News
Dry Cows out at Grass
In the next few weeks there will be an increasing number of dry cows outside on grass. It has been mentioned in past newsletters about the importance of minerals and vitamins in the dry period. Some farmers are using tubs in this period to provide these essentials. However, many of these tubs seem to contain inappropriate sources e.g. high levels of urea or have very low mineral and vitamin levels. Shown below is an example of a leading tub compared to our product. GP Feeds Pre-Calver Product X /kg /kg Vitamin A (iu) 25000 100000 Vitamin D3 (iu) 100000 20000 Vitamin E (iu) 2000 250 Cobalt (mg) 200 15 Selenium (mg ) 48 (some protected) 12 Iodine (mg) 800 80 Copper (mg) 4000 (some protected) 500 Manganese (mg) 2500 1250 Zinc (mg) 6000 (some protected) 1250 Phosphorus % 1 1.5 Magnesium % 15 10.5 Calcium % 0.9 2.25 No Urea 8% protein equivalent from Urea Make your own comparisons. The sad fact is that these two products are similar in price. Have a look at any tubs you have on the farm and check any out before you buy them. Tubs are available in 500kg lots, which can be mixed from GP Feeds. Dry cows deserve the best and you deserve to get value for your money. Give us a ring if you are interested in these products. Our vision is to market products that have the required nutritional element to enhance your cows performance.
Dry Cows out at Grass
In the next few weeks there will be an increasing number of dry cows outside on grass. It has been mentioned in past newsletters about the importance of minerals and...
Calving in July and August looking after the dr...
For those herds taking advantage of the best milk prices and calving in July and August looking after the dry cow this month has to be a priority. How would you like to: Improve fertility? Reduce mastitis? Sounds too good to be true but these are all possible by managing the dry cows better. Many of the health problems associated with higher yielding dairy cows are triggered by management in the dry period. Some surveys suggest at least a 30% reduction in health problems can be achieved by correct dry cow management. By using our new EXCEL PRE-CALVER ROLLS we can significantly influence the following Infertility Cows not cycling? Poor conception rates? There must be something wrong with my current diet. Although improper diets in early lactation can cause infertility, many of the problems go back to the dry period. A cow does not produce a new follicle on the day of heat. The follicle produced can have started life during the dry period. If the cow is short of energy then the quality of the egg produced later will be poor leading to silent heat or low conception rates. Cows with milk fever and retained cleansings are much more difficult to get in calf. The average incidence of retained cleansing is now 11% compared to 5% ten years ago. Proper nutrition providing adequate energy and vitamins will help reduce these levels. Current thinking about milk fever suggests that high levels of potash and sodium linked to lower levels of magnesium may be the cause rather than calcium levels. Low and high levels of calcium in the dry cow diet leads to lower efficiency of use. It is very hard to get calcium levels to less than 50 gms/day even if feeding a non-calcium supplement and attention needs to be paid to the other minerals present. Excel Pre-Calver Rolls offer you Enhanced mineral and vitamin package to provide good herd health by meeting higher requirements for vitamins A, D and E to maintain immunity to disease during this important stage of pregnancy. New selected energy sources to provide increased rumen activity to promote fewer calving problems and increase post calving feed intakes for increased milk production. Improve protein quality to provide high levels of ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS (building blocks of protein) to maintain good protein body reserves for sustained milk production in early lactation. Mastitis During the latter stages of the dry period the cows immune system is challenged. This is the period when colostrum production is starting, so any reduction in quality can effect the calf post calving. Feeding EXCEL PRE-CALVER ROLLS supplies the cow with high quality protein sources and necessary vitamins and minerals to help to maintain a healthy immune system. Once the cow calves this then helps her to be more resistant to mastitis and other diseases. Fat cows (condition score of 3.5 plus) will tend to mobilise excess body weight at calving, as will others when the rumen is not prepared for the post calving diet. Further weight loss at this time may lead to a depletion of energy sources in the liver and the risk of liver problems. Such pressure and stress upon the cow at this important time especially if there is liver damage will also significantly reduce the ability of the cows immune system and her ability to challenge disease. If you want to know more about this exciting product, please contact the office or your local agent. So be careful and check what you are purchasing. Are you gett
Calving in July and August looking after the dr...
For those herds taking advantage of the best milk prices and calving in July and August looking after the dry cow this month has to be a priority. How would...
HOW TO DEAL WITH LOW BUTTERFAT?
Many farmers are concerned at the low levels of butterfat in their cow’s milk and are wondering what they can do about it. The reasons for the low butter fat levels are not clear nor the methods for raising them but there are some clues. Compared to 5 years ago when fats were not a problem, forage qualities have improved, there is more maize silage grown now, and the effects of genetically improved cows are now manifest. UFAC (UK) Ltd. has investigated the position and proposes a different approach by looking at the metabolic fat balance within the cow on a factorial basis.Take a cow giving 50 litres of milk for example at a target of 4% fat content amounts to 2000g fat. It is recognised that some of this fat is manufactured from the short chain fatty acids and the rest extracted from the blood. The commonly accepted figure is that 40% is manufactured and 60% taken from blood fat. It can be assumed that 350g fat would be used for maintenance and a maximum release of fat from the body of 250g This leaves a balance from the diet of 1300 g. This figure is fat in the blood and has to be converted to dietary fat. Assuming the cow eats 24 kg dry matter the fat level required in the diet is 8.3% DM basis! UFAC (UK) Ltd. thus believes that a start to coming against the butterfat problem would be to feed more fat. This is not so easy as it seems as fats can cause oil slicks in the rumen, knock out celluloytic bacteria, reduce fibre digestion, reduce appetite and cause other metabolic problems. Calcium soaps used to be safe but are now being broken down in the rumen because of the larger rumen volume and larger quantities of acid present so their effect is limited. Cows can use high levels of fat provided it is supplied on a slow release system, which UFAC (UK) Ltd. has developed. The udder in preference to others takes up specific fatty acids and UFAC has used this knowledge in conjunction with GP Feeds to manufacture a product called Mega - Jewel that specifically has the right Oils that contain the correct fatty acid profile on a slow release carrier. This over the last year has increased the fat level in the milk fed @ the rate of 0.5Kg /Head / day be that in compound or TMR. If you are having a low butterfat problem at present Mega-Jewel could well be worth trying. Call the office or ask your agent for further details.
HOW TO DEAL WITH LOW BUTTERFAT?
Many farmers are concerned at the low levels of butterfat in their cow’s milk and are wondering what they can do about it. The reasons for the low butter fat...
Milk Quota, Should I Buy Now?
The views represented are those of the author. The author is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of reading this information. Current Situation In April, milk production was down by 70 million litres compared to last year. Production was actually higher than in March 2004. Butterfats were 0.1 % higher than last year. These figures have lead to some suggestions that the UK will not meet quota again this year or in subsequent years and so there will be no need for extra quota. What might have caused the production in April to drop? A later turnout than last year with some herds only out in early May A follow on from reduced output from farms over quota in the previous quota year. Examples are increased culling or drying cows off early Farmers changing their calving patterns from last year as a result of initiatives on seasonality pricing and DFOB telling farmers to stop mating cows. A big rise in concentrate prices especially for farms on a contract finishing in April. It is very early to say if quota will be reached by the end of the year at this stage. Many farms are currently making excellent silages so this should stimulate production. On the other hand there are many farm sales planned with producers ceasing milk production. These farms probably only sell 75% of their herd with the rest being culled. This can lead to a decline in dairy cow numbers. What to do? Obviously you will be aware of the single farm payment SFP. MDC Datum web site has a detailed chart showing payments. Future entitlements are based on quota held at the end of this quota year. Table 1 shows our estimate of the value of these payments based on farms in England. Table 1 Future value of SFP Year Dairy Payment ppl % Contribution to SFP ppl SFP Modulated @ 10% Net Present Valve @ 5% (NPV) 2005 1.7 90% 1.53 1.38 1.38 2006 2.56 85% 2.17 1.96 1.78 2007 2.56 70% 1.80 1.61 1.40 2008 2.56 55% 1.41 1.27 1.04 2009 2.56 40% 1.00 0.90 0.70 2010 2.56 25% 0.64 0.58 0.43 2011 2.56 10% 0.26 0.23 0.16 Totals 8.81 7.9 6.9 This shows that quota held will attract a total payment of 7.9 ppl up to the end of the historical payments. Some of these will come in later years so we have calculated the NPV using a figure of 5%. This shows these payments to be worth 6.9 ppl in 2005. If we assume quota is 13ppl ( 20/05/04) then the net price for quota after deducting the NPV is 6.1ppl. At 6 % interest this will be a total cost, including capital and interest, of 1.055ppl over seven years. This represents “your licence to produce milk” If quota has no value because the national quota is not reached then you have “wasted” this money. On the other hand the peace of mind knowing you have secured quota possibly until 2014 maybe will justify the gamble. It is worth remembering that you will receive a payment between Dec and June 2005 of 0.8ppl. For a two million litre quota this is £16,000. This is enough to buy 226,295 litres of quota at the net price of 6.1 ppl. Summary Quota purchase now will give the entitlements outlined above and provide a basis for future business development. If the farm business is looking to expand in the near future then there is an opportunity to secure quota at a realistic price. The future milk price is being talked down but will this happen ? Milk prices in the USA are over 22ppl as a result of similar trading conditions as the UK. This represents a 75% increase in price Dairy companies have to be concerned about supply if the drop in production continues Remember that the historic dairy payment is in addition to the price you receive from your milk buyer For example in2006, if milk price stays at say 19.5 ppl, then you will receive 19.5 plus 1.96 equals 21.46 ppl. If you are a dairy farmer looking to expand in the future then you have to evaluate the options re quota. Each farm will have differing circumstances but set some realistic prices for quota purchase or lease. Do not forget that quota last year ranged from 9.7 ppl to 36 ppl. Can your business stand the risk of having to purchase quota at the top end of the scale?
Milk Quota, Should I Buy Now?
The views represented are those of the author. The author is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of reading this information. Current Situation In April, milk production...
ARE YOU IN CONTROL OR NOT?
If you are buying a blend….. please check your recent declaration tickets, are you really buying what you thought you were? Are the cows being fed what you agreed with your Feed Company Rep? Has the ration been changed without your consent? Expand the herd up to 400 cows in the next few years. Are the ingredients being used because they are cheap for the Feed Company to buy? Is this affecting your milk cheque and your vets bill? With GP Feeds we guarantee that the ingredients in your fixed formulation won’t change, unless you or your cows tell us to change it. Therefore you can be guaranteed of a Fixed Formulation especially made to meet your individual requirements. If you answer no to one of the following questions, maybe you should be talking to GP FEEDS. Are your cows producing the quality of milk that you require? Are your cows getting in calf to first service? Are your cows feet in good condition? Are you seeing a lot of bulling? Are your cows looking very healthy? Are you seeing less of your Vet? Every day, we are talking to farmers who have been putting up with the above and now they don’t have to. Why put up with it? Its up to you! If you would like to know more about how we can enhance your business please don't be shy, give us a ring on 01948 661602 or e-mail us on admin@gpfeeds.co.uk. We can put together a feed plan for your farm that will give you the performance to be proud of.
ARE YOU IN CONTROL OR NOT?
If you are buying a blend….. please check your recent declaration tickets, are you really buying what you thought you were? Are the cows being fed what you agreed with...
FACTS ABOUT MILK PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION IN SP...
Digestible fibre is needed to slow down the rate of progress through the rumen to take best advantage of the quality grass going in at the other end. Intakes of fresh grass are severely restricted on wet days. Cattle will die if they are short of magnesium Buffer feeding is essential to maintain high yields of milk. There is a desperate need for energy in Spring but of the correct type. Cows will look after themselves and if not fed correctly there will be big drops in production as their bodyweight falls. Milk proteins and butterfats will fall if nutritional aspects of the diet are incorrect. The biggest Holsteins will struggle to eat enough fresh grass to maintain more than 24 – 26 litres during May and June and the rest of the litres need to be sustained by supplementary feeding. Monitor your cows carefully to cover all the points mentioned and be prepared to react to change rapidly. Your winter production of milk, beef or lamb meat is determined, in the main, by the quality of forage your animals eat. As grass silage makes up a high percentage of the forage intake it makes sense to make the best possible silage you can. Here are a few pointers that may help you: Cut early for high D value equating to high 11 ME values but beware of the high nitrogen content during dry, slow growth period. Try to wilt if possible as dryer silages have a higher PH and lower lactic acid levels. Aim for a longish chop length especially when feeding alongside Maize Silage. Set a target of 15% of the length to be more than 1½ inches long. Fertiliser should be sown as soon as possible after first cut, thus reducing the risk of high nitrogen contamination and it also improves grass yields. Every day’s delay in application equates to 3 cwt (150 kilos) per acre of fresh grass lost. Use an effective additive such as marketed by ECOSYL PRODUCTS, especially on high dry matter silages, as it will improve the feed quality. Check the weather forecast for an accurate 5 day forecast before starting on first cut. If you would like to know more about how we can enhance your business please don't be shy, give us a ring on 01948 661602 or e-mail us on admin@gpfeeds.co.uk. We can put together a feed plan for your farm that will give you the performance to be proud of.
FACTS ABOUT MILK PRODUCTION AND NUTRITION IN SP...
Digestible fibre is needed to slow down the rate of progress through the rumen to take best advantage of the quality grass going in at the other end. Intakes of...