This months linked article's:
- PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES...
- SILO-SOLVE FC - THE NEW WAY FORWARD...
- PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER THIS SEASON...
NOT ALWAYS BAD NEWS
Back in the winter of 2014, for the sake of the discussion, let’s say Mr. Dairyman, was at the end of his tether, as cows production had slumped by around 2,000 litres p.a. from previous highs, and despite expensive concentrate, purchased maize silage, and a well-planned and implemented re-seeding programme to misquote the song that Tony Blair rode to fame, "things could only get worse".
So Mr. Dairyman, having tried the best (or so they said), decided to try the rest, and asked Gareth Perkins, and sidekick nutritionist Colin Orr, in their farm-calling guise as Ratman and Bobbin, to have a look at the situation...
On inspecting the cows, and spotting some of the signals associated with Mycoplasma infections, blood samples were taken by the farms vets, and confirmed that both Mycoplasma Bovis and Mycoplasma Wenyonii were strongly present. According to Colin Orr, this isn't always a sign that a Mycoplasma infection is causing the problem, but is collateral damage as a result of a poor immune status in the herd. So GP Feeds went to town (unusually on this occasion, Gareth was not arrested for disorderly behaviour!), and assayed all the ration components for macro and trace element content, as well as potential toxins from other contaminants.
A HEALTHY COW IS A PRODUCTIVE COW
There were some issues in the silage, so these were addressed, and a ration formulated which was intended primarily to be as "healthy" as possible, as low as possible in acid-inducing ruminal fermentation products, and designed to boost immune status in the cows. (Using cell wall carbohydrates and a very sophisticated approach - I know this is a shock where Gareth and Colin are concerned - to protein supply, by increasing the supply of the amino acids involved in boosting immunity). In addition, anti-inflammatory compounds were fed, along with a very high pH form of Sodium to alkalize the ration, as well as a natural zeolite, to improve acid-base status.
Progress was made fairly quickly, but on the regular visit cycle, a couple of months later, the signs for parasitic infection were showing, so Ostertagia and Fluke were suspected, and confirmed by the farms vets. It’s always essential to act quickly when parasitical problems occur (it’s a great shame that elections are only 5 years), as the damage from the parasites can be permanent unless immediately addressed.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES MAY GET A GOOD TAN BUT UNLESS THEY ARE VERY GOOD LOOKING, THEIR BATHROOMS CAN SPOIL YOUR DAY
Mr. Dairyman’s building was on the face of it a perfect environment for cows - high roof, double space boarding, good open doors to a yard, adequate trough space, and comfortable, not over-populated cubicles.
But... observation showed that the cows were spending a lot of time standing (they should be lying down for 14 hours a day), cud rate and frequency was less than optimum, and there were always a high percentage standing outside on the concrete. Water supply was in troughs that were probably a little on the high side for heifers to comfortably drink, but the main issue appeared to be ventilation. Now, many farms spend thousands of pounds on fans, which are terrific at moving the dirty, hot air around the building, but do absolutely nothing to freshen the environment - as soon as Mr. Dairyman provided 0.5 ft (this is an ancient measurement form, similar to metres, but based on the logical use of ones "feet" to represent errrrr "Feet") of central roof ventilation space per cow, the "chimney effect" sucked the dirty air out, pulled clean air in from all the previously described areas, and dramatically (the cows began to perform opera at milking) improved the numbers lying down, and the efficiency of rumination. Cost was in hundreds, not thousands - and it worked.
FAST FORWARD TO A QUOTE FROM MR. DAIRYMAN
Cows are now performing the best we’ve ever had, up around 5 litres a head on the last few years, which is worth about 4p a litre to us, fertility is much improved, I’m now proud to show people the way my herd looks.
Milk price is a (hopefully) temporary, unavoidable disaster; poor health and depressed productivity in the cattle is always in the farms own hands to correct. It’s not difficult, but it may take time. In the end, a healthy herd is a profitable herd.
SILO-SOLVE FC - THE NEW WAY FORWARD
PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER THIS SEASON
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QUALITY PRODUCTS FOR QUALITY PRODUCTION
To discuss any of these products, along with your other on farm requirements please call GP Feeds on 01948 661602 or use our text line number 07969 808188
Gareth or Rachel (Office)
01948 661602 Fax 01948 871776