Dairy Newsletter - Spring 2018

DAIRY NEWSLETTER Technical advice to drive your herd’s performance

NEW Introducing

AminoMatch and WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™

www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

MARKET UPDATE Our Commercial Manager for Feed, Eric Thomas, provides an update on the world raw material markets.

World raw material markets are currently dominated by a protracted period of hot, dry, weather in Argentina during the crucial pod-filling stage of the growing season. Argentina is vital to the world soya meal and hull supply in that they are by far the largest suppliers of soya products. Brazil’s crop is larger (but does not offset the smaller Argentine crop) although tends to use most of its supply internally, exporting beans and meat products rather than the soya meal.

So, unless we have unexpected rains we are facing a smaller world soya crop and the indications are that prices will remain higher than expected for the coming summer. The price differential between soya and grains will probably mean more planted for next year’s crop so the next US crop will probably fill this supply gap to a certain extent, so next winters prices might have some help here based on current exchange rates.

The Argentine crop was estimated at 57 million tonnes towards the end of last year - the last estimate was 51MMT and local sources are now indicating the next could be below 50. Rains now would alleviate the problem somewhat but there is nothing significant expected till March. Fund buying has now crucially come into the futures market lifting the Domestic US price of Soya by over $50 per tonne. Other proteins are following this upward trend as are fibres with the expected decease in supply of hulls, which again Argentina is the major world player in.

Grains have not been directly affected by this, with Europe in particular having high stocks to usage ratios, and other world crops currently in good condition.

World protein supply is still currently over demand but this lower Argentine crop will reduce the carry over levels down from the current relatively higher levels. If this scenario comes to fruition, with the prospect of increased Chinese demand, prices will remain firm.

Eric Thomas

Commercial Manager - Feed t: 01691 828512 e: eric.thomas@wynnstay.co.uk

Supporting the needs of British farmers

We would like to thank our customers for their support over 100 years of trading

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WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

Our Specialist Dairy Team

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

Inside THIS ISSUE:

Dr Huw McConochie - Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 e: huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie

p.2

Market Update

p.4

AminoMatch Nutrition

Steve Brown - Ruminant Feeds Product Manager m: 07774 855026 e: steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk @sirbilly55

p.5

42L Cows On A 16% Crude Protein Diet … Are You Sure?

Dairy Specialists

p.6

Probably The Best Transition Products On The Market

p.7

Lysine And Methionine Supplementation In Early Lactation

p.8

Boosting Metabolisable Protein In Lactating Diets

p.9

The Easiest Way To Stop Your Profit Shrinking

p.10

Can We Manipulate Persistency?

Alasdair Taylor - Dairy Technical Specialist (Trainee) - Shropshire/Borders m: 07766 302124 e: alasdair.taylor@wynnstay.co.uk

p.13

WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™ For Genetically Superior Heifers

Rachel Gardner - Dairy Technical Specialist (Trainee) - South Wales m: 07810 444834 e: rachel.gardner@wynnstay.co.uk

p.14

LifeStart - Sets Life Performance

p.15

The Importance Of The Calf’s First Meal

p.16

More Than Just Fat

p.17

Back To The Future

p.18

Take No Chances With Your Maize Crop In 2018

p.19

Cutting Your Losses

p.20

Getting The Most From Grazed Grass

p.21

Salt For Better Utilisation Of Grazed Grass

p.22

Milk And Margins From Grassland

p.23

How To Increase Your Efficiency And Save The Planet

Iwan Vaughan - Senior Dairy Technical Specialist - North & Mid Wales m: 07990 578548 e: iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk

@maesmochnant

Ken March - Dairy Technical Specialist - South Wales & West Wales m: 07454 015610 e: ken.march@wynnstay.co.uk Mark Price - Dairy Technical Specialist - Midlands m: 07876 824314 e: mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

@m_priceo

Martin Hope - Dairy Technical Specialist - South West m: 07502 311181 e: martin.hope@wynnstay.co.uk

Nia Davies - Dairy Technical Specialist (Trainee) - Mid Wales m: 07967 654288 e: ndavies@wynnstay.co.uk @NiaDavies28

Sian Rowlands - Dairy Technical Specialist Coordinator T: 01691 827145 ext 2149 m: 07881 245170 e: sian.rowlands@wynnstay.co.uk

Calf Specialists Rebecca Davies - Product Manager - Milks m: 07881 093633 e: rebecca.davies@wynnstay.co.uk @richardscalf1

Eimear Diamond - Calf Specialist - South & South West England m: 07881 379008 e: eimear.diamond@wynnstay.co.uk @diamondcalf1

Jess Charlton - Calf Specialist - Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire m: 07990 584740 e: jess.charlton@wynnstay.co.uk @charltoncalf1 Millie Hendy - Calf Specialist - Somerset & Gloucester m: 07717 495746 e: millie.hendy@wynnstay.co.uk @hendycalf1 Sandy Wilson - Calf Specialist - West, North & Mid Wales m: 07879 841672 e: sandy.wilson@wynnstay.co.uk @petticoatcalves Sammy Howorth - Calf Specialist - Lancashire & Cumbria m: 07810 444948 e: sammy.howorth@wynnstay.co.uk @howorthcalf1 3

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

AMINOMATCH NUTRITION The AminoMatch nutritional approach is based on characterising the amino acid profile of your forage and then reducing dietary crude protein (CP) levels by ensuring an adequate supply of the first limiting amino acids; methionine and lysine.

AminoMatch nutrition is based on the fact that cows do not have a requirement for CP but for metabolizable protein (MP) and amino acids (Figure 1).

Products in the AminoMatch range include blends, compounds, premixes, rumen inert fats, transition cow feeds supplements and even feed bins.

Feeding for MP using high quality raw materials lowers the CP content of the diet, making more room for forage and energy whilst promoting better milk quality, health and fertility; and because cows in early lactation need plenty of energy, making space for more in a concentrated form is really important. In addition, nitrogen excretion into the environment is reduced on the back of improved nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) in the rumen.

All of these topics including the features and benefits of our AminoMatch range will be discussed by the DTS team throughout this edition of the Wynnstay Dairy Newsletter.

Blends

Protein

Energy

Figure 1.

AMINOMATCH NUTRITION

Unique to AminoMatch is the opportunity to analyse forages and feedstuffs for amino acid content. This is an integral part of the AminoMatch programme as amino acid profiles of forages and feedstuffs can vary according to; stage of growth, season, growing conditions and geographical location.

Without accurate analysis it is possible to both underfeed and overfeed supplementary amino acids, which can either incur unnecessary cost or result in a lost opportunity to boost performance.

MPMax P

A Bespoke and flexible feeding programme designed to achieve optimum performance from forage.

MPMax E

Methionine

Lysine

Balanced with

HQS optimiser Superfuel MP Extra balance MP AminoMatch EAA premix

The AminoMatch approach is not just restricted to the nutritional requirements of the cow but to the whole feeding system. A suite of products have been designed to maximise the utilisation of forage, simplify the feeding system and reduce waste.

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 e: huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk

@HuwMcConochie 4

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

42L COWS ON A 16% CRUDE PROTEIN DIET … ARE YOU SURE? Cows do not have a crude protein (CP) requirement, Varga et al (2007). Yet, for many years CP has been used when formulating diets and this often continues to be the case. quality. This means that it’s possible to formulate rations to supply MP with the correct AA profile to match the cow’s EAA needs, and in doing so reduce the amount of CP being fed. Crude protein is often overfed in order to meet the more specific EAA requirements. (See Table 1)

Cows have a requirement for amino acids (AA), not protein, and the supply of the AA is predominantly produced by the cow herself in microbial protein (MicP) in the rumen. Together with rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and endogenous protein (EP), this makes up the supply of metabolizable protein (MP) to the small intestine. Both MP and the component AA are then absorbed by the small intestine and used for protein synthesis, meeting the needs of the cow for maintenance, growth, reproduction and lactation.

Microbial protein (MicP) has an AA profile similar to milk and is thus considered a true protein of exceptional quality. It is, therefore, essential to maximise rumen MicP production through the synchronization of RDP and rumen carbohydrate supply to increase the overall nitrogen efficiency.

Table 1: Lysine, methionine and histidine content in animal products, bacteria and typical dairy feedstuffs expressed as a % of crude protein

Is it as suggested by Prof.

Chuck Schwab…Wouldn’t you rather take something out of the diet that is an excess and put something in that will give you more milk? Now there is a question!

In total, cow’s require twenty AA’s, of which ten are essential amino acids (EAA) that she cannot produce herself in the quantities needed. The other ten AA are non-essential amino acids (NEAA) that the cow also requires, but can be produced in the sufficient quantities to meet requirements.

An AA in the shortest supply becomes the first-limiting EAA, and within dairy cow diets it is usually two: lysine and methionine. Histidine has also been identified as one of the most significant EAA, especially on grass silage-based diets.

Lysine

Methionine

Histidine

Lean tissue

6.4

2.0

2.5

Milk

7.6

2.7

2.7

Rumen bacteria

7.9

2.6

2.0

Alfalfa silage

4.4

1.4

1.7

Corn silage

3.3

1.5

1.8

Grass silage

3.3

1.2

1.7

Barley

3.6

1.7

2.3

Corn

2.8

2.1

3.1

As discussed, lysine and methionine are two of the firstlimiting EAA’s required by the milking cow. It, therefore, makes sense to maximise MicP, increasing the supply of both AA to the small intestine in the form of MP. This, in turn, improves the animal’s performance through increasing the utilisation of all other AA. A study by Varga (2007) at Penn State University found this to be correct. They formulated two diets: one at 18% CP, and the other at 16% CP (with no additional protected lysine or methionine apart from that supplied by the raw materials). The study found nitrogen utilisation efficiency (NUE) improved using the lower CP diet by 4.6%, with an additional 2.72kgs of milk produced per cow, along with an improvement in milk components. A more recent study published in the Journal Animal by Edouard et al., (2016) demonstrated that dietary CP could be reduced from 17% to 12% in late lactation cows without any effect on milk quality or milk yield during the two week trial period. In this case, NUE went from 22% to 31%.

So, by considering increasing lysine and methionine levels in MP during diet formulation, rations can be formulated at 16% CP whilst maintaining and even increasing milk yield and component levels (Schwab et al. 2007).

As mentioned, the total AA supply digested in the small intestine comes from a combination of MicP (55/60%), RUP (approx.40%) and EP (approx.5%). The sum of the three constitutes the MP supply. Nutritional models are able to predict the cow’s MP requirement which is dependent on the following factors: body weight, breed, yield and milk

Ken March

Dairy Technical Specialist m: 07454 015610

e: ken.march@wynnstay.co.uk

5

AMINO ACIDS IN DIET

(Schwab et al., 2001)

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

PROBABLY THE BEST TRANSITION PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET Dairymen are undoubtedly getting better at providing the five most important physical requirements for successful transition: first two weeks of lactation, a dairy cow breaks down labile protein and uses it as a precursor for glucose. In the absence of labile tissue reserves a cow will depend more on fat as an energy source. The use of labile tissue is an excellent adaptation and can reduce the risk of ketosis by protecting the liver from having to metabolise high levels of body fat.

Labile protein deposition can be increased by feeding quality protein sources like protected soya and prairie meal.

1. 90cm of feed space 2. 1m2 of lying space per 1,000kg of production 3. Avoiding group changes between two and 17 days pre-calving 4. Reducing the number of group changes 5. Not overstocking dry cow accommodation This attention to detail will reduce the incidence of transition diseases which can prove highly costly. Anything we can do to minimise clinical and sub-clinical diseases, soon pays for itself; with milk fever reported to cost £150 per case, retained cleansing £100 and ketosis £90 in the short-term. The longterm effects in terms of fertility, lactation yield and mortality mean recoverable costs can soon be £5,000 per 100 cows on farm. Data generated by Wynnstay’s DTSmetrics continues to highlight transition management as the most significant bottleneck on most farms. Ensuring a successful transition every time means adhering to a few simple guidelines.

New formula Prepare 80/20 transition cow rolls contain soyapass and our new dry cow complete supplement, Recharge, for including in a transition cow TMR contains prairie meal. When fed at the recommended feeding rates (3kg of Prepare 80/20 or 1kg of Recharge) with grass silage and 4-4.5kg straw, both diets will provide 1,300g of metabolizable protein.

In addition to being a great source of quality protein both products also contain protected choline at the recommended feeding rate. Choline is a methyl donor which supports the export of fat from the liver and reduces the risk of ketone bodies building up in the circulation. Ketone bodies are a cause of oxidative stress which can damage tissues and compromise immunity.

With regards to transition cow nutrition, there are a number of criteria that need to be satisfied. Most importantly, the transition cow diet should be formulated to promote a smooth transition on to the lactating cow diet. Main points are: • Maximise forage fibre DMI • Ensure that the non fibre carbohydrate (NFC) of the close up diet is within 10% points of the lactating cow diet • Provide supplementary starch to ensure adequate numbers of starch digesting bacteria

SUCESSFUL TRANSITION

• A lactic acid source will ensure that bacteria involved in the conversion of lactic acid to propionic acid are effective.

This will reduce the risk of acidosis in early lactation To combat against oxidative stress both Recharge and Prepare 80/20 contain sufficient vitamin E to supply the reccomended requirement to the cow during this key period. Oxidative stress can result in retained placentas and suppression of the immune system.

Ensuring a successful transition every time means adhering to a few simple guidelines

Recharge also contains dried propylene glycol and Omega 3 oils. The former provides a readily available source of energy in the form of glucose while Omega 3 oils have been shown to improve egg quality and fertility.

Both these products represent a big improvement in the way we feed our transition dairy cows and are part of the AminoMatch nutritional approach. The DTS team recommend feeding Prepare 80/20 or Recharge alongside correct transition management, in order to maintain maximum benefit.

However, most transition cow diets still fail to provide the required levels of metabolizable protein (MP). Current guidelines recommend providing 1,300g of MP per cow per day. The demand for MP in late gestation is elevated due to the demands of foetal growth, mammary growth, production of immunoglobulins and the deposition and replenishment of labile tissue protein. Building up labile tissue protein reserves is essential for minimising body weight loss in, reducing the period of negative energy balance, increasing and maintaining peak yields and maximising milk protein production. For the

Martin Hope

Dairy Technical Specialist m: 07502 311181

e: martin.hope@wynnstay.co.uk

6

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

LYSINE AND METHIONINE SUPPLEMENTATION IN EARLY LACTATION Early lactation possesses several challenges when trying to formulate the correct diet in order to ensure fresh cows obtain the nutrients they require.

Fresh cows need to recover from calving, eat enough to supply their bodily functions and have ample energy left to produce milk.

source of amino acids showing great homology with the amino acid profile of the major milk proteins. An early lactation cow will not be able to meet the amino acid requirements from microbial protein alone, so more rumen bypass protein is needed to support milk production. With this in mind, bypass protein should, therefore, make up 35% of the total protein supply in early lactation diets (Hopkins, Whitlow).

Cows in early lactation are not just in negative energy balance but can be in negative metabolizable protein (MP) balance also. (Figure 1). What is also worth noting is that cows in the early stages of lactation use amino acids as a source of glucose during periods of negative energy balance (Figure 2). As already discussed, if we fail to build up tissue protein reserves in late gestation we will be at a disadvantage in early lactation.

The feeding of protected amino acids offers an additional way to ensure the cow obtains the correct amino acid balance without wasting dietary protein. Lysine and methionine are the two most limiting amino acids if not supplied in sufficient quantities or the correct ratio of 3:1, then they become a limiting factor in milk synthesis. Supplying dietary protected amino acids offers a much more targeted way of supporting and meeting dietary protein requirements of high yielding cows.

0.6

0.4

0.2

0

Fig. 1. Calculated metabolizable protein (MP) balance in post-parturient cows (n 80) fed on a ration containing (/kg DM) 178g crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25) and 7.0MJ net energy for lactation. Individual values were calculated from daily individual measurements of crude protein intake and milk yeild, and weekly measurements of milk composition.

21

1 21 Period from calving (d)

Methionine has a number of roles in the cows metabolism outside of just being an amino acid involved in the construction of proteins:

65

Fig. 2. Conversion of [1-14C]alanine to glucose in liver slices from dairy cows that were serially biopsied at various stages before and after parturition. Values are means for thirty-six cows (pooled SE 0.16). (From the data of Overton et al. 1998.)

1. Methionine acts as a methyl donor helping to export nonesterified fatty acids out of the liver

When we reduce the risk of extreme negative energy balance we also reduce the risk of ketosis. Ketosis and milk fever are recognised as being the gateway diseases for all other transitional diseases yet, in fact, most of them are actually down to the effects of oxidative stress.

2. Supplementary rumen-protected methionine has been shown to improve milk quality and reduce the rate of lost pregnancies in multiparous cows

The principles of oxidative stress are discussed in a following article. Oxidative stress has been shown to cause the death of liver cells which add further pressure to the metabolism of the fresh cow by reducing its synthetic capacity. The liver is the powerhouse of the cow’s metabolism, processing fat and protein and synthesising glucose from propionate absorbed in the rumen. The important question is, however, if oxidative stress is able to damage liver cells then it is highly likely that it will damage other important key cells in the cow’s body.

4. Feeding protected antioxidant capacity

3. Methionine can be converted to cystine which is an important amino acid in the immune system methionine

improves

the

bodies

Case study The Pughs at Court Farm have been feeding protected methionine for the last six months in both the transition period and to the entire milking herd. In addition, they have been feeding protected protein in order to balance the milk yield prediction from MP and metobolizable energy (ME) and with great success.

Below shows the predicted milk yield for MP and ME and the lysine to methionine ratio, as well as the actual production currently being achieved. This effectively shows the benefits of the AminoMatch approach in feeding dairy cows. (Figure 3)

In addition to the outstanding lactation performance our herd has also seen a massive reduction in the incidence of transition diseases - Calvin Pugh, Court Farm Partnership

Methionine and lysine have been shown to be the first two limiting amino acids for milk production. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and originate from four main sources; microbial protein, bypass protein, protected amino acids and amino acids liberated from labile tissue protein.

Component

Result

Predicted Milk from MP

38.7kg

Predicted Milk from ME

39.5kg

Actual milk yield

39.3kg

Lysine

153g supplied

Methionine

52g supplied

Lysine:Methionine ratio

2.94:1

Figure 3. Predicted and actual milk production and lysine to methionine ratio of the milking cow diet

Alasdair Taylor

Dairy Specialist (Trainee) m: 07766 302124

Sixty to sixty-five percent of the amino acid requirement for cows comes from microbial protein. Microbial protein is an excellent

e: alasdair.taylor@wynnstay.co.uk

7

EARLY LACTATION

Alanine to glucose (umol/h per g wet wt)

0.8

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

BOOSTING METABOLIZABLE PROTEIN IN LACTATING DIETS Protein is a key factor in a lactating cow’s diet, crude protein (CP) is the common way to express the level of protein within a diet, this as the name says is very ‘crude’ and is only a measure of the nitrogen without taking account of quality or true protein within the diet.

Supplementing protein can become very expensive, and research shows that only 30% of the nitrogen (protein) we feed ruminants is actually utilised by the cow and converted in to milk or meat (O,Donovan et al, 2013). The rest is lost either in the urine, faeces or as milk ureas, this poses a huge environmental challenge and we need to be proactive in reducing nitrogen secretion and capturing more nitrogen within the rumen. Is there a way we can reduce protein intake but maintain or boost protein output?

sources were able to lower CP and achieve higher rumen nitrogen efficiency.

When setting up a diet it is easy to match milk from metabolizable energy (ME) and milk from MP in a base partial mixed ration (PMR), however as adding concentrates into a diet when feeding for yield, poorer quality protein compounds can increase milk from ME but don’t satisfy the requirement of the cow for MP; meaning cows do not achieve the higher yields that we are expecting. Having compounds designed to meet MP requirements is key to achieving the potential from your herd.

A bespoke and flexible feeding programme designed to achieve optimum performance from forage

Superfuel MP Superfuel MP is designed to be fed along with grass silage or in a PMR when there is no maize silage available. This compound is designed to maximize the supply of glucogenic energy and microbial protein and has a superior EAA balance.

• High starch and bypass protein • 16% CP • Glucogenic technology • Superior EAA balance • Promoting improved nitrogen utilisation efficiency

Over the years CP has been overfed to compensate for feeding poorer quality protein sources, with lactating cow diets being formulated up towards 18% CP. This not only adds a financial cost to the diet, but also causes health and fertility issues with milk ureas being far higher than they need to be.

HQS Optimiser MP High Quality Silage (HQS) Optimiser is a compound designed to balance multi-cut silages of high quality. High starch combined with NIS and bypass protein ensures good utilisation of the nutrients gained from making high quality forage.

• Compound designed to balance multi-cut silages of high quality • High starch, NIS and bypass protein • 15% CP • Promoting improved nitrogen utilisation efficiency

LACTATING DIETS

Rumen degradable protein (RDP) is broken down in the rumen to ammonia, which is used to create microbial protein by the rumen bugs; the rumen bugs also need sufficient fermentable carbohydrates (starch and sugar) to feed on. If there is too much ammonia and insufficient energy, ammonia will build up and pass through to the bloodstream. Ammonia is toxic to ruminants, so is converted to a urea in the liver, there is an energy and metabolic cost to doing this which can affect milk yield and fertility. Milk ureas should be targeted at between 180-240mg/L (0.018-0.024).

Grass Booster MP Not only in indoor fed herds can benefit from reducing CP intakes; with cows at grass we can reduce total protein, include high quality bypass protein and increase starch, while also buffering the rumen with nutritionally improved straw (NIS). This balance will promote a healthier rumen to increase rumen utilisation of protein and fibre.

• Low protein and very high starch • Bypass protein • NIS • Promoting improved nitrogen utilisation efficiency

In UK grass silage fed herds, there should be a good supply of RDP entering the rumen, in the majority of situations the level of fermentable carbohydrates in the rumen is the limiting factor. We need to balance the rumen up correctly to maximise microbial protein yield by adding enough RDP, along with far higher levels of starch and sugar, but making sure we do not create too much of an acid load.

If we can maximise output of microbial protein we can add protected bypass proteins to the diet to fulfil metabolizable protein requirements, at this time we can also add any essential amino acids (EAA) which are limiting within the diet such as methionine.

Ask a member of Wynnstay’s Dairy Technical team for more information regarding these compounds.

Compounds to meet MP requirements

Iwan Vaughan

Wynnstay have developed compounds to feed in conjunction with a range of diets to fully utilise MP yield to benefit the health of the cow along while realising potential milk yields. By increasing starch and using good quality and bypass protein

Senior Dairy Technical Specialist m: 07990 578548

e: iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk

@maesmochnant 8

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

THE EASIEST WAY TO STOP YOUR PROFIT SHRINKING From the start of the process of feeding cows until we sell their milk, there is inevitably going to be waste along the way.

A quick return on investment

From fermentation losses in silage, feed refusals and dumped milk, to nitrogen losses in the rumen. The fact is we are leaving money behind in the process. Unfortunately, we do not write out a cheque for most of these things, so find it difficult to realise their significance. With feed commonly contributing to around 40% of the costs of milk production within an industry under ever increasing pressures, financial, environmental, and social losses need to be minimised. For this reason, we as an industry invest huge sums of money to reduce these losses, such as silage additives and feeding hardware through to yeasts and additives to improve rumen degradability, and technologies to maximise feed accuracy and rumen efficiency. But some of the biggest gains can be made with such a simple action - reducing feed shrink.

Doing some simple maths, the investment will soon pay back.

See the following table showing the return on investment using guideline costs.

You do not feed 100% of the grass you grow as there are losses along the way, of which we try and minimise. Purchased feed suffers the same losses if not managed properly. ‘Shrink’ is the measure of this loss and can be a considerable corrosion on profits. When feed is tipped on the floor and bucketed in, there is a greater chance of losses. Store all feed in bins that can be loaded straight into feeders to reduce losses.

It sounds obvious and very simple, but weather blows and washes away your feed more if feeders are filled by loader buckets outside. Although it only looks like a bit every now and again, it can add up to a significant cost. Work was done

by Donna Amaral-Phillips, University of Kentucky who cites shrink being as high as 15% for feed tipped in sheds and loaded into a feeder outside with a bucket. Typically though, she found that 8% shrink was a common occurrence. Even the best operators cannot avoid wind blowing away feed when loading outside and often feed is run over, has vermin feeding on it and has lumps of old, mouldy feed mixed in.

What is more, the lighter, smaller particles that do blow away tend to be the most valuable, digestible parts.

2x 18t high chute feed bins

£16,500

Cost of bins

Interest over 36 months

£1,500

Cost of finance on total amount

36 monthly payments of

£500

Feed price

£200/t

Savings greater with increased feed costs

Monthly usage

40t

Typical usage on 250 cow herd

Monthly feed cost

£8,000

Reduced Shrink by 6%

£480

6% reduction in shrink achievable

Finance options are available on selected equipment

The AminoMatch nutritional approach works most effectively when two bulk bins are used. The bins would contain the MPMax Energy blend and the MPMax Protein blend. These blends are optimised on an MP basis so that they maximise the production of microbial protein in the rumen when fed in the correct proportions. Microbial protein supplies 75% of the MP required by the cow. A third bin can also be included to hold the mineral premix. The mineral premix can be formulated to contain a range of raw materials including fats, buffers and yeasts.

As we strive for better feed margins, more accurate rationing, and more sustainable milk production, it is imperative that rations are fed accurately to a formulation with minimal waste and cost-effectively. Every farm should invest in these most simple pieces of equipment so cows can be fed more accurately with less waste to maximise the potential in feeding dairy cows.

Best practice The best situation is to use high fill feed bins that can simply be drawn under by the feeder wagon and accurately filled.

Having two feed bins gives the flexibility to have two blends on farm that can be fed in different proportions to make more accurate and timely ration alterations. Along with reduced shrink, this leads to better feed and loading accuracy, reduced contamination and can often be quicker than running around with a telehandler. Although this is the situation on many farms, there are many opportunities to upgrade.

Mark Price

Dairy Technical Specialist m: 07876 824314

e: mark.price@wynnstay.co.uk

@m_priceo 9

SHRINKING PROFITS

The above table demonstrates that installing two high entry feed bins can typically cover its costs just on shrink savings alone over a three year period, even with finance costs. This means improvements to feed accuracy can be made by having two bins, along with the reduction in feed costs, faster feeding times and less chance of contamination. After the three year period, it is all gain; and don’t forget that the cows will probably perform better on clean feed and a consistent diet.

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

CAN WE MANIPULATE PERSISTENCY? During late gestation and early lactation, the mammary gland produces large numbers of secretory cells with the ability to secrete milk.

This is done in response to changes in circulating hormones and growth factors. The demise of the secretory capability of the mammary gland during mid to late lactation is unavoidable in the pregnant cow and ends with the process of involution when the cow is dried off. The rate of decline is known as persistency.

• We have had to move on to feeding the poorer third cut silage which is very low in energy because our first cut is at the back of the clamp (changes are – dietary, energy intake) • We are autumn calving beginning in August and if the weather is good we keep them out grazing (changes are - seasonal, energy intake)

Persistency of lactation will influence profitability as it dictates the milk yield potential of the herd. It also dictates the energy requirement per kg of milk produced. A herd producing 40kg of milk uses less energy per litre than a herd giving 30L due to the dilution effect on maintenance requirements. Heifers tend to be more persistent than cows (Figure 1). This may in part be due to the fact that heifers calving at a younger age are still growing. Stimuli for growth acts on the mammary gland as well as on the rest of the body causing continued growth of the secretory cells in the mammary gland supporting a flatter lactation curve.

• We keep the cows in the fresh cow group for around 50 days and then move into the main group (changes are – social, dietary) In all of these examples, the persistency of lactation will be affected. I refer to these as traumatic episodes or TES. They are traumatic in the sense that they impact on the longevity of the secretory cells in the mammary gland. Interestingly young heifers tend to have the ability to bounce back after a traumatic episode, unlike cows where they will impact persistency for the duration of the lactation.

At a cellular level, these traumatic episodes exert their effect through three main mechanisms.

1. Nutrient availability The secretory capacity of the mammary gland will be in balance with the nutrients available for lactation. It is part of the reason why non-pregnant cows will milk on continuously for an extended period of time. In situations where TES occur and nutrient supply to the mammary gland is compromised the mammary gland will reduce its secretory capacity to match by shedding secretory cells. The continued turnover of secretory cells in the heifer mammary gland means they will be able to recover from this kind of TES. Cows in early lactation would be similar, but from peak onwards, the persistency of a cows lactation is likely to be compromised.

Early lactation nutrition is key to establishing a successful lactation. Minimising negative energy balance through good transition management and ensuring adequate levels of energy and metabolizable protein in the diet will ensure that the number of secretory cells in the mammary gland is maximised.

PERSISTENCY

Figure 1. Lactation and weight curves for heifers top and cows below.

On a herd basis, persistency will, of course, be governed by herd demographics and genetics. However, persistency will also be governed by things such as forage quality, transition, health, environment, milking frequency, season and energy availability. I am sure we have all seen the effect of these in our herds. Quite often two or more of these factors work in cojunction with each other to produce a 1 + 1 = 3 effect.

Here are some examples: • For financial reasons, we have stopped milking the cows three times and turned the cows out for the summer (changes are - seasonal, dietary, milking frequency) • We continue turning cows out once they are pregnant throughout the summer until the herd is housed (changes are – seasonal, group change, dietary)

10

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

be removed from the udder and the availability of nutrients.

The secretory capacity will be altered through cell death.

On a positive note though, more frequent removal of milk in early lactation will have a stimulatory effect on the synthetic capacity of the mammary gland. This will result in improved persistency.

Persistency of lactation will influence profitability as it dictates the milk yield potential of the herd 2. Oxidative stress Normal cellular metabolism creates what is known as free radicals. Two of the most familiar free radicals would be the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Free radicals cause damage to cells and cell function and can even cause death of mammary secretory cells. Within the body, antioxidants keep free radicals at level where they do not cause damage. However, during TES the rate of free radical production can overwhelm the antioxidant capacity of the body and damage to cells, including mammary cells will occur (Figure 2). Oxidative stress can be caused by the following: • Heat stress • Butyric silage or silage high in nitrates • Ketosis • Disease

Conclusion Consistency of management is the key to preventing the occurrence of TES that affect lactation persistency. Some of the points to consider are as follows; 1. Provide a consistent diet 2. Maintain consistent energy intakes in milking cow diets 3. Avoid group changes 4. Reduce the risk of oxidative stress 5. Avoid feeding poor quality silages 6. Focus on transition From a nutritional perspective, adequate energy and metabolizable protein in early lactation will result in the development of a mammary gland capable of high milk production. Consistent management will ensure the longevity of the mammary cells within the mammary gland and a persistent lactation. This can be achieved with Wynnstay’s AminoMatch nutritional approach.

Figure 2. When antioxidant capacity falls below the production of free radicals oxidative stress occurs.

3. Milking frequency and milk removal Milk accumulation within the mammary gland initiates a negative feedback loop suppressing the production and secretion of milk above the capacity of the udder. This is very similar to the balance that is reached between available nutrients and secretory cell number refereed to in point 1.

This is why more frequent milking results in increased milk production and persistency of lactation. Milk production by the udder will be in tune with the volume of milk that can

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 e: huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk

@HuwMcConochie 11

PERSISTENCY

7. Ensure adequate levels of dietary antioxidants

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

Looking future?

Looking to to the the future?

0% fans 0% interest interest on on selected selected fans • 0% interest on selected fans over • 0% interest on selected fans over

12 months ordered before 14 April 2018 12 months ordered before 14 April 2018 • Other finance options are available • Other finance options are available • From Hitachi Capital Business Finance • From Hitachi Capital Business Finance

At Wynnstay, Wynnstay, we are At are dedicated dedicatedto to helping you you grow and helping and develop developyour your farm enterprise for the future. farm enterprise for the future.

•

• Minimum balance to finance – £5,000.00 excl. VAT Minimum balance to finance – £5,000.00 excl. VAT

Wynnstay (Agricultural Supplies) Limited act as a credit broker.

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Representative Example: Hire Purchase payable by 12 payments of £2,412.50 and a Example: final £42.00Hire (incPurchase VAT) Option to Purchase Payments Representative payable by 12 fee. payments of are based and on aaduration of Agreement 12 months, a Purchase Price of £2,412.50 final £42.00 (inc VAT)of Option to Purchase fee. Payments £34,740.00 VAT), with Deposit of of £5,790.00, Documentation Fee of are based on(inc a duration of aAgreement 12 months, a Purchase Price of £50.00, leaving an amount of Creditofof£5,790.00, £28,950.00.

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12

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™ FOR GENETICALLY SUPERIOR HEIFERS Introducing the new WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™ Milk Powder With advancements in the field of genetics, we now have the ability to selectively breed based on; animal productivity, efficiency, longevity and even carbon footprint. These developments are encouraging producers to be as selective with their calf milk formula as they are with their breeding, matching the correct amino acid intake and balance to the growth and performance requirements of their calves.

™ ™

NEW

Breeding for that lean, large Holstein frame, with superior milking abilities warrants a superior milk powder to enable young ruminants to thrive in those first ten weeks of life.

Formulated with high levels of pure dairy protein ensuring maximum digestion of nutrients, facililtated by control of osmolality WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™ brings with it exceptionally high levels of quality dairy protein, ensuring maximum digestion of nutrients, facilitated by control of osmolality. Developed for the genetically superior animal, this 27% protein milk formula contains pure dairy proteins, balanced with sufficient energy to build the frame on replacement heifers in the form of bone and muscle.

ANALYSIS

WYNNGOLD™ HEIFERPRO™ has higher fat levels of specially blended vegetable oils that are essential in providing the calf with energy and are formulated to closely replicate the fatty acid profile of cows’ milk. At 20% oil, this milk formula provides the calf with high levels of energy that can dramatically improve overall calf health, especially in colder weather, the increased energy availability allows calves to withstand lower temperatures while continuing to grow.

20% OIL

27%

PROTEIN

500iu Vit E

The perfect product for unlocking the performance potential in dairy replacements.

The WYNNGOLD™ range of milk powders boast exceptionally high levels of vitamin E, and HEIFERPRO™ is no exception.

With levels of 500mg/kg this milk formula is the perfect

Should you require any additional information on this product and how you can use it to improve the performance of your calves, our team of calf specialists will be happy to help, contact details can be found on the inside cover.

Rebecca Davies

Product Manager - Milks m: 07881 093633

e: rebecca.davies@wynnstay.co.uk

@richardscalf1 13

WYNNGOLD HEIFERPRO

choice for those producers looking to maximise calf health, after all a healthy calf is a profitable one!

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

LIFESTART - SETS LIFE PERFORMANCE Trouw Nutrition GB’s Georgina Thomas explains how the LifeStart programme gives dairy producers the key to unlocking the full potential of calves, focussing on the importance of calories.

Unlocking your calves’ potential: Calories

amino acid composition, the precise fat content and the raw materials that can be included. This allows feed rates of at least 900g/day of milk replacer to be fed safely to encourage faster, healthy growth. This formulation matrix ensures all LifeStart endorsed milk replacers have the appropriate and specific nutrient profile to support the growing calf. Combined with the LifeStart programme, this helps to rear calves that grow into more productive cows by nurturing them to achieve high growth rates in a healthy way (see Figure 2).

In recent years it has become clear that nutrition in early life can have long-term effects on lactation performance.

Numerous trials show that increasing the nutrient supply from birth until weaning results in increases in first lactation milk yields, ranging from 300kg to 1,300kg.

900g/day of calf milk replacer 150g/litre with a minimum of six litres being fed per day The LifeStart programme is helping understand nature’s way to unlock the early growth potential of the calf to further improve dairy efficiency in the future.

For more information about the LifeStart programme and our LifeStart compliant calf milk replacers, contact your regional Wynnstay Calf Specialist.

Figure 1: Typical LifeStart calf feeding plan

LIFESTART

The growth potential of a calf can be optimised using the LifeStart calf feeding plan (Figure 1). The key scientific principle behind the development of these specific recommendations is metabolic programming. Research has shown that an elevated plane of nutrition in the critical first eight to ten weeks leads to increased pre-weaning average daily gain which has the benefit of brining forward the start of the first lactation, increasing the potential of productivity of the heifer whilst reducing the overall costs of production.

The LifeStart Programme includes a unique new approach to the formulation of calf milk replacers. Based on considerable research, Trouw Nutrition has developed a specific formulation matrix for LifeStart milk replacers covering such aspects as the physical properties, the specific protein content including

Key: Millie Sandy Jess Eimear Sammy

Figure 2: Growth that leads to performance

Millie Hendy - Calf Specialist - Somerset, Gloucestershire, Midlands m: 07717 495746 e: millie.hendy@wynnstay.co.uk @hendycalf1

Sandy Wilson - Calf Specialist - North, West & Mid Wales @petticoatcalves m: 07879 841672 e: sandy.wilson@wynnstay.co.uk

Jess Charlton - Calf Specialist - Shropshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire m: 07990 584740 e: jess.charlton@wynnstay.co.uk @charltoncalf1

Eimear Diamond - Calf Specialist - South & South West England @diamondcalf1 m: 07881 379008 e: eimear.diamond@wynnstay.co.uk

Sammy Howorth - Calf Specialist - Lancashire, Cumbria m: 07810 444948 e: sammy.howorth@wynnstay.co.uk @howorthcalf1

Rebecca Davies - Product Manager - Milks m: 07881 093633 e: rebecca.davies@wynnstay.co.uk

14

@richardscalf1

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CALF’S FIRST MEAL The future of your herd starts with today’s healthy calf. The key to a successful calf raising program starts with the calf’s first feeding: colostrum. Ensure your calf gets what it deserves to optimise its genetic potential.

Goal 3 – Quantity:

Colostrum

Feed the calf at least 10% body weight in the first 12 hours of life.

Colostrum has long-term effects on the calf. The more colostrum fed, the better.

Colostrum is the unique first feed with high levels of energy, immunity and growth factors. The features of colostrum are essential in reducing the risk of mortality and morbidity in early life and, in consequence, benefit the calf’s growth, development and productivity in the long-term.

Did you know: Calves benefit more in extreme weather conditions and in case of dystocia.

Colostrum management protocols are helpful to assure this essential meal is delivered consistently.

• Set goals for best practice and develop protocols for standardised management • Measure and record the outcomes for evaluation of your herd performance

Goal 1 – Time:

Provide a first feed directly after birth and a second feed within the next eight hours.

Timely feeding of colostrum is of high importance to deliver: • Energy: Calves are born with limited energy reserves.

Colostral fat is an important energy source for the calf to warm up and to grow • Immunity: Only at the day of birth, immunoglobulins can be transferred from the gut to the bloodstream. This forms the basic defence to disease in the following weeks while the calf develops its own immunity. Uptake capacity is highest shortly after birth and reduces quickly in the next hours

Goal 4 – Free of disease:

Do not feed colostrum from ‘risk’ cows or when contaminated.

Reduce disease challenge to the newborn calf:

Did you know: The cow starts making colostrum three weeks before calving. Milk the cow quickly after birth for best quality colostrum.

• From the cow: Diseases like Johne’s and mycoplasma are transferable via colostrum. Replace the colostrum from risk cows to break the transfer cycle to the next generation • From the Environment: Colostrum can be contaminated by feeding equipment. Milk hygienically and assure bottles and tubes are clean

Goal 2 – Quality:

Ease your management with a colostrum replacer

Test your colostrum with a brix % refractometer to assure a quality first feed A brix value of 22% corresponds to 50 g/L immunoglobulins and is considered good quality colostrum. Readings below and over can be considered as:

1. Colostrum replacers are a great tool to optimise your colostrum management: 2. Time: readily available to feed at any time 3. Quality: with globulin protein levels of 50g/L it can be used to supplement or replace

• <18%: Poor quality colostrum. Full replacement is recommended

4. Quantity: always sufficient amounts of colostrum available.

• 18-22%: Moderate quality. Supplementing to improve quality is recommended

5. Free of disease: replace colostrum from ‘risk’ cows

• >25: Excellent quality

Nick White

Did you know: Optical refractometers (0-32 % brix) are an easy and economic tool to measure colostrum quality.

Senior Product Manager- Animal Health m: 07788 728118 e: nick.white@wynnstay.co.uk

15

CALF’S FIRST MEAL

Did you know: Bacteria double every 20 minutes in warm colostrum. Feed colostrum directly after collection, or cool down immediately if fed later in the day.

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

MORE THAN JUST FAT Dietary fats are an essential element in dairy cow nutrition. Traditionally, fats have been fed to increase the dietary energy, due to their high energy concentration; around 2.25 times higher than other nutrients. addition of C18:1 promotes the partitioning of nutrients towards body reserves and improves feed efficiency, thus reducing the effects of NEB through increasing energy intake and improving fertility. The remaining 10% of dietary fats during this period should be made up by other FA’s, such as C18:3 to help further improve fertility through influencing reproductive hormones and improving embryo survival.

Not only do they have a high energy concentration but can also help to improve body condition, milk production and reproduction.

Fats are a form of triglyceride, made when three fatty acid (FA) molecules react with a glycerol molecule. The fats characteristics can be related to the properties of the fatty acids, each having an individual profile and producing different responses from the cow. A basic forage diet generally contains around 3% fat, however, when milk production is high dietary energy demand increases. High yielding cows require closer to 6% fat in their diet, especially during the early stages of lactation.

Fatty Acid Name

Saturated/ Unsaturated

C16:0 Palmitic Acid

Saturated C18:0 Steric Acid

C18:1 Oleic Acid

C18:2 Linoleic Acid (OMEGA 6)

MORE THAN JUST FAT

C18:3 Linolenic Acid (ALA OMEGA 3)

Unsaturated

Most Beneficial Stage

Benefits & Info

Mid/late lactation

• Partitions nutrients towards milk production to improve milk fat % and energy corrected milk yields

Throughout lactation, most supplements contain small amounts

• High levels reduce the digestibility of total fatty acids (do not exceed 30%).

• For milk yield, unprotected fats C18:1-3 are converted to Steric acid via rumen biohydrogenation.

Early lactation

• Partitions nutrients towards body reserves - reducing BCS losses and improving NEB • Increases total fatty acids digestibility • Promotes egg development • Increases milk yield

Early lactation

• Improves growth and reproductive performance • Essential in feed, cannot be produced by the cow (found in maize silage, and distillers) • Oversupply in diet stimulates milk fat inhibitor production

Early lactation

• Increases fertility through improving embryo survival and influencing reproductive hormones • Stimulates immune response

In mid to late lactation phases, the ratio of C16:0 can be taken up to 80-90% to increase the partitioning of nutrients towards milk fat production. Some mid/late lactation supplements continue to include small amounts of C18:1 to help improve or maintain milk yield. However, intake should be limited to prevent cows becoming overly fat in late lactation and ahead of the important transition phase. For those calving all year round, and using just one TMR throughout, a blanket inclusion of C16:1 and C18:1 supplements at a 70:20 ratio should be considered.

Supamet MP and Dynamet MP contain a blend of fatty acids at the required ratios to meet the differing requirements of early and mid-lactation As part of the AminoMatch nutritional approach two new supplementary fat products join the range. Supamet MP and Dynamet MP contain a blend of fatty acids at the required ratios to meet the differing requirements of early and mid-lactation without suppressing dry matter intakes. Both of these fats contain a supplementary source of rumen available methionine and bypass methionine, which has been shown to be effective at manipulating butterfat levels. Fats are an essential part of the AminoMatch nutritional approach when the milk potential from energy falls below the potential yield from metabolizable protein (MP) supplementary fat will ensure optimum performance.

Whilst fat demands increase, the rumen cannot cope with much higher than 3.5% fat unsaturated fat in the rumen. This is due to the fact that the fat in most feed ingredients causes an oil slick in the rumen. Some FA’s can also be toxic to the beneficial rumen bacteria, reducing fibre digestion and causing a decline in rumen health. To combat this, FA’s are also available in rumen protected form, bypassing the rumen without affecting fermentation and allowing energy intake to be increased. This is where the feeding of rumen protected fat supplements can be of great benefit.

In conclusion, whilst supplementary fats can be of great benefit to the cow, it is vital to consider the profile of the FA and the stage of the cow’s lactation cycle. By tailoring your FA selection and inclusion ratio, the greatest positive results can be achieved. Although FA’s have many positive influences on the cow’s yield and health, it is critical to look at their interactions and effect on DMI, digestibility, rumen health, milk composition, body condition and fertility.

When feeding supplementary FA, it is important to consider both the stage of lactation and what you aim to achieve through its inclusion. Differing FA’s are of most benefit at various lactation stages and at different ratios.

During early lactation, the cow is likely to be in negative energy balance (NEB), due to reaching her peak yield (at approx. 6-8 weeks), but not peak dry matter intake (DMI). This means that she will be losing body condition as her body converts fat to energy to combat NEB. At this stage, the best FA supplements for inclusion are that of C16:0 and C18:1 at a ratio of 60:30. The

Rachel Gardner

Dairy Technical Specialist (Trainee) m: 07810 444834

e: rachel.gardner@wynnstay.co.uk

16

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

BACK TO THE FUTURE William Jenkins could not have foreseen what the future had in store for Ty Tanglwyst Farm, Pyle, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, as he milked his 20 dairy Shorthorn cattle in a tithe barn in the 1930’s.

Back then Ty Tanglwyst was an 80 acre unit considered to be quite large but as it was and still is boxed in by roads, and what was to become the M4 motorway, plus limestone quarries, simple expansion was not a feasible option. If only William could see it now four generations later in 2018.

2017 was a particularly good year for the “Tanglwyst Herd” winning the: Glamorgan Herd Competition - Champion Herd for production and inspection Glamorgan Farmers Club Merit Trophy - Best Farm Business in Glamorgan All heifers have been served to sex semen over the last ten years with surplus heifers being sold to supplement farm income.

Produce from the dairy has also been recognised for excellence over the past ten years, winning numerous awards which reflect both quality and consistency; most recently with the: Royal Welsh Show - Gold Award: Milk:Semi Skimmed - 2017 Great Taste Awards - Guild of Fine Foods: 2 Gold Stars, Butter, 1 Gold Star, Double Cream - 2017 The Great Taste Nigel Barden Heritage Award for Butter (Simon Mayo Drive Time BBC2) - 2015

In present day 250 acres, both owned and rented, are farmed and there are now 110 milking cows and 140 youngstock; the cows are milked three times a day. The most surprising element of progression is that the farm has now evolved in to an award winning dairy, producing; butter, double cream and milk; supplying both the public with doorstep deliveries and commercial premises in Porthcawl and the surrounding area.

William would have a shock at this development with both the farm and dairy employing 22 people.

With silage being such an integral part of the diet, a forage wagon followed shortly after Rhys returned to the farm, enabling them to take four cuts of grass silage at Ty Tanglwyst, with longer fibre making their silage more rumen friendly. But the most influential change at Ty Tanglwyst came following a visit to Wisconsin, USA, with Ken March of Wynnstay, their nutritionist in 2011. On his return to Ty Tanglwyst Rhys decided to implement three times a day milking, leading to an immediate increase in yield of some four litres per cow and, as Rhys would tell you, more contented cows, plus an increase in lying time as milking times were shorter. This led to an adjustment in the diet, with it becoming more glucogenic and more attention was given to balancing the diet for metabolizable protein. The current diet at Ty Tanglwyst is:Maize Silage - 20kgs

Blend - 8.75kgs

Molasses - 1kgs

Compound - 1.5kgs

Dynalac - 350gms

Minerals - 150gms

The dairy also supplies the fifty eight Bridgend County Borough Schools with milk on contract, part of which facilitates school visits to the farm throughout the year, enabling a better understanding of the role farming plays in the community for our future farmers.

It is by continually reviewing their farming business that success has started to come at Ty Tanglwyst, coupled with their passion and imagination.

What next?...watch out for Ty Tanglwyst “Traditional Butter Milk” for your baking …

Ken March

Dairy Technical Specialist

1st and 2nd cut grass silage - 15kgs

m: 07454 015610

e: ken.march@wynnstay.co.uk

17

BACK TO THE FUTURE

The farm business is still a family concern, with three generations; Grandparents Richard and Mary; Mum and Dad John and Liz; son and wife Rhys and Emma, plus children; all living on the farm. The pedigree dairy “Tanglwyst Herd” is jointly managed by John - who still milks once a day - and Rhys who is the main driver for the development and running of the dairy; haven taken the decision to produce doorstep milk in 2004 after returning from university when he wanted to stay on the farm but needed to increase farm income to do so.

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

TAKE NO CHANCES WITH YOUR MAIZE CROP IN 2018 Top 10 questions to ask yourself this spring to maximise your maize cropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential.

March is a great time to draw up a full management check list, so that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maize crop gets off to the best possible start.

Have you carried out soil analysis?

First and foremost, before drilling a new ley, you need to understand the nutritional picture of the field. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also fundamentally important to check that your pH is at the right level

Have you worked with your Wynnstay specialist to create a nutrient management plan?

From your soil analysis results, you will be able to work with a Wynnstay specialist to create a fertiliser plan - taking into account other relevant information such as previous cropping and FYM/slurry applications. Not only will applying optimal levels of nutrients promote crop performance, it also avoids any unnecessary applications - offering financial savings.

Have you decided which starter fertiliser to use?

Starter fertiliser will promote early root development and is key to rapid establishment. You could use DAP or you could use micro-granular products such as Primary-P. Your Wynnstay specialist can advise whilst discussing variety choice, and by ordering early you will avoid the peak-season demands.

Are you likely to suffer from soil pest problems?

If maize is to be drilled following established grass it is at risk from pests such as wireworm and leatherjackets. Sonido seed treatment will help to reduce the damage caused by wireworm. However, it may not provide complete control. With the removal from the market of products containing chlorpyrifos (e.g. Dursban) there is now no effective chemical control for leatherjackets in maize. Cultural control is the only measure available and your Wynnstay specialist can offer advice on crop rotation

Have you decided which starter fertiliser to use?

Starter fertiliser will promote early root development and is key to rapid establishment. You could use DAP or you could use micro-granular products such as Primary-P. Your Wynnstay specialist can advise whilst discussing variety choice, and by ordering early you will avoid the peak-season demands.

Did you know this could be the last year for Mesurol and Sonido seed treatments?

As mentioned earlier, Sonido seed treatment offers some degree of wireworm control. Mesurol has been one of the standard maize seed treatments for many years and is used as a bird repellent and to help to control frit fly. It is quite possible that 2018 will be the last year of use for both these products. With this in mind be careful to order only what you require.

Has seed rate and sowing depth been discussed?

The importance of seed rate and sowing depth is often overlooked but it is entirely within your control. For early maturing varieties consider 45,000 seeds/acre to be the standard. If you reduce seed rate below this level you may compromise yield. With regard to sowing depth, ensure the seed is drilled into moisture but remember the deeper the seed, the slower will be emergence. Again your Wynnstay specialist or agronomist can advise.

Are there any particular weed issues and have your pre-emergence herbicide plans been discussed?

MAIZE CROP 2018

An effective herbicide strategy should be planned in advance and pre-emergence herbicides should be ordered at the same time as your seed. If you have a problem with perennial grass weeds (e.g. couch), or some of the more difficult to control broad-leaved weed species, discuss the most effective control measures with your Wynnstay agronomist.

Has maize silage additive been discussed?

MAIZE

Increasingly, maize growers who recognise the benefits of using additive as a management tool to protect their investment are ordering their additive early. By ordering the additive at the same time as the seed, all the key inputs are taken care of, they are ready to use when required and nothing is forgotten.

Are you speaking to your feed specialist?

2018

Advice is available from Wynnstay livestock specialists who will help you get the most from your maize at feed-out.

01939 210555 www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk/maize

18

WYNNSTAY AGRICULTURE

DAIRY NEWSLETTER

CUTTING YOUR LOSSES Typically, forage consists of anything between 40% and 80% of the diet in most dairy and beef production (intensive beef finishing aside).

Feed as a whole represents the largest single cost in such systems, making it very clear that addressing the cost of forage, while also maximising its quality, is an absolute priority.

IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in the UK) cite average dry matter losses of 25% under commercial silage making conditions, with in silo losses of 5-18% typical. Highlighting the importance of ensuring steps are taken to minimise these losses during the harvesting and clamping process. Which is exactly why farmers and industry experts use Visqueen Clingseal - a flexible silage sheet that is used directly beneath traditional, heavier silage sheets such as Visqueen Agri-S. Clingseal is applied to the silage clamp before the application of the uppermost silage sheeting and any weights. It is thinner and, therefore, more flexible than standard silage sheets. This allows it to “cling” more closely to the contours of the clamp surface and “tuck-in” more at the sides. As such it helps eliminate air pockets and provides a close-fitting air barrier to significantly reduce top and shoulder losses from aerobic spoilage. Additionally, because it provides a better air seal, it also facilitates a faster, more efficient fermentation process delivering enhanced clamp silage quality.

A quick calculation really focuses the mind on the real value the sheet can offer: 1m3 of maize silage equates to approx 800kg of material. So if maize is valued at £40/tonne, then 1m3 is worth £32. A 10cm deep layer is therefore, worth £3.20 and a 1cm deep layer worth 32p. So this film costs approximately half the value of a 0.5cm layer of maize silage over the surface of the clamp.

Clingseal is easy to apply and suitable for a variety of ensiled crops, including grass. Shoulder and surface spoilage reduction is particularly noticeable with maize, wholecrop, and other ‘moist’ feeds.

from the latest five layer blown extrusion technology. The five layer manufacturing process enables the most effective placement of raw materials, 100% recyclable within the film blend so that they reach those parts of the film where they are most needed. This ensures the UV stabilizers are on the outside to protect from the weather with the inner layers bearing the high strength and puncture resistance elements of these exceptionally strong sheets.

Manufactured in the UK to rigorous production standards the pioneering Visqueen silage sheeting range really measures up in terms of creating the ideal ensiling environment.

Known for its exceptional strength, puncture resistance and excellent seal characteristics, the Visqueen range benefits

CLINGSEAL

PROTECTION FOR THE WHOLE OF THE CLAMP

A complete range of crop packaging products is available from your local Wynnstay Store or Wynnstay Agricentre. For store locations or to get a competitive quote online please visit www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk 19

www.wynnstaydairy.uk

GETTING THE MOST FROM GRAZED GRASS Spring is on its way and, feed costs remaining firm, all dairy producers will be well advised to make the most of available grass this spring where farming system and infrastructure allow.

Increasing milk from forage; both grazed and as silage, has a positive association with gross margin per cow. In fact every 1,000L increase in milk from forage is equivalent to £100 extra gross margin per cow. Efficient utilisation of available grass this spring will help producers offset high feed prices and promote increased production of better quality forage.

With a structured approach to grassland management there is no reason why any producer cannot provide this quality of forage for their dairy cows

Grass is at its best between March and June. This year already we have seen fresh grass samples analysing out at over 12ME and over 20% CP (Image 1). With a structured approach to grassland management there is no reason why any producer cannot provide this quality of forage for their dairy cows. In the field this can be achieved by adopting the ‘three-leaf’ grazing system, which quite simply takes into account the way in which perennial ryegrass grows, in order to maximise its feed quality. The three-leaf system does not require any equipment, no beer cans, or marks on the wellies for measuring sward height and no plate meter.

Improved grazing management will result in the production of more grass silage which, in most cases, will be very welcome considering the effect of the long winter feeding period on silage stocks. However, despite the late spring do not be tempted to delay first cut silage much beyond the 20th of May when quality will decline. Doing so will reduce the potential of this year’s crop to provide the quality necessary to offset some of the feed costs next winter.

GRAZED GRASS

Image 1. Grass analysed so far this year has been of exceptional quality

Producers should aim to graze their swards at the threeleaf stage. At this stage of growth the plant has the highest concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and the best balance between energy and protein. Grazing at this stage can help producers get at least 15 to 18L of milk from forage alone this spring, if not significantly more. Equally important is adopting the correct grazing pressure and managing residual sward heights (Image 2). Increasing grazing pressure and reducing residual sward heights from 6 to 4cm will result in producing 2.5L more milk per cow and 1.5t organic matter/Ha of extra forage.

Image 2. Target post grazing residual grass height

For those farmers who only graze their herds for a short period each day, or only by day, careful consideration needs to be taken of the quality and quantity of conserved forages and dry feeds on offer. A consequence of too much dry feed being offered is that cows will waste grass when turned out to graze.

Providing the wrong type of feed indoors can result in poor rumen function, milk quality and production. The need to optimise the utilisation of all available grass will be paramount this year in order to produce acceptable margins.

This year Wynnstay representatives will be on hand to help farmers manage their grass and improve their bottom line.

Dr. Huw McConochie

Head of Dairy Technical Services m: 07771 740857 e: huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk

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SALT FOR BETTER UTILISATION OF GRAZED GRASS How the cow utilizes sodium chloride

This, in turn, prevents the inhibition of magnesium absorption, resulting in reduction of subclinical milk fever susceptibility. It has also been found to decrease somatic cell counts (SCC) (see Figure 1), with an increase in milk sodium, thought to be due to either the enhancement of the immunity from improved magnesium status or the bacteriostatic effect of increased milk sodium (Philips et al., 2000).

One of the best investments any grassland farmer can make is in salt. Salt or sodium chloride applied to pasture will result in; increased palatability of grass, a reduction in quantity of dead material in herbage, better fibre digestion, a reduction in the risk of hypomagnesmia or staggers and less risk of milk fevers in freshly calved cows at grass. There is even data to suggest that applying sodium chloride to pasture during the summer will reduce somatic cell counts.

Sodium is the primary extracellular cation in ruminants, with its main functions including maintenance of neuromuscular activity, nerve function, body fluid balance, osmotic pressure and acid base balance (Thiangtum et al., 2011). Along with potassium (K⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻), sodium is an important ion for the body in pH regulation, as a major mineral component of saliva (that acts as a rumen pH buffer).

UTILISATION OF GRAZED GRASS

If a cow’s sodium levels are too low, she begins to use potassium as an alternative buffer in the saliva, with the sodium diverted into the bloodstream. A good indicator of sodium status is to compare sodium: potassium ratio, which should be 20:1, as sodium in blood plasma does not decline until sodium deficiency is extreme. The result of increased potassium in saliva can be hypomagnesmia, due to its depressing effect on magnesium (Mg) absorption in ruminants.

Measurements

Application of NaCl to pasture

No application of NaCl to pasture

Herbage height (mm)

43

39

Growth rate kg/DM

73.9

67.5

Milk yield kg/day

14.5

12.0

Fat content %

4.1

3.8

Protein content %

3.6

3.5

Liveweight gain kg/day 0.12

0.01

Grazing time h/day

11.0

10.1

Ruminating time h/day

7.7

6.9

Table 1 (Chiy and Phillips, 1991)

In summation, sodium chloride offers an opportunity to maximise production in grazing dairy cows. It should form at least 4g Na/herbage DM, with salt licks supplied during the housing period and an awareness of other salt sources to ensure the correct balance is supplied. With numerous benefits to dietary sodium chloride and its application as fertiliser to pasture, the rethinking of current grassland and soil management could be of great benefit to a farm business.

Both sodium and chloride have several important roles at molecular level within the cow. Sodium (Na⁺) atoms transfer an electron to chlorine (Cl⁻), electrically charging them and forming into salts (sodium chloride (NaCl)) through the creation of ionic bonds. Sodium deficiency causes a reduction in DMI and milk production, along with an increased appetite for salt e.g. licking surfaces. Chloride is involved in the absorption of amino acids and minerals, digestion of proteins, regulation of osmotic pressure and the maintenance of the acid – base balance (Johansson, 2011). It is generally found in intestinal fluids, with more than 90% excreted in the urine, thus excess levels are unusual. Whilst sodium and chloride are vital to the cow, the maximum level of to be fed is 1 kg NaCl/day or 1.40 g NaCl/kg BW, this should not be exceeded (Johansson, 2011).

While on the subject of improved grassland utilisation it is worth mentioning how supplementation of cows at grass with a high quality high bypass protein concentrate can benefit performance.

Grazing preference and increased productivity from sodium chloride fertiliser application In terms of production, the results are clear (see Table 1). The combination of increased cell turgor (increasing the live:dead ratio of the herbage) and DM digestibility, with higher palatability, grazing time and rumination saw a rise in milk yield. When the cattle were given the choice between the treated and untreated, they actively chose treated. Similar studies have also found an increase in milk fat, due to several reasons: • Greater acetate:propionate ratio in rumen VFA’s thanks to higher fibre digestibility • Favourable rumen pH for cellulolytic digestion • Increased particles and soluble digested post-rumen These same results were not found when NaCl was supplemented as a concentrate in the study, as opposed to application in fertiliser form.

Nia Davies

Dairy Technical Specialist (Trainee) m: 07967 654288 e: ndavies@wynnstay.co.uk

The application of NaCl fertiliser has also been shown to be of benefit through reducing herbage’s potassium content.

@NiaDavies28 21

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MILK AND MARGINS FROM GRASSLAND Taking the opportunity to address underperforming leys this spring will help to increase your home-grown forage production and ease some of the pressure from having to buy-in feed.

Tips for top establishment: Firstly, I’d recommend destroying the old sward using a glyphosate-based product and then soil sample to analyse pH, P and K indices, so that deficiencies can be identified and a bespoke fertiliser plan can be implemented.

Quality grass is a cost-effective part of any feed ration, and regular reseeding ensures that the required nutritional value of the ley is maintained.

Then, to create the ‘perfect’ seedbed for establishment I’d suggest; ploughing, cultivating, and rolling before and after drilling and then apply the seedbed fertiliser you require. You want to make sure the seedbed is fine and firm ready for drilling, paying attention to soil temperatures and moisture. Once the grass seed mixture is drilled, make sure you ring-roll to get maximum seed to soil contact.

A reseed can help to produce up to 33% more yield in the first year compared to a typical old ley and in a drought year this can increase up to 50%.

Even well-managed leys will suffer deterioration after six or seven years. A typical ley that’s been down for five years can contain less than half of the original sown species planted, due to the development of aggressive grass weeds in the sward.

New leys can offer an estimated average yield increase of 15% per year, over three to five years, and this results in 3,450kg dry matter (DM)/acre/year. Gains can also be seen in metabolizable energy (ME) from 10.5 MJ/kg DM to 11 MJ/ kg DM. These improvements in DM and ME from the new ley have been shown to increase the annual litres/acre by up to 1,240L, which, if paid £0.25/L of milk, will deliver a benefit of £310/acre. When the average reseeding cost is considered over three years at £81.60/acre, this results in a net financial gain of £228/acre/year.

The key is to get weeds under control while they’re just seedlings, to give the new ley a clean start and remove weed competition which can result in gappy swards.

Generally, the most effective time to apply herbicide treatments is when the weeds are at the two-four leaf stage and once the grass (and clover if present) is large enough to be sprayed. By striking with an early herbicide application, an extremely high level of dock control can be achieved, better than at any other later timing during the life of the ley.

In addition to this, there is a strong correlation between milk from forage and profitability of milk production. Studies have shown that every 1,000L increase in milk from forage will be worth around £100 of gross margin per cow.

Therefore, the more forage fed per cow per day, the more margin can be retained per litre of milk produced. Proactivity in terms of reseeding with quality grass seed varieties can help achieve this type of extra margin on-farm.

GRASS & ROOTS

GRASSLAND

2018

The benefits of reseeding, such as improved yields and nutritional value, are becoming even more important onfarm as modern seed varieties from the Recommended Grass and Clover List for England and Wales have been bred to significantly improve grassland performance. For this reason, Wynnstay’s range of grass seed mixtures only includes varieties taken from this list to guarantee the highest quality results from your reseed.

If you’re planning on grazing, once the new ley is established and the root structure is strong enough, the grass should be grazed periodically from 8 to 12cm, down to between 3cm and 6cm. Ultimately, grazing will allow light to reach and stimulate tiller buds and clover, providing a dense, leafy sward.

01939 210777

www.wynnstayagriculture.co.uk/grass-roots-seeds

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HOW TO INCREASE YOUR EFFICIENCY AND SAVE THE PLANET Historically, dairy rations have generally formulated crude protein (CP) to the standard value needed to supply adequate feed nitrogen (N) in the cow’s diet, to help maintain the cow’s health, welfare and milk productivity.

In most diets CP is fed at an average of 16.5% of dry matter content (DM). Where these levels are exceeded, N emissions are found to increase, whilst milk production levels remain relatively static (Wonfor, 2017). Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in cattle is inherently poor, with approximately 75% of that consumed lost through a combination of faecal and urine output, along with body losses (See Figure 1). Of the N lost through excretion, that from urine is the most volatile and easily converted from ammonia into the greenhouse gas of nitrous oxide; 298 times more potent than carbon dioxide (EPA, 2017).

Body N losses (5%)

Urine N output (15-45%)

grazed on high quality pasture and fed concentrates with a CP level of 14.1% saw negligible yield differences (Hynes et al., 2016). In both systems it was found that the lower CP diet level shifted the N excreted from urine to faeces, a much less volatile compound, thus reducing nitrous oxide emissions. A long-term project at Aber IBERS that is currently still underway has also found no substantial effect to milk yield from a lower CP based diet (Wonfor, 2017).

Faecal N output (25-40%) Feed N intake (100%) Milk N output (15-40%)

Overall, the reduction of surplus protein in dairy diets provides benefits to the cow, the farmer and the environment.

Figure 1

It is important to note that the type of dietary CP fed to cattle also influences NUE. Dietary protein is split into two main classes: rumen-degradable protein (RDP) and rumen-undegradable protein (RUP). The over estimation of required RDP, along with the inadequate provision of readily fermentable energy leads to higher urine N losses. However, it is essential that a cow’s diet contains adequate RDP to maintain effective fermentation of dietary fibre, and ensure the delivery of microbial proteins to the small intestine. When looking to reduce dietary CP and RDP with the aim of increasing NUE, it is therefore important to consider the sources of dietary energy and protein to prevent adverse effects to milk yields. By reducing surplus dietary protein, the cow’s NUE is increased and excreted losses decreased along with feed costs.

Several studies have looked at reducing CP levels in dairy diets, along with the effects on milk production. Of the studies conducted, results have varied in relation to milk production changes, with one study by Aschemann et al. (2012) finding no effect to milk yield when reducing CP to 12%, yet another

by Olmos Colmenero and Broderick finding a loss of 1.98L/ day with a CP decrease from 16.5% to 13.5%. Another, by Varga (2007) found the opposite to Colmenero and Broderick, with an increase of 2.72L/day per cow and improved milk components as dietary CP was lowered from 18% to 16%.

Aschemann, M. et al. (2012) ‘Effect of niacin supplementation on digestibility, nitrogen utilisation and milk and blood variables in lactating dairy cows fed a diet with a negative rumen nitrogen balance’, Archives of Animal Nutrition. Taylor & Francis, 66(3), pp. 200–214. doi: 10.1080/1745039X.2012.676813.

Colmenero, J. J. O. and Broderick, G. A. (2006) ‘Effect of Dietary Crude Protein Concentration on Milk Production and Nitrogen Utilization in Lactating Dairy Cows’, Journal of Dairy Science.

Elsevier, 89(5), pp. 1704–1712. doi: 10.3168/JDS.S0022-0302(06)72238-X. Hristov, A, N. (2017) Feeding Low Protein Diets to Dairy Cows. Available at: https://extension. psu.edu/feeding-low-protein-diets-to-dairy-cows (Accessed: 18 December 2017).

Hynes, D. N. et al. (2016) ‘Effects of crude protein level in concentrate supplements on animal performance and nitrogen utilization of lactating dairy cows fed fresh-cut perennial grass’, Journal of Dairy Science. Elsevier, 99(10), pp. 8111–8120. doi: 10.3168/JDS.2016-11110.

US EPA, O. (2017) ‘Overview of Greenhouse Gases’. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/ ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#nitrous-oxide (Accessed: 18 December 2017).

Varga, A, G. (2007) ‘Why use metabolizable protein for ration balancing?’ Pennsylvania State University. Available at: ftp://173.183.201.52/Inetpub/wwwroot/DairyWeb/Resources/PDCNW2007/Varga.pdf (Accessed: 18 December 2017) Wonfor, R. (2017) ‘Improving dietary nitrogen use in dairy cattle: reducing protein intake in growing heifers – can we maintain production performance?’ Aberystwyth: Farming Connect.

Available at: https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/sites/farming/ files/technical_ article_reducing_cp_in_heifers_to_reduce_n_ excretion_-_effects_on_production_performance_ final.pdf (Accessed: 29 November 2017).

Whilst there are differences between study findings, it can be concluded that in a well formulated diet, CP and RDP can be reduced without adversely impacting milk yield.

The reduction of surplus dietary CP not only improves the cow’s NUE, but also has environmental benefits. In the US, Hristov et al. (2011) found that the reduction of CP to 14.1% in concentrate fed to grazed dairy cattle only caused a slight reduction in milk yield losses. Similarly, in the UK, cattle

Sian Rowlands

Dairy Technical Specialist Coordinator m: 07881 245170 e: sian.rowlands@wynnstay.co.uk

23

INCREASE EFFICIENCY

Low CP diets can be made increasingly effective, with productivity enhanced when combined with a balanced supply of amino acids

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the details supplied in this publication are correct as of March 2018, Wynnstay cannot be held responsible for any inaccurate information. Information contained within this publication should be used as a guide only please seek specialist advice before purchasing. Photography and product images used within this publication have been used as a guide only.

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