The considerable daily fluctuations in temperatures of recent weeks are significantly increasing the respiratory challenges faced by calves across Northern Ireland. United Feeds’ nutritionist Jenny Hamilton takes up the story: Retaining body heat can be a real challenge for young calves at the best of times. So the recent variations in temperatures, particularly those mild […]
Category: Nutrition
Silage 2020 – farmers gearing up for the season ahead
According to United Feeds’ nutritionist Jenny Hamilton, the start of the 2020 silage season is less than a fortnight away for some. Farmers in the east tend to get started that little bit earlier than their colleagues in other parts of Northern Ireland. However, in some parts of the west, it’s noticeable that grass swards […]
Utilising grass – The cheapest source of feed on the farm.
By Andrew McMenamin, Ruminant Nutrition Adviser Spring is upon us and after a long winter on most farm attention has turned to grass and letting cows out to graze that grass.But why risk letting cows out to lush swards and changing their diet when things are settled indoors, and we can maintain and regulate feeding […]
Mineral needs in modern dairy diets
Most dairy research tends to focus on protein and energy needs, while mineral requirements are often overlooked. Yet, when we fail to consider the role of minerals, problems can arise, including interference or interactions with minerals in feed and water. Important trace minerals such as Zinc, and Selenium play an important role in antioxidant status, […]
Feeding for milk quality
It is agreed by everyone that the margin in milk production currently is small at best given the current base prices on offer, however this base price cannot be changed at farm level. Bonuses achieved for milk butterfat, protein and somatic cell count (SCC) levels however can be influenced at farm level and will have […]
Effective grassland management is now a year-round commitment
By Alan Boyd – Ruminant Nutrition Adviser For the most part, autumn calving cows were dried off in good condition this year. This meant that milk producers had little trouble in making sure cows were holding at a body condition score of between 2.75 and 3.0 prior to calving. Post calving, however, a significant number […]
Maximising milk from forage must be a priority for dairy farmers this winter.
Silage analyses carried out by United Feeds is confirming a mainly positive story, regarding winter forage quality on dairy farms across Northern Ireland. Company nutritionist Bobby Irwin takes up the story: “Many farmers have built up ample quantities of silage over the past number of months and generally quality is quite good and above average. […]
Management and feeding of today’s calves affects your herd’s future performance
By Jenny Hamilton – Ruminant Nutritionist I believe the genetic ceiling of many herds is higher than performance achieved, and I think nutrition plays the biggest role in filling that gap, not just dry cow and milking cow diets which clearly influence production, but also in growing youngstock correctly to take full advantage of their […]
Preparing for a new period of autumn calving
Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance are key concerns at the present time. With good pre-calving management, I believe we can significantly reduce the need for antibiotics this winter in both the milking herd, particularly in the first 100 days of lactation, and in the rearing of their calves. Before we start we need to analyse […]
The five freedoms are equally relevant for both dairy and beef cattle
The last number of years have seen dairy farmers invest heavily in improved management and housing systems, all dedicated to better meeting the welfare and behavioural needs of their cows. Can we say the same about the beef industry in Northern Ireland?
New entrants avail of the opportunities that a switch to milk production can create
Father and son team – Victor and Robert Morrison from Ballyroney in Co Down are thoroughly enjoying their new life as dairy farmers. They switched from suckler production in August 2018 and are currently milking 93 Holstein & Fleckvieh with milk being supplied to Dale Farm.
Spring has sprung
The 2019 grazing season is now well under way in many parts of the country. Grazed grass still represents the cheapest feed source on farm and with the correct management can drastically improve milk produced from forage and overall feed efficiency and profitability.