The basic requirements of a calf can be condensed into seven key words. These combine to form the points on the YoungStock Signals diamond. All six points need to be satisfied in order to achieve optimum health, welfare and production.
Manipulating photoperiods and light for the milking cows is a fairly well researched and discussed topic. However, often we forget to consider the benefits this could have for dry cows.
Alongside nine project partners, Wynnstay is pleased to be involved in the Innovate UK project ‘Dancing with daffodils’, which focuses on cultivating and processing daffodils.
Research is being undertaken to identify the potential of the incorporation of a compound found in daffodils into ruminant diets to reduce methane emissions and improve protein utilisation.
In season three, episode six of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub Podcast Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco and Andrew Evans, first-generation dairy farmer and Group Sustainability, Innovation and Food Supply Chain Director at Wynnstay, tell us more about the project and what it means for the industry.
Douglas Palmer, Vet Advisor from Norbrook Laboratories LTD discusses briefly what we might see with cattle worms over the coming months.
Roundworms in cattle can reduce growth rates by up to 30% (1) so it is important not to delay the mid-season pour-on dose as this potentially leads to a loss of production as the worm burden could start to impact on growth rates. It can be hard to notice the economic impact of worms unless regular weighing is taking place as reduction in growth rates will take place before any more obvious clinical signs are seen.
For the last few years, the industry has been advising grass silage producers to cut little and often to maximise the energy and protein yield form their silage ground.
A dry cow is a cow that is pregnant and is not lactating. They are typically fed a diet that is lower in energy and protein than a lactating cow, but higher in fiber. The goal of feeding a dry cow is to ensure a smooth, stress free calving, maximise feed intake, condition the rumen bugs to what they will experience in lactation and to prepare her for future milk production.
Milk fever, also known as hypocalcemia, is a metabolic disorder in dairy cows that occurs when the blood calcium level drops too low. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Forage4Profit is a 4-point plan to help livestock farmers maximise the quality of homegrown forage and improve milk or meat from forage.
In this blog we look at the 4 factors to help improve milk from forage this season.
The amount of milk produced from forage averages just 2,900 litres nationally, figures from Kingshay’s cost report from December 2022 show. There is huge scope to improve this and reduce purchased feed costs, with the best farms achieving 5,300 litres of milk from forage.
Every 1,000 litres of milk from forage equates to approximately 460kg of concentrate feed, and so by increasing homegrown forage quality, it's essential to maximise homegrown to make the most efficient use of purchased feed.
Early detection is key for dairy farmers to stay on top of lameness cases and prevent the impact being seen in the bulk tank, particularly those milking on a robotic system.
Despite being a top priority to reduce cases in UK herds, including industry initiatives such as ‘Lameness Month’ this July, Wynnstay dairy specialist, Beth May, says lameness is still one of the highest costs to a dairy business.
