding race. All we need to do is put the information into the computer in the morning concerning any cows that need to be seen by the vet, and by the time we’ve finished milking all the selected cows are in the pen and ready for treatment,” says Mr Stead.

34

The first 25 litres of the Newton Rigg College herd’s production is met by the TMR diet.

Teats are dipped after milking with a barrier dip and cell counts hover at around 100.

“We wash down each side with a volume washer, but as soon as the gates are lifted it triggers an automatic cluster wash on every unit which back washes twice,” Mr Stead explains.

To ensure there are no impediments to delay exit, there is an extra-wide exit

passageway so two cows can leave at the same time.

Wider turning circles, rubber matting on 50% of the entire unit’s floor area, and daily footbaths have helped achieve mobility scores of zero.

Investment The Newton Rigg Fullwood QS parlour has a

pit which is almost four metres wide and provides students and staff with ample room to work alongside each other.

The parlour is part of the £1m investment made by the college at Sewborwens Farm and the herd, which has an average yield of 10,300 litres, is now housed all year round.

Herdsman Wayne Stead says the system is efficient and safe to work in.

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

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DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

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MILK

The installation of four robotic milkers has seen a marked increase in fertility and production for one Cumbrian family. Louise Hartley reports.

Robots form part of herd expansion plan

W

hen brothers Stephen and Richard Brough were considering options for a new parlour and herd expansion at their Buckabank Farm, Dalston, Stephen’s son Neil was a self-confessed ‘robot sceptic’.

One professional advised the Brough family to adopt a New Zealand grazingstyle system, and another argued the best option was to install a rotary, but Neil decided to explore all the possibilities and travelled to Germany along with Richard’s son James to take a look at robot set-ups.

“We were almost about to buy a 30:60 rapid exist parlour and I only really wanted to go to Germany to prove to myself that robots were not for us,” says Neil.

“I was impressed with how much milk the farmers were getting for the inputs they put in, and how healthy and relaxed the cows looked.”

One year on and the family has installed four Lely A4 robots and gone from milking 180 pedigree Hol-

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DAIRY FARMER

After much deliberation, four Lely A4 robots have been installed.

steins, under the Carrock prefix, to about 320, through the careful purchase of heifers to increase numbers.

Buildings The robot building comprises of an extended shed, originally used for heifers and dry cows, and a second new building built alongside it.

Cows and heifers are separated, with heifers in the original extended shed on two robots and cows in the new building with another two robots.

Stephen says: “The separation helps avoid bullying and gives heifers an easier ride settling in, especially when we are aiming to calve the heifers at 24 months.”

DECEMBER 2015

This will become even more important as the ultimate goal is to calve at 22-23 months.

Neil explains: “On looking at other robot sheds, space was crucial. The loafing area in front of both sets of robots measures 92sq m.”

Kraiburg Wingflex rubber mattresses were put into the cubicles and cranked head rails installed to allow cows to stand freely with all four feet on the cubicle bed – both have been worthwhile investments, agree Stephen and Neil.

Initial teething problems came from cluster pipes coming off, either from cows kicking or getting tangled.

“The pipes needed regu-

lar re-attaching, but now we have got new pipe fittings this problem has been virtually eliminated,” says Neil.

“People often think you are tied to the robot if it alarms, but in reality this in not true. We are lucky to have a large family who all help on the farm when needed.”

Neil’s brother, Craig, is a land agent for Harrison and Hetherington, and his cousin James works for Keenan. Another cousin, Philip Potts, also works full-time on the farm.

One of the best parts of the new building is the separation area, says Neil.

“Cows which need separating for the vet or a foot trim are diverted in to the separation area over the course of the morning as they come in to milk.

“They have access to cubicles, feed and water, with no standing around in collection yards. Locking yolks mean we can easily control cows for pregnancy detection (PD-ing).

“The whole thing is calm and involves very little stress on us, the vet, and most importantly the cows.”

***DF Dec p36 37 Milk Brough _Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:47 Page 2

MILK

Neil Brough (left) with his father Stephen.

The original 12:24 herringbone parlour is still in use, with Stephen milking a batch of 60 cows through it to keep volume up while the milk price is low.

He says: “Any cows which do not have a good enough teat placement, or persistently fail to enter the robot, are transferred to the parlour herd.”

Production figures have also seen a positive shift since the robots were installed. In 2014 the herd averaged 9909kg (305 days) for 160 lacations at 3.84% fat, 3.27% protein and 150 SCC, with a calving interval of 417 days.

At present average yield per 305 days is 11,164kg at 3.81% fat and 3.27% protein for 247 lactations. SCC is currently sitting around the 110 mark.

Calving interval is down to 406 days

and is likely to drop further over the next 12 months to 396.

Neil says: “The herd’s lactation curve has gone very flat since the robots were installed. This could be partly due to more frequent milking, currently at 3.21 milkings per day on average.

“At the moment the herd is averaging 35kg daily and ideally we do not want any cows giving over 60kg per day,” he says.

Fertility Health and fertility have improved over the last 12 months from a combination of new housing and robotic milking, explains Neil.

“We have doubled the herd since getting the robots, yet the vet bill has stayed the same. Cows are healthier and under less pressure, and show stronger bulling activity.”

Submission rate at 100 days in milk has increased from 71 to 81% on an annual basis. This is getting better all the time as robot-trained cows calve back in to the system and it is heading towards 90%, says Neil.

He explains: “Some of the cows initially suffered a bit of stress during training and fewer visits led to lower concentrate intakes when we first started with the robots.” Despite this, services per conception has fallen from 2.48 to 2.03.

Correction: Regarding last month’s feature on Boggart House Farm, Lancashire, we wish to point out that the robots were in fact DeLaval Voluntary Milking Systems (VMS). We apologise for the error.

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

37

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MILK With the focus squarely on maximising efficiency to reduce production costs, it pays to make sure the milking machine is operating as it should as one Worcestershire producer will testify.

Dynamic testing essential to keep parlour up to the mark

A

t least twice a day for 365 days a year the parlour is expected to extract milk quickly and efficiently without compromising cow health and welfare.

Richard Hooson, milking systems manager with Promar, maintains an efficient milk plant coupled with a good routine will reduce the time actually spent in the parlour, and cuts the time the cows are away from feed, water and cubicles. .

He says: “If the average dairy farmer spends five hours a day in the parlour, then a 5% improvement in parlour efficiency would save 15 minutes a day. This may not sound much, but it adds up to over 90 hours a year. However, it is essential that efficiency savings are not achieved at the expense of cow health.”

Mr Hooson argues the most effective approach to identifying the possible ways to improve parlour efficiency is to take the time to watch and record what is happening during

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DAIRY FARMER

The second-hand Westfalia 16:16 low level parlour was installed three years ago at Old House Farm, Tibberton.

milking with a dynamic machine test.

“Many farmers will have a static milking machine test which measures vacuum levels and other factors but not while the machine is working. A dynamic milking machine test looks at the whole milking process and the interactions between the milking machine, the cow and the operator,” he adds.

Lurking “It gives a detailed insight into how all three interact and where problems may be lurking. Based on a dynamic test it is often possible to make quick, low

DECEMBER 2015

cost changes which can have a big impact.”

Rob Chilman, who runs 170 Holsteins averaging 10,600 litres at Old House Farm, Tibberton, noticed a gradual increase in mastitis cases and cell counts when the cows moved into a second-hand Westfalia 16:16 low level parlour three years ago.

“We were getting more mastitis than I wanted to see and cell counts had risen,” Mr Chilman explains. “While we have always been in band A and below 250, cell counts had crept up from 70 to closer to the threshold.

“I was involved with the

DairyCo mastitis control plan and they advised having a dynamic test and the results have lead to a number of changes and to some big benefits.”

Promar milking machine technician Rosina Monk arrived on farm before afternoon milking to take static vacuum and pulsation readings as a benchmark.

The unit was fitted with a vacuum-on-demand system which usually ensures closer control over vacuum levels.

When vacuum levels were recorded during milking, the results showed a significant variance in teat end vacuums which is

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MILK

Rob Chilman says the test helped pick up several problems.

unusual for a vacuum-ondemand set-up.

Ms Monk explains: “Whenever the load on the system was changed such as a unit being put on or taken off there was a +/8kpa fluctuation in vacuum, and this took up to 12 seconds to settle down again.

“It was not unusual for a cow to be affected by these fluctuations up to eight times during a single milking, which was a real cause for concern. This indicated a problem with the vacuum-on-demand system.

“At the same time there was a lot of teat slipping which allowed air into the system. Whenever this happens, the vacuum at the teat end is lowered leading to milk being forced back up into the teat at high speed which is extremely undesirable,” she says.

The test also showed the positioning of the claw during milking was hindering effective milk removal. It was not hanging

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DAIRY FARMER

straight and square and the claw was twisting and pulling due to the action of the long milk tube.

In addition she identified problems with the ACR settings. “The ACRs were set to activate at far too low a milk flow which is a very common problem. ACRs were often installed when cows were lower yielding and the low release flow setting means there is a considerable risk of overmilking. With higher yielding cows, flow rates can be increased without affecting cow health or yield but saving time.

Teat end “In this case cows were being over-milked by up to 90 seconds which was going to cause problems at the teat end,” she says.

“On a positive note, the milking routine itself was excellent with stripping, pre-dipping and wiping before units were applied.

By working in batches of four at a time, rather than a whole side of the parlour,

DECEMBER 2015

The cows have been less fidgety in the parlour since the corrections.

They were more content being milked because there was less vacuum fluctuation at the teat end Rob Chilman

“

the delay between the start of preparation and the units being attached was reduced. A delay of 60-90 seconds between the start of udder preparation and putting the unit on is the most efficient, increasing milk harvested per hour by up to 17%.”

Mr Chilman says: “The consequence of these issues was a very high percentage of cows with distended, red teats with ringing when the unit was removed. While the operators were doing a good job, the teats were being compromised by the action of the machine leading to increased teat

end damage and more mastitis problems.”

As a result of the test, the variable speed vacuum unit was replaced with a conventional vacuum pump and regulator. The ACR timings were adjusted to activate at a flow rate of 400ml, and Mr Chilman also changed the milk tube supports which hold the milk line to improve the claw position.

“The first thing we noticed was fewer fidgeting cows,” Mr Chilman explains. “They were more content being milked because there was less vacuum fluctuation at the teat end and they were not been dry milked as the ACRs were activating sooner.

“Teat end condition has improved and both mastitis cases and cell counts have reduced, which is saving me time and money.

“It is about time for the parlour to be tested again, so it will be interesting to see how it is performing now,” he declares.

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***DF Dec p42 44 ECO2 Robots_Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:43 Page 1

MILK A shift to a robotic milking system has helped one Devon dairy improve health and performance, and also driven down the farm’s environmental impact.

Robots offer route to lower carbon footprint

L

abour saving may be the headline benefit associated with robot milking, but dairy farmer Stuart Broom has witnessed far greater advantages than just freeing up time.

He believes a complete system change, which has seen cows housed all year round and run through two milking robots, has led to fewer mastitis cases, improved fertility and better use of farm resources. It has also reduced labour input and created a more sustainable future for the familyrun Bolealler Farm at Cullompton.

“We’ve noticed a physical change in the cows,” says Mr Broom, who installed the robots in January last year. “They can do what they want and they’re not penned up twice-a-day to be milked so they are under less stress, which I believe is why mastitis has come down.”

A reduction in mastitis has been reflected in fewer intra-mammary tubes used per cow. This now sits at 1.02 for the June 2014 to May 2015 year, versus 1.83

42

DAIRY FARMER

Stuart Broom says his annual farm efficiency assessment allows him to monitor progress across the business.

for the previous period.

Calving interval has also declined from 427 in July 2014 to 401 days in September 2015. (See table).

Footprint The changes have also been reflected in the farm’s carbon footprint. In April 2014, the farm had a footprint of 1369g/litre, but in April this year this had dropped by 165g/litre to 1204g/litre.

This is the equivalent saving in carbon of 13 fewer flights around the world. When the farm started measuring farm efficiency in 2011, the footprint was even higher at 1729g/litre.

DECEMBER 2015

Mr Broom started undertaking annual carbon footprinting about four years ago through his milk processor, Arla. Since then he has continued on a voluntary basis and believes the report compiled by Alltech E-CO2 acts as a useful gauge of farm efficiencies.

“The report is a useful benchmarking tool to see where you stand and how efficient you are,” he says.

“It’s useful to be able to look back and see how things have improved.”

Like many farmers, Mr Broom was initially sceptical as to the role of carbon footprinting on a practical

level. It was only after an Arla farmer meeting he became aware of the role of farm efficiencies in driving carbon footprint down.

“We’ve always had a lot of things in place to reduce electricity and diesel costs, such as heat exchangers and using day and night electric.

It was only after the meeting I started to think about efficiencies of the business,” he explains.

Carbon dioxide from electricity production actually only represents an average 2-3% of a farm’s overall carbon footprint. In comparison, methane produced by the cow is equivalent to 25

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***DF Dec p42 44 ECO2 Robots_Layout 1 20/11/2015 11:03 Page 2

MILK

Feed efficiency and fertility have been two key factors in reducing the herd’s carbon footprint, which effectively means the farm is more profitable.

times that of carbon dioxide.

As a result, bigger reductions in carbon emissions can be gained by improving the efficiency of the cow.

This is about maximising milk production and reducing any factors which could inhibit production efficiencies such as lameness or sub-optimal fertility. Putting steps in place to address these factors will help the UK meet industry targets to reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture by 11% by 2020, compared to 2008.

Prior to system changes, the 100-cow herd yielded 5700 litres a cow a year, run on an organic system and grazed in the summer. Stuart says the shift to a conventional non-organic system, milking with robots,

and upping numbers to 130 head means the farm is making better use of resources.

Milk yields The fact milk yields have increased by 30% to 8198 litres a cow a year, while feed rate has stayed similar at around 0.34kg/litre, means efficiencies have improved, which will impact positively on carbon emissions, as well as income.

In general, any steps to use feed more effectively, by balancing rations effectively or producing high quality forage to replace bought-in feed will reduce emissions.

Mr Broom believes not having milkers and transition cows at grass has also helped achieve greater control of nutrition. This has

Robotic milking has helped Mr Broom improve overall dairying efficiency.

avoided diet changes at spring turn out and the subsequent dip in conception rates traditionally seen. Milk fever is now ‘a rarity’.

Having originally fed cows a flat rate through the parlour, the herd is now fed to yield through the robots.

This helps prevent cows from getting over fat in late lactation which could detrimentally affect fertility.

Technology has also been a significant factor in health improvements. This includes collar-mounted activity monitors for heat detection and rumination monitors.

Collars were used prior to the robots, so heat detection rate has remained constant. However conception rate has increased from 32% in July last year to 42%

Improvements in fertility at Bolealler Farm (robots installed January 2014) 12 months to 12 months to 2/7/2014 15/9/2015 % cows served by 80 DIM 64 61 % in-calf by 100 DIM 33 44 Calving to first service (days) 74 75 Calving to conception (days) 166 118 Calving index (days) 427 401 Conception rate 32 42

44

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

in September this year, explains vet, Martyn Whitehead from The Vale Vet Group.

“As a result of improved conception rates, more cows are in-calf by 100 days postcalving, and therefore there is an improvement in calving to conception interval and calving index. The financial impact of this should be better milk yields per cow per year, and reduced involuntary culling for infertility,” he says.

Mastitis In-line conductivity monitors also automatically flag up early signs of mastitis and high somatic cell counts.

Moving forward, Mr Broom hopes to increase cow numbers to 170, reduce the number of forced culls, and improve conception rates and mastitis further.

He believes the carbon footprint report will become even more useful as a means of comparing the improvements brought about by the system change.

Micron Bio Systems WP_WP 20/11/2015 11:24 Page 1

***DF Dec p46 48 49 Slurry_Layout 1 19/11/2015 11:47 Page 1

MUCK & SLURRY

The lie of the land on the Newbould family’s farm, Gisburn, posed some challenges when they decided to create new housing for their 200 Holstein milkers. Jeremy Hunt reports.

Underground slurry store makes most of land slope he impressive cubicle house at Slack Farm, Newsholme, on the Lancashire/North Yorkshire border was built on land adjoining the existing steading, but the undulating land around the farm meant the new unit had to stand 15ft below the level of the farmhouse and the farm’s other buildings.

However, everything about this challenging location has been made the most of, right from the initial planning stages.

T

Gantry As far as human access to the building is concerned, the differing level has been overcome by constructing a short gantry walkway running from the existing yard directly into the new cubicle house – which overcomes the 15ft drop.

This gantry leads directly to the viewing platform and farm office, which gives a bird’s-eye view, looking straight down over the entire herd as soon as the building is entered.

The housing measures 240ft by 110ft and is

46

DAIRY FARMER

Ventilation is carefully controlled in the cubicle building, which houses the family’s herd of 200 Holstein milkers.

entirely slatted in the main area used by the milking cows. The building has a central feed passage with locking yokes, and there are a total of 190 cubicles set out in two single rows of cubicles on each side.

The passageways are 13ft wide.

David Newbould says: “Because of the slats, we think this is wide enough for the passageways. The slurry going through would be too dry if the passages were wide because of the reduced cow traffic.”

The entire length of each side of the shed is fitted with automatically

DECEMBER 2015

operated ventilation curtains, which have a major part to play in achieving the high standard of ventilation – a key feature of the building.

There is also a ventilated light ridge along the roof.

Ventilation “The curtains are important, so we have total control of ventilation, especially when the bubbler in the slurry store is working,” says David.

The underground slurry store is 100ft by 105ft and 13ft deep, with a series of four-foot-deep connecting channels. This gives the

store a capacity of 900,000 gallons – virtually a year’s supply.

“The store was a major part of the new building’s construction. It was originally going to be 10ft deep but we had to make it deeper because we’re on running sand here and the building is on a slightly sloping site.

“Levels were a problem, as were ground conditions, but the challenge was to try and use them to our advantage. Nevertheless, we had to go down a good distance to achieve firm foundations,” says David.

This area has a high

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47

***DF Dec p46 48 49 Slurry_Layout 1 19/11/2015 11:48 Page 2

MUCK & SLURRY

Having to build the cubicle house on a hillside, David Newbould decided to use the foundation area as a slurry store, which has 900,000 gallon capacity.

rainfall, about 48in a year, and although the farm previously stored slurry in an above-ground tank, both David and his son Michael were committed to having underground storage in the new unit because of the levels of the land.

Michael says: “The tank is fitted with an aerator and we’re achieving a 7.5% dry matter of slurry being stored – and this is saving us a lot on fertiliser. The old outside store had to cope with up to four feet of rainwater a year.”

Photographs in the farm

office show the stage-bystage construction of the slurry store – a good record of the amount of work and planning involved.

Support They show the 60-plus concrete columns – each constructed of shuttered concrete and measuring two foot square – which are now within the store and are the underground support for the beams which hold the slatted floor of the shed.

David says: “In effect the bubbler works even better because we had to make

the store that much deeper. It did mean the store cost more to build because the walls had to be 16in thick to cope with the pressure caused by the depth and the volume of slurry we wanted to store.

“It involved using eight cubic metres of concrete per bay.”

No silage effluent goes into the slurry store but it does receive washings from the robots.

Cows are bedded on

sawdust because sand would not be an option on this system.

“The main value of the system is it provides a means of storing slurry without having to cope with rainwater – so we’re using and applying slurry more efficiently, particularly when we inject.

“But because of the type of land here, we can only inject slurry once a year so we’re considering a trailing shoe,” says David.

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About 60 concrete columns hold the building up inside the slurry store.

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

***DF Dec p46 48 49 Slurry_Layout 1 20/11/2015 11:36 Page 3

MUCK & SLURRY A Lely Discovery scraper cleans slurry off the slats on the passageways behind cubicles. It makes three complete passes of the area each day but has a more regular route clearing muck from directly behind the heel-stones of cubicles.

The slatted area on which the cows stand while feeding from the barrier isn’t scraped.

Michael says: “For some reason, the muck in this area seems to move through slats without needing to be scraped and does not build up, probably because cow traffic in this part of the building is more concentrated.”

The Newboulds are not only pleased with the storage system – which gives them enough capacity if necessary to store all their slurry for almost a year – but also by the fact it produces slurry which is always in a useable condition.

Slurry “We could just take out enough slurry to use on 10 acres without any need to stir it. Or at the other end of the scale, if we wanted to take 300,000 gallons out and apply through an umbilical system it would be just the same.

“This slurry has

A gantry connects the new cubicle house to the yard, across a 15ft drop.

achieved up to 8% dry matter, so there are a couple of downspouts which can be used to divert rainwater if it is needed,” adds David.

There is a robotic Lely

Juno in operation to push silage up to the feed fence about every two hours, and the herd, which has an average yield of 11,500 litres, is milked by three Lely robots.

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DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

49

***DF Dec p50 52 Milk Prices _Layout 1 20/11/2015 11:00 Page 1

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MILK PRICES

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Tel: 01772 785252

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DAIRY FARMER

www.farmplus.co.uk

DECEMBER 2015

JWith milk supply currently showing no signs of easing and stocks building, it is little surprise producer milk-for-cheese prices have come under the spotlight.

Even the UK’s number one brand, Dairy Crest, has had to succumb. Having reduced its milk price by 1.5ppl from Nov’15, the company has reduced by a further 0.6ppl from December taking our liquid standard litre* price down to 23.24ppl and our manufacturing standard down 0.6ppl to 24.32ppl.

While this is only the company’s second reduction since Apr’15, it takes the total reduction to 5.8ppl for 2015 and, with 4.27ppl the previous year, Davidstow producers have been subjected to a total price cut of 10.07ppl over 24 months.

Conscious of wanting to try and create as much stability as possible, Dairy Crest has agreed with DCD that in recognition of the additional pressures facing farmers throughout the win-

ter months, the new December price will provide a floor until the end of Feb’16.

Other key milk buyers for cheese who have reduced their milk prices for Dec’15 include AJ & RG Barber, down 1.03ppl to 22.98ppl, Wyke Farms down 1.04ppl to 22.81ppl, and Glanbia Cheese down 0.77ppl to 21.11ppl.

First Milk has confirmed it has cut its Nov’15 manufacturing prices by 0.58ppl, taking our prices down to 19.55ppl for our Lake District Solids supplier and 19.30ppl for our Haverfordwest supplier before adding the Tesco Winter Cheese Supplement which for October is 2.24ppl.

FCStone-Milkprices.com AMPE Futures (gross) for August settled at 15.84ppl, down 0.7ppl on the previous month, while our net AMPE price to the producer was down 0.67ppl to 13.05ppl. Our spot milk price, net to the producer, was up 2.45ppl on the previous month to 15.4ppl.

***DF Dec p50 52 Milk Prices _Layout 1 20/11/2015 11:49 Page 2

Milk price analyst Stephen Bradley on the latest milk industry developments.

News in brief...

Further drop for United price

JUnited Dairy Farmers has confirmed a further reduction of 0.3ppl to its Dale Farm base price for Sept’15 supplies, taking the level down to 18.50ppl (for 3.85% b/f and 3.18% prot), and this in turn takes our Liquid standard litre down to 19.04ppl.

The Dale Farm (Kendal) price remains unchanged for Sept’15, maintaining our Liquid standard litre price at 23.14ppl.

MüllerWisman has confirmed the monthly retail supplement for October will be 1.751ppl, paid on all milk supplied by producers on standard non-aligned supply. This is 0.13ppl higher than the 1.621ppl paid for September supplies and the result of increasing sales volume. * Our Liquid standard litre is 4%b/f & 3.3% protein and our Manufacturing 4.2%b/f & 3.4% protein. In both cases this is for Bactoscans of 30,000/ml & SCCs of 200,000/ml, 1mltrs/yr on EODC but before B pricing, balancing, seasonality, monthly profile payments, capital deductions or annual / part annual growth incentive schemes not directly linked to market movement.

Liquid Formula slight increase

JThe recent improvement in the price for bulk cream has resulted in the DC/DCD Liquid Formula being able to exit 2015 with a slight increase of 0.086ppl for Dec’16.

The next review in Dec-ember, setting the Jan’16 price, will include the rebasing of -1.6ppl which was agreed between both parties 12 months ago in Dec’14.

The increase of 0.086ppl takes the total price cut for 2015 to 2.79ppl, and our Liquid standard litre up to 26.99ppl (capturing the 0.19ppl Apr’14 sign on premium as well as being based on our rolling 12mth profile payment of 1.27ppl). This is locked at 1.15ppl since Apr’15 to deliver 26.87ppl.

With the Formula also setting the monthly move for the Simplified Liquid contract, this price also increases by 0.086ppl to 26.80ppl.

The Core formula price now holds a premium of 5.18ppl compared with our standard DC liquid price unchanged at 21.69ppl (before retailer supplements) for Dec’15.

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51

***DF Dec p50 52 Milk Prices _Layout 1 19/11/2015 16:42 Page 3

MILK PRICES Latest milk prices from LIQUID PRICES (4% b/f & 3.3% prot) MüllerWiseman – Booths D.C – M&S ∞ D.C – Waitrose ∞ MWD – Tesco Arla Foods – Tesco MWD – Sainsbury's D.C – Sainsbury's Arla Foods – Sainsbury's •• MWD – The Co-op Dairy Group DC/DCD – Liquid Formula ∞ ¶ DC/DCD – Formula Simplified Liquid Crediton Dairy Blackmore Vale Farm Cream Arla Foods – AMCo Tesco•• Grahams Dairies Yew Tree Dairy Freshways Arla Foods – AMCo Liquid Arla Milk Link – Liquid Dale Farm GB (Kendal) MWD – Standard D.C – Standard Liquid ∞ Pensworth Dairy Arla Foods – Direct Liquid Paynes Farms Dairies Meadow Foods Lakes Meadow Foods First Milk – Northern England Balancing First Milk – Scottish Mainland Balancing Dale Farm NI ≠ First Milk – Midlands & East Wales Balancing Simple Average

MANUFACTURING PRICES (4.2% b/f & 3.4% prot) Parkham Farms Cadbury – Selkley Vale Milk D.C – Davidstow ∞ Barber A.J & R.G Wensleydale Dairy Products Arla Foods – AMCo Manufacturing Arla Milk Link – Manufacturing The Fresh Milk Company – Level Profile ‡ Belton Cheese The Fresh Milk Company (Lactalis) Wyke Farms Glanbia – Llangefni (Constituent) Glanbia – Llangefni (flat) Arla Foods – Direct Manufacturing South Caernarfon MüllerWiseman – AMPE/MCVE Formula First Milk – Lake District Solids First Milk – Haverfordwest Simple Average

'B' Price Indicators FCStone/Milkprices.com AMPE Futures (gross) FCStone/Milkprices.com AMPE Futures (net) Delivered spot milk (net to the producer)

Jul'15 4.0/3.3 Before Seas'lty

Aug'15 4.0/3.3 Before Seas'lty

12mth Ave Sept'14 Aug'15

Diff Aug'15 v Jul'15

Latest Confirmed Milk Price

(i) 33.00 32.79 31.98 30.93 30.68 30.87 30.81 30.75 28.69 28.03 27.96 26.36 25.00 24.51 23.75 24.50 23.87 23.81 23.81 23.89 24.15 23.09 23.40 22.00 21.70 21.00 21.00 19.50 19.30 19.69 18.60 25.46

(ii) 33.00 32.79 31.98 30.93 30.68 30.87 30.81 30.75 28.32 27.86 27.79 25.36 25.00 23.71 23.75 23.75 23.48 23.01 23.01 23.14 23.15 23.09 22.65 21.00 21.20 20.00 20.00 19.00 18.80 19.34 18.10 25.04

(iii) 34.42 33.88 33.24 32.03 31.81 31.65 31.58 31.53 30.07 29.36 29.30 28.28 26.96 26.73 26.46 26.19 26.06 26.03 26.03 25.83 25.81 25.12 24.85 24.80 24.11 23.85 23.82 22.00 21.95 21.91 21.75 27.34

(i) v (ii) N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C N/C -0.37 -0.17 -0.17 -1.00 N/C -0.80 N/C -0.75 -0.39 -0.80 -0.80 -0.75 -1.00 N/C -0.75 -1.00 -0.50 -1.00 -1.00 -0.50 -0.50 -0.35 -0.50

(iv) 33.00 31.33 31.98 30.58 30.33 30.82 30.76 30.70 28.01 26.87 26.80 25.36 24.00 23.74 23.75 23.75 22.14 23.04 23.04 23.14 22.35 21.69 21.40 20.15 21.20 19.00 19.00 18.80 18.60 19.04 17.90

32.21 28.65 26.17 25.56 25.57 24.74 24.71 23.34 24.90 22.77 23.85 23.94 23.65 22.72 23.57 20.59 20.96 20.71 24.37

32.21 28.58 26.42 24.53 24.82 23.91 23.88 23.34 23.75 22.77 23.85 22.91 22.65 21.68 23.05 20.59 20.44 20.19 23.87

33.37 30.82 28.22 27.82 27.49 27.06 26.97 26.71 26.30 26.15 26.09 26.07 25.72 25.63 24.86 24.50 23.57 23.51 26.71

N/C -0.08 0.25 -1.03 -0.75 -0.83 -0.83 N/C -1.15 N/C N/C -1.03 -1.00 -1.04 -0.52 N/C -0.51 -0.52

31.85 27.66 24.32 22.98 24.82 23.94 23.91 22.31 22.75 21.74 22.81 21.11 N/A 20.79 22.53 18.54 18.82 21.03

16.54 13.72 12.95

15.84 13.05 15.40

19.61 16.63

-0.70 -0.67 2.45

Notes to table Prices for both Liquid & Manufacturing tables paid for producer sending 1mltrs/yr on EODC with Bactoscans of 30,000/ml and SCCs of 200,000/ml. Prices exclude capital retentions or AHDB levies, seasonality and balancing schemes. Excludes annual / part annual growth incentive schemes not directly linked to dairy market price movement.

Liquid price for milk containing 4% b/f and 3.3% protein. Manufacturing price for milk containing 4.2%/b/f and 3.4% prot. (i) Jul’15 prices before seasonality or B pricing. (ii) Aug'15 prices before seasonality or B pricing. (iii) Table ranked on simple rolling 12mth average of monthly prices before seasonality or B pricing. (iv) Latest confirmed milk price (before seasonality or B pricing) at the time of going to press. Arla AMCo prices cut 0.8ppl from 3rd Aug'15 and includes amba forecast 13th payment +0.78ppl and before Aug'15 b/f reconciliation of -0.01ppl. Arla Milk Link prices also cut 0.8ppl from 3rd Aug'15 include amba forecast 13th payment +0.78ppl. Ranking price for Pensworth Dairy based on the 11mths to Aug’15. Barber Manufacturing price reduced by 1.03ppl from 4th Aug'15. ∞ Price includes 12mth rolling profile payment fixed at 1.15ppl. ∞^ Price before seasonality includes 12mth rolling profile payment fixed at 0.52ppl. ‡ Price includes 12mth average rolling profile fixed at 0.57ppl. DC/DCD & MWD Formula prices assume 100% of producer supply. AMPE Futures net to producer includes 5% processor margin and allowing 2ppl for ex-farm haulage & milk testing. Average delivered spot milk price net to producer allows an average 2.5ppl covering haulage from farm to customer + milk testing/admin and margin. Tesco milk prices include the 0.5ppl bonus for co-operation with Promar costings. N/A due to Glanbia Cheese Llangefni (flat) price ceasing from Oct'15. Milkprices.com cannot take any responsibility for losses arising.

Copyright: Milkprices.com

52

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

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***DF Dec p54 55 New Products_Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:41 Page 1

DAIRY MARKETPLACE

NEW products

Organic enhancer

JDedicated organic feed specialist Hi Peak has produced an approved rumen enhancer for organic dairy farmers.

NutriPass Organic, a natural essential oil fully approved by organic certification bodies, works by modifying the population of rumen bugs, effectively shifting the balance towards more proteolytic and cellulolytic bacteria.

These break down the forages more efficiently, which releases more of the blood molecules that drive milk production.

Research shows milk yields increase by an average of 1.5 litres/cow/day, or by 1g of protein per litre. Alternatively the product can be used to lower dietary protein inclusion rates, saving cost.

Hi Peak says on yield and protein alone there is a 3:1 payback, based on an inclusion rate of 25g/cow/day.

■ Details at www.hipeak. co.uk or 07815 741 547.

54

DAIRY FARMER

This month, we feature new kit launches from Kuhn, Polaris and John Deere.

Automatic bale loading

K

uhn Farm Machinery’s square and round bale wrapper – the SW 4004 – has an automatic loading facility, which increases the machine’s bale wrapping capacity and improves operator comfort.

The SW 4014 square and round bale wrapper provides fast, cost-efficient and operator-friendly wrapping. Capable of wrapping square bales up to 120cm x 140cm x 200cm and round bales up to 150cm in diameter, it has an operational width of 4m and a 2.50m transport width.

The Autoload system uses

a laser to detect square bales as the machine approaches, automatically scanning the length of the bale and sets the loading arms into their pre-load position. The machine then automatically loads, wraps and unloads bales.

Its hydraulic sliding frame design gives it an extremely wide wheelbase

for outstanding stability.

It is ISOBUS compatible and uses Kuhn’s IntelliWrap system to provide optimal film distribution across the entire circumference of the bale, allowing the operator to select between four and nine layers of film as may be required.

■ Details on 01952 239 300.

JGrowvite Cow Drink from Tulivin is an acidogenic cow drink for freshlycalved cows.

Providing energy, calcium, protein, minerals and vitamins in an easy-to-mix

drink, trials have shown an acidic diet for freshly-calved cows helps prevent milk fever.

The 1kg sachet makes up a 20-litre drink and, when given as a first drink after

calving, it can help reduce the risk of milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum and retained placenta.

■ Details at www.growvite. co.uk or from Agrihealth UK on 02838 314 570.

Acidogenic drink for freshly-calved cows

DECEMBER 2015

***DF Dec p54 55 New Products_Layout 1 19/11/2015 16:37 Page 2

DAIRY MARKETPLACE

UTV electric range UK debut for Deere tractors

JThe latest model of the silent 4x4 electric utility vehicle, the Ranger EV, from Polaris has enhanced styling and the addition of Pro-Fit accessory integration.

The highly modular cab system has a range of cab and windscreen options which offer both high quality finish and refined comfort.

A rear, tipping dump box coupled with a lock-andride facility allows you to

GOT W A NE UCT? D O R P

carry tools and equipment safely and securely.

This is an environmentally friendly zero emissions vehicle which requires little maintenance. It has a 30hp electric motor, with top speed of 25mph and towing capacity of 567kg. â– Details at www.polarisbritain.com or 0800 915 6720.

JJohn Deere’s new top-ofthe-range 8800 self-propelled forage harvester, 6R Series tractors and R Series front loader all made their UK public show debut at AgriScot last month.

This was in addtion to a smaller 5E Series tractor, HPX Gator utility vehicle, and F440R fixed chamber round baler.

The new mid-size 6R Series tractors feature new Stage 4 engines rated from 110-155hp, improved manoeuvrability, enhanced

operator comfort and a wide range of transmission options.

All tractors are equipped with the intelligent power management system, which adds 20-30hp on the four-cylinder models and 40hp on the six-cylinder versions.

New products are featured in each issue of Dairy Farmer. Please send details and pictures to Jennifer MacKenzie at mail@jennifermackenzie.co.uk, or call 01768 896 150.

Powermix Powermix Pro Pro Diet et Feeder

24 models from 9 to 25m Powermix Pro Fixed Front Conveyor

Powermix Pro Elevating Front Conveyor

Powermix Pro Advantage

Call us for full details: 01359 250415 Visit us at www.shelbourne.com without

DF_12_P56_DF_11_P76 20/11/2015 12:59 Page 22

DAIRY FARMER

Equipment & Accessories

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Dairy Equipment FABDEC DARI KOOL, BULK MILK TANKS (most sizes available) Ice Builders and Plate Coolers.

Parlours designed by the Farmer for the Farmer.

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Also secondhand equipment, ACRs, Vacuum Pumps, Motors, Jars, Stainless line, Claws, Pulsators, Milkmeters, Feeders, etc, etc.

Everything for the Dairy Farmer Call Vic/Tracey Brown now on Tel: 01260 226261 www.milkingequipment.com

The new auction website for your farming community

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WOODSHAVINGS AND SAWDUST Bulk, Tipped or Blown Reasonably Priced

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56

Tel: 01335 370790 Mobile: 07968 505014

DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

• A one-stop shop for all livestock auction sales • Search by sale type, mart, auctioneer or region • Includes news and social media updates from around the marts

DF_12_P57_DF_12_P57 20/11/2015 12:59 Page 22

Building Services

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Livestock Equipment

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Tel: 07515 279198 info@bluebeartrading.co.uk Credit Card Payments Accepted

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DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

57

***DF Dec p58 59 Evans_Layout 1 19/11/2015 13:27 Page 1

GOOD EVANS

GOOD Evans

They just ring the pub when the cows get out It seems Roger Evans, too, is not over the moon about his levy board’s deduction, but in the nick of time to take his mind off such fiscally onerous matters are his escapee cows.

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DAIRY FARMER

t is inevitable, when we have to scrutinise our every cost, that a part of that scrutiny should focus on the money that is deducted from us by our levy board.

There seems to be widespread dissatisfaction with the levy boards, across all sectors at present. The fundamental flaw, as I see it, is that the levy payers, you and me, have absolutely no say in the composition of the farmers who sit on the board. The farmers who sit on the board are chosen.

The dairy levy board has an agenda, so they only choose farmers who agree with that agenda to sit on the board with them. If there were elections to the board, I soon think we would see a difference.

I think the people who pay the money have a basic right to have a say in this.

That we don’t have that right is a disgrace. Elected members would have to answer to the electorate, at present they don’t answer to anyone.

Most levy payers have differing views on how the money should be spent. That’s why the board can choose to do the options that suit it.

How would I like mine spent? Well, I’d rather spend it myself – it would buy a

I

DECEMBER 2015

nice big load of sand for the cubicles.

We’ve got this field next to our main road and for some reason the cows find the foliage on the hedge particularly tasty. It’s so tasty that, although there is an electric fence against the hedge, their browsing activity takes them through the hedge and onto the road. It’s not a big deal, it’s only usually a couple of times a year, and the only downside to it is that it’s usually late at night. The upside is there is a cottage close at hand and the friend of mine who lives there is soon on the phone to let us know.

The couple of times it’s happened this year it’s been at about 11pm. Now, here’s the thing, he doesn’t phone here, oh no, he phones the pub and he tells the landlord “will you tell Roger his cows are out”. And here’s another thing, both times he’s phoned the pub, I’ve been there!

So that’s ok, I soon gather a car load to help put the cows back in. In fact, my fellow farmers/drinkers are so interested in witnessing my misfortune that they get the cows back in without me getting out of the car. But it’s only sort of ok. Why does my neighbour always assume I will be in the pub? Even if I am!

***DF Dec p58 59 Evans_Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:44 Page 2

GOOD EVANS

I’d rather spend it myself – it would buy a nice big load of sand for the cubicles

“

I know I’ve reported this elsewhere, but there have been reports locally of dairy cattle let out onto roads deliberately.

Recently, at 9pm on a Sunday night, the keeper phoned to say our dry cows and heifers were out on the road.

They were in a field, or they were supposed to be in a field, we had cut for silage three times, so there is a fair growth of tough grass around the outside.

There are two, 10-foot gates into this field that fasten in the middle, and in order to open them fully you have to push them over this tough grass. And that’s how they were, fully open, and that’s how I know it was done deliberately. There is some evidence locally to suggest it is the work of vegans.

The implications of letting cattle out onto roads at night are horrendous. Not only are the cattle at risk, but humans too.

In the worst case scenario you could be looking at manslaughter charges. We’ve got chains and locks on the gates now, which is something I never thought I’d have to do.

This is a late harvest story. I don’t know why it has taken so long to get through.

The story starts at the other side of our local town. There’s a trunk road and a main railway line run through the town and I remember my vet telling me, years ago, that as TB spread through his practice, it faltered for a year at these two important, busy transport conduits. The implications being they were a barrier to infected wildlife movement.

I can fully understand that but I never thought a main road and a railway line would be a barrier to gossip. Anyway, this farmer has bought a field of straw away from home. He bales it with his round baler and when he is finished, he packs the baler up for transport and replenishes the string for the next job.

There’s most of the next bale in the chamber so he ejects that and sets off home. For some reason the string left a trail of blue wrigglings for six miles. It went two miles up the trunk road and through two villages.

There’s something of the Hansel and Gretel about it, although they used bread but that was eaten by the birds. Blue plastic string would have been much better!

DECEMBER 2015

DAIRY FARMER

59

***DF Dec p60 Finance _Layout 1 17/11/2015 09:51 Page 1

FINANCE

The restriction on sideways loss relief for farmers who have suffered five successive years of losses prevent relief for losses being claimed against other income in the sixth year, resulting in increased tax bills. Sam Kirkham, of Albert Goodchild, explains.

Offsetting rules for loss-making business The onus is on the farmer to produce evidence to justify his claim of a reasonable expectation of future profits

“

T

here is often a misunderstanding that this restriction only applies to ‘hobby’ farmers. However, over the last year we have seen increased activity by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) applying the restriction to genuine commercial farmers.

The Income Taxes Act 2007 restricts sideways loss relief after five years, but this can be ignored where the farming activities meet the reasonable expectation of profit test.

Effectively to meet this test the farmer must show that: a) He is a competent farmer b) There is an expectation of profit, and c) A hypothetical competent

Expert opinion rIf you have losses, it is important you retain evidence of competence as farmers, and your future expectation of profit.

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DAIRY FARMER

DECEMBER 2015

farmer would expect the same period of loss as that incurred by the actual farmer, if the hypothetical competent farmer was carrying out the same activities as the actual farmer in the current year at the beginning of the period of loss.

This test is designed to deny loss relief where the activities could never make a profit, however efficiently they were carried out.

Evidence The onus is on the farmer to produce evidence to justify his claim of a reasonable expectation of future profits, like that which would be used to satisfy a bank manager.

The test was examined in the case of French v HMRC [2014] UKFTT 940. Following an enquiry, HMRC challenged the farmer’s claim to set farming losses against other income in three tax years. The farmer appealled.

The Tax Tribunal allowed the appeal of Mr and Mrs French. During the case the Tribunal had to consider: 1. Whether the farmers had ceased farming for a period of time while they let the land to a tenant, and 2. On the basis there were more than five successive

years of losses, whether these could still be set off against other income.

The farmers were classed as ceasing one farming trade (dairy), then for three years letting the land to a neighbour and then recommencing a trade as an arable farmer. This re-set the fiveyear clock.

The Tribunal considered whether the objective of the tax law was to stop a farmer from enjoying sideways loss relief in excess of five years continuous losses if the actual farmer has been slower in achieving profit than a hypothetical competent one.

The Tribunal emphasised that to deny relief to competent farmers seemed illogical, and they tried to find an interpretation of the legislation that would give a sensible result. Their view was that the legislation could have been better worded to avoid confusion and ambiguity. They thought if the taxpayer is competent, the actual period of losses may indeed be an indication of what the hypothetical competent farmer would anticipate. As a result the above tests would apply where there is a competent farmer, and more than five years losses could be offset.

New Holland Lamma - WP_New Holland Lamma - WP 20/11/2015 10:49 Page 1

Boehringer Bovela WP_Boehringer Bovikalc WP 20/11/2015 09:29 Page 1

MAKE BVD HISTORY AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION

NOW IN YOUR HANDS

A study from 2010 showed that a major hurdle to effective BVD vaccination is ease of use. Only 52% of the farmers in the study gave the two doses required for primary vaccination at the correct interval. Furthermore, just 24% completed the primary vaccination course at the recommended time prior to service leaving these animals and their calves without proper protection1.

Bovela brings innovation to BVD protection: a L2D (live double deleted) BVD vaccine providing 12 months protection against both BVDV types 1 and 2 from a single shot. Bovela prevents the birth of persistently infected (PI) calves caused by transplacental infection. Vaccination with Bovela can be done from 3 months of age. So now you can finally make BVD history. Ask your vet for more information.

Herd protection made simple

Reference: 1. Meadows (2010) Cattle Practice 18(3): 202-215 Advice on the use of Bovela or other therapies should be sought from your veterinary surgeon. Bovela lyophilisate and solvent for suspension for injection for cattle contains modified live BVDV-1, non-cytopathic parent strain KE-9: 104.0 –106.0 TCID50, Modified live BVDV-2, non-cytopathic parent strain NY-93: 104.0 –106.0 TCID50. UK: POM-V IE: POM. Further information available from Boehringer Ingelheim Limited, Vetmedica, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8YS, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1344 746959. Technical enquiries: +44 (0)1344 746957. Email: vetmedica.uk@boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Date of preparation: Feb 2015. AHD8395. Use Medicines Responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible)