In this section you will find details of the various services on offer to our customers and details on the specialist feed technologies available in our rations. We have also developed some feed programmes to show how correct nutrition and management together can achieve the desired results.
At United Feeds we take pride in the level of service that accompanies the feed we provide
We have a team of trained Ruminant Nutrition Advisers who work closely with our customers to ensure that through innovative nutritional solutions and a wealth of experience they are maximising performance and efficiency on farm at all times.
United Feeds advisers have the ability to analyse diets with the use of DietCheck® on farm feed analysis software to assess energy, protein and mineral intakes to provide balanced nutritional solutions specific to your farm, your livestock and your goals. DietCheck®’s strength is in its ability to examine many of the nutritional factors that affect production, health and fertility, revealing the performance-limiting factors (deficiencies or excesses). It quickly compares various diets to show how maximum production and efficiency can be obtained.
Forage Analysis
At United Feeds we believe in making the most of the conserved forage on your farm but first it is essential to know its nutritional value. A complimentary forage analysis service is provided to our customers and we will help you interpret the results.
Forage Mineral Analysis
The mineral status of silage is extremely variable and the only certain way of establishing the mineral content from an individual farm is by analysis. This test can be arranged for our customers on request.
United Feeds nutritional team have been using Fermentrics™ gas fermentation system for several years to fine tune our rations to the nutritional needs of our customer’s herds. Put simply Fermentrics looks at what’s actually going on in the rumen of the cow. This allows our nutritionists to focus on digestion rates and make changes that really affect milk production and animal performance.
United Feeds use a software program called Interherd+. This gives our advisers and customers the ability to interpret and analyse milk recording data from either Dairy Herd Management or NMR. We can then provide both performance and management reports for the herd in an easy to understand format which can highlight important and relevant results, helping guide on farm management decisions.
Grass budgeting
At United Feeds we appreciate that grass is both the highest quality and cheapest feed available on farm and we aim to help our customers make best use of this abundant feed. To this end we can offer customers assistance with both grass measuring and budgeting.
Soil analysis
Can be arranged for our customers on request
Feed Programmes
See link to our Heifer Rearing, Pre-Calver and HerdCare Booklets.
Feed Additives
We have several additives available for use in our feeds to improve production and efficiency on farm
Click on the logos for more information
Fibre is a major component of ruminant diets with forages typically containing 45% – 55% fibre. Only about half of this is digestible and available for milk production, meaning there is huge potential in the form of energy that still lies ‘untapped’ within forage.
Amaferm is a natural feed additive that boosts the digestibility of fibre by providing nutrients for rumen fungi growth and increased microbial enzyme activity to accelerate fibre digestion. It also stimulates the fibrolytic bacteria that complete the job of fibre digestion and lactate utilizing bacteria that help to reduce acidity in the rumen. Improved fibre digestion contributes to better feed efficiency, improved feed intake and, in turn, higher milk yields.
Amaferm is a unique feed additive and the only one registered as a fibre digestion enhancer in the EU for inclusion in dairy cow diets, supported by more than 100 peer-reviewed studies. Extensive trials have shown that the inclusion of Amaferm in dairy cow diets can increase fibre digestion by up to 30%. This improvement in feed efficiency results in 31% more microbial protein and 16% more volatile fatty acids (VFAs), boosting milk yields by 4.8%, the equivalent to over 1.4 litres for a cow producing 30 litres.
In growing heifers, trials have shown that the inclusion of Amaferm in forage based diets can lead to an increase in daily live weight gain of up to 18%, along with improvements in feed conversion efficiency.
In calves, trials have shown that the inclusion of Amaferm in starter feed increased starter intake at an earlier age, accelerating ruminal muscle development and increasing VFA production. This led to greater weight gain and earlier weaning dates.
Bergafat is a rumen protected fat made from fractionated palm oil fatty acids so is an excellent source of C16:0, an important component of milk fat. Trials have shown Bergafat can lead to both yield and butterfat improvements. Furthermore, as it is a source of energy it can help counteract losses in body condition, supporting fertility and milk production.
Contributes to a healthy immune system, promotes good bacteria and builds natural defences to assist in targeting bacterial challenges. This boosts gastrointestinal health and gut integrity, helping maximise nutrient absorption for optimal growth. Ensures efficient nutrient transfer from cow to calf. Reduces incidences of scouring.
Calf scour is a result of damage to the lining of the intestine caused by bacteria, viruses or protozoa e.g. Coccidiosis or Cryptosporidiosis. Intestinal damage reduces nutrient absorption, lowering daily liveweight gain and potentially reducing the lifetime performance of the affected animal.
EMX is a nutritional control available in products from United Feeds to help in the prevention of Coccidiosis or Cryptosporidiosis. As a natural alternative it requires no withdrawal period and no veterinary prescription. It acts by destructing the protozoa, reducing their impact on the intestine. It also maintains cell integrity and has anti-inflammatory properties. Protecting the intestinal tract of the calf helps maintain nutrient absorption so the animal can make the most of their diet.
A healthy rumen is the key to achieving good animal health and production. Achieving a balanced pH in the rumen by avoiding acid build-up is central to good rumen health and proper digestion. Many types of diet can cause excess rumen acid build-up and lead to acidosis. Risk factors for acidosis are diets with a lack of structural fibre, wet / acidic silages, lush grazing, or high concentrate/high cereal diets. Acidosis can cause; reduced intakes, reduced milk yields/milk solids, lower weight gain in beef cattle and hoof problems. Excess rumen acid should be neutralised or buffered to protect performance.
Equaliser is a blend of several different buffering agents designed to ensure maximum and consistent buffering capacity. It also contains flavouring agents to encourage feed intake when wet, unpalatable silages are an issue. It is designed to neutralise acidity therefore improving digestion, productivity and health. Where acidosis had been an issue, stabilising the rumen allows the rumen microbes to flourish, encouraging proper balanced digestion, leading to; improved digestion and dry matter intakes, improved milk yield/live weight gain, improved butterfat, improved health and feet.
A blend of yeasts, specific sugars, and additives developed to promote gut health, encourage intakes while reducing the risk of scours and digestive disorders to optimise the growth and development of young calves.
Together with a specific calf mineral to meet the mineral and vitamin requirements of a young calf, it contains a ‘Mother smell stimulant’ to encourage feed intake and boost papillae growth, key for early rumen development. Specific sugars mop up lactic acid bacteria and act as a source of energy, while yeast is included to encourage intake and stabilise rumen pH. Derivatives from locust bean and chicory are included to promote gut health.
A unique mineral package designed to optimise herd health and performance using the latest advancements in nutritional technology – click here for more information
During the transition period cows will use body condition to support milk yield. This can reduce the liver’s ability to manage energy, a major cause of poor performance in early lactation. LiFT helps maintain a healthy, functioning liver, improving intakes and performance while supporting healthy cows and good fertility.
Traditional energy sources such as cereals and digestible fibre sources have limits in both energy content and feeding levels. Maxfat has approximately 3 times the energy level of cereals, so can be used to boost the energy density of the diet. Maxfat is a rumen-protected fat comprising of palm fatty acids and calcium designed to protect against breakdown in the rumen, so as not to upset rumen function or reduce fibre digestion, but be digested in the lower gut.
Farmers may think that only those feeds showing visible evidence of mould growth contain mycotoxins. Unfortunately, this is not true. Mycotoxins will remain active even after the moulds responsible for producing them have been removed and are often present even when no visible mould exists. Mycotoxins impair animal performance in a number of ways.
The most effective way to deal with mycotoxins once they have contaminated feeds is to absorb them using an effective binder which can be added to the ration. Mycosorb A+® offers superior binding capabilities and a broad adsorption profile to target a number of mycotoxins. Scientific research has shown that the addition of Mycosorb A+® to dairy rations can improve overall milk yield, reduce somatic cell counts (SCC) and improve the overall profit per cow.
A non-protein nitrogen source for cattle, allowing partial replacement of conventional protein sources, creating space in the ration for more energy or fibre.
A live yeast that enhances digestibility with reduced rumen pH variations resulting in improved feed efficiency, increased milk production or weight gain.
Optimum rumen function provides the platform to maximise dry matter intake and feed efficiency. The longer the rumen stays in its most efficient zone of digestion, the greater the potential of the rumen to release nutrients from its feed. Yea-Sacc stimulates the bacteria responsible for both fibre digestion and acid removal. It achieves an elevation of rumen pH leading to more efficient total digestion of both feed and forage.
The increased availability of nutrients allows for more milk production and also reduces the need for the cow/sheep to take these valuable nutrients from its own body reserves. In beef cattle and youngstock the energy made available will contribute to greater daily liveweight gain.