With an ever-greater focus from milk processors to flatten their milk profile through additional bonuses for autumn & winter milk the effective management of cows calving in the weeks ahead has never been more important. The over-arching objective is to get cows achieving optimal milk output as soon as possible after calving whilst maintaining high […]
Category: Winter feeding
Maximise milk solids all year round with CreamMaker technology
For many years United Feeds have been to the forefront of bringing world class nutritional solutions to farmers here in Ireland. And, when it comes to maximising cow performance on farm there is a clear market leading range of dairy feeds on offer. CreamMaker encapsulates a wide range of the scientific breakthroughs that have characterised […]
Are Mycotoxins impacting performance on your herd?
This winter, we are again witnessing many issues caused by mycotoxins, with a notable surge in recent weeks as herds are introduced to a mix of winter forages. What are mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are natural substances produced by moulds and fungi. They are invisible, tasteless and toxic. More than 500 different mycotoxins have been identified […]
Mycotoxins
This winter, we have witnessed many issues caused by mycotoxins, but with a notable surge in recent weeks, it’s a hot topic on dairy, beef and sheep farms. What are mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are natural substances produced by moulds and fungi. They are invisible, tasteless and toxic. More than 500 different mycotoxins have been identified […]
Grassland decisions made now will affect dairy farming profitability for the next 12 months
Grassland management decisions taken over the next three months will determine the profitability of dairy farms throughout Northern Ireland well into 2022, according to United Feeds’ ruminant nutrition advisor Alan Boyd and company nutritionist Matt Bourne. “Swards have taken no hurt over the winter months, which should set farmers up well for the push to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Winter Nutrition Update 2018
What are the key management challenges on dairy farms at the present time?