2023's spring and summer saw frequent wet spells and lower levels of sunshine, which had an impact on harvesting windows and according to Trouw Nutrition GB analysis, and has resulted in variable silages across the UK, with some wet and unpalatable, and some dry and low protein grass silage. Maize silage yields were good if the weather allowed the harvest at the right time, albeit starch levels are lower than usual. High maize silage diets coupled with lower protein gras silages may leave a shortfall of rumen degradable protein and fermentable energy in rations. .
Rearing heifers are a sizeable investment to a dairy enterprise, with rearing costs not being recouped until the cow reaches their second lactation. Studies carried out by AHDB show that on average 17% of milking heifers exit the herd before their second lactation (AHDB, 2023).
Quantifying the level of mycotoxin contamination in your feeds is always difficult, as there are >400 different species of mycotoxins, all with varying levels of toxicity, and they may not be in every part of the silage clamp or TMR that we sample! Generally speaking, any plant with a flowering head (such as maize or wheat) could have developed fungi in the field, under stress conditions such as drought or wet weather, which produce the ‘in field’ mycotoxins on the plant. When harvested, the mycotoxins remain in the silage, and in some cases, further mould/fungi growth in the clamp can lead to more ‘storage’ mycotoxin production.
What are the main symptoms of Mycotoxin damage?
Reduction in dry matter intake
Reduced rumen function – cud balls
Poor fertility, particularly cystic ovaries and cycle abnormalities
Types of mycotoxins and how they can affect your herd
The Type A Trichothecenes will potentially cause issues such as loose/variable dung, reduce feed intake, cause intestinal damage, alter rumen functions and result in poor nutrient digestion. We can also see issues with conception rates, embryo health.
The Type B Trichothecenes will potentially cause issues such as loose/variable dung, reduce feed intake, cause intestinal damage, alter rumen functions and result in poor nutrient digestion. We can also see stillborn births with the Type B. These symptoms can lead to lower milk production. Cows may also become lethargic and their immune system can also be suppressed.
Zearalenone can cause issues with reduced reproductive overall performance of cows, resulting in delayed sexual maturity or altered conception rates, irregular heats. We can also see cystic cows or early embryonic deaths.
The emerging Mycotoxins contain toxins such as Moniliformin, Alternariol and Tenuazonic acid, these can cause issues such as damage to the heart muscle, including myocardial lesions and increased relative heart weights, also muscular weakness, respiratory distress, decreased feed intake, BW gains, liver damage, diarrhoea, vomiting, haemorrhages, muscle tremor and convulsion and can have a negative impact on reproductive functions.
Other Penicillium mycotoxins may decrease beneficial microbial populations in the rumen, decrease synthesis of volatile fatty acids and change microbial protein production. Such effects may result in digestive disorders, a decrease in animal performance and altered milk production or milk quality. Suppression of the immune system could also occur.
Fusaric acid can play a part in reducing intakes and efficiency and causing lameness along with feed refusal and udder edemas.
How can mycotoxins be dealt with on-farm?
MYCOSORB A+ reduces mycotoxin absorption, negating the effects on production:
Proven Broad spectrum binder tackling most mycotoxins
Fast acting, and at low doses (50-150g/cow)
Proven by scientific research – 146 peer-reviewed studies
50g/cow costs approx. 10p/head/day – ROI of 2.5:1 (increased milk profit over cost)
The past eighteen months in the dairy sector have been a rollercoaster, featuring unprecedented volatility in milk prices and significant fluctuations in the costs of feed, fuel, and fertiliser.
In an ever-evolving dairy sector, understanding the latest market trends and strategies is paramount.
Good ventilation systems are essential to reduce respiratory disease in the first months of a calf’s life.
It is estimated that the cost of pneumonia per sick calf is £42.26, with an additional cost of £29.58 per calf for the in-contact group. In turn, this reduces feed efficiency, growth rates, organ development, future milk production and an increased mortality risk before calving.
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.
With huge scope to maximise productivity from forage, Wynnstay has launched a new Forage4Profit campaign, which is designed to support farmers to improve meat or milk from forage.
The 2022 Kingshay report indicates that the average milk from forage on UK dairy farms is 2,900 litres, showcasing that there is huge scope for improvement, with some of the best farms reaching over 5,000 litres.
