Development of a hig igh-output grass based milk ilk production - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Development of a hig igh-output grass based milk ilk production system

Lisavaird Coop Presentation January 15th 2018

Finbar Mulligan School of Veterinary Medicine University College Dublin

Systems Research Herd

Project Title Development of a high-output grass-based spring milk production system

WHY Develop this System?

• Profitable for the dairy farmer
• Land availability/Farm fragmentation is a real issue for many dairy farmers
• Facilitates sustainable expansion
• Farmer level sustainability
• No need for extra stock, land, facilities, labour, work life balance
• National industry sustainability
• Milk production without increased animal numbers: environment
• Processing Sector

More milk available from equal number of cows

UCD Lyons Project: Development of f a Hig igh-Output Grass- Based Sp Spring Milk ilk Production System

Land as a Limiting Factor

• A limiting factor to expansion on many dairy farms is the availability
• f land around the milking platform (MP)
• Farm fragmentation - the average farm in Ireland consists of 3.5 land

parcels (O’Donnell, 2014)

• Survey of Tipperary Co-op suppliers in 2016: every hectare farmers

have on the MP, they have another 0.6/0.7 ha away from the MP (Mullane 2016, per comms)

• A higher input – higher output spring calving grazing system may

prove to be attractive in such a scenario

Our Aim

• To incorporate the most recent advances in

grassland management for dairy farms

• Use a type of dairy cow that did not exist 15

years ago that has high milk output and fertility

• Employ the best practices from nutrition research

and dairy cow husbandry

Rationale for the System

• A high output spring milk production system can be profitable when

built on a foundation of good grassland management and meeting performance targets (milk and fertility) and has a place in a sustainable Irish dairy industry

• This system is not currently researched in Ireland or internationally

Dairy Systems

Low input

• Max utilisation of least cost

feed

• Competitive resilience
• But may be suboptimal in

periods of higher milk prices

• Farm expansion reliant on high

animal numbers

High input

• TMR, confinement
• High output
• Scalable
• Reliance on purchased feed
• Risky (ability to cope with volatility)?
• Complexity
• Cost control issues

But what about the middle ground?

• High solids per ha
• Maintain grass focus
• Moderate use of

purchased feed

• Fertility and output

goals

For farmers that consider such systems what are the KPIs for success?

The role of production systems and husbandry in dairy farm profitability

(Teagasc 2015)

Finbar Mulligan

The role of production systems and husbandry in dairy farm profitability

(Teagasc 2015)

Finbar Mulligan

UCD Lyons Herd Targets

Parameter Target Stocking rate (milking platform) 3.4 LU per ha Stocking rate (whole farm) 2.4 LU per ha Milk yield per cow 7,500-8,000 kgs Milk solids per cow 625 kgs 6 week in calf rate 75% Concentrate (kg/cow/yr) 1,500 kgs % diet as grazed grass 51 % diet as grazed grass and grass silage 75

60 cows on 17.65 ha MP

Grassla land management th throughout t th the grazin ing se season

• Grazed grass is the corner stone of this system
• Grass is measured in every paddock on a Monday morning with a

platemeter and covers are entered into Agrinet

• Three conventional grassland management tools are used throughout

the grazing season (1st February – 21st November) to manage grass demand and supply:

• 60:40 Autumn planner;
• Spring rotation planner;
• Grass wedge
• Baled silage used to manage surplus/quality
• Topping minimal but used when necessary

Grassla land management th throughout t th the grazin ing se season

• Grazed grass is the corner stone of this system
• Grass is measured in every paddock on a Monday morning with a

platemeter and covers are entered into Agrinet

• Three conventional grassland management tools are used throughout

the grazing season (1st February – 21st November) to manage grass demand and supply:

• 60:40 Autumn planner;
• Spring rotation planner;
• Grass wedge
• Baled silage used to manage surplus/quality
• Topping where necessary

Grass is the corner stone

• f the system!

2017 Target Feed Budget

Days in Milk 0-20 20-60 60-120 120- 180 180-240 240-270 270- 305 306-365 (dry) Total Annual DMI (t DM) Milk yield 31 34 32 27 22 19 15

• 7500kgs

Silage DM 12 5.5 10 11 1.5 Grass DM 13.5 14.5 14.5 14 5.5

• 3.2

Concentrate 8 8 6 3.5 2.5 4 6

• 1.3

Provisional tonnes DM 2017: Grass silage 1.5; Grazed grass 3.0; Concentrate 1.3 Total DMI: 5.8 tns 52% of diet from grazed grass 78% of diet from grazed grass + silage

• Approx. 4400kgs from forage

2018 Target Feed Budget

In order to achieve and sustain high milk and milk solids output along with good fertility, high energy intakes are essential

Days in Milk 0-20 20-60 60-120 120-180 180-240 240-270 270-305 306-365 (dry) Total Annual DMI (t DM)

Milk yield 31 34 32 27 22 19 15

• 7500kgs

Silage DM 12 5.5 10 11 1.5 Grass DM 13.5 14.5 14.5 14 5.5

• 3.2

Concentrate 8 8 6 3.5 4 4 3

• 1.3

Silage Quality for spring 2018: 81% DMD, 35% DM, 0.90 UFL (12.2 UFL), 16.6% CP

Lyons farm compound 2017 (1 (15% Protein)

• 22.5% Maize grain (ground)
• 22.5% Barley (rolled)
• 15% Maize distillers grains
• 10% Unmolassed beet pulp
• 10% Soya hulls
• 10% Soyabean meal
• 1.5% Fat
• 4.5% Molasses
• From September
• Biotin added to improve hoof condition
• Soyabean meal increased to lift protein to 18%

Genetics of f th the Herd – Se September 2017

September 2017 Top 1% = €127 National average: €72

EBI(€) Milk (€) Fert (€) Calv (€) Beef (€) Maint (€) Health (€) Mgt (€) 124 40.4 47.6 37.7

• 8.9

5.2 0.8 1.3 Milk (Kg) Fat (Kg) Prot (Kg) Fat (%) Prot (%) Calv Int (days) Surv (%) 57.6 8.8 5.5 0.1 0.1

• 2.4

1.5

Genetics of the herd Genetic values of the Systems herd at Lyons (September 2017)1

1These figures are updated based on the re-evaluation on September 2017

2018 Genetics Lyons Systems Herd

EBI Milk Fert Calv Beef Maint Health Mgt Milk Kg Fat Kg Prot Kg Fat % Prot % Calv Int Surv % Overall 161 55.64 60.37 42.45

• 8.79

4.57 3.43 3.32 72.30 10.55 6.85 0.13 0.08

• 2.99

1.84 Heifers 184 56.42 75.91 41.37

• 6.68

2.70 7.91 6.49 71.89 11.84 6.52 0.15 0.07

• 3.63

2.44

Parameter Target 2016 Actual 2017 Provisional Cow numbers 60 58 60 Milking Platform ha 17.64 17.58 17.65 Silage ha 9.02 9.02 7 Whole farm ha 26.6 26 24.65 Stocking rate on milking platform 3.4 3.3 3.4 Stocking rate whole farm 2.25 2.18 2.4 % heifers in herd 22 22.4 23.3

UCD Lyons Herd Performance – 2016 and 2017 (Provisional)

Parameter Target 2016 Actual 2017 Provisional Average lactation days 305 301 305 Yield/cow (305d) 7750 7441 7548 Milk solids/cow (305d) 625 592 602 Yield/cow (actual) 7750 7407 TBC Milk solids/cow (actual) 625 588 TBC (590 approx.) Milk solids/ha MP (305d) 2125 1953 2,040 Milk solids/ha Whole Farm (305d) 1521 1291 1,440

UCD Lyons Herd Performance – 2016 and 2017 (Provisional)

2016/17 Grassland Performance

Parameter 2016 Actual 2017 Provisional Grass grown kg/ha 13,060 14,000 Silage on MP (kg/ha) 1,710 2,000 Herbage utilized kg/ha 11,417 12,200 Grazed Grass utilized/ha 9,707 10,200 Grazed Grass utilized/cow 2,942 3,000 Milk from forage (kgs) 4,400 4,400 approx. Silage ground required 9.02 7 Nitrogen MP kg/ha 235 260 P MP kg/ha 9.3 8.6 K MP kg/ha 31.7 44 Nitrogen Silage kg/ha 263 232

2017 Paddock Growth Comparison

Dairy eprofit monitor analysis 2015

Source: Teagasc

Finbar Mulligan

2016 and 2017 Reproductive performance

2016 2017 Number of Cows 58 59 Submission Rate % 91 90 First Service Conception Rate % 43 50 6-week Pregnancy Rate % 59 54 Empty Rate % 9 (12 weeks) 15 (13 weeks)

• Breeding started 24/25th April in both years
• 13 weeks of A.I (once/day)
• Bulls: FR2226, FR4020, FR2298, SEW, FR4019, FR4118

Fin inancial Assumptions 2017 Lyons systems herd

(M (Moderate in input 30 30% repla lacement rate; Lo Low in input 20 20% replacement rate)

*Assuming excellent technical performance from ‘low input’ system – 450kg MS from 400kg meal

Low Input 20% RR Low Input 20% RR Analysis at low milk price 26 c per litre (€3.25 per kg MS)

• Ensure we have a good dry cow period
• In 2017
• Range in calving BCS
• 18 out of 60 cows had high BCS at calving

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current prio iorities for hig igh output herd at Lyons

• Ensure we have a good dry cow period
• High Calving BCS 2017
• May have caused poor appetite in early lactation

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current prio iorities for hig igh output herd at Lyons

Milk solids analysis: High output herd Lyons 2017: Showing under-feeding

Current prio iorities for hig igh output herd at Lyons

Target BCS for dairy cows BCS at Drying off 2.75-3.0 BCS at calving 3.0-3.25 BCS at 42 days in milk 2.75 minimum BCS at breeding 2.75 minimum BCS in late lactation 2.75-3.0 90% of the herd should meet these targets

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Finbar Mulligan UCD

High BCS at calving causes increased BCS loss post- calving

UCD Lyons Research Farm J Dairy Science 2010

BCS and BW loss after calving for BCS 3.25 and 4.04 at calving Calving BCS BCS loss BW loss 3.25 0.64 43.30 4.04 1.12 55.52 P 0.001 0.065

Finbar Mulligan UCD

• **= P<0.01, * **= P<0.001

** *

PC, entire post-calving period

The effect of body condition score at calving on serum BHB concentration.

• Thin cows in the dry and transition period
• A greater risk of:
• Uterine infection
• Milk fever
• Lameness
• Heuer et al. (1999)
• Roche and Berry (2006)
• Hoedemaker et al. (2009)
• Bicalho et al. (2009)

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

For cows that have high BCS at dry off BCS on target + long dry period BCS on target + high DMD grass silage Cows calving from March 1st on

Restricted amounts of energy should be fed in the first month

• f the dry period

For the last 2 weeks pre-calving dry cows must be fed ad libitum (no restriction)

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Major minerals and trace elements for dry cows
• Most important issue is to provide a good calcium status
• Its not only milk fever that is a problem
• Subclinical hypocalcaemia has significant consequences
• Suppression of the immune system

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Milk Fever / subclinical hypocalcaemia consequences

 muscle function  Rumen and GIT motility  Immune function  Uterine motility  Teat sphincter contraction  Feed Intake  Energy balance  Rumen fill  Ketosis  Fatty liver  Reproduction  Displaced abomasum  Milk Yield  Dystocia  RFM  Uterine involution  Metritis Reproduction  Mastitis

Adapted from Wilde (2005)

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Problems arising from poor mineral nutrition
• Low calcium or clinical milk fever
• Immune system suppressed
• Uterine infection
• Retained placenta
• Mastitis

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Nutritional issues for dry cows

Dietary major minerals Have forage analysed Ensure appropriate Magnesium in dry cow minerals eg 20-30g (0.4% of diet DM) Some silages will need Phosphorous supplemented in the dry cow mineral

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Nutritional issues

Dietary major minerals dry cow diets Try and avoid high potassium grass silages 11% of Irish grass silages have more than 3.1% potassium Mix with straw for dry cows Use a different forage for dry cows Use anionic products

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Nutritional issues
• Trace elements and vitamins for dry cows
• 63% of Irish grass silages are low in Copper
• 43% of Irish grass silages are very low in Iodine
• 69% of Irish grass silages are very low in Selenium
• 29% of Silages are low in Zinc
• Rogers and Murphy 2000

Important to note some grass silages are high in Selenium!! Forage analysis needed!!

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Priorities for dry cow minerals (daily allowances per cow)
• 20-30 g of Magnesium
• Phosphorous only if required (eg 5 to 10g)
• Avoid or dilute high K silages if possible
• 300 mg of Copper
• 30 mg of Iodine
• 5 mg of Selenium (unless silage high in Selenium)
• 750 mg of Zn
• 400 mg of Mn
• (where forages are deficient in trace elements)
• 75,000 IU Vitamin A
• 25,000 IU Vitamin D
• 1,200 IU Vitamin E

Finbar Mulligan UCD

Dry ry cow diet UCD Lyons 2017/2018

• First 45 days
• 9 kg Grass silage DM (Third cut: 67 DMD, 13.2 Protein)
• 150 g of minerals
• Aim here is to feed just below energy requirement (95% of energy

requirement)

• Important
• All dry cows must be able to consume at the same time
• Diet must change 21 days pre calving

Dry ry cow diet UCD Lyons 2017/2018

• Last 21 days
• 9 kg Grass silage
• 2 kg of Barley
• 150 g of minerals
• 500 g of soychlor
• Bedded on fresh straw / available at maternity pen
• Aims here
• Feed energy to requirement
• Prepare the rumen
• Use of soychlor to help prevent against low calcium status (silage high in K)

Dry cow diet UCD Lyons 2017/2018

• Practical things are important
• Can all dry cows eat at the same time?
• Is it possible to foot bath dry cows?

• Nutritional priorities in lactation
• Support high level production
• Ensure early lactation diet does not compromise health and fertility
• Nutritional goals must be achieved in a way that is financially sustainable

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Nutritional priorities
• Support high level production without excessive BCS loss
• Energy requirement must be supplied to prevent BCS loss and maintain

production and health

• Milk protein %
• Milk yield
• Fertility
• Immunity
• Lameness

Current priorities for high output herd at L Lyons

• Grazed grass-based diets for high producing dairy cows

Feeding high producing dairy cows in Ireland

• High producing cows may require high levels of concentrate while at grass if grass intake is low

Milk Yield kg/day 28 30 32 34 36 38 10 8.8 9.8 10.7 11.7 12.6 13.6 11 7.7 8.7 9.6 10.6 11.5 12.5 12 6.6 7.6 8.5 9.5 10.4 11.4 13 5.5 6.4 7.4 8.3 9.3 10.2 14 4.4 5.3 6.3 7.2 8.2 9.1 15 3.3 4.2 5.2 6.1 7.1 8.0 16 2.2 3.1 4.1 5.0 6.0 6.9 17 1.1 2.0 3.0 3.9 4.8 5.8

Feeding high producing dairy cows in Ireland kg of concentrate required per day

Grass DMI kg/DM/day

• The importance of energy allowance
• High levels of supplements are required when grass availability is low

and milk production is high

• In reality many high producing cows don’t receive this level of

supplementation

• Compromised production
• Fertility performance
• Extended calving interval

Feeding high producing dairy cows in Ireland

When grass dry matter intake is less than 12 kg in March, Lyons farm cows underfed by almost 4 UFL per day even when consuming 8 kg of feed This is more than 1 kg of BW loss In 2018 we hope to use high quality silage after morning milking if if grass dry ry matter in intake is is lo low to try and avoid this issue

Current prio iorities for hig igh output herd at Lyons

Be careful that the planned early lactation diet is not too low in energy Recent herd investigation UCD Herd Health for poor fertility 6 kg grass DM; 7 kg first cut DM; 3 kg of feed Diet Provides : 73% of energy required 5.3 UFL Deficit per day (1.5 kg BW loss per day)

Nutrit ition of the early ly la lactation dairy iry cow energy bala lance to support fertili ility

Key fin findin ings to date: :

• High level of milk output possible in high EBI

cows

• Good grass utilisation possible in high output

systems

• Demonstration of high levels of milk production

and fertility remains an issue

Challenges for the system

• Grazing swards to an acceptable residual and still feeding the cow?
• Achieving desirable dry matter intakes in spring
• Cows with too much milk?
• Grazing in poor soil conditions
• Lameness in the herd

Focus for 2018

• Increase grass grown (14.5 tonnes)
• Increase grass consumed in feed budget (3.2 t/cow)
• Improve per cow performance (625 kg of Milk solids)
• Improve fertility performance
• Better match grass and concentrate input

UCD Team

• Prof Karina Pierce
• Prof Finbar Mulligan
• Dr Bridget Lynch
• Luke O’Grady BVMS
• Prof Alan Fahey
• Joris Somers BVMS
• Dr Michael Wallace
• Ciaran Hearn
• Dr Faisal Zahoor
• Farm staff and students at Lyons

Live since March 2017 every week UCD website Twitter Facebook

Systems Research Herd Updates:

Thank you for your attention

Finbar Mulligan