inside this issue - dairygold · however, our approach to grass at this time of the year must be...

www.dairygoldagri.ie

INSIDE THIS ISSUEChemical Control Of Ragwort In Grassland

PAGE 09

Preparing For The New Farm Roadway Regulation

PAGE 13

Fertiliser For Grazing Ground In March

PAGE 18

Leptospirosis - A ReviewPAGE 26

ISSUE 85 - MARCH 2020

2 www.dairygoldagri.ie

Dear Milk Matters Reader,

This months Nutrition Matters examines how correct nutrition can positively influence fertility performance. The article also highlights how butterfat and protein percentages can be used as a management tool, helping you to assess the nutritional status of your herd.

Grass Matters explores how management decisions made now influence the amount of grass your farm will grow this spring.

You need to ensure: • that you have enough of the farm grazed in early march to

allow sufficient time for grass to recover. • that you have enough early fertiliser out to ramp up growth

this spring. • that your fertiliser programme matches your soils P&K

requirements.

Within Grass Matters, John Maher, Teagasc, also looks at how management of spring grazing will differ on heavier type soils.

In Fertility and Breeding Matters, Doreen Corridan explores how to use milk recording in the battle with SCC.

We also have advice on the correct fertiliser to use on for March grazing ground, first cut grass silage and maize silages.

Yours Sincerely,

Liam Stack M.Agr.ScRUMINANT TECHNICAL MANAGER, DAIRYGOLD AGRIBUSINESS

To contact the editor of

email: [email protected]

www.dairygoldagri.ie

INSIDE THIS ISSUEChemical Control Of Ragwort In Grassland

PAGE 09

Preparing For The New Farm Roadway Regulation

PAGE 13

Fertiliser For Grazing Ground In March

PAGE 18

Leptospirosis - A ReviewPAGE 26


CONTENTSMarch Dairy Nutrition ....................... 03 Dairygold PostCalver Gold ............. 06 Maize Gold Boost .............................. 08 Chemical Control Of Ragwort In Grassland ......................................... 09 First Cut Silage ..................................... 10Preparing For The New Farm Roadway Regulation .......................... 13Take Ownership Of Your Breeding . 15Mixing The Old With The New ......... 17Fertiliser For Grazing Ground In March ................................................. 18Farmers - 2019 Profit Monitor Data 19Grass Matters .......................................20Dairy Farming On Difficult / Heavy Land ...........................................22Fertility Matters ................................... 23Leptospirosis - A Review .................. 26Moving From Wholemilk To Milk Replacer ....................................... 27AHI Notes ..............................................29CHFC Matters ........................................ 31LeanFarm ............................................... 32

MILK MATTERS

Welcome to the March edition of

MILK MATTERSDAIRYGOLD’S DAIRY ADVISORY BULLETIN

3


KEY POINT: Our goal is to minimise BCS loss

By now hopefully everyone has some level of grass in their cow’s diets. This is very important from an economic point of view, but I would contend that it’s far more important from an energy intake point of view.

Grass is the most digestible forage available to your cows. This high level of digestibility means that cows will eat more grass than any other forage and that grass has a higher level of energy than any other forage.

Dry Matter Intake Potential of different foragesThe more grass you can get into your cow’s diets the better. It will provide more energy than grass silage, requiring less concentrate feeding while returning better production.

Energy Intake (UFL) Potential of different forages

MarchNutrition:KeyPoint:OurgoalistominimiseBCSlossCowsthatloselessthan0.5BCSinthe1st5weeksaftercalvingovulate15daysearlierandreach1stservice14daysearlierthancowsthatlose1BCS*Dairy.co.ukRelationshipbetweenbodyconditionlosspostcalvingand6weekincalfrate(forcowswithapre-calvingconditionscoreof>3)Teagasctrial1999.

KEYPOINT:Every1%increasein6weekcalvingrateisworth€8.20percow.Movingfrom58%6weekcalvingrateto90%willincreaseprofitsina100cowherdby€25,000orwillincreasenetmarginbyc.5c/ltr.Bynowhopefullyeveryonehassomelevelofgrassinyourcow’sdiets.Thisisveryimportantfromaneconomicpointofview,butIwouldcontendthatit’sfarmoreimportantfromanenergyintakepointofview.Grassisthemostdigestibleforageavailabletoyourcows.Thishighlevelofdigestibilitymeansthatcowswilleatmoregrassthananyotherforageandthatthisgrasshasahigherlevelofenergythananyotherforage.DryMatterIntakesPotentialofdifferentforages

Cows that lose less than 0.5 BCS in the 1st 5 weeks after calving ovulate 15 days earlier and reach 1st service 14 days earlier than cows that lose 1 BCS *Dairy.co.uk

KEY POINT: Every 1% increase in 6 week calving rate is worth €8.20 per cow. Moving from 58% 6 week calving rate to 90% will increase profits in a 100 cow herd by €25,000 or will increase net margin by c. 5c/ltr.

Themoreofgrassyoucangetintoyourcowsdietsthebetter.Itwillprovidemoreenergythangrasssilage,requiringlessconcentratefeedingwhilereturningbetterproduction.EnergyIntake(UFL)Potentialofdifferentforages

However,ourapproachtograssatthistimeoftheyearmustbeplanned.Ifweoverallocategrass,wewillrundownourcoverstooquicklyandwewonthavesufficientgrassonthefarmcomethe4th-10thApril.Wemustadjustourconcentratefeedingbasedonthe quantity of grass our cows are eating. Replacingeven2kgDMsilagewith2kgDMgrassisworthdoingfromaperformancestandpoint.However,gettingasmallamountofgrassintoyourcowsdailydoesn’tmeanyoucangofromfeeding6-8kgofconcentratestofeeding2-3kgofconcentrates.6kgDMgrassdailyequatestoc.1kglowerconcentratefeedinglevelsforthesamelevelofproduction. Energy supplied by the forage portion of a cows diet

Grass Grasssilage Grasssilage:Maizesilage

Intakepotential


Energy(UFL)Intake

Themoreofgrassyoucangetintoyourcowsdietsthebetter.Itwillprovidemoreenergythangrasssilage,requiringlessconcentratefeedingwhilereturningbetterproduction.EnergyIntake(UFL)Potentialofdifferentforages

However,ourapproachtograssatthistimeoftheyearmustbeplanned.Ifweoverallocategrass,wewillrundownourcoverstooquicklyandwewonthavesufficientgrassonthefarmcomethe4th-10thApril.Wemustadjustourconcentratefeedingbasedonthe quantity of grass our cows are eating. Replacingeven2kgDMsilagewith2kgDMgrassisworthdoingfromaperformancestandpoint.However,gettingasmallamountofgrassintoyourcowsdailydoesn’tmeanyoucangofromfeeding6-8kgofconcentratestofeeding2-3kgofconcentrates.6kgDMgrassdailyequatestoc.1kglowerconcentratefeedinglevelsforthesamelevelofproduction. Energy supplied by the forage portion of a cows diet


Intakepotential


Energy(UFL)Intake

MARCH DAIRY NUTRITIONBy LIAM STACK, M.Agr.Sc, Ruminant Technical Manager

Relationship between body condition loss post calving and 6 week in calf rate (for cows with a pre-calving condition score of > 3). Teagasc trial 1999.


However, our approach to grass at this time of the year must be planned.

If we over allocate grass, we will run down our covers too quickly and we won’t have sufficient grass on the farm come the 4th-10th April. We must adjust our concentrate feeding based on the quantity of grass our cows are eating.

Replacing even 2kg DM silage with 2kg DM grass is worth doing from a performance standpoint. However, getting a small amount of grass into your cows daily doesn’t mean you can go from feeding 6-8kg of concentrates to feeding 2-3kg of concentrates. 6kg DM grass daily equates to c. 1kg lower concentrate feeding levels for the same level of production.

Energy supplied by the forage portion of a cows diet

Concentrates required: Out by day, In by night

*It is possible to get higher grass intake into cows allowed c.4 hours grazing, put a specific on-off grazing plan has to be implemented.

Concentrates required: Grass + concentratesIf however, you are getting larger volumes of grass into cows then there can be larger savings in the volume of concentrates needed

*grass alone does not meet a cow’s daily requirement for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iodine and selenium. Even though a cow’s energy demand might not require concentrates, feeding 1.5kg of concentrates at grass is the cheapest and most effective method of supplying these minerals.

Be-wary of over estimating the volumes of grass your cows are consuming

Ultimately if we get this energy intake wrong, cow will lose too much BCS in the 1st 8 weeks after calving and herd fertility

performance will be disappointing.

Early Warning Sign of Underfeeding1. Low Milk Proteins: In early lactation, herd protein below 3.05/3.1 are

of concern.2. High butterfat to protein ratio. This is an indication of ketosis. In early lactation,

herd butterfat:protein ratio of above 1.4:1 are of concern.

Eg. Butterfat % of 4.5, to a protein % of 3.15 is a ratio of 1.43:1. The high butterfat% is coming from the body fat the cow is losing.

Consult your Dairygold Area Sales Manager on what your milk constituents are telling you about your cow’s diet.

Reason for low milk protein/ketosis/underfeeding: • Diet is too low in energy; caused by: 1. Feeding low energy (UFL) feeds i.e poor

quality silage or poorly managed grass (with insufficient concentrates to balance)

2. Low intake of high energy feeds i.e overestimating grass allowance.

ACTION: • Use the latest and best grassland management

techniques to maximise grass intakes and grass quality.

UFL Concentrate Supplied Saving

Grass silage only 9.4

2kg DM grass + 10 kg DM68 DMD Grass silage 9.8 -0.5 kg6kg DM grass + 6 kg DM68 DMD Grass silage 10.7 -1.25 kg

Milk Yield (kg)

18 22 26 30 34

6kg DM grass + 6 kg DM 4 6 8 10 1264 DMD Grass silage Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg

6kg DM grass + 6 kg DM 3.5 5.5 7.5 9.5 11.568 DMD Grass silage Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg

6kg DM grass + 6 kg DM 3 5 7 9 1172 DMD Grass silage Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg

Milk Yield

18 22 24 28 32

12 Kg DM 2 Kg 4 Kg 5 Kg 6.5 Kg 8.5 Kg

14 Kg DM 1.5 Kg* 1.5 Kg 2.5 Kg 4.5 Kg 6.5 Kg

16 Kg DM 1.5 Kg* 1.5 Kg* 1.5 Kg* 2.5 Kg 4 Kg

17 Kg DM 1.5Kg* 1.5 Kg* 1.5 Kg* 1 Kg 3 Kg

5


• Increased concentrate feeding at grass if cows intakes are not being met eg during adverse weather.

MYTH:Feeding a higher protein feed at the same level will help. The protein content of your nut has very little implication on milk protein % and cow body condition score loss. If your milk proteins are low, feeding the same kgs of a higher protein feed will only worsen the situation. YOUR COWS NEED MORE KGS OF FEED.

What protein nut should I get?The protein content of your concentrate is of much lower significance than how much of the concentrate you are feeding.

But a general rule of thumb is: • Inside on silage or silage + a few hours grazing

– 18% • Out by day (6-10 hours grazing)– 16% • Out full time - 14%

Mineral Nutrition:On both silage and grass diets cows need mineral supplementation.

Dietary deficiencies of Copper, Selenium and Iodine are linked to: • poor fertility, • cystic ovaries, • anoestrous, • irregular or supressed oestrus • and early embryonic death

Grass alone as a mineral source for dairy cows

Be wary of feeds with low mineral inclusions.Minerals and vitamins are expensive to include in compound feed. Our nutritional team at Dairygold Quality Feeds know the importance of the mineral nutrition of your cows to yearly performance. We include our minerals and vitamins pro-rata with our feeding or Cal Mag rates. This means that our vitamin and mineral inclusion are in sync with our feeding levels i.e. if you feed one of our feeds at our prescribed level all your cows vitamin and mineral requirements are being fully met. However, through investigation we have discovered that other players in the market have vitamin and mineral inclusions out of sync with their recommended feeding levels i.e. if you feed their feeds at the prescribed levels, your cow’s Magnesium requirements will be met but your cows daily allocation of trace elements and vitamins will be low. These feeds can contain as low as 25-50% of the Copper, Zinc, Iodine, Se and Vitamin A, D and E contained in our feeds.

1.Feedinglowenergy(UFL)feedsi.epoorqualitysilageorpoorlymanagedgrass(withinsufficientconcentratestobalance)2.Lowintakeofhighenergyfeedsi.eoverestimatinggrassallowance.ACTION:-Correctconcentratefeedingforgrasssilage/grassinthediet-Bettergrasslandmanagement.-Increasedconcentratefeedingatgrassifcowsintakesarenotbeingmetegduringadverseweather.MYTH:Feedingahigherproteinfeedatthesamelevelwillhelp.Theproteincontentofyournuthasverylittleimplicationonmilkprotein%andcowbodyconditionscoreloss.Ifyourmilkproteinsarelow,feedingthesamekgsofahigherproteinfeedwillonlyworsenthesituation.YOURCOWSNEEDMOREKGSOFFEED.WhatproteinnutshouldIget?Theproteincontentofyourconcentrateisofmuchlowerconsequencethanhowmuchoftheconcentrateyouarefeeding.Butageneralruleofthumbis:

- Insideonsilageorsilage+afewhoursgrazing–18%- Outbyday(6-10hoursgrazing)–16%- Outfulltime-14%

MineralNutrition:Onbothsilageandgrassdietscowsneedmineralsupplementation.Grassaloneasamineralsourcefordailycows

Dietarydeficienciesofcopper,seleniumandiodinearelinkedto:

1.Feedinglowenergy(UFL)feedsi.epoorqualitysilageorpoorlymanagedgrass(withinsufficientconcentratestobalance)2.Lowintakeofhighenergyfeedsi.eoverestimatinggrassallowance.ACTION:-Correctconcentratefeedingforgrasssilage/grassinthediet-Bettergrasslandmanagement.-Increasedconcentratefeedingatgrassifcowsintakesarenotbeingmetegduringadverseweather.MYTH:Feedingahigherproteinfeedatthesamelevelwillhelp.Theproteincontentofyournuthasverylittleimplicationonmilkprotein%andcowbodyconditionscoreloss.Ifyourmilkproteinsarelow,feedingthesamekgsofahigherproteinfeedwillonlyworsenthesituation.YOURCOWSNEEDMOREKGSOFFEED.WhatproteinnutshouldIget?Theproteincontentofyourconcentrateisofmuchlowerconsequencethanhowmuchoftheconcentrateyouarefeeding.Butageneralruleofthumbis:

- Insideonsilageorsilage+afewhoursgrazing–18%- Outbyday(6-10hoursgrazing)–16%- Outfulltime-14%

MineralNutrition:Onbothsilageandgrassdietscowsneedmineralsupplementation.Grassaloneasamineralsourcefordailycows

Dietarydeficienciesofcopper,seleniumandiodinearelinkedto:


Dairygold PostCalver Gold helps you meet all the challenges1. High energy and good quality protein source:PostCalver Gold is a high energy ration with a high inclusion of native cereals and a high inclusion of maize meal. This maximises the energy density of the feed making it easier for the cow to meet her energy requirements.

Protein source: Some raw materials like sunflower are high in crude protein but low in available protein. PostCalver gold only contains raw materials that are high in both.

The excellent raw material profile maximises milk yield, milk protein percentage and herd fertility performance

2. Yea-sacc, from Alltech, is proven to deliver more milk and better fertility in Irish feeding systems. Yea-sacc works in 2 ways: a. Stabilises rumen pH - a low rumen pH lowers feed digestion, feed intake and milk yield. b. Promotes the growth of fiber-digesting bacteria.

Your cows diet contains c.15-17% protein. This protein is c.80% digestible. Your cows diet contains 8-20% starch. This starch is c.90% digestibile. Your cows diet contains c. 40-50% NDF (fibre). This fibre is only 45-65% digestible. By stimulating fibre digesting bacteria, Yea-sacc releases more energy from the most undigestible fraction of your cows diet.

By encouraging intakes and releasing more energy from the feed eaten, Yea-sacc is proven to: - increase milk yield by up to 1.6ltrs - improve fertility performance by up to 20% 3. Bioplex copper, zinc and Selplex from AlltechMinerals are available as inorganic or organic. Inorganic minerals are rock sourced minerals or they can be byproducts of industrial processes. Feeding inorganic minerals leads to mineral interaction and high levels of mineral losses from the cow. This has animal and environmental implications.

In nature, organic minerals are plant based minerals. These minerals do not interact with other minerals, they are more available to the cow and therefore have a lower environmental impact.

Bioplex copper, zinc and Selplex are minerals produced by Alltech which act the same as natural organic plant based minerals within the cow.

KEY POINT: PostCalver gold is 5% higher in energy density than your average feed.

3. Bioplexcopper,zincandSelplexfromAlltechMineralsareaavailableasinorganicororganic.Inorganicmineralsarerocksourcedminerals.Feedinginorganicmineralsleadstomineralinteractionandhighlevelsofminerallossesfromthecow.Thishasanimalandenvironmentalimplications.Innatureorganicmineralsareplantbasedminerals.Thesemineralsdonotinteractwithotherminerals,theyaremoreavailabletothecowandthereforhavealowerenvironmentalimpact.Bioplexcopper,zincandselplexaremineralsproducedbyAlltechwhichactthesameasnaturalorganicplantbasedmineralswithinthecow.Throughtheirhigherlevelofanimalavailabilitybioplexcopper,zincandselplexareprovento:

- Lowertheamountofmineralsexcretedintotheenvironmentbytheanimal- Improveimmunestatus- Improvefertilityperformance

7


Through their higher level of animal availability, Bioplex copper, zinc and Selplex are proven to: - Lower the amount of minerals excreted into the

environment by the animal - Improve immune status - Improve fertility performance

4. Elevated levels of Vitamin EThe higher the Vitamin E status of the cow the better her overall immune system works. Low immunity leads to increased risk of mastitis, higher SCC and a greater vulnerability to any infectious organism that may attack.

Your cows Vitamin E status is lowest around the point of calving. Within PostCalver Gold (and pre-calver gold minerals) we feed elevated levels of Vitamin E to maximise your cows Vitamin E status.

The effect of Vitamin E supplementation on clinical mastitiscases of dairy cows and heifers during the peripartum period.

5. Biotin is addedBiotin is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin that is produced by the rumen microbes. Additional supplemented Biotin can improve hoof health, hoof hardness and milk yields.

Addition of Biotin to a dairy cow diet leads to: 1. Less lamenessPoor fertility, mastitis and lameness are some of the biggest costs on dairy farms. Every lame cow costs you between €280 - €300. Published research has shown that feeding c.20mg Biotin per day had positive effects on: - White line separation, - Digital and Inter-digital Dermatitis, - Healing of Sole Ulcer - Lameness in Seasonally Calved Dairy Cows

2. Increased milk yieldPublished research has shown that feeding c.20mg Biotin per day increased milk production by between 1.3-1.6 ltrs per day. These trials also reported higher intakes (c.0.87kg).

KEY POINT: PostCalver Gold contains 500% more vitamin E than other post calver feeds we’ve seen on the market.

4. ElevatedlevelsofVitaminEThehigherthevitaminEstatusofthecowthebetterheroverallimmunesystemworks.Lowimmunityleadstoincreasedriskofmastitis,higherSCCandagreatervulnerabilitytoanyinfectiousorganismthatmayattack.YourcowsvitaminEstatusislowestaroundthepointofcalving.Withinpost-calvergold(andpre-calvergoldminerals)wefeedelevatedlevelsofvitaminEtomaximiseyourcowsvitaminEstatus.

Ref:Weissetal.,1990

4. ElevatedlevelsofVitaminEThehigherthevitaminEstatusofthecowthebetterheroverallimmunesystemworks.Lowimmunityleadstoincreasedriskofmastitis,higherSCCandagreatervulnerabilitytoanyinfectiousorganismthatmayattack.YourcowsvitaminEstatusislowestaroundthepointofcalving.Withinpost-calvergold(andpre-calvergoldminerals)wefeedelevatedlevelsofvitaminEtomaximiseyourcowsvitaminEstatus.

Ref:Weissetal.,1990

Ref: Weiss et al., 1990Keypoint:Postcalvergoldcontains500%morevitaminEthanotherpostcalverfeedswe’veseenonthemarket.TheeffectofvitaminEsupplementationonclinicalmastitiscasesofdairycoesandheifersduringtheperipartumperiod(peripartumperiodis

Ref:Weissetal.,1997

5. BiotinisaddedBiotinisawater-solubleB-complexvitaminthatisproducedbytherumenmicrobes.Additionalsupplementedbiotincanimprovehoofhealth,hoofhardnessandmilkyields.AdditionofBiotintoadairycowdietleadsto:

1. LesslamenessPoorfertility,mastitisandlamenessaresomeofthebiggestcostsondairyfarms.Everylamecowcostsyouonbetween€280-€300.Publishedresearchhasshownthatfeedingc.20mgBiotinperdayhadpositiveeffectson:

- Whitelineseparation,- DigitalandInter-digitalDermatitis,- HealingofSoleUlcer- LamenessinSeasonallyCalvedDairyCows

2. Increasedmilkyield

Publishedresearchhasshownthatfeedingc.20mgBiotinperdayincreasedmilkproductionbybetween1.3-1.6ltrsperday.Thesetrialsalsoreportedhigherintakes(c.0.87kg).IncidencesofsolebruisinginDairycowsinrelationtobiotinsupplementation

Ref: Weiss et al., 1990

*p<0.1,AdaptedfromDistlandSchmid(1994)

Incidences of sole bruising in dairy cowsin relation to biotin supplementation.


N Allowance P Allowance K Requirement Index 1 144 56 200 Index 2 112 40 180 Index 3 88 32 152 Index 4 60 16 96 Typical nutrient value 5000 gallons/ac Slurry -30 -25 -150

Field Requirement = Requirement - Slurry

Maize Gold Boost • Maize is a high output crop and requires significant soil nutrients to support yield. • An up to date soil analysis is vital to ensure proper crop nutrition.

Nutrient Requirements for Maize (units/ac)• Chemical Nitrogen fertiliser is best applied before

the last cultivation and incorporated in as top dressing Nitrogen fertiliser. After emergence application can cause scorch.

• Zinc is the most important trace element deficiency in maize and most likely to elicit a yield response when applied however Magnesium and Manganese deficiencies are very common also.

Dairygold Maize Gold Boost19 – 4 – 19 + 1.3% Sulphur + Wolftrax Zinc

Dairygold Maize boost is specifically formulated to meet maize nutrient requirements in the south west of Ireland. It should be applied at a rate of 8-9 bags/ac and incorporated into the soil prior to sowing.

Features & Benefits:• The Nitrogen in Maize Gold Boost is Urea

based. As the product will be incorporated into the soil there are no issues or fears with regard ammonia losses.

• Nitrogen from Urea is held longer in the soil and provides a prolonged release thus feeding the crop later into the season.

• Sulphur – Maize Gold Boost supplies much needed Sulphur to the plant that can increase Dry Matter Yield by up to 15%. Sulphur applications can also increase starch levels and protein content

• Wolftrax Zinc – Zinc is the most common trace element deficiency found in Maize grown in the south west of Ireland. Early intervention with zinc coated fertiliser can prevent yield penalties from the outset.

Bags to Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulphur Zinc the acre Index 1 Index 3 Index 3 Crop Requirements 144 32 152 11 Yes 16-4-20 9 144 36 180 0 ✔Maize Gold Boost 8 152 32 152 10.4 ✔

MAIZE GOLD BOOSTBy FINIAN DEASY, Area Sales Manager

9


Ragwort (Senecio Jacobea) also known as ragweed or buachalán is poisonous in the green and preserved state and has been responsible for many animal fatalities. Ragwort is listed as one of many noxious weeds in the Noxious Weeds Act. It is also a biennial plant meaning it lives for two years.

Ragworth poisoning can also show symptoms such as tenesmus, hind limb weakness and severe animal pain according to the Department of Agriculture. Normally animals don’t eat ragwort in pastures unless grazed grass availability is extremely restricted. An animal must consume up to 12% of overall daily intake in the weed to cause severe problems. Ragwort becomes more palatable to animals when cut or sprayed, as this releases sugars in the plant. Most fatalities occur where there is a mixture of ragwort finely chopped in hay or silage where cattle are forced to eat this palatable ragwort.

Spray ControlAt smaller infestation levels, pulling of ragwort can be a successful control option. For larger infestation numbers, sprays such as Lupo and Forefront T provide good control but measures must be taken to avoid stock eating any dying or dead ragwort present.

The key points in chemical Ragwort control include: • The best time to spray ragwort is at the rosette

stage, roughly around half the size of a rugby ball • The larger the ragwort the longer it takes for the

carcass to rot down and not be cut in silage/grazed • Avoid spraying once the plant becomes stemmy • Ensure the plant is actively growing • Spray in the Spring (February to mid March) or late

Autumn (September to mid November) • Ensure that the plant is fully decayed into the soil

before grazing again (usually 5 to 6 weeks).

The best spray options are in the table below, note no spray control option is clover safe. Forefront T can only be used on grazing ground.

Spray Rate L/ha (l/ac) Water Rate L/ha (l/ac) Note

Forefront T 2.0L/ha (0.8 l/ac) 300L/Ha (120 l/ac) To be sprayed on grazing ground only

Lupo 4.0L/ha (1.6 l/ac) 200L/Ha (80 l/ac) Add an adjuvant for best control

CHEMICAL CONTROL OF RAGWORT IN GRASSLAND

By AMIE COONAN, B.Ag.Sc


FIRST CUT SILAGEWhat Fertiliser Should I Use?By ALAN COUGHLAN, B.Ag.Sc.,Area Sales Manager, Mob: 087 1027124

1. What nutrients are required by the growing plant?

Nutrient Requirement (u/acre)

N P K S

Index 4 100 0 0 16

Index 3 100 16 100 16

Index 2 100 24 125 16

Index 1 100 32 150 16

2. What nutrients are being supplied by slurry?

N P K

3000 gallons per acre of slurry (u/acre) 15 18 90

3. The Balance needs to come from chemical fertiliser

No Slurry

Nutrients Applied

Product Rate N P K Sulphur Selenium Avail

Silage Boost 4 1/2 bags/ac 94.5 9 45 10 X Yes

Selenicut 4 1/2 bags/ac 90 9 54 10 Yes X

Sulpha 23-2-12 + S 4 bags/acre 92 8 48 24 X X 24-2.5-10 4 bags/acre 96 10 40 - - -

With Slurry

Nutrients Applied

Product Rate N Total N applied P K Sulphur Selenium

Slurry 3000 gals/ac 15 18 90

+

Selenigrass ± S* 3½ bags/ac 87.5 102.5 - - 10.5 Yes

Sweetgrass 3% S 3½ bags/ac 81 96 - - 10.5 -

Can + S 3 bags/ac 81 96 - - 15 -

Sulpha 33 + 12% S 2½ bags/ac 85 100 - - 30 -

Protected UREA 38% N + 7.5% S 2 bags/ac 76 91 - - 15 -*Can be requested with 3% sulphur

11


Key Considerations:1. PotassiumExcessive applications potassium fertiliser on silage ground can give rise to high levels of potassium in silage the following winter. High levels of potassium in silage is linked increased risk of milk fever.

Typically, no more than 70 units should be applied by mid-March. Apply any additional k should be applied - 3 months before planned harvest date, - after cutting - or in the autumn

2. Sulphur RequirementsIn a recent survey, sulphur has been identified as being deficient in the majority of 1st cut silage crops. Historically, with 24-2.5-10 or CAN, no sulphur has been applied to these crops. Sulphur can have a dramatic effect on the quality of your silage so if possible, make

sure to spread some sulphur on your silage ground. Silage crops can use up to 16 units/acre/cut. 3. Environmental Considerations:Silage ground is an ideal opportunity to use protected urea-based fertilisers like our Sustain, Eco Max or Eco urea ranges.

4. Selenium:Silages with low levels of Se give rise to dairy cow diets low in selenium. Low selenium diets have been linked to: - Poorer fertility performance - Higher SCC - Increased numbers of retained cleanings

A recent survey of Irish grassland by Teagasc has indicated that grass on its own only supplies 38% of the cows Selenium requirement.

Butit’snotallaboutfrontloadingK,timingisveryimportant.Timingxrate–TheamountofPotassiumandthetimingofapplicationcanhaveahugebearingonsilageyieldandquality.Muchthesameasthephenomenonwhichcancausegrasstetanyingrazingsituations,heavyapplicationsofPotassiumearlyintheseasononsilagegroundcanleadto“luxuryuptake”ofPotassiuminthecropandultimatelyhighlevelsofKinsilage.ThisinturncanincreasetheriskofMilkFeverinthespring.KeyPoint:Typicallynomorethan70unitsofKperacreshouldbeappliedatclosingforsilage.AnyadditionalKshouldbeappliedeither3monthsinadvanceofcuttingorafterharvesting.SulphurRequirementsInarecentsurvey,sulphurhasbeenidentifiedasbeingdeficientinthemajorityof1stcutsilagecrops.Historically,with24:2.:10orCAN,nosulphurhasbeenappliedtothesecrops.Sulphurcanhaveadramaticeffectonthequalityofyoursilagesoifpossiblemakesuretospreadsomesulphuronyoursilageground.Silagecropscanuseupto16units/acre/cut.

Environmentalconsiderations:Aswithfertiliserspreadingthroughouttheyearconsiderationshouldbegiventoenvironmentallysustainableuseoffertiliser.SilagegroundisanidealopportunitytouseprotectedureabasedfertiliserslikeKaN,Sulpha33+Sanddairygoldspastureboostandsweet18’s.ConsultyourDairygoldareasalesmanagerforafertiliserprogrammetosuityourfarm.

Using 4 bags to the acre of Dairygold’s Selenicut fertiliser has been shown on farm to increase the selenium content of the grass to levels that meet the cow’s nutritional requirement.

Selenium impact onfarm performance

Breeding Results Kilkenny Selenium Trial 2014-2016 3yr Average Before 3yr Average During Selenium Fertiliser Use Selenium Fertiliser Use % Difference (’11,’12,’13) (’14,’15,’16) 1st Service Conception rate 47% 66% +41.1% 6 Week Pregnancy rate 65% 82% +26.2%

Please contact our inside sales team on 022 31644, your Dairygold Area Sales Manager oryour branch agri lead for a fertiliser programme to suit your farm.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


Selenium impact on farm performance ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Please contact our inside sales team on 021 31644, your Dairygold Area Sales Manager or your branch agri lead for a fertil iser

programme to suit your farm.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


Selenium impact on farm performance ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Please contact our inside sales team on 021 31644, your Dairygold Area Sales Manager or your branch agri lead for a fertil iser

programme to suit your farm.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


In addition to our enhanced benefits and preferential pricing, as a Dairygold member you can now get full opendriving.

TO FIND OUT MORE, CONTACT YOUR DEDICATED FARM INSURANCE EXPERTS.

JP AHERNEMUNSTER DAIRYGOLD AREA086 411 3797

MIKE O’DONOGHUE WEST CORK/KERRY086 831 2441

OPEN DRIVING WITH ZURICH FARM

INSURANCE.

Zurich Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Terms, conditions and standard underwriting criteria may apply. Open driving covers any driver aged 25-70 with a full Irish licence. You can also contact our Farm Team by emailing [email protected] or calling our office on 053 9157677 or 1890 800 171.

ZURICH.FOR THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE.

4607_GI Farm Dairygold ad open drive FA 4607 0120.indd 1 20/01/2020 14:29

13


PREPARING FOR THE NEW FARM ROADWAY REGULATION

By CIARA DONOVAN,Farm Sustainability Advisor, Supply Chain Division

In 2017, a number of regulations relating to nutrient management and water protection were passed into law. The majority of these regulations, do not come into being until 1st Jan 2021. While most regulations passed in this document were straight forward, one regulation needed significant and further explanation – that is:

“There shall be no direct runoff of soiled water from farm roadways to waters from 1 January 2021”. This regulation relates to all farmers.

Last November, the Dept of Agiculture published specifications outlining how this regulation is to function (SI 199). This article aims to outline the most important and relevant aspect of this new regulation.

Requirements of the regulation:

New farm roadways • Farm roads should be located at least 50m from an aquatic zone (defined as a permanent or seasonal river,

stream or lake shown on an ordnance survey 6” map) wherever possible. • Where the only feasible option is to install a roadway adjacent to a watercourse, a minimum of a 1.5m grass

margin must be put in place between the road and watercourse. Also fencing should be put in place to prevent livestock from accessing the watercourse (see Fig 1 below)

Fig 1: Schematic of a Farm Roadway adjacent to a Stream

• A crossfall should be put in place to remove water quickly from the roadway. This crossfall should slope to

one or both sides but always away from any water-course or drain. (See Fig 1 above – slope is away from watercourse). New farm roads with no drain adjacent can be constructed to slope to both sides.

• Avoid sharp corners and junctions by using sweeping bends. Remove excessive shade that will leave roadways dark, wet and dirty.

• Locate water troughs away from paddock gateways, farm roadways and ensure they are at least 20m away from ‘waters’.

• Ensure roadways are the correct width (See Table 1 below). Note an extra 1m width should be added to the 50-100m closest to the farm yard.

Table 1: Guideline Farm Roadway width for Various Herd Sizes

PreparingforthenewFarmRoadwayRegulation

ByCiaraO’Donovan

In 2017, a number of regulations relating to nutrient management and water protection werepassedintolaw.Themajorityoftheseregulations,donotcomeintobeinguntil1stJan2021.While

mostregulationspassedinthisdocumentwerestraightforward,oneregulationneededsignificantandfurtherexplanation–thatis:

“Thereshallbenodirectrunoffofsoiledwaterfromfarmroadwaystowatersfrom1January2021”.Thisregulationrelatestoallfarmers.

LastNovember,theDeptofAgiculturepublishedspecificationsoutlininghowthisregulationisto

function(SI199).Thisarticleaimstooutlinethemostimportantandrelevantaspectofthisnewregulation.

Requirementsoftheregulation:

Newfarmroadways

• Farmroadsshouldbelocatedatleast50mfromanaquaticzone(definedasapermanentor

seasonalriver,streamorlakeshownonanordnancesurvey6”map)whereverpossible.

• Wheretheonlyfeasibleoptionistoinstallaroadwayadjacenttoawatercourse,aminimum

ofa1.5mgrassmustbeputinplacebetweentheroadandwatercourseandfencingshouldbeputinplacetopreventlivestockfromaccessingthewatercourse(seeFig1below)

Fig1:SchematicofaFarmRoadwayadjacenttoaStream

• Acrossfallshouldbeputinplacetoremovewaterquicklyfromtheroadway.Thiscrossfall

shouldslopetooneorbothsidesbutalwaysawayfromanywater-courseordrain.(SeeFig1above–slopeisawayfromwatercourse).Newfarmroadswithnodrainadjacentcanbe

constructedtoslopetobothsides.

• Avoidsharpcornersandjunctionsbyusingsweepingbends.Removeexcessiveshadethat

willleaveroadwaysdark,wetanddirty.

• Locatewatertroughsawayfrompaddockgateways,farmroadwaysandensuretheyareat

least20mawayfrom‘waters’.

• Ensureroadwaysarethecorrectwidth(SeeTable1below).Noteanextra1mwidthshould

beaddedtothe50-100mclosesttothefarmyard. Herd Size Roadway Width (m) 50 3.5 100 4.0 200 4.5 >250 5.0+


• River/stream crossings must be kept to a minimum and crossing structures (bridges, fords, etc.) must not impede the waterflow. (Remember it is an offence under the Fisheries Acts to disturb the bed or gravel of streams from mid-September to mid-May)

• Roadways on steeply sloping ground can be subjected to a stream of water running the length of a section of roadway during heavy rainfall. In this situation ramps, shallow channels or cut-off drains at intervals across the roadway will divert water before it builds up volume and momentum.

Existing Farm Roadways • Existing roadways where the crossfall is inclined

towards the watercourse must be readjusted so that the crossfall is away from the watercourse.

• If the roadway is lower than the level of the field, it will have to be raised as water should not be allowed to pool. It is likely that only roads that are near water courses or on sloping sites will need significant work.

• Roadways should be repaired as necessary. Attention should be given to the most used part of the roadway especially the first 50 to 100 meters near the farmyard.

• If there is no crossfall, roadways will have to be cambered to create a crossfall. Alternatively, the instalment of berms or earthen banks on the watercourse side of a roadway might be possible.

• In certain situations, for example if it is not possible to slope a roadway away from a watercourse and run-off is to be piped away, it may be necessary to incorporate a sediment trap or settlement pond (see Fig 2 below)

Conclusion:Sediment and nutrient losses from farm roadways into watercourses and groundwater can be significant and they are a recurring issue seen in the ASSAP project. The document published by the Department of Ag (Minimum Specifications for Farm Roadways (SI 199)) attempts to address the possible scenarios that might exist on farms and supply an answer to what will soon be legally required to be done. No doubt, there are scenarios which are not covered in this document, however, if you intent to put in new farm roadways or repair old roadways this year, then consider the new regulation and refer to SI 199 if necessary. This will save time, money as well as improve your farm roadways and protect watercourses.

Table1:GuidelineFarmRoadwaywidthforVariousHerdSizes

• River/streamcrossingsmustbekepttoaminimumandcrossingstructures(bridges,fords,

etc.)mustnotimpedethewaterflow.(RememberitisanoffenceundertheFisheriesActstodisturbthebedorgravelofstreamsfrommid-Septembertomid-May)

• Roadwaysonsteeplyslopinggroundcanbesubjectedtoastreamofwaterrunningthelengthofasectionofroadwayduringheavyrainfall.Inthissituationramps,shallow

channelsorcut-offdrainsatintervalsacrosstheroadwaywilldivertwaterbeforeitbuildsup

volumeandmomentum.

Left-Rampofwashedgravelusedtodivertwater

runningoffroadwayintoadjacentfield

Below-pipeconcretedintofarmroadtodivertrun-offintograssarearatherthanallowingwatertorunthelengthoftheroadwayandintotherivercrossingpoint

Ramp of washed gravel used to divert water running off roadway into adjacent field.






volumeandmomentum.









volumeandmomentum.




Pipe concreted into farm road to divert run-off into grass area rather than allowing water to run the length of the roadway and into the river crossing point.

The full document is available athttps://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/

farmingschemesandpayments/tams/S199P151119.pdf)

ExistingfarmRoadways

• Existingroadwayswherethecrossfallisinclinedtowardsthewatercoursemustbe

readjustedsothatthecrossfallisawayfromthewatercourse.

• Iftheroadwayislowerthanthelevelofthefield,itwillhavetoberaisedaswatershould

notbeallowedtopool.Itislikelythatonlyroadsthatarenearwatercoursesoronsloping

siteswillneedsignificantwork.

• Roadwaysshouldberepairedasnecessary.Attentionshouldbegiventothemostusedpart

oftheroadwayespeciallythefirst50to100metersnearthefarmyard.

• Ifthereisnocrossfall,roadwayswillhavetobecamberedtocreateacrossfall.Alternatively,

theinstalmentofbermsorearthenbanksonthewatercoursesideofaroadwaymightbepossible.

• Incertainsituations,forexampleifitisnotpossibletoslopearoadwayawayfromawatercourseandrun-offistobepipedaway,itmaybenecessarytoincorporateasediment

traporsettlementpond(seeFig2below)Fig2:SchematicofaSedimentPondusedtopreventrun-offfromfarmroadway

Conclusion:

SedimentandnutrientlossesfromfarmroadwaysintowatercoursesandgroundwatercanbesignificantandtheyarearecurringissueseenintheASSAPproject.ThedocumentpublishedbytheDepartmentofAg(MinimumSpecificationsforFarmRoadways(SI199))

attemptstoaddressthepossiblescenariosthatmightexistonfarmsandsupplyananswertowhatwillsoonbelegallyrequiredtobedone.Nodoubt,therearescenarioswhicharenotcoveredinthisdocument,however,ifyouintenttoputinnewfarmroadwaysor

repairoldroadwaysthisyear,thenconsiderthenewregulationandrefertoSI199ifnecessary.Thiswillsavetime,moneyaswellasimproveyourfarmroadwaysandprotectwatercourses.

Fig 2: Schematic of a Sediment Pond used to prevent run-off from farm roadway

15


TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR BREEDING AND PLAN THE GENETIC GAIN OF YOUR HERD

By JOHN McCABE,Teagasc - Dairygold Joint Programme

When planning for the genetic gain of the herd, you need to do the following;

1. Pick a bull team appropriate to your requirements2. Don’t breed replacements from poor cows3. Allocate the chosen bulls to the cows using ICBFs Sire Advice™ programme to build a more

balanced herd in the future

1. Picking BullsA bull team that suits your neighbour’s herd, may not suit your herd. Look at your own EBI report and pick one or two areas that you need to focus on improving.

When setting out targets for individual herds, I use the Next Generation herd as a guide. In November 2019, the fertility sub-index of this herd was €106. The milk sub-index of these cows was €56.

Take the following example of two herds with similar overall herd EBI figures of €146 and €142.

Herd 1. 468kg milk solids/ cow. 80% 6 week calving rate.

Herd 2. 479kg of milk solids/ cow. 6 week calving rate 91%.

While these herds have similar EBIs they need to focus on slightly different areas when picking their team of bulls. Herd 1 has a strong milk sub-index which is almost equal to the fertility sub-index. With a PTA (predicted transmitting ability) for milk volume of 120 kilos, it has more than enough kilos of milk for a grass based system. The base cow on the EBI (milk kg figure of zero) has the genetic capability to produce 7,363 kg of milk as a mature cow over 305 day lactation! This herd should pick bulls with a high average fertility sub-index to support the strong milk producing capability of the herd.

Bull team advice for herd 1: Fertility sub-index average of €150 and a milk sub index of €100 with high %’s and no increase or a slight reduction in PTA for milk kg – will give high solids without additional volume. Remember

Takeownershipofyourbreedingandplanthegeneticgainofyourherd.

JohnMcCabe

Teagasc–DairygoldJointProgramme

Whenplanningforthegeneticgainoftheherd,youneedtodothefollowing;

1Pickabullteamappropriatetoyourrequirements

2.Don’tbreedreplacementsfrompoorcows

3.AllocatethechosenbullstothecowsusingICBFsSireAdvice™programmetobuildamorebalancedherdinthefuture

1. Pickingbulls

Abullteamthatsuitsyourneighbour’sherd,maynotsuityourherd.LookatyourownEBIreportandpickoneortwoareasthatyouneedtofocusonimproving.

Whensettingouttargetsforindividualherds,IusetheNextGenerationherdasaguide.InNovember2019,thefertilitysub-indexofthisherdwas€106.Themilksub-indexofthesecowswas€56.Theyproduced_______witha6weekcalvingrateof____

TakethefollowingexampleoftwoherdswithsimilaroverallherdEBIfiguresof€146and€142.

Herd1.468kgmilksolids/cow.80%6weekcalvingrate.

Herd2.479kgofmilksolids/cow.6weekcalvingrate91%..

WhiletheseherdshavesimilarEBIstheyneedtofocusonslightlydifferentareaswhenpickingtheirteamofbulls.Herd1hasastrongmilksub-indexwhichisalmostequaltothefertilitysub-index.

WithaPTA(predictedtransmittingability)formilkvolumeof120kilos,ithasmorethanenoughkilosofmilkforagrassbasedsystem.ThebasecowontheEBI(MilkKgfigureofzero)hasthegeneticcapabilitytoproduce7,363kgofmilkasamaturecowover305daylactation!Thisherd

shouldpickbullswithahighaveragefertilitysub-indextosupportthestrongmilkproducingcapabilityoftheherd..

Takeownershipofyourbreedingandplanthegeneticgainofyourherd.

JohnMcCabe

Teagasc–DairygoldJointProgramme

Whenplanningforthegeneticgainoftheherd,youneedtodothefollowing;

1Pickabullteamappropriatetoyourrequirements

2.Don’tbreedreplacementsfrompoorcows

3.AllocatethechosenbullstothecowsusingICBFsSireAdvice™programmetobuildamorebalancedherdinthefuture

1. Pickingbulls

Abullteamthatsuitsyourneighbour’sherd,maynotsuityourherd.LookatyourownEBIreportandpickoneortwoareasthatyouneedtofocusonimproving.

Whensettingouttargetsforindividualherds,IusetheNextGenerationherdasaguide.InNovember2019,thefertilitysub-indexofthisherdwas€106.Themilksub-indexofthesecowswas€56.Theyproduced_______witha6weekcalvingrateof____

TakethefollowingexampleoftwoherdswithsimilaroverallherdEBIfiguresof€146and€142.

Herd1.468kgmilksolids/cow.80%6weekcalvingrate.

Herd2.479kgofmilksolids/cow.6weekcalvingrate91%..

WhiletheseherdshavesimilarEBIstheyneedtofocusonslightlydifferentareaswhenpickingtheirteamofbulls.Herd1hasastrongmilksub-indexwhichisalmostequaltothefertilitysub-index.

WithaPTA(predictedtransmittingability)formilkvolumeof120kilos,ithasmorethanenoughkilosofmilkforagrassbasedsystem.ThebasecowontheEBI(MilkKgfigureofzero)hasthegeneticcapabilitytoproduce7,363kgofmilkasamaturecowover305daylactation!Thisherd

shouldpickbullswithahighaveragefertilitysub-indextosupportthestrongmilkproducingcapabilityoftheherd..


that we are paid on A + B – C so increases in solids by virtue of increased volumes will reduce your average milk price as well as potentially making it more difficult to get the herd back in calf.

Herd 2 already has a high fertility sub-index but is lacking in the make-up and value of the milk sub-index. This herd needs a team of bulls with a strong milk sub-index (driven by kgs of milk SOLIDS and percentages) while also slightly increasing fertility. Bull team advice for herd 2: Fertility sub-index average of €125 and milk sub-index average of approximately €120.

Both bull teams should deliver a crop of calves with more desirable milk traits for a grass based system and a fertility sub-index of over €100.

2. Picking cows to breed to beefMost herds are now at peak cow numbers. Typically though, nearly every cow that is put up the crush for AI in the first 5-6 weeks of the breeding season gets a dairy straw. This means that some of heifers entering the herd in 2 years’ time will have come from cows that have poor EBI, are poor producers and have poor health traits and/or poor fertility traits.

It is therefore important that you really only breed from the best – it will cost the same thing to rear a good replacement as a bad one. You must first know how many heifers you need to maintain or expand the herd. If you know this, you will then know how many dairy straws you will have to use to achieve this. An important part of this strategy is that the maiden heifers are bred to dairy AI also as this increases the eligible replacement mothers in the herd and can offset cows that can then be bred to beef using the Dairy Beef Index (DBI) not only in the latter half of the breeding season but also in the first 4-6 weeks.

Picking the best cows to breed from in the herd can be

time consuming and difficult. To keep it simple, set a few criteria for your herd. Below are some suggestions on how to identify cows to breed to beef:

1. Low EBI (EBI report or EBI Profile) 2. Low producers on average over their lifetime (milk recording lifetime profile on ICBF) 3. Late calvers (fertility records or ICBF) 4. Health issues (own records)

3. Sire Advice Sire Advice is a tool that helps avoid large variation in the fertility and milk sub-indexes of the next year’s calves. In a nutshell, you pick your team of bulls, enter their codes into the programme and it does the rest.

First, it runs an inbreeding check. Then it matches the most appropriate bull from your team to each cow with the aim of reducing the genetic variation within the crop of calves born. Bulls are matched to cows to improve EBI, milk and fertility sub-indices, milk kgs and conformation.

For example a cow with a high milk sub-index and low fertility sub-index will be matched up with a bull that has a high fertility sub index.

This is a very important part of your breeding plan as you don’t want to breed a ‘great’ cow that has the potential to milk 8-9000 litres but has a low fertility sub index. Consequently, she may struggle to go back in calf in a spring calving system. Similarly, you do not want to breed cows that have a very high fertility sub-index but have poor potential to milk.

Your local advisor can help with Sire Advice, or you can avail of a free tutorial on how to run Sire Advice or Sire Advice Plus from the HerdPlus team (call 023-8820452 or email [email protected]) to arrange a time.

In 2019, only 3,272 herds ran Sire Advice nationally, let’s get that figure up!

17


Farm: Michael Carroll milks 148 cows near Bruree, Co. Limerick. His milking platform stocking rate is just over 3 cows per hectare. The land is a well-drained loam and his grazing season extends from early February to the start of November. Michael farms with his father Martin and are part of the Soils Pilot Project in the Dairygold / Teagasc Joint Programme.

Soil Fertility: The farm was soil sampled in late December 2019 and a nutrient management plan completed this spring. Soil fertility is excellent with less than 6 % of the farm sub optimal for Lime, P, and K (Figure 1). Over the past 8 years Michael has been proactive with liming,

topping up low pH fields when needed. Fields low in phosphorus (P) and particularly silage fields low in potassium (K) have been identified and corrected over the past 2 years. Improved soil fertility has paid dividends with total grass growth (Figure 2) averaging 13.9 T/DM/Ha on the farm last year.

2020 Fertiliser plan: A field by field fertiliser plan is created for the whole farm based on the most current soil sample results. The plan will outline the maximum chemical fertiliser allowed (Figure 3) under the nitrates regulations and also provide recommended nutrient requirements of each individual field on the farm taking into account soil indexes and paddock use. A fertiliser shopping list (Figure 4) can then be generated.

No P allowance: The farm is mainly index 3 or 4 for P and as a result Michael is limited to spreading chemical fertiliser c o n t a i n i n g nitrogen (N), K or sulphur (S). Any ground in index 4 for P should be seen as resource that can mined out over the coming year and should not hinder the overall grass growth potential of the farm. Slurry applications will be targeted to index 3 fields on the milking platform and to silage ground. The farm will be soil sampled again next year and a new P allowance worked out depending on index changes.

Farmer’s view: We milk record cows 4 to 6 times a year so why not put the same value on soil sampling the whole farm on a regular basis. This should take place at least every two years if not every year to track changes in soil P and K indexes. The benefits out weight the costs and he has peace of mind that his soil fertility is not limiting his farms potential to grow quality grass.

MIXING THE OLD WITH THE NEW - ADDING VALUE THROUGH INNOVATION

By JOHN McCARTHY, Teagasc Joint Program

MichaelCarroll

Figure1:2020soilfertilitystatus

MichaelCarroll

Figure1:2020soilfertilitystatus

Figure2:2019cumulativepaddockgrassyield

Figure3:2020chemicalfertiliserallowances

Figure 1: 2020 soil fertility status

Figure 2: 2019 cumulative paddock grass yield

Figure2:2019cumulativepaddockgrassyield

Figure3:2020chemicalfertiliserallowances

Figure4:2020plannedfertilisers

Figure 3: 2020 chemical fertiliser allowances

Figure 4: 2020 planned fertilisers


GRAZING GROUNDWhere fertiliser or slurry was applied in Jan/Feb 36 to 46 units N/ac should be applied in March to reach the 60-70 units N/ac target by the 1st April (Figure 1). Nitrogen in slurry should be taken into account in this 60-70 units N/ac target. This time of the year slurry will provide around 6 units N/1,000 gal when spread by splash plate and 9 units N/1,000 gal when spread by dribble bar or trailing shoe. Where slurry is being spread after grazing in March, this should be topped up with 23 units/ac of fertiliser N (Figure 1). Leave 7-10 days between fertiliser and slurry applications.

Where paddocks have received no slurry or fertiliser N up to now 30-40 units N acre should be applied in early March. Paddocks that will not get slurry in spring and are in index 1, 2 or 3 for P or K will benefit from a fertiliser with P and K in March e.g. 18:6:12 in Figure 1. However, only apply if the farm has a fertiliser allowance to do so.

FERTILISER FOR GRAZING GROUND IN MARCHBy WILLIAM BURCHILL, PhD., Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme

*2,500 gal/ac spread by Trailing shoe or dribble bar. 6 units N/1000 gal splash plate and 9 units N/1000 gal dribble bar or trailing shoe.** Only apply P fertiliser if allowed to do so. Contact local advisor. Avoid P on index 4 soils

Fertiliser targets on grazing ground by 1st April* 60-70 units N out

* P and K out (either Slurry or fertiliser)

Mid-Jan to End Feb

March

Slurry + 23* units N/ac

Slurry* + 23-30 units N/ac

2x18:6:12/ac** 46 units N/ac 2x18:6:12/ac**

No Slurry or fertiliser out

23 units N/ac Slurry*

19


Results from the 2019 profit monitor reports of the 9 Teagasc/Dairygold monitor farmers showed that even though gross output (which is a combination of milk sales, stock sales/purchases and any changes in stock inventory) was down by 2.75c/litre, net margin had increased by 1.11c/litre from 2018. Net margin is the money available after farm costs are deducted to pay the farmers own labour/drawings, tax and bank repayments. Gross output decreased mainly due to a drop in milk price in 2019. Total variable costs had reduced by 2.35c/litre in 2019 compared to 2018. This was predominantly due to a reduction in feed costs which decreased from 7.89c/litre in 2018 down to 5.60c/litre in 2019. As can be seen from the Table below grass grown (all the monitor farmers are

using PastureBase Ireland to monitor grass growth) on the monitor farms had increased back up to 14tons DM/ha in 2019 after the drought of 2018. Milk solids production per cow increased in 2019 up to 542kg from 519kg in 2018 due to a combination of increased 6 week calving rate (86%), increased EBI (€147) and more grass utilised. Dairy cow numbers have stabilised somewhat with the monitor farmers and the 6 week calving rate has become more compact, therefore the most efficient way for the monitor farmers to further increase milk solids is to mature the herd, cull low performing cows and breed replacements off the more efficient cows in terms of kg milk solid production per kg live weight of the cow.

DAIRYGOLD / TEAGASC DEMONSTRATION FARMERS - 2019 PROFIT MONITOR DATA

By GRAINNE HURLEY,Teagasc Joint Program.

There will be two Teagasc/Dairygold joint programme farm events this March. Farmer Address Eircode Date & Time Pat Mulcahy Ballycurnane, Killeagh Co Cork P36YD57 3rd March 11amDavid, Linda Ballyviniter, Mallow, Co Cork P51 FC64 10th March 11am& Roy Deane

Topics: Spring grazing management, Use of Protected urea and LESS in spring, What is the Carbon Footprint of host farm & how to reduce. All are welcome.

Table 1. 2019 Financial & farm physical figures for Teagasc/Dairygold monitor farmers

Dairygold/TeagascDemostrationFarmers–2019ProfitMonitorData

GráinneHurley

Results from the 2019 profit monitor reports of the 9 Teagasc/Dairygold monitor farmers showedthateventhoughgrossoutput(whichisacombinationofmilksales,stocksales/purchasesandany

changes instock inventory)wasdownby2.75c/litre,netmarginhad increasedby1.11c/litre from2018. Net margin is the money available after farm costs are deducted to pay the farmers ownlabour/drawings, taxandbank repayments. Grossoutputdecreasedmainlydue toadrop inmilk

pricein2019.Totalvariablecostshadreducedby2.35c/litrein2019comparedto2018.Thiswaspredominantlyduetoa reduction in feedcostswhichdecreased from7.89c/litre in2018downto5.60c/litrein2019.AscanbeseenfromtheTablebelowgrassgrown(allthemonitorfarmersare

usingPastureBaseIrelandtomonitorgrassgrowth)onthemonitorfarmshadincreasedbackupto14tonsDM/hain2019afterthedroughtof2018.Milksolidsproductionpercowincreasedin2019up to 542kg from 519kg in 2018 due to a combination of increased 6 week calving rate (86%),

increasedEBI(€147)andmoregrassutilized.Dairycownumbershavestabilisedsomewhatwiththemonitor farmers and the 6 week calving rate has become more compact, therefore the mostefficientwayforthemonitorfarmerstofurtherincreasemilksolidsistomaturetheherd,cull low

performing cows and breed replacements off the more efficient cows in terms of kg milk solidproductionperkgliveweightofthecow.

Table1.2019Financial&farmphysicalfiguresforTeagasc/Dairygoldmonitorfarmers

TherewillbetwoTeagasc/DairygoldjointprogramfarmeventsthisMarch.

FarmerAddressEircode Date&Time

PatMulcahyBallycurnane,KilleaghCoCorkP36YD573rdMarch11am

David,Linda Ballyviniter,Mallow,CoCork P51FC64 10thMarch11am

&RoyDeane

Topics:Springgrazingmanagement,UseofProtectedureaandLESS inspring,What is theCarbonFootprintofhostfarm&howtoreduce.Allarewelcome.


GRASS MATTERSBy JOHN MAHER, Grass10 Campaign, Teagasc Moorepark

Grass Matters

John Maher Teagasc, Moorepark

Time to Start the Grazing Season!!!!

Shane put in an image “2018 grazing season starts now”

The most important task any dairy farmer will undertake over the next 2 months is to ensure that the farm is closed off properly to have an adequate supply of grass early next spring.

Grazing conditions have been challenging during September. Reports I get back on grass supply on farms are very variable. Some farms are swamped in grass which makes grazing out very difficult. Some farms have not and will not have enough grass available for October and will require additional feed to keep cows fed. Irrespective of grass supply on the farm, we must focus on the next grazing season and get it right.

There are two objectives in autumn grazing management of dairy cows. Firstly the cows must be adequately fed using the cheapest available feed which is grazed grass. Every day at grass is worth €1.80/cow/day additional profit. The second objective is set the farm up for spring grass. Many farmers do not realise that the grazing season begins in the autumn and that autumn management of grazed grass is the primary factor influencing the supply of grass available in spring on any farm.

Grazing has got off to a slow start in 2020. While the growth of grass is about normal, the turnout of cows to grass has been delayed. We have now entered catch-up mode on most farms. So we must get moving in terms of grazing the farm. Many farms will have got very little grazing done in February. However grass supply is still very good on farms with the AFC close to 900 KgDM/ha on March 1st (PastureBase Ireland Figures). Where slurry & Nitrogen fertiliser application has taken place, the response in grass growth has been very good.

Last month I featured, Mike Bermingham who was awarded the Grassland Farmer of the Year award for the Dairy Category in this competition. Currently Mike has about 15% of the farm grazed by March 1st and has increased grass supply from 925kg DM/ha to 1050 kg DM/ha.

Grass in MarchWhile things have not gone according to plan in February, we must keep grass in the diet of dairy cows as much as possible during March. There are many reasons for this but primarily it is to:

- Increase Milk Price (higher fat & protein composition)- increase milk yield- Lower the cost of milk production- Grow more grass and increase grass quality in subsequent rotations

Need to get Grazing: Once silage is in the cow’s diet, her appetite for grass is compromised i.e. grass intake is reduced. So we need to get cows grazing by day and night as much as possible in March to catch up. Every effort must also be made to reduce the amount of silage (if not eliminate) in the diet. Having silage in front of the cows before turn out to grass will reduce their urge to graze. If silage does have to be fed, then it should be fed to

the minimum level. Cows should have no silage left in front of them a few hours before being turned out to graze.

As long as ground conditions are adequate underfoot - grazing can take place day and night. When ground conditions are difficult, then practices have to be put in place to keep grass in the diet of the cow without causing serious damage to the land. These practices include:

- Grazing for a few hours after each milking - Using different entry and exit points to the

paddock - Grazing low covers of grass in difficult grazing

conditions - Using grazing techniques that minimise damage

to land

It is important though that once a paddock/section is grazed during difficult weather that a back fence is put up to prevent cows going back onto this area.

Keep Looking Back!Every dairy farmer will need to examine the farm for grass supply during March. It is important to keep an eye on the recovery of the first paddocks grazed. During March it is important to walk the farm to ensure that there is enough grass is available in April to start the 2nd rotations. Therefore you must walk the farm.

The primary time will be the 3rd & 4th week of March and the primary area to look at is the first paddocks grazed. This will tell you what grass recovery has taken place. There will need to be 4 - 5 paddocks with a good level of grass recovery to gain a knowledge as to when the 2nd rotation can begin in April.

A paddock grazed on March 1st and taking average growth rates in March of 20kgDM/ha/day - then these

GETTING BACK ON TRACK!!!

21


paddocks will have a cover of about 600 kgDM/ha by April 1st. This will only happen though if these paddocks have received their Nitrogen fertiliser application.

FOLLOW THE GRASS GROWTH RATES ON THE PASTUREBASE IRELAND WEBSITE:www.pasturebaseireland.ie.

The proportion of the farm grazed in February and level of grass recovery on these paddocks will determine when the 2nd rotation will begin.

If very little grazing has taken place in February, the spring rotation plan will need to be adjusted. A quick guide would be to try to get 30% of the farm grazed by St. Patricks day, another 30 % by April 1st and aim to start the 2nd rotation in mid April.

The Spring Rotation Planner tracks the proportion of the farm grazed but tells us nothing about the supply of grass available. It also supplies no information about the levels of regrowth on the farm. Regrowth levels have to be tracked on the farm from mid March.

For those who measure grass, the average farm cover should not drop below 500-550 kg DM/ha at any time, otherwise grass growth will be compromised.

Fertiliser/SlurryIt is important to keep grass growing on the farm. Grass will need to recover after grazing and be ready to graze again in April. For March fertiliser recommendations see William Burchills article on page 18.

The soil fertility problem has not gone away. While slurry has P and K in it, it may not be appropriate for applying to grazing ground in latter half of March. So many farmers should consider spreading nitrogen compounds e.g. 18-6-12 to help improve soil fertility. Phosphorus (P) in particular is very important for growth of grass in spring.

Caption: 60-70 units of N /acre needs to be applied before April 1st.Applying a product like 18:6:12 will help improve soil fertility.


DAIRY FARMING ONDIFFICULT / HEAVY LANDBy JOHN MAHER, Ger Courtney & James O’LoughlinHeavy Soils Programme, Teagasc.

DairyFarmingonDifficult/HeavyLand

JohnMaher,GerCourtney&JamesOLoughlin

HeavySoilsProgramme,Teagasc–Summaryofperformancetodate.

About30%ofmilkproducedinIrelandoriginatesfromfarmswherethesoilscanbeclassifiedasheavy.Heavysoilsaddcomplexitiestothemilkproductionsystemthatareaggravatedbyinclementweatherconditions,similartothoseexperiencedin2009and2012.Toensurearobustsustainablesystemof

milk production on heavy soils, excellent herd fertility, optimum soil fertility, and capacity to buildsilagereservesareessential.Teagasclaunchedaheavysoilsprogrammein2011,andhasanumberofdemonstrationdairyfarmslocatedinMacroom,Kiskeam,Castleisland,Listowel,Athea,Rossmoreand

Doonbeg.

FarmPerformance

Amarkedincreaseincostsin2012(highrainfallyear)wascausedbyreducedgrassproduction,and

poormilkpriceisreflectedinthe2016data.

Table1:HeavySoilsProgrammeFarmPhysicalPerformance2011-2017

Herdsize

StockingRate

(LU/Ha) 6WeekCalving

(%)

Milksolids/ha

(kg)

Grassgrown(TDM/Ha)

NetMargin

FarmMilking

Platform€/Ha c/litre

The Average Farm Cover (AFC) on the Heavy Farms programme is over 1000kg DM/ha. There is lots of grass available but the challenge is achieving the right ground conditions to graze it.

Grass Summary:The grazing season will normally really get going in March with the driest paddocks with good grazing infrastructure, good access, paddocks nearest the farm roadways etc. If the grazing conditions are very good, the wettest and most difficult paddocks will be grazed.

The spring rotation plan is different for a heavy farm. The aim is to try and graze about 20 - 30% of farm by St. Patricks Day and 40 - 50% of the farm by April 1st. Depending on grass growth, the 2nd rotation will normally begin around Mid-April. The early grazed paddocks will need to be examined in late March/early April. It is important to keep an eye on the recovery of these paddocks grazed during March to ensure that enough grass is available in Mid-April to start the 2nd rotation. Therefore you must walk the farm.

Flexibility in grazing is essential during March/April period. Sometimes, the cows will only go out for 2-3 hours. Sometimes the paddocks will not be grazed out well. However it is better to leave some grass behind than have not grazed at all. Some days the cows cannot go out to graze because ground conditions are just too soft. However decisions about grazing CANNOT be made in the farmyard. Paddocks have to assess. Weather has to be assessed.

It is vital to establish a good grazing infrastructure and to have a flexible approach to grazing challenges during this time of the year.

Slurry/Fertiliser Application in Early SpringGenerally Nitrogen fertiliser application is later on heavy farms for the obvious reasons. However, early nitrogen application cannot be delayed because of very wet paddocks or wet areas in paddocks. If 50% of the farm can be spread with fertiliser, then this should happen and the rest left behind until it is suitable for spreading. For March fertiliser recommendations see William Burchills article on page 18.

Flexibility is also need with slurry application and the right paddocks picked. There are now more machines/contractors available with better equipment for slurry application.

Ground conditions are often marginal on farms with heavy land. It is inevitable that some damage will be done. Therefore it is essential that when paddocks are grazed and somewhat damaged, that the animals do not go in there again until the next rotation. This cannot be achieved without having an adequate roadway system, easy to operate paddock system with multiple access/exit points and easy access to water for cows.

Date For Your Diary:Last month I featured, Paudie O’Brien who was awarded the Grassland Farmer of the Year award for the Heavy Land category in this competition. Paudie farms in Firies, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

An open day will take place on his farm on April 8th. See you There!

23


FERTILITY & BREEDINGBy DOREEN CORRIDAN, MVB MRCVS PhD, Munster Cattle Breeding

SCC, Calf Health and Nutrition are Key.SCC1. Calving Boxes - There is now a high level of infection built of in sheds at the moment. Clean out the calving

boxes now, power wash and disinfect as soon as you get a break. Start afresh again. Put in 3 times the amount of straw you normally would, this will get over the problem of needing a good bed for cows not sure footed due to low calcium.

2. Calving Boxes - Use disinfectant lime in the calving boxes.

3. Cubicles - Need to keep the beds dry - Cows on grass or on a high level of concentrates are going to be loose - Try and introduce some fibre if very loose - straw rolled out under the silage at the feed face etc. - Need to have scrapers going every 2 hours - Disinfectant Lime 3 times weekly

4. Cubicles - Need to be kept clean as well as dry - uterine discharges have a lot of bacteria that will cause mastitis and leaked milk is also a major contributor

- Heifers discharging on the cubicle where the mature cow’s udder is.

5. Pre and post spray until SCC is well under control

6. If you are having difficulty and cannot do as many of the things you would like to do - a barrier teat dip e.g. Mastocide is extremely useful in challenging circumstances.

7. Wet cold weather adds to the issues as cows are looser, nutrition is poorer and cold weather will increase mastitis cases.

8. Early milk recording is key.

9. If SCC is an issue in maiden heifers - pre spraying for the 10 days precalving with a knapsack sprayer is working extremely well. Avoid teat sealing heifers in the last 4 weeks before calving or after they have begun to soften down - issues have arisen with this.

Calf Health1. Calving Boxes - This is where the young calf with no immunity will meet for the 1st 6-12 hours of its life. There

is now a high level of infection built of in calving boxes. Clean out the calving boxes now, power wash and disinfect as soon as you get a break. Start afresh again. Put in 3 times the amount of straw you normally would in the 1st bedding, this will get over the problem of needing a good bed for cows not sure footed due to low calcium.

2. Calf Sheds - There is now a high level of infection built of in calf sheds. Clean out the calf shed now, power

March is often a very challenging month; weather wise,infection pressure building up and nutrition.


wash and disinfect as soon as you get a break. Start afresh again. Put in more straw than you normally would in the 1st bedding.

3. Calf Sheds - If possible, use an alternative shed if one is available now. Either move the older calves out of the current shed and clean it out for the younger ones. Or move the younger ones into the new shed.

4. Put foot baths outside each calf pen and change weekly.

5. Pneumonia - If you are experiencing pneumonia in calves and have addressed colostrum, dry lie, fresh air and reduced moisture in the calf house- vaccination here is key. Intra nasal vaccines work well and can be given at a week old.

6. Scour - If scour was an issue last year - vaccinate the cows for Rota and corona virus 3-12 weeks pre calving.

Early Milk Recording. Early Milk recording is crucial. Do one before 17th March.If you can control SCC in the 1st month of lactation - it has a massive impact for the remainder of lactation.1. Identify cows to treat early in lactation that are likely to cure, achieve a good outcome and protect the

remainder of the herd. Early treatment of cows in early lactation that are likely to cure is very rewarding and will achieve a much better

outcome than later treatment. These cows will return to full milk and will not be a source of infection for the other cows in the herd. These cows likely got infected in the last two weeks prior to calving. These cows were low in SCC in their 2019 lactation.

2. Identify heifers to treat early in lactation, achieve a good outcome and to protect the remainder of the herd.

Treatment of heifers in early lactation is extremely rewarding as the majority of them got infected in the last 2 weeks before calving. Prompt treatment will result in a good outcome. These heifers will return to full milk and protect your investment of €1,500 per heifer.

Actions for 1 & 2 - Do a milk recording to identify the cows with high SCC - Do a CMT test and Identify the offending quarter - Ideally do a culture and sensitivity - Consult your vet and treat aggressively. 3. Identify cows to cull immediately in order to protect the herd. Consider culling cows with high SCC in the current lactation who were also high in the previous lactation and

did not cure over the dry period. These cows are extremely unlikely to cure. An alternative for a minority of young cows is that if the udder is normal and the SCC is confined to a single quarter is to dry that quarter.

25


Late calvers and cows yet to calvePrevent these cows going into negative energy balance in the week before calving and in the 1st eight weeks post calving. Avoid restricting intakes of cows regardless of BCS in the last 10 days pre calving as their requirements are rocketing.

It is advisable to feed 1-2 Kg of concentrates in this period as it also helps to acclimatise the rumen to the diet post calving.

Classical Early Lactation Negative Energy Balance!

The above image is courtesy of Finbar Mulligan UCD. It clearly demonstrates the classical early lactation negative energy balance beginning 1-2 weeks pre calving and continuing for 5-8 weeks into early lactation.

Each herdowner has a different graph depending on the energy deficit Is it marginal or severe? Is the energy deficiency for a long or short period?

Late calvers need more attention to try and reduce their calving interval, if we succeed in getting them incalf quickly and gaining a month, they are a valuable asset and assist in increasing the 6 week incalf rate especially in herds with a spread out calving pattern.

1. Calve in a BCS 3.0 to 3.25 max

2. Increase their intakes in the last 10 days pre calving- introduce concentrates

3. They will have reduced intakes of grass for the 1st 6 weeks after calving.

TheaboveimageiscourtesyofFinbarMulliganUCD.Itclearlydemonstratestheclassicalearlylactationnegativeenergybalancebeginning1-2weeksprecalvingandcontinuingfor5-8weeksintoearlylactation.

Eachherdownerhasadifferentgraphdependingontheenergydeficit:

- Isitmarginalorsevere?- Istheenergydeficiencyforalongorshortperiod?

Latecalversandcowsyettocalve


LEPTOSPIROSIS - A REVIEWBy CARA SHERIDAN, MVB MRCVS Cert DHHRuminant Technical Vet MSD Animal Health

Leptospirosis is one of the most common causes of infertility & abortion in cattle in Ireland. It is an endemic disease, meaning that the majority of herds test positive for it. It is also a zoonosis - it can cause disease in humans.

• There are two serovars of leptospirosis commonly found in cattle in Ireland;

Leptospira interrogans hardjo and Leptospira borgpetersenii hardjo

Leptospirosis circulates in a herd by direct transmission from infected animals or by indirect transmission through urine, birth fluids, milk, contaminated water or other species e.g. sheep. It is a difficult disease to eradicate as some cows may become carriers. Leptospires can also survive for up to 6 weeks in wet soil, stagnant water or slow-moving streams.

Clinical Signs • Milk drop • Abortions (rates may be up to 30% in a herd

infected for the first time) • Infertility - Low pregnancy rates • Weak calves – Infection in late pregnancy can

result in the birth of weak calves that die within a few hours of birth

Early signs are usually mild and transient and therefore may go unnoticed.

DiagnosisBased on blood sampling, culture of urine samples and finding bacteria in the foetus of abortion/stillbirth cases. Speak to your vet about investigating leptospirosis in your herd.

Control • Isolation of the sick cow or aborting cow • Biosecurity - Avoid the introduction of infected

animals • Quarantine until test negative • Double fencing at perimeters

• Vaccination - The only practical way of controlling leptospirosis

Timing of vaccinationIt is essential to vaccinate heifers before their 1st pregnancy. The primary course consists of 2 injections 4-6 weeks apart and thereafter a yearly booster. If vaccination has lapsed and the last booster was more than a year ago it is necessary to give a primary course again for adequate immunity. The ideal booster timing is before turnout and before breeding (>2 weeks) as spring through to end of summer is the time of greatest transmission risk.

Why vaccinate with Leptavoid-H? ✔ It is the only vaccine licensed to protect against

both strains of Leptospira hardjo ✔ It is the only vaccine licensed to improve

conception rates where leptospirosis has been diagnosed as a cause of infertility

✔ It can be used on the same day as Bovilis BVD (to cattle >8 months of age)

27


MOVING FROM WHOLE MILK TO MILK REPLACER

While the computerised feeder is a great labour saver, it is not a substitute for good management.

10 top tips when using computerised calf feeders: • Spend time familiarising yourself with your machine

and make the most of all its various functions;

• Calibrate the feeder to the pallet: If you haven’t gotten the machine calibrated yet, have the pallet of milk replacer bought and in the yard for whoever will be calibrating the machine, this way they can calibrate the whole pallet. Each pallet may vary on density therefore it is recommended to calibrate the machine with every new pallet.

• Always keep the dispenser areas clean and wiped daily. The feeder should be rinsed and the auger hoovered out at the end of every season to remove any milk replacer left. There should be no powder left from the previous year in the auger when adding the new milk replacer. If there is this should be cleaned out. Make sure to place the scoop or container over the mixing bowl when doing this to stop any clumps going into the mixing bowl. If this gets into the lines it can;

1. Block the lines 2. Lead to sick calves.

• Dry sweep areas around calves. Refrain from using a hose, especially a pressure hose, as this will damage the machine and create a wet environment around the feed station, which will encourage bacterial growth;

• Check your machine daily to make sure it is performing at an optimal level. Be careful when putting the milk replacer into the machine, any bits of paper, plastic, straw or dirt that enters the machine can block the pipes and stop the calves from receiving milk.

• Make sure to check the powder dispenser every couple of days and remove any powder that has caked due to steam from the water tap. If this builds up it will affect the amount of powder which is dispensed per litre.

• Good teat hygiene is crucial. Clean and change teats regularly. Have two teats for each feeder station and a bucket of Milton or 2% peracetic acid and rotate them daily or every other day. This will reduce the spread of any infection.

• If you identify any repeated issue with a machine (e.g. not cleaning or calibrating properly), contact the equipment supplier or your service engineer. Make sure your machine is serviced annually.

Good hygiene in calf houses and around the feeding area is critical to prevent the build up of harmful bacteria and the spread of infection.

Dairygolds Calf Scour ProtocolCalf scour is present on all farms and poses a significant risk to the calf. Scour can affect the calf’s weight gain and performance and may lead to issues when weaning. Renova and Replenish are two innovative products to fight against calf scour.

These products tackle scour in a 2-step process 1. Cleanse the gut using an anti-microbial capsule,

binding the pathogen causing the scour. 2. A liquid electrolyte is used for rehydration and

correcting electrolyte balance.

By TRISHA HAYES, B.Ag.Sc,Calf Milk Replacer Specialist

Email: [email protected] • Mob: 087 949 9553

KEY POINT: In Ireland 40% of calf deaths in the first six weeks are scour related.


STEP ONECALF RENOVA - Protecting and Restoring gut health

Calf Renova is an easy-to use capsule containing essential oils and probiotics for digestive health support.

Calf Renova helps to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria and restores the gut microbiome to a healthy state.

FEATURES & BENEFITS of Calf Renova: - Helps to cleanse the gut of microbes, which cause

scouring and diarrhoea - Powerful antioxidant for immune enhancement - Creates a healthy digestive environment and limits

potential impact of pathogens - Feeds beneficial bacteria and facilitates competitive

exclusion of pathogens - Pathogen binding - A non-antibiotic alternative for enteric/scours

health issues

STEP TWOREPLENISH - Replenish lost nutrients during scours

Replenish is an oral rehydration product for treating de-hydrated calves.

Five important goals for treating diarrhoea are:1. correcting dehydration,2. correcting acidosis,3. correcting electrolyte abnormalities (Na, K, Cl),4. reversing negative energy balance5. preventing the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Replenish is the first liquid, buffered calf electrolyte on the market formulated for theseverely dehydrated calf.

FEATURES & BENEFITS of Replenish - Meets recommendations of oral rehydration product

(Dr. Geof Smith, North Carolina State University) - Therapy for sick calves - A palatable liquid buffered calf electrolyte - Nutrient Dense Liquid Concept* - provides ease of

administration - Facilitates sodium absorption - Produces and provides energy - Maintains a low abomasal pH to decrease incidence

of infection and clinical disease - Preferred alkalinizing agent in this type of product - No mixing required - Eliminates powder caking issues

STEP ONE STEP TWO

When treating calves with diarrhoea, oral rehydration products are an important tool for calf raisers. Five important goals for treating diarrhoea are correcting dehydration, correcting acidosis, correcting electrolyte abnormalities (Na, K, Cl), reversing negative energy balance and preventing the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Replenish is the � rst liquid, bu� ered calf electrolyte on the market formulated for the severely dehydrated calf. Providing oral rehydration with a better alkalinising agent than sodium bicarbonate - help replenish lost nutrients during scours with Replenish.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Meets recommendations of oral rehydration product (Dr. Geof Smith,NCSU)• Therapy for sick calves• A palatable liquid bu� ered calf electrolyte• Nutrient Dense Liquid Concept* - provides ease of administration• Facilitates sodium absorption• Produces and provides energy• Maintains a low abomasal pH to decrease incidence of infection and clinical disease• Preferred alkalinizing agent in this type of product• No mixing required• Eliminates powder caking issues• Reduces labour

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

During digestive problems, give 100 ml per calf per day.Can be fed in water or milk. If giving in milk, split into 50 ml in morning feed and 50 ml in evening feed.

CALF SCOUR PROTOCOL

Calf Renova is an easy-to-use capsule containing essential oils and probiotics for digestive health support.When calves are susceptible to scouring or at � rst signs of diarrhoea, helping them recover their hydration status and appetite for continued growth is the top priority. Calf Renova helps to reduce harmful bacteria and restore the gut microbiome. Quickly address enteric health issues with Calf Renova and help support recovery by enhancing intestinal micro� ora and encouraging dry matter intake any time that normal digestive health has been interrupted.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Helps to cleanse the gut of microbes, which cause scouring and diarrhoea• Powerful antioxidant for immune enhancement• Creates a healthy digestive environment and limits potential impact of pathogens• Feeds bene� cial bacteria and facilitates competitive exclusion of pathogens• Pathogen binding• A non-antibiotic alternative for enteric/scours health issues

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

During periods of or after digestive problems give 1 capsule per calf at 3 days of age or later, repeat daily if required. Do not exceed 3 consecutive days of providing capsules.

Calf Renova_DL_v2.indd 3-4 30/01/2019 11:12

How to use Calf Renova and Replenish on Farm: 1. On first sight of calf scouring – administer one Calf Renova capsule (one capsule per calf) 2. Follow up with Replenish electrolyte in milk or water on the same day - 100 mls per calf per day - Can be mixed with milk, water or dosed directly - If mixing with milk, split into two 50ml doses (morning and evening feed)

For any further information on feeders or assistance with calibration and ourPrime Elite Milk Replacer range contact Dairygold’s Calf Milk Replacer Specialist Trisha Hayes

on 087-9499553 or Inside Sales on 022-31644.

STEP ONE STEP TWO

When treating calves with diarrhoea, oral rehydration products are an important tool for calf raisers. Five important goals for treating diarrhoea are correcting dehydration, correcting acidosis, correcting electrolyte abnormalities (Na, K, Cl), reversing negative energy balance and preventing the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Replenish is the � rst liquid, bu� ered calf electrolyte on the market formulated for the severely dehydrated calf. Providing oral rehydration with a better alkalinising agent than sodium bicarbonate - help replenish lost nutrients during scours with Replenish.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Meets recommendations of oral rehydration product (Dr. Geof Smith,NCSU)• Therapy for sick calves• A palatable liquid bu� ered calf electrolyte• Nutrient Dense Liquid Concept* - provides ease of administration• Facilitates sodium absorption• Produces and provides energy• Maintains a low abomasal pH to decrease incidence of infection and clinical disease• Preferred alkalinizing agent in this type of product• No mixing required• Eliminates powder caking issues• Reduces labour

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

During digestive problems, give 100 ml per calf per day.Can be fed in water or milk. If giving in milk, split into 50 ml in morning feed and 50 ml in evening feed.

CALF SCOUR PROTOCOL

Calf Renova is an easy-to-use capsule containing essential oils and probiotics for digestive health support.When calves are susceptible to scouring or at � rst signs of diarrhoea, helping them recover their hydration status and appetite for continued growth is the top priority. Calf Renova helps to reduce harmful bacteria and restore the gut microbiome. Quickly address enteric health issues with Calf Renova and help support recovery by enhancing intestinal micro� ora and encouraging dry matter intake any time that normal digestive health has been interrupted.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Helps to cleanse the gut of microbes, which cause scouring and diarrhoea• Powerful antioxidant for immune enhancement• Creates a healthy digestive environment and limits potential impact of pathogens• Feeds bene� cial bacteria and facilitates competitive exclusion of pathogens• Pathogen binding• A non-antibiotic alternative for enteric/scours health issues

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

During periods of or after digestive problems give 1 capsule per calf at 3 days of age or later, repeat daily if required. Do not exceed 3 consecutive days of providing capsules.

Calf Renova_DL_v2.indd 3-4 30/01/2019 11:12

29


Looking back at some of the events that I have attended in 2019 has been a great reminder of the good news story that Ireland has to tell, when it comes to udder health and mastitis control. A group of European “mastitis experts” visited Ireland during the year, and it was with great pride (and a few nerves!) that I stood in front of them and described the journey of the CellCheck programme to date. To be able to show a reduction in the national bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) from 272,000 cells/mL in 2009, to 183,000 cells/mL in 2018 is a phenomenal achievement, and one that the industry should be extremely proud of (Fig 1.). Standards of udder health are not something that we can become complacent about though, as we can see with the slight rise in SCC in 2018, undoubtedly influenced by the extreme weather challenges that were encountered that year.

Fig. 1 National annual average bulk tank SCC

At the International Dairy Federation Mastitis conference later in 2019, I presented a paper on the CellCheck “Milking for Quality” awards, then in its 6th year. Again, it was wonderful to be able to highlight such a positive initiative, and an event that acknowledges and celebrates the success of 500 farmers with the best SCC results each year. The SCC range of the 500 winners has narrowed year after year since the awards first started. In 2014, all winners had an SCC of 103,000 cells/mL or less, while by 2019 a winning SCC was 76,500 cells/mL or less. The awards are based on the bulk tank SCC data from the previous year, and so it was interesting and inspiring to see that despite the adverse conditions of 2018, the SCC results showed that udder health can still be maintained, through best practice.

This improvement in udder health has also allowed farmers to increasingly adopt the “prevention is better than cure” approach, with a reduction in the numbers of mastitis treatments being used. In the last decade there has been a 34% reduction in the number of mastitis treatments (per 100 cows) used during lactation (Fig 2).

Fig. 2 Intramammary antibiotic used during lactation, 2003-2018

This more prudent use of antibiotic is vital if we are going to work collectively to tackle the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is well recognised that the use of antibiotics contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. In order to slow down the development of AMR and to protect antibiotics for human

NOTES

LookingbackatsomeoftheeventsthatIhaveattendedin2019hasbeenagreatreminderofthegoodnewsstorythatIrelandhastotell,whenitcomestoudderhealthandmastitiscontrol.AgroupofEuropean“mastitisexperts”visitedIrelandduringtheyear,anditwaswithgreatpride(andafewnerves!) that I stood in front of them and described the journey of the CellCheck programme todate.Tobeabletoshowareductioninthenationalbulktanksomaticcellcount(SCC)from272,000cells/mL in 2009, to 183,000 cells/mL in 2018 is a phenomenal achievement, and one that theindustryshouldbeextremelyproudof(Fig1.).Standardsofudderhealtharenotsomethingthatwecan become complacent about though, as we can see with the slight rise in SCC in 2018,undoubtedlyinfluencedbytheextremeweatherchallengesthatwereencounteredthatyear.

Fig.1NationalannualaveragebulktankSCC

AttheInternationalDairyFederationMastitisconferencelater in2019,IpresentedapaperontheCellCheck“Milking forQuality”awards, then in its6th year. Again, itwaswonderful tobeable tohighlightsuchapositiveinitiative,andaneventthatacknowledgesandcelebratesthesuccessof500farmerswiththebestSCCresultseachyear.TheSCCrangeofthe500winnershasnarrowedyearafteryearsincetheawardsfirststarted.In2014,allwinnershadanSCCof103,000cells/mLorless,

whileby2019awinningSCCwas76,500cells/mLorless.TheawardsarebasedonthebulktankSCCdatafromthepreviousyear,andsoitwasinterestingandinspiringtoseethatdespitetheadverseconditionsof2018,theSCCresultsshowedthatudderhealthcanstillbemaintained,throughbestpractice.

Thisimprovementinudderhealthhasalsoallowedfarmerstoincreasinglyadoptthe“preventionisbetterthancure”approach,withareductioninthenumbersofmastitistreatmentsbeingused. Inthelastdecadetherehasbeena34%reductioninthenumberofmastitistreatments(per100cows)usedduringlactation(Fig2).

Fig.2Intramammaryantibioticusedduringlactation,2003-2018

Thismoreprudentuseofantibioticisvitalifwearegoingtoworkcollectivelytotacklethegrowingchallenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is well recognised that the use of antibioticscontributestothedevelopmentofantibioticresistance.InordertoslowdownthedevelopmentofAMRandtoprotectantibioticsforhumanuse,EuroperecentlyintroducednewVeterinaryMedicineRegulationsthatwillbeimplementedinallMemberStatesfromJanuary2022.Oneoftheexpectedchanges as a result of the new legislation is that ‘blanket’ dry cow therapy will no longer beacceptable.Inotherwords,antibioticmaybeusedattheendoflactationtotreatcowswherethereis evidence of infection, but the use of dry cow antibiotic to prevent new infections over the dryperiod will not be an option. Having individual cow information through milk recording is key toknowingwhichanimalsrequireantibiotictreatmentattheendofthelactation,andthisisoneofthecurrentconstraintsthatwefaceinthiscountry.In2019,only43%ofIrishdairyherdsparticipatedinwholeherdmilkrecording.

Despite this limitation, there isalreadyevidenceofamoveaway fromblanketdrycowtherapy inIreland,againmadepossiblebytheimprovementinudderhealthinrecentyears.Salesdatashowa20%reductionindrycowantibiotictreatments(per100cows)inthelast3years(Fig3).However,change is not without risk. Farmers can manage this risk with good dry cow management andhygiene, hygiene at drying off and the use of products such as internal teat sealant. It is alsoessentialthatfarmersengagewiththeirvetsinthisprocesswhichtheycandothroughaCellCheckDry Cow Consult, which Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health funded through the RuralDevelopmentPlan2014-2020.


use, Europe recently introduced new Veterinary Medicine Regulations that will be implemented in all Member States from January 2022. One of the expected changes as a result of the new legislation is that ‘blanket’ dry cow therapy will no longer be acceptable. In other words, antibiotic may be used at the end of lactation to treat cows where there is evidence of infection, but the use of dry cow antibiotic to prevent new infections over the dry period will not be an option. Having individual cow information through milk recording is key to knowing which animals require antibiotic treatment at the end of the lactation, and this is one of the current constraints that we face in this country. In 2019, only 43% of Irish dairy herds participated in whole herd milk recording.

Despite this limitation, there is already evidence of a move away from blanket dry cow therapy in Ireland, again made possible by the improvement in udder health in recent years. Sales data show a 20% reduction in dry cow antibiotic treatments (per 100 cows) in the last 3 years (Fig 3). However, change is not without risk. Farmers can manage this risk with good dry cow management and hygiene, hygiene at drying off and the use of products such as internal teat sealant. It is also essential that farmers engage with their vets in this process which they can do through a CellCheck Dry Cow Consult, which Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health funded through the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020.

So what has all of this progress meant for farmers? Well, the tangible benefit of better mastitis control is more profit. In the early days of the CellCheck programme, Teagasc completed a piece of economic research, which quantified the potential gains to be made from reducing the average SCC of a dairy herd in Ireland. In partnership with Teagasc we recently completed an additional economic exercise and looked at the actual gains made from the annual reduction in bulk tank SCC. When we look at the SCC profile of the national milk pool in 2017 and compare it to 2013, the improvement has been worth an extra 0.6c/L milk to the farmer. No longer just ‘potential gains to be made’, but tangible returns being captured.

Ireland has an industry-agreed target, that by 2020, 75% of milk sold will have an SCC of 200,000 cells/mL or less. Analysis of the 2019 SCC data has started (January -April) and indicates that udder health performance has improved again after the ‘hiccup’ of 2018 (Fig. 4), with 71% of milk supplied with an SCC of 200,00 cells/mL or less.

However, if we are to achieve the 2020 target we need to be proactive as an industry, and make a collective, concerted effort to improve udder health. It is well proven that best practice will achieve positive results, and there are lots of steps you can take. • Make sure that you have a copy of the “CellCheck Farm Guidelines for Mastitis Control” and use it as your reference. • Start milk recording and use the results to inform your decisions on farm. • Discuss and plan your mastitis control with your service providers-your vet,

milking machine technician and advisors. • Come along to a CellCheck Farmer Workshop-if its your first time, it’s a

great way to identify the most relevant, simple and effective changes to make. If you’ve been before, it’s a great refresher and allows you to self-assess and see if goals previously set have been achieved and to identify new ones.

For more information on CellCheck Farmer Workshops being organised around the country, contact your nearest CellCheck Regional Coordinator.

We still need to recognise and respond to the ongoing and emerging challenges that we will inevitably face, such as increasing our engagement with milk recording and minimising the risk of antimicrobial resistance developing. But let’s not forget that we have a good story to tell, and we should be proud of what has been achieved to date.

Fig.3Intramammaryantibioticusedatdryingoff,2003-2018

So what has all of this progress meant for farmers? Well, the tangible benefit of better mastitiscontrolismoreprofit.IntheearlydaysoftheCellCheckprogramme,Teagasccompletedapieceofeconomicresearch,whichquantifiedthepotentialgainstobemadefromreducingtheaverageSCCofadairyherdinIreland.InpartnershipwithTeagascwerecentlycompletedanadditionaleconomicexerciseandlookedattheactualgainsmadefromtheannualreductioninbulktankSCC.WhenwelookattheSCCprofileofthenationalmilkpool in2017andcompareitto2013,theimprovementhasbeenworthanextra0.6c/Lmilktothefarmer.Nolongerjust‘potentialgainstobemade’,buttangiblereturnsbeingcaptured.

Irelandhasan industry-agreed target, thatby2020,75%ofmilk soldwill haveanSCCof200,000cells/mLorless.Analysisofthe2019SCCdatahasstarted(January-April)andindicatesthatudderhealthperformancehasimprovedagainafterthe‘hiccup’of2018(Fig.4),with71%ofmilksuppliedwithanSCCof200,00cells/mLorless.

Fig.4ProportionofherdsandmilkvolumewithanSCCof200,000cells/mLorless(2013-2018)

Fig. 3 Intramammary antibiotic used at drying off, 2003-2018

Fig.4 Proportion of herdsand milk volume with an SCCof 200,000 cells/mL or less

(2013-2018)









31


Planning and organising for this years club events are well underway and taking shape. Events already penciled in include, a farm walk for May, two field evenings for June, YMA calf show for July and the annual club tour for August. More details on these and other events closer to the time and also on our Facebook page, Cork Holstein. But before the busy summer schedule commences, the club will run two sales.

Calved Heifer SaleA calved heifer sale will be held at Corrin mart, Fermoy on Friday 27th March at 11am. A large selection of quality milking heifers, bred by club members, will be available for purchase on the day. Entry forms for the sale must be returned to Corrin mart, Fermoy by Friday 13th March and are available from the mart or from the club. (contact details below)

Bull Show and SaleThe club will also hold its annual show and sale of pedigree holstein friesian bulls at Bandon mart on Wednesday 1st April. The show will be held at 10.30am, with the sale at 12.00 noon. The high entry criteria remains in place which includes, Dams classified Good Plus 82 or better, with yields of 550kg fat and protein, while having a minimum of 3.5% protein in one complete lactation. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 11th March, and must be returned to Bandon mart.

CHFC MATTERSBy ALAN BUTTIMER, CHFC Public Relations Officer

Members of the 2020 CHFC committee.

A calved heifer sale will be held at Corrin mart on Friday 27th March.

A calved heifer sale will be held at Corrin mart on Friday 27th March.

For entry forms or more details on either of the two sales,check out our Facebook page, Cork Holstein or contact club chairperson, Ivor Bryan (086 3871422)

or Alan Buttimer (086 4012687).

DairygoldfarmerswhoareactiveGoToFarmparticipantsintheDairygoldLeanfarmProgramme.

Name Region

PatrickShine Tipperary

TomHoran Tipperary

JohnWalsh Tipperary

GerBuckley MidCork

BarryBateman MidCork

DanDonovanFarm MidCork

MartinO’Brien Mallow

ThomasWalsh Mallow

ShaneCrean Mallow

AndrewGow Limerick

LiamHerlihy Limerick

PierceBreen Limerick

JohnDunne EastCork

JoeMorrisey EastCork

JeromeDesmond EastCork

ConorO'Farrell Mitchelstown

AnthonyCarroll Mitchelstown

NedO'BrienFarm Mitchelstown

Makingfarmssaferandmoresustainable.

Savingfarmerstime,moneyandeffort.

BenefitsDeliveredto

ParticipatingFarms

ü Reducedwasteü Timesavingsü Increased

productionü Reducedcosts

Dairygoldwishestoacknowledgetheeffortgivenbyallfar

merswhohostedLeanfarm

WasteWalksduring2019.

SeanMoher(Mitchelstown)istheLeanfarmRepresentativeontheDairygoldTeagasc

Jointprogramme

DAIRYGOLD GO-TO FARM INITIATIVE


FARMER PROFILE: Pierce Breen, Newtown, Pallasgreen, Co. LimerickPierce works with his parents. Pierce has been progressive and has applied many practical Leanfarm tools to aid demonstrations in the Dairygold Go-To Leanfarm project. He has hosted two Waste Walks as part of the Leanfarm training for other farmers in the Limerick / Clare / Tipperary region. This month’s article will illustrate some of the Leanfarm tools and practices that Pierce has implemented to minimise the workload and fatigue associated with calving.

Leanfarm Practices on Pierce Breen’s Farm Lean practices introduced to assist in his calf rearing strategy whilst maintaining the highest levels of calf welfare: • Housing: Houses are well ventilated, and air is allowed into sheds. This helps to open the lungs

and prevent pneumonia in calves. Calves are turned out to grass as early as possible. • Mobile crate to transport new-born calves to calf sheds. • Mobile milk tank used to transport milk from parlour to calf pens. The milk tank contains a volume

reader and an electric pump with a nozzle pour milk to calves. • Calf feeding: 200 litre drums which can be used as a hay rack to feed calves in pens. Useful for

reducing waste.

Benefits Delivered toPierce Breen’s Farm

✔ Time savings at busy calving period

✔ Reduced movement and energy

✔ Improved quality of life

Photo 1: Mobile crateto move new-borncalves.

Photo 2: Mobile milktank for transport ofmilkforfeedingcalves.

Photo 3: 200 litre bluebarrell providesroughage access tocalves.

Photo 1: Mobile crate to move new-born calves.




Photo 2: Mobile milk tank for transport of milk for feeding calves.




Photo 3: 200 litre blue barrell provides roughage access to calves.

How? “It saves me time. If I can be finished that bit earlier in the evenings, it means I can get a break allowing for a healthy work life balance”

Where?“Prioritising tasks, Lean has enabled me to think more, I plan my day each morning at the breakfast table, therefore I am focused on my schedule”.

Advice to Farmers?“Use lean practices to improve efficiencies within your farm business. The idea that ‘we always did it this way’ is not sustainable”.

“Lean practices should coincide with maintaining maximum safety and hygiene standards, do not cut corners on the necessities, grassland management, milking etc”

Pierce’s View on the BENEFITS of LeanFarm

inside this issue - dairygold · however, our approach to grass at this time of the year must be...

Documents