Skip the Northern Ireland Government Bar|
Skip navigation

Dairy notes Feb 04

Feeding wholemilk to calves

With the strong possibility of a super levy this year and the high cost of quota, both to lease and purchase some milk producers are looking at ways and means of dealing with surplus milk production.
One of the options is to feed extra milk to livestock, mainly calves.
Fresh whole milk can be fed as a partial replacement for concentrates. It is estimated 4.2 litres of whole milk has the equivalent feeding value of 1Kg of a 16% crude protein compound feed with average energy value.
Whole milk is slightly deficient in some minerals and trace elements but this is unlikely to cause any problem where some concentrates are being fed.

How much to feed?

The highest intakes of whole milk will be through a bin and teat feeding system with warm milk being fed on an ad-lib basis. The quantity of whole milk consumed under this feeding system depends on the individual calf and the age at weaning.
With weaning at 8 weeks old and restricted access to milk in the two weeks before weaning a total intake of approximately 400 litres of milk per calf is expected. Highest daily intake is likely to be 10 litres (2 gallons) per day by the sixth week. Extra milk will be consumed by continuing to feed for up to 12 weeks before calves are weaned off milk.
Calves should also have access to water and good quality forage to allow for rumen development.

Silage stocks

It is important that farmers now assess the amount of silage left in store and establish that there is enough to last until at least mid-April. If there is a shortfall, action should be taken as soon as possible. Many farmers will have budgeted their silage stocks in the autumn at approximately 1.5 tonnes per cow per month. However on many farms the lower dry matter silages are being used up at a faster rate than anticipated. Calculate silage capacity in cubic metres by measuring the length, breadth and average height of the silage clamp and multiply by the corresponding density figure in the following table. The silage density is dependent on the dry matter of the silage.
Silage dry matter

Density figure

18%

Multiply by 0.81

20%

Multiply by 0.77

25%

Multiply by 0.68

30%

Multiply by 0.60

Approximate silage usage for other categories of stock are:

Dry cows 1 tonne per month;
Other Cattle 350kg+ = 1 tonne per month;
Other Cattle 175 to 350kg = 0.8 tonne per month;
Other Cattle less than 175kg = 0.3 tonne per month.
If a feed budget was carried out earlier in the year then establish how much silage has been used per week since then. Simply mark the clamp wall at the silage face today. Take a record of the date and measure the distance moved along the clamp each week. Take action if there is insufficient silage to last until mid-April. Target young stock and dry cows for an alternative feeding strategy and keep remaining silage for milking cows.
Be aware that in some cases a straw/concentrate mix could be more cost effective than poor quality purchased silage. Your locally based Greenmount Campus Dairying Development Adviser can assist you to check the adequacy of purchased feeds.

Rearing healthy calves

There can be a build up of disease at this time of year in calf housing. Avoid overcrowding – a 2 month old calf needs 1.8 sq m floor area. Inadequate ventilation will cause housing to smell of ammonia – effective ventilation should have 4 air changes per hour. If this is a problem on your farm, consider the use of forced ventilation systems to improve air circulation. Do not obstruct airflow even in very cold weather – protect calves with straw bales if necessary.
Most farmers are feeding whole milk to calves to reduce over production - take care not to overfeed as this may lead to scour and any feed changes should be gradual to minimise this risk. If scour does appear, check the calf’s temperature. If abnormally high (103 °F) or low (100°F) then bacterial infection is likely, requiring antibiotic treatment. Ensure calves always have access to clean water and keep feed buckets scrupulously clean.
Try to clean and rest pens between batches. Also calves should have plenty of dry bedding to reduce humidity and ammonia vapour which makes the air stale.

Plan for early turnout this spring

Given the high cost of concentrates this winter the early turnout of cows to grass this spring is likely to be an important aim on many farms.
To achieve early grass consider spreading a suitable nitrogen product, making best use of slurry.

Benefits of early turnout

Based on research carried out by Hillsborough the net benefit of early turnout in March was worth £1 per cow per day. This research was carried out using two groups of cows with both groups receiving good quality silage.
Early turnout usually results in savings on meal costs and/or improvements in milk yields and milk quality. If considering early turnout in February or March consider carefully how this will affect your quota position.

Housing and heat detection

February is a peak month for service in many dairy herds with good heat detection being critical in successful re-breeding. It is estimated that a missed heat can cost up to £100 so every effort should be made to spot cows coming into season. Providing the right environment, both to encourage cows to come on heat and be seen is crucial in proper herd fertility management.

Comfortable beds

In the average dairy herd one cow in every 6 will become lame at some point during winter housing. It is well known that lameness reduces fertility. The more time a cow spends lying down the less likely she is to become lame. Good bedding can increase lying time by up to 20% and is an essential element in acceptable cow comfort and performance.

Good lighting

A combination of poorly lit cattle courts and short day length is not conductive to cows coming on heat. Experimental work both in USA and UK shows that milk yields in cows can be increased by 6-8% by allowing up to 18 hours of light in dairy buildings in every 24 hours. The cost of extra lighting will easily pay for itself especially if Economy tariffs can be utilised. The other benefit of extra light is improved herd fertility, largely as a result of easier and more effective heat detection.

AI facilities

Failure of cows to hold to service is one of the most annoying management problems in most dairy herds. Every effort should be made to provide good holding and handling facilities for cows being presented for service. The aim should be to minimise stress both on the cow and the inseminator. Try not to introduce changes to the normal grouping and feeding routine for cows during the main service period.
Environmental issues
  • In 2003 the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Soil and Air were issued to most farmers in Northern Ireland. These Codes describe management practices that should minimise the risk of pollution occurring on the farm.
  • With regard to legislation, the Environment and Heritage Service, an agency within the DOE, are responsible for enforcing the newly introduced Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) ("SSAFO") Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. 
  • The SSAFO regulations brought into force additional anti-pollution controls covering the repair, design, construction and siting of agricultural buildings, farm waste and agricultural fuel oil storage facilities. For example, it is now necessary to give the Agricultural Regulations Team, in Environment and Heritage Service, 28 days notice of the intended date of first use of a newly constructed store, or an existing store that has been substantially reconstructed or enlarged. 
  • Currently the Good Farming Practice training programme is being delivered to farmers. One of the workshops within this programme is devoted to dealing with farm wastes and is open to all farmers.
  • Dairy farmers are also eligible to apply for membership of the Countryside Management Scheme which will re-open on the 2 February 2004 and close on 12 March 2004.
  • To be eligible farmers must own at least one hectare of land outside an ESA, have good pollution control facilities and be willing to manage existing wildlife areas which exist on the farm.
  • Other work such as hedge/tree planting and the provision of stock-proof fences may be required.
  • Payments are made each year for managing the farm within the guidelines of the scheme.
Further information on environmental schemes can be obtained from your local Countryside Management Adviser.
DARD Farm Management Notes for February 2004 have been prepared by Greenmount Campus, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise - Tel: 028 9442 6771. For further information contact your local Development Adviser.