Dairy Feed

Over the past year, Wynnstay’s Dairy Technical Team has collaborated with the University of Nottingham's Centre for Dairy Science Innovation to implement a soya-free diet for the university’s dairy herd. The work conducted at the university’s farm has shown that dairy cows can thrive on this optimised, soya-free diet, not only increasing milk production from forage but also maintaining high milk quality.

A survey carried out by Wynnstay and Alltech involved the mycotoxin analysis of fresh maize silage from farms across England and Wales. 

Several samples were collected and analysed using the Alltech 37+ mycotoxin test which identified the differing types and concentrations present in the maize silage. The results also predicted the milk yield reduction and somatic cell count increase as a result of feeding contaminated maize silage.

Fluctuations in weather conditions across the UK have correlated with high levels of mycotoxins present in maize silage, particularly that of Fusarium mycotoxins. The contamination of animal feeds and forages can negatively impact cow health and performance. 

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).

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. 

In season three, episode eight of the Wynnstay Agri-Hub podcast, agricultural journalist, market analyst and business advisor Chris Walkland, gives insight into the issues and opportunities shaping the dairy industry today.

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. 

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.

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.