Timmy and Gail milk 110 cows with Timmy’s father Shaun and his Uncle Robert close to Ballymoney in Co Antrim. The herd’s rolling average is 9400L at 4.44% butterfat and 3.46% protein. Calving commences in mid-October and continues through until April. The herd’s daily average is currently 35L/day on twice-a-day milking.
Forage system
“Maximising the value of winter milk bonuses is a big driver for our business,” Timmy explained. “Getting the maximum amount of milk from forage is also a major focus for us. We graze only by day during the grazing season, so it’s vital for us to make high quality silage, as it’s the principal feed throughout the year. I took four cuts with a wagon last year. Every cut is averaging over 11ME, with first cut at 11.6ME. In the past we produced wholecrop but made the switch to maize two years ago. We find it has worked well for us and complements the leafy multi cut silage we make.”
Edel Madden is the McAuley’s nutritional adviser. She explains that “the maize is targeted as the cows rise to peak milk production and is fed throughout peak. Forage intakes are currently 13.6kg. This is proof of the McAuley’s commitment to not only producing quality forages, but the day-to-day feeding management. A combination of the high forage quality and high intake means the current concentrate feed rate is only 0.36kg/L of milk produced. Given the milk quality of this herd, this would be on the lower end, demonstrating how milk from forage impacts feed efficiency and margin over concentrate. Each cut has been treated with Sil-All 4×4 and the maize was treated with LALSIL fresh. Timmy started sowing SustaiN protected urea four years ago. He sows all grazing and silage ground with it now.
Objectives
We have been working on the herd’s nutrition with the McAuley’s for the past two years. Both Timmy and I felt the genetic potential within the herd was greater than the results they were seeing. So, our initial goal was to explore the milk production potential within the herd. Timmy confirms, “Cows have been gaining milk each year, while maintaining fat and protein levels. We’re on track to increase our rolling average again this year.” Edel continues, “Another of our objectives moving forward is to reduce the calving index. Timmy AI’s himself, and comments that “heats have been strong, which is a big help”.
United Feeds rations
Edel explains “We formulate a customised blend to balance the forages fed. Currently this includes a toxin binder. We then top up in the parlour with a Creammaker nut. The Creammaker range is high in digestible fibre, with moderate starch levels. This is beneficial in several ways; it complements the high starch TMR, and it’s a ‘rumen friendly ration’ that is safe to feed at high levels through a parlour twice a day. The inclusion of C16 protected fat helps support butterfat and milk yield. While our HerdCare supplement, unique in the Northern Irish market, supports cow immunity, fertility and productivity. 100% organic selenium, zinc and copper in HerdCare have been proven to reduce somatic cell count (SCC), so will work alongside Timmy’s efforts to reduce SCC and increase milk quality bonuses.
Looking forward
Edel concludes, “forage intakes are the foundation of any diet. This herd’s consistently improving production is a direct reflection of the effort the McAuley family puts in the year round to produce high quality forages. It’s encouraging that we not only met our goal of increasing milk yield but did so while protecting milk quality. We’ve pinpointed new opportunities where we see potential for improvement, so have a clear focus of what we want to achieve moving forward with the McAuley herd.”
If you would like to discuss the production performance of your herd, contact your local nutritional adviser or call 028 9075 9000.
