IMPROVED MILK YIELD AND HEALTH AT WOODHOUSEHILL
Andrew Millar at Woodhousehill Farm, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Lockerbie runs a herd of 125 cows, currently milking 110. The herd, whose milk is sold to Arla on a liquid contract - is predominantly Holstein Friesian, with a mixture of homebred and bought in cows and heifers.
DairyPlus Robot 18 nuts are fed through the robot and these are formulated to ensure a high amount of good quality energy is available for milk production and this also promotes milk protein production. Cows are fed a PMR (partial mixed ration) of grass silage, Maxammon barley, Maxammon wheat, Ultimate 35 blend, SuperMol Andrew’s cows are now up to 33 litres, from 27-28 litres in the summer. molasses, Invergold moist grains, Grampian Maxammon minerals and Glucose Aid from a mixer wagon at the feed rail. Alkacid has also been used to minimise the risk of acidosis. The issue of digestive upsets is now minimal, whereas previously a cow or heifer would have been treated weekly. “The first cut had been silage high in lactic acid and that was causing a lot of problems. The silage inclusion was reduced and the
Significant investment in the business was made over 2021-2022 when a 120 cubicle shed and slurry lagoon were built on a greenfield site. Two Lely A5 robot milking machines were installed and with provision for the future, a base was built for a third robot. The shed includes a calving box and a bedded area for newly calved cows and any lame cows. The new set up was fully operational in May 2022. “We had been using feeds from another supplier and over the summer of 2022, the cows hadn’t been milking well, had digestive upsets and were just not looking well. No solution had worked for us.” says Andrew. Andrew has known our ruminant sales development manager, Stuart Cameron for years and gave him the opportunity to look at the herd and their diet. Stuart formulated a new diet with our NutriONics rationing programme, having analysed the farm’s silage and looking to effectively meet the requirements of their milk contract.
addition of Invergold moist grains has provided a ration that is a bit kinder to the stomach.” says Andrew. “With the cows in better health, they are better able to deliver milk and realise their potential.” says Stuart. “We have now introduced fourth cut silage and with that, further reduced the lactic acid issue.” Stuart meets regularly with Andrew and John Alexander from Ark Vets to monitor the health and performance of the herd. Stuart commented “with the cows in better health, they are better able to deliver milk and realise their potential.” Andrew’s cows are now up to 33 litres, from 27-28 litres in the summer. “Our protein is at 3.2% and butterfat at 3.8%. Butterfat had been at 4.3-4.4%, however we are getting much more milk.” says Andrew. “Stuart has helped turn things around, the cows are looking better and they are milking well.” commented Andrew.
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator