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Dairy Grist

A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER PRODUCED BY GRAND VALLEY FORTIFIERS VOLUME 22, ISSUE 2 | SUMMER 2020

Dear Friends, After a long cool spring, the temperatures finally started to rise during the month of May. We even experienced some 30°C-plus days in the last week of May in Ontario. Thankfully the drier months of April and May allowed farmers in Ontario to get out on the land and successfully plant a lot of acres much earlier than last year. We pray that summer will bring days of good heat and rains to produce a bumper crop this fall. Since mid-March Canada and most of the world have been managing the challenges of COVID-19. It is at times like these, I am very thankful we are involved in agriculture and food production as we have all been reminded how essential it is to grow healthy, nutritious food for our country. We at Grand Valley Fortifiers are honoured to be part of the food production system in Canada. We have done our utmost to keep our customer service levels high and openly communicate the changes to protocols and company policies while adapting to many staff working from home. We trust our service to you has met your expectations. I know many of our Dairy Specialists are very excited to get back to regular sales calls as they were limited to essential visits by appointment only for the months of April and May. Thank you all for your continued business during this challenging time. We look forward to better days ahead! Sincerely, Jim Ross, Founder & Chairman

STRATEGIES TO AVOID OVER-PRODUCTION & MAKE MILK MORE ECONOMICALLY

by: MARK BOWMAN Ruminant Nutritionist, Grand Valley Fortifiers, Nutrition Direct

hroughout this past year, since the quota cuts and lower prices in 2018, our milk market and prices have slowly improved. Incentive days came back and there was hope that a little more quota would soon be available. Then two months ago COVID-19 struck and it seems like we are back to where we were in 2018. Many producers may need to produce less milk in the short run, while still maintaining the ability to maybe produce more milk in the next few months which results in a real feeding and management challenge. Let’s address that challenge by looking at some strategies to avoid over-production now while maintaining capability to produce more milk later this year and beyond if the market allows.

1. Cull cows earlier rather than later. If you have more than enough cows and heifers due to calve later this year and the cull cow market allows, then cull aggressively and cull early to lower milk shipped now if you are over quota. Just be sure that you don’t cull too many cows and then fall short of fresh cows in the next year.

2. Dry cows off early. If you are over quota and needing to dump milk it makes little sense to keep milking cows in later lactation at a daily feed cost of $6 when they could be fed for $2 per day as dry cows. This must be done carefully and to be successful you must have space to put those cows that will be dry for a longer period without overcrowding. Cows with a longer dry period

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must be fed only a low energy maintenance diet to avoid gaining excess weight and body condition before moving into the normal dry cow or close up dry cow group closer to calving.

3. Make a later lactation low group. If it is not feasible to cull enough cows or to dry cows off early, then feeding a lower energy and protein ration at lower cost for lower milk production to later lactation cows that are pregnant and in good body condition is another option. This may help to lower milk shipped now without compromising the fresh cows and high producers that will be counted on for milk later this summer and fall when they are in mid to later lactation.

4. Feed lower protein ration while maintaining energy. Energy supply is the number one driver of milk, butterfat and protein production, followed by protein supply. Do not compromise on energy supply to fresh and high producing cows because they want to milk and shorting them on energy will result in excessive body weight loss and reduced pregnancy rates. This is the classic case of short-term gain (less milk now) for long-term pain (less milk in the future when you need it). However, lowering the protein in the ration may result in lower milk shipped now with less risk of long-term production loss. If energy supply and body condition are maintained, then cows on lower protein diets will still get pregnant and milk well if more milk is again needed and protein is increased. Replacing purchased proteins with forages is also a great way to lower your cost of milk production even if milk yield does not decrease as much as desired. When cows are using protein very efficiently then indeed sometimes lowering the protein does not result in lower milk production. This can be difficult to predict when formulating rations, but if you want less milk then there is no better time to risk feeding a lower protein ration.

5. Feed more high-quality forages.

Maximum Forage Quality and Intake

This strategy may not result in lower milk production, but it will result in more economical cost of milk production and so it always pays. Dairy cows fed a low- quality forage ration can eat about 12 kg of forage dry matter supplying enough energy and protein to support maintenance, growth, normal body condition gain and about 5 kg of milk. Cow fed highest quality forages can eat up to 5 kg additional forage dry matter and produce up to 20 kg of milk just from the forages. That additional 15 kg of milk from forages will be the most economical milk that you can produce given that concentrates, corn and soybean meal, cost on average about $100 more per tonne of dry matter than forages.

High quality forages with high intakes are always key to achieving maximum milk yield, fat test and cow health, but even more so during the summer months. • Feed the best quality forages available. • Formulate the ration as high as possible in forages while maintaining milk production and body condition. • Addition of 0.5 – 1 kg of chopped straw (or dry hay) at 1” chop length helps increase physically effective fibre content and improve rumination if silages are wetter or more finely chopped.

6. Do not feed Palm Fats that are high in palmitic acid (C16:0).

With higher rumen starch degradability of corn silage, HM corn and cob meal (especially if the HM corn and cob meal are above 30% moisture) dry corn becomes a safe alternative. • Use of dry corn will lower the rumen degradable starch while maintaining total starch and energy levels in the ration. • Use of dry corn removes challenges associated with heating, yeast and mold growth on HM corn in the summer.

If you are over quota then avoid feeding this kind of fat even if your butterfat test is lower and SNF/fat ratio is higher than optimal. It makes no sense to add $0.30 - $0.50 to daily feed costs just to get optimal fat test if you will be over quota. Keep in mind that butterfat test is normally 0.2 kg/hl lower in summer than it is in winter due to seasonal effects which will help to keep you within quota if you don’t increase fat test by feeding palm fat. Not forgetting the need to maintain energy as discussed above, an option is to feed fat sources that are lower in C16:0. This includes fats such as Golden Flake and DAIRYNAT Vitali-T for body condition and reproduction. These fats will not increase fat test and pay off in the long run with cows in better condition and more cows pregnant. These are a few strategies to help manage this difficult balancing act of lowering production now and at the same time preserving the ability to produce more milk in the future. Be sure to discuss which options are best for your operation with your Grand Valley Fortifiers Dairy Specialist. n

READY… SET… SUMMER… AND HEAT STRESS!

by: KATHLEEN SHORE & MARK BOWMAN Ruminant Nutritionists, Grand Valley Fortifiers, Nutrition Direct

ummer weather is just around the corner bringing with it seasonal milk production/ component changes, cow lameness and reproduction issues. The Canadian climate is very challenging because of inconsistent temperatures forcing cows to continually adapt. Cooling cows with fans and sprinklers, done well, will allow cows to maintain production and health during the hotter months. Reduced stocking density will ensure that all cows have access to feed, water and reduced social stress. Other cow comfort and management factors such as wellmaintained stalls, regular foot bathing and hoof trimming are also more critical during the summertime. When heat stressed, cows will also eat less feed (though often eat more per meal – slug feeding) and are more prone to sorting the TMR thus eating less forage. Rates of starch digestion in the rumen from corn silage, HM corn and cob meal sources become much higher the longer they are ensiled. These eating behaviors and feed digestion realities increase the risk of acidosis with reduced butterfat and milk yield as well as impacting lameness and reproduction if not managed well. Therefore, it may be helpful to adjust ration formulations and feeding management to reduce these risks. Let’s look at a few feeding and management changes that may pay off in the summertime.

Replace HM Corn and Cob Meal with Dry Corn

Replace Corn with Digestible Fibre Sources This option is especially helpful where higher corn silage diets are fed along with HM corn or cob meal to lower total ration starch and rumen degradable starch content to safer levels. • Non-forage fibre sources - soya hulls, beet pulp and wheat shorts - can be added at 1 – 2 kg per cow to replace 1 – 2 kg of HM corn or cob meal dry matter.

Yeast and Plant Extracts Rumen specific live yeast and yeast culture products have been repeatedly proven in research to increase rumen pH (helping to reduce acidosis) and increase fibre digestion. • Higher feed intake in fresh cows, higher milk production, reduced weight loss and improved feed efficiency of milk production. • Return over cost can be more than 10 to 1 and are beneficial year around - the benefits are even more important in the summer for cows challenged with heat stress. Plant extracts and essential oils are a newer category of additives that can be especially beneficial in summer heat stress. • Increased efficiency of rumen fermentation, reducing methane and ammonia losses • Increased energy and protein available. • Increased feed intake and modified eating behaviour, increasing frequency of meals, and reducing meal size. For more information ask your GVF Dairy Specialist or Nutritionist about Natural Edge in your dairy ration.

Dairy Grist Sodium Bicarbonate and Potassium High producing dairy cows respond to increasing sodium bicarbonate and potassium (higher DCAD) in the ration. • Improved feed intake, milk yield and butterfat test. • Free choice bicarb is a good idea (not recommended to do free choice potassium carbonate)

month to adjust to any changes will make heat stress measures implemented on farm more successful. Finally, do not forget the dry cows – they are most impacted by heat stress and should be given priority to avoid post calving difficulties and also weaker calves that have shown to remain behind even once they are in the milking herd! n

SUMMER CALF REARING

by: STEPHANIE MURPHY Dairy Specialist, Grand Valley Fortifiers

TMR and Feed Bunk Management It is critical to review your TMR mixing, feeding and bunk management. These management factors are always important to achieve top performance, but are much more critical during the hot summer weather. Ensiled feeds must be fed out fast enough and with a clean face to reduce heating and growth of yeasts and molds. Mixing TMRs and feeding twice daily will help to maintain feed stability and increase feed intake and milk yield. Ensure that all leftover feed is removed daily to prevent heating and feed spoilage. TMR particle sizes need to be optimum, with lots of medium length chopped forages and minimal long chopped hay or straw (over 1.5 inches) and TMR moisture should be 50 – 55% to minimize sorting of feed (adding water is a good idea though it can increase spoilage if overused and left out for long periods of time). Feeding when it is cooler to encourage cows to get up, move around and eat is also important.

ith the warmer weather here now it is important that we check in to make sure we are doing the best possible job rearing our calves during the summer months. Heat and humidity can be tough on the young calf in terms of her growth and comfort but it is also tough on feed quality. Feed quality is so important in a developing calf to keep her healthy and using that feed for maximum growth and development.

Hydration: Did you know, that a calf under heat stress will drink 11 to 22L of water a day. Provide clean fresh water to all calves, even the newborn’s at least twice a day (ideally after each milk feeding). In the very hot humid weather an extra pail of fresh clean water midday, is always helpful as well as high energy electrolytes if the calf appears dull or with some scours. Provide this water in a light coloured pail keeping it out of the sunlight which encourages bacterial growth, preferable white will encourage the calf to drink more.

Cleanliness: While keeping a calf’s housing and feeding environment clean all the time, it is even more important to do so in the hot summer months to prevent bacteria, mold or algae from growing. Washing all pails/bottles after each feeding is essential and prevents spread of disease. The 3 proper steps to follow are wash the equipment in warm water, wash with hot soapy or chlorinated water, rinse with acid and allow to dry.

Ventilation:

Water Last but certainly not least is ensuring that all animals have access to clean, fresh water. On average the lactating cow will drink 115 L/day and this is increased when weather is warm. For dry cows, they are drinking on average 41 L/day. To ensure there is enough water allow a minimum of 2 feet of tank space per 20 cows and at least 2 waterers in each group. The 2 waterers in each group is recommended for all grouped animals on farm. Do not forget dry cows that are especially impacted by heat as are the calves born to dams exposed to heat stress. Looking after the herd during hotter weather is critical to ensuring that health and productivity are maintained for the rest of the year. Impacts of heat stress are generally seen most clearly about 3 months later – usually when we have long forgotten the longer, warmer days of summer. Preparing for the warmer weather by adjusting feed management and selecting additives are measures that should be ready to go before the full heat hits. Cows will respond best to routine and giving them 1

Fresh clean air is vital for strong calves free of respiratory problems. Hutches – Place hutches in a shaded area, or build a temporary shade structure over them. • Open all vents and doors in the hutch as well as lifting the back of the hutch up off the ground using a pallet, or old tire to allow for more airflow. Calf Barn – If naturally vented all curtains and vents should be open, or in total air exchange barns fans should always be running to keep fresh air circulating.

Fly Management: Fly Management goes hand in hand with keeping calf areas clean as flies bring disease. Keeping bedding dry, and buckets clean helps to reduce the fly population. Using MS Schippers Dry Care Plus, a small handful a couple times a week in a bedding area helps to keep bedding dry and flies away. During summer months bedding may need to be cleaned out more frequently to help prevent a fly breeding environment. Ensure that manure pits or compost are kept far away from the calves. Keep moisture out of the calf barn or calf hutch area as much as possible by fixing any water leaks right away or cleaning up any spilled milk or milk replacer immediately. Good air flow in a housing environment is key to control flies too.

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For hutches keep any grass around hutches cut back 30 to 40ft, this will help to prevent giving flies an opportunity to come feed off the long grass.

Bedding: As mentioned earlier keeping bedding dry and ammonia free is very important, no matter what type of material. Sand bedding is a really nice fit for summer months as it helps to keep the calf cooler.

Feeding: Did you know that within 10 minutes of feeding milk calves form a clot in their stomach and that will slowly break down over the next 12-24 hours? It would a good idea if possible to adjust your feeding times to avoid calves drinking and early digestion occurring during the hottest period in a day. Ensure that the calves have fresh feed after each milk feeding at minimum, discard the old feed or feed to older calves. Small more frequent feedings will increase the DMI of the calf. It is important that the feed stays dry for the calf to continue to eat during the hot weather. Be sure to monitor your calves closely for heat stress signs: higher water intake, heavy breathing, holding their mouth opened, lower feed intake, not as alert or moving about their pen/hutch the same. Calves with dark hair hides will be more prone to heat stress then lighter hide calves. These calves are the future of the milking herd, so be as proactive as possible toward preventing heat stress. This will have great impacts on how that calf performs when she enters the milking herd. n

with BRIAN LLEWELLYN Dairy Specialist, Grand Valley Fortifiers

art of the fun in working with dairy producers milking in robot systems over the last 10 years is how much the technology has improved. Cow friendliness is better, so is reliability and speed; robot arms and cameras are much improved, as are the overall barn designs, all of which aid in easier flow and productivity of high yielding cows. As a result, a 40+ liter herd average is quite a realistic aim for many farms. Working with many cost-conscious farmers, the pressure has always been top of mind to lower purchased feed costs, an argument often used as a negative against robot milking systems. There are many different robot pellet options offered according to ration balancing. Most are higher fiber 18%+ crude protein (CP) that make a nice hard pellet, with little change seen to these over the years. Pellet costs for 18% CP robot feeds have regularly been on the higher side of $400/tonne, with producers often feeding approximately 4kg/cow/day. This led us at Grand Valley Fortifiers to look at the possibility and challenges of producing a robot mash feed. Formulating as a mash rather than a pellet allows the potential for significant cost savings, different ingredients to be used that may not pellet well, and potentially different energy and protein fractions. Questions we often get about mash are:

Would it flow in a robotic set up? Will the cows eat it well? Will there be a drop in visits when moving away from the hard pellets that have been industry standard for so long? After carefully considering grind size of grains as well as feeds that aid with flow and palatability, GVF has successfully launched our Robolac MASH 17% Dairy Supplement. With several thousand cows now being fed Robolac MASH, in all types of robots (red, green and blue) and various traffic set-ups, we are very confident in how it performs in robotic systems. Personally, in every Holstein farm that I have put Robolac MASH in, visits and refusals have improved. My last client that moved to mash saw refusals increase from 2 to 7 in just five days and holding steady. More than half the farms have eliminated the fetching of any cows other than fresh heifers. Milk production is up or maintained in all cases. In several of these herds we have significantly lowered robot feed per cow per day allowing us to feed more homegrown grain at the feed bunk. We are working with several herds now that are well under 10 kgs of mash per 100 liters of milk produced and are still milking and moving through the barn well. Bottom line, the cows love mash and find it more palatable than pellets. When introducing Robolac MASH to cows for the first time, the transition works well when we fill the bin on top of the current pellets. This allows for a few days for feeds to mix and for the cows to get used to eating a different form of feed. Typically, I reduce the maximum amount fed per milking to 2 kg and raise it back to normal levels after 4-5 days if needed. Switching from pellets to mash allows for significant purchased feed cost savings. When comparing total feed cost savings of producers that we are working with, we are realizing total ration savings of up to $0.250.50/cow/day in purchased in feed. The additional benefit of less cows to fetch as well as the option of lowering robot feed comes in as an added bonus. I am highly enthused to see this new opportunity in robotic feeding that tries a different and innovative approach in lowering robot feed costs whilst keeping cows happy, healthy, productive, and profitable. The early returns from our producers that I and my fellow GVF colleagues are working with have been positive and exciting! To learn more about Robolac MASH 17% and how it can work in your robotic milking operation please contact your Grand Valley Fortifiers Dairy Specialist or contact one of our nutritionists at Nutrition Direct. n

Thought for the Day â€œThe eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.â€? â€“ 2 Chronicles 16:9