News
We wish to share something with you...
We wish to share something with you, we recently gained a new customer from one of our competitors. The customer chose one of our Supreme range of dairy compounds, their independent nutritionist compared the original competitors diet to our own. Competitors had 15% Argentinian Soya to our 5% Brazilian Soya, so you would think, just on that product alone by percentage the competitors would be a better product. However, the independent nutritionist looked at the Lysine and Methionine (Amino Acids which are essential for milk production) available to the animal from the two diets and found that ours at 5% Brazilian Soya had 3 times more Lysine and Methionine available in our Supreme Compound. The nutritionist compared the price of the two products and found that our Supreme dairy compound was worth £15 per tonne more than our competitors and yet we were already cheaper on a price per tonne basis. This also goes to show that declaration tickets give you certain details of the feed you are buying, but by no means tells the whole story as to what is in the ration and how good it actually is! Make sure you ask your supplier to give you details of the exact make up of your compound by product by percentage, and confirm that this will not change from load to load (as both declaration tickets in the above case said "SOYA" on the ticket)!! Once again we reiterate our company motto Quality Products For Quality Production. By using lower quality raw materials (which you may not even be aware of) it is doing you and your animals no favours at all. It may look cheap on paper, but it could be costing you a fortune in the long run.
We wish to share something with you...
We wish to share something with you, we recently gained a new customer from one of our competitors. The customer chose one of our Supreme range of dairy compounds, their...
DOES QUALITY PAY?
As you are well aware the price of feedstuffs continues to rise and is causing concern on farms. One way to react to this is to go for cheaper ingredients in compounds or blends. If you remember in an earlier GP News (May 2003) we showed that the additional milk yield response needed to pay for extra quality was very small. For example, if feeding 8kgs per day of feed costing £20 per tonne more that the additional cost per day is 16p. This equates to less than a litre of milk per day. Is this good sales talk or does it work out in reality? In May, Tony & Sheila Savil from Calverhall, (winner of NFU Millennium Farmers competition for Shropshire) liked the look of Excel 16 Nuts even though they were £16 per tonne more than their current concentrate. They recognised that the extra cost was because of high quality raw materials. Did it pay off? Since May the Savil's have achieved an extra margin over purchased feed per month averaging £800 on a 70 cow herd. This is regardless of any milk price increase. Milk yields per cow per day have been up to 5 litres higher than last year with no buffer feed fed. One cow achieved over 50 litres per day on an official reading. The first time Mr Savil has had a cow achieve this. Milk quality was maintained despite the increased yield and a poor summer for composition. Current milk quality 4.37% butterfat and 3.53% protein. This is especially important as they supply Joseph Heler's who pay a premium for milk quality. Rolling average yield up by 800 litres to over 7000 litres per cow on a simple production system. Cow condition maintained with strong bulling behaviour. Since May Tony & Shelia have improved margin over purchase feeds for the herd by almost £4000. Over a twelve month period this will equate to almost £10,000. The Savil's have now moved to Excel 18 nuts which is only £5 per tonne more expensive even taking account of the recent price increase. DOES QUALITY PAY - YOU BET IT DOES! Ring us today, as we know we can enhance your business 01948 661602.
DOES QUALITY PAY?
As you are well aware the price of feedstuffs continues to rise and is causing concern on farms. One way to react to this is to go for cheaper ingredients...
Regulation of Silage Additives in the EU
By Dr Shirley Heron, Ecosyl Products Ltd, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, UK. A number of agricultural health issues over the past decade have resulted in the European agricultural industry facing huge increases in legislation. Feed additives is one area that is getting a lot of attention, the main focus being on food safety and security. This has led to the creation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an independent body tasked with risk assessment of food and feed. Regulation 1831/2003 Regulation 1831/2003 is the key new legislation affecting feed additives which for the first time includes silage additives. All feed additives must now be approved before being allowed on the market which requires the submission of an extensive dossier covering quality, safety and efficacy. Additives notified to the EU by the end of November 2004 were allowed to remain on the market but a full dossier had to be submitted by 8th November 2010. Of over 2,600 feed additives notified originally only 43% (1116) submitted dossiers in time. Those not meeting the deadline were placed in Annex II. We are still awaiting the regulation that will formally remove them from the permitted additive register; until then they can still be sold. Feed Additive Categories Regulation 1831/2003 identifies four main groups of additive (Technological, Sensory, Nutritional, Zootechnical), sub-divided into a total of 23 individual categories. The Technological group contains additives that affect the characteristics of a feed or forage, including silage additives. Silage additive dossiers can be submitted for individual active agents (feed additives), eg a single microorganism, mixtures of active agents or even final products as sold. Most companies have chosen the individual actives route as the approved additive can then be used in many final products, offering greater flexibility. Silage Additives Silage additives authorised as Technological additives can only make claims relating to improved fermentation, aerobic stability and effluent production. For performance improvement claims a Zootechnical authorisation must be obtained, a process that is even more rigorous and expensive. Of the 307 silage additives registered originally only 95 have submitted dossiers. The high drop-out rate is not surprising in view of them being largely unregulated until now. Three possible reasons are: 1) the high cost of preparing a dossier - minimum £50,000 estimated for a simple one; 2) some microorganisms and chemicals would find it difficult to get approval on safety grounds so not worth trying; 3) lack of evidence for efficacy claims. Labelling The new legislation has a big impact on product labelling. All silage additive labels must conform to the requirements listed in both Regulation 1831/2003 and the new Feed Marketing Regulation 767/2009. Currently, most labels are still not compliant. Most silage additives as bought will comprise either a single authorised silage additive or a premixture of individually authorised silage additives. Each of these must now be identified specifically on the label, eg for each microorganism a recognised culture collection strain designation must be given as well as the cfu/g product. This allows you to check if it is in the Feed Additives Register. The seller and the user are both legally responsible for ensuring products are fully authorised. Assessment Silage additives have been ear-marked by EFSA as high priority because they have never been characterised before and, for inoculants in particular, there may be safety issues, eg relating to antibiotic resistance. If approval is given, an E number is assigned which must go on the label of all products containing that additive. Additives not authorised must be removed from the market, although there will be a transition period to allow products already on the market to be used. Consequences The new legislation is likely to impact silage additives in a number of ways: There will be fewer truly different additives to choose from and more 'white label' products - identical but sold under different names. More detailed labels should make this more transparent. Additives will be thoroughly tested before they are commercialised which is good but it could also prevent good ideas being developed due to the higher costs of bringing them to market. It should prevent unsubstantiated efficacy claims being made, particularly around animal performance. Bearing in mind that animal performance is key to profitability, this should help differentiate the better additives. Silage additive label requirements The product must be labelled 'SILAGE ADDITIVE' or 'PREMIXTURE of Silage Additives', as appropriate Detailed composition under the heading 'COMPOSITION' A list of feed additives under the heading 'Feed Additives' Functional groups of additives must be indicated, eg silage additives, colourants Additives must be named as per the Register listing (see Table 3) Identification (E) Numbers of additives must be given Minimum cfu/g must be stated for microorganisms and activity units/g for enzymes Weight per g for other feed additives A list of 'Carriers (feed materials)' in descending order by weight, eg yeast product Batch number Net quantity Expiry date expressed as 'Use before {date}' or, if the date of manufacture is indicated, the minimum storage life expressed as 'Use before {no.} months after the date of manufacture' Directions for use, any safety recommendations and, where applicable, categories for which the additive is intended Name and address of business responsible for labelling Suppliers establishment registration or approval no. (Regulation 183/2005) If you haven't already booked your silage additive yet - give the office a call to discuss ECOSYL. Our sales of Ecosyl have continued to increased tenfold over the last 2 years - surely those customers who choose to use it can't be wrong. We would like you to join our increasing list of very happy and satisfied customers. If you haven't already booked your silage additive yet - give the office a call to discuss ECOSYL. Our sales of Ecosyl have continued to increased tenfold over the last 2 years - surely those customers who choose to use it can't be wrong. We would like you to join our increasing list of very happy and satisfied customers. Reference / Further Reading So what is good silage?... Ecosyl silage additives... Ecosyl Applicators... Grass Silage Analysis Reports an Explanation... Calculating Silage Stocks... ADD-F NC ClampFilm Regulation of Silage Additives in the EU
Regulation of Silage Additives in the EU
By Dr Shirley Heron, Ecosyl Products Ltd, Stokesley, North Yorkshire, UK. A number of agricultural health issues over the past decade have resulted in the European agricultural industry facing huge...
HEALTH CLINIC - MILK FEVER
In the second of our new feature we concentrate on MILK FEVER MILK FEVER Average incidence of milk fever is typically 5 cases per 100 cows per year. This year there have been instances of almost every mature cow showing signs of milk fever. Milk fever can also trigger off other problems such as displaced abomasums, retained cleansings, mastitis and ketosis. Many of these problems can be cumulative so the cow can get all the conditions with a severe financial penalty occurring. Why should milk fever be a problem? You will be aware that milk fever is a result of low calcium availability at calving. However, the evidence currently indicates that magnesium chloride, sulphur and sodium phosphorus can all have more influence on milk fever than calcium levels. The real culprit appears to be POTASSIUM with its antagonistic (locking up) effect on magnesium and other effects on the cows ability to mobilise calcium from bones and its absorption from the digestive tracts. Potassium is very high in a lot of early first cut silage. (This link is well established with grass staggers and magnesium shortages). Grass silages can easily be 4% in potassium. If this is the single forage then it is impossible to get dietary levels to the target max of 2%. Autumn grass is also low in magnesium and high in potassium producing similar results. Given below are some guidelines to help you manage milk fever. Discuss the various options with your vet, as each farm circumstance will vary. Have an established dry cow programme maximising intakes and using appropriate mineral, especially magnesium or dry cow roll. This stimulates appetite and will reduce milk fever. GP Feeds Dry Cow range meets these requirements. If possible test forages available. Restrict any forages high in potassium. Maize silage can be lower as can wholecrop but these are also increasing in potassium levels. If milk fever is a problem, make big bales in a field that has more traditional grasses and receives low amounts of fertiliser, use this forage just in the dry period. Be careful of too high or too low calcium levels in the diet. Legumes, milking cow minerals, protected fats and Sugarbeet can be high in calcium but it is very difficult to get calcium levels low enough to stimulate calcium absorption. Cows have a requirement for calcium and too low a level in the diet at calving can trigger problems. Monitor when the milk fever occurs. Pre-calving cases can be caused by low calcium in the diet and usually respond to extra calcium. On the day of calving, the cow cannot mobilise calcium from reserves quick enough. This is linked to potassium levels and other minerals. At calving or just before calving, cows should be put on a diet with much higher calcium levels. They should not stay on the low calcium dry cow diet. Two to six days post calving can be linked to low calcium in the diet and also linked to phosphorus levels. Use of DCAD (Cation Anion Difference) Dietary Cation Anion Difference – this approach is used in the US but is not an easy option. Basically Cations such as potassium and sodium create a blood stream that is alkaline (urine PH8) (note the problem of high potassium). Anions such as sulphur and chloride create acidity in the blood stream (urine PH 6.5). This acidity improves the re-absorption of calcium from the bones and makes it more readily available. Values are calculated in meg / 100 and a negative figure of –10 to –20 is the target. After calving a high positive figure can help intakes but more of this in a later article. High levels of calcium are fed (about 150 gms / day) and with this system without the risk of milk fever. Anionic salts are added to the diet until the urine PH it at 6.5. This approach needs to be under the supervision of a competent nutritionist and great care should be taken. The addition of magnesium chloride about 7 days before calving can help as a result of increasing magnesium levels and the chloride does act as a DCAD Use of calcium paste or gels at calving. Better products are now available in the US with improved absorption so keep an eye out for these. If you want help with formulating dry cow diets to minimise milk fever give us a ring 01948 661602.
HEALTH CLINIC - MILK FEVER
In the second of our new feature we concentrate on MILK FEVER MILK FEVER Average incidence of milk fever is typically 5 cases per 100 cows per year. This year...
Rationing Monitor
Now that all the harvests have finished and maize silage has come into diets it could be well worth checking that the balance of the overall diet is correct. Cows are now housed and on full winter rations with fresh grass a dim and distant memory. Have you taken account of the difference in dry matter between October grass and grass silage? Do you know the dry matter and starch value of your maize silage? These questions need to be answered before your cows will perform correctly. For example recent trial work has shown that if the dry matter of maize silage is above 32% the intake could be decreased by as much as 3kgs fresh weight which equates to over 2 litres of milk in energy terms. We are more than willing to help you ration your herd and monitor progress carefully. If you would like to see one of our nutritionists please ring the office on 01948 661602 to arrange a meeting. With ever increasing costs it must be essential that you ration your cows correctly to maximise the benefits out of your resources during a time of low returns.
Rationing Monitor
Now that all the harvests have finished and maize silage has come into diets it could be well worth checking that the balance of the overall diet is correct. Cows...
HEALTH CLINIC - ACIDOSIS
We start this new series, with a health problem that is ever prominent at the present time. ACIDOSIS Subclinical or chronic ruminal acidosis is best described as a symptom related to a fermentative disorder of the rumen. Typical problems associated with this symptom can be traced to misfeeding of the ration, highly digestible carbohydrates, underfeeding of fibre or a combination of all of them. With ever increasing milk production, have come increases in subclinical ruminal acidosis within herds. As we strive to meet the animals energy requirements by increasing energy levels in rations, higher levels of cereals and lower levels of forage are becoming normal. Rather than increasing performance, these diets can lead to problems similar to ruminal acidosis. This means reduced milk production, digestive upsets, laminitis and other associated problems that can lead to involuntary culling. With some of these health problems there sometimes is no cure so ruminal acidosis is something to be prevented not repaired. Typical symptoms are reduced cudding, variation in feed intake, variation in dung within groups, whole grain and fibre showing in the muck and reduced feed efficiency leading to reduced milk production. This health problem can be stopped even before it has started by getting the correct balance of nutrients matched to your own individual forages. Get yourself good advice from a nutritionist or consultant who knows what he is doing with the back up of a good recognised computer feed programme along with sound practical advice. At GP Feeds we feel we have that expertise with our staff who all have the technical ability to discuss your individual feeding regime. Please speak to your agent or the office for further details.
HEALTH CLINIC - ACIDOSIS
We start this new series, with a health problem that is ever prominent at the present time. ACIDOSIS Subclinical or chronic ruminal acidosis is best described as a symptom related...