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More than 170 dairy farmers from all over the South West, representing over 22,000 cows, flocked to hear the latest advice on how to improve herd health, performance and profitability at two seminars staged recently by Mole Valley Feed Solutions and Keenan Rumans. Hosted by Holt Farms Ltd at Blagdon in Somerset and T.C. & D.A. Martin at Trescowe Farm, Bodmin in Cornwall, the free- to-attend events provided farmers with an ideal opportunity to draw on the experience of forward-thinking nutritionists and a leading veterinary surgeon.

Highlighting the latest developments in protein nutrition, Dr Chris Bartram, Head of Agri Development for Mole Valley Feed Solutions, and Peter Isaac, the company's Dairy Products Manager, explained how the use of specific protein ingredients is enabling protein levels in dairy rations to be reduced, in some cases from the industry-standard 17.5% to a relatively-low 14.5%, without adversely impacting milk yield or protein content. Encouraging farmers to capitalize on the findings of this research, Dr Bartram suggested that they work closely with a specialist ruminant nutritionist to conduct a detailed review of existing diets, look closely at key parameters and ensure that rations deliver optimum performance, at least cost.

Dr Bartram stated: "The three key new areas in dairy cow nutrition are, measuring the amount of microbial protein produced in the rumen, assessing amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, and reviewing farm nitrogen balance, which is likely to become ever more crucial in view of new legislation that will effectively act as a quota on nitrogen. Given that the amount of protein excreted is proportional to the amount fed, feeding less will therefore reduce the amount passing through the animal. The challenge is to achieve this whilst maintaining milk yields."

To survive and produce milk, cows require metabolisable protein, the level of which increases with yield, Dr Bartram emphasised, adding that metabolisable protein consists of two components, that produced by microbes in the rumen and digestible undegradable protein (DUP), or bypass protein, which is supplied from specific protected protein sources. The aim is to maximise the level of microbial protein, but to do this the rumen requires a specific protein/energy supply, together with the correct rumen environment. Increasing the microbial protein supply reduces the need for expensive DUP, which reduces feed costs.

Not only is the quantity of metabolisable protein important but also its composition, Peter Isaac pointed out. Metabolisable protein is made up of amino acids. It is interesting that the composition of microbial protein is very similar to that of milk protein. This means that increasing the supply will provide what the cow needs to make more milk with a higher protein content.
Unfortunately, says Mr Isaac, many nutrition systems underestimate metabolisable protein requirements, leading to potential gaps in protein supply, poor milk yield and/or low milk protein.

The goal, he points out, is therefore to achieve ideal nutrition, at least cost, by understanding metabolisable protein requirement, maximising rumen microbial protein levels by supplying correct levels of energy/protein and achieving the correct rumen environment. Supplying sufficient DUP to fill the gap and reviewing the amino acid content of metabolisable protein is therefore a key part of optimising herd nutrition and feed costs.

Martin Kavanagh, a respected independent veterinary surgeon in Ireland who works closely with Keenan Rumans, emphasised that when it comes to herd management, prevention is always better than cure. Focusing on the practical aspects of dry- cow management strategies, Mr Kavanagh highlighted the importance of using the correct techniques to control metabolic disorders such as acidosis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, milk fever and retained cleansings at calving. He also drew attention to the benefits of managing a single group of dry cows, optimising energy intake and the importance of straw.

"Achieving optimum feed conversion efficiency (FCE) has never been more important, or rewarding as at present," stated Mark Voss of Keenan Rumans.
Highlighting how to exploit this as a tool to control feed costs through better overall ration utilization, Mr Voss said that against a backdrop of ever-rising concentrate and forage costs, even apparently minor changes to ration formulation could often improve feed conversion efficiency and produce significant improvements in herd profitability. Based on a FCE of 1.2, milk production costs in the average UK herd have risen from 8.3p/litre to 13.3p/litre, yet improving FCE to 1.4 would reduce that figure to 11.4p/litre, significantly increasing profitability.

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