DAIRY_NEWSLETTER_AUTUMN_2014

DAIRY
N E W S L E T T E R
AUTUMN 2014
Inside this issue...
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MAIZE
FOCUS ON DIGITAL DERMATITIS
YOUNGSTOCK HEALTH
• Coccidiosis at Pasture
• Calf Growth Challenge
• Calf Success at Hardwick Farm
Wynnstay are proud to
support the needs of the
BRITISH DAIRY FARMER!
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter September 2012
1

2
Contents
Page
3 CALF GROWTH
CHALLENGE
4-5 COCCIDIOSIS IN CALVES
AT PASTURE
6-7 PREGNANCIES FOR PROFIT
8-9 DIGITAL DERMATITIS
A potential bottleneck?
10 EPRINEX® BOOSTS HERD
HEALTH
11 CONSEQUENCES OF
WARMING TMR DIETS
12-13 PLANNING FOR EXTREME
WEATHER
14-15 FREQUENT FEEDING TRIAL
CHANGES FARM POLICY
16-17 WORKING WITH
WYNNSTAY TO ENSURE A
PROFITABLE FUTURE
18 SUCCESS AT HARDWICK
FARM
19 TOP AWARD FOR BELLA
AG BOLUS
20 AUTUMN OFFERS
21-23 QLF LIQUID FEED
MOLASSES
24-25 MAKING THE MOST OF
MAIZE
26-27 MAXAMMON FOR ALL
SEASONS
28 THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
FROM WYNNSTAY
Wynnstay Retail - 01691 662690
Wynnstay Arable- 01939 210555
Wynnstay Feeds- 01691 828512
To find your nearest store visit
www.wynnstay.co.uk/locations.html
For the latest information from our
dairy team...
www.wynnstay.co.uk
CHALLENGE DAIRY UPDATE
Since winning the competition back in April there has been a
lot of activity on the farm. As part of the Challenge Dairy prize
I have received nutritional advice provided by Wynnstay and
this has seen our milk production increase from 22L per cow
to 28L, I am now looking to maintain this level of production
throughout the winter. Currently the cows are grazing through
the day and in at night. The cows are now having 9 kilos of
blend per cow in the TMR, with the high yielders receiving a
maximum of 4 kilos of dairy nuts in the parlour.
Before winning the Challenge Dairy competition we used
Holstein Friesian bulls on the cows and Limousin bulls on the
heifers. Fertility was pretty good on the farm but I had concerns
over accuracy with the bulls, either cows were being served
too early post calving or being missed all together, resulting in
them going on late into lactation before being served.
When we used bulls we didn’t have any accurate record of
serving dates making it hard to determine drying off date.
Genus began work on the farm mid-July and since then we
have seen a big improvement in fresh cow management.
Having Genus on the farm has made me pay a lot more
attention to the fertility, in particular heat detection I have
learnt a lot about detecting signs of heat and take an active
part in helping our AI technician. We hope to see milk yields
rise even further as the calving index will improve resulting in
more fresh cows in the tank.
As part of the Challenge Dairy prize, Pentagon Associates have
now taken over a proportion of our book keeping. Karen from
Pentagon visits us once a month to collect invoices and do our
VAT. I will be sitting down with Steve from Pentagon later on
this month to discuss the future of the farm and, as part of this we will be creating a farm
business plan.
For updates on the Challenge Dairy competition you can follow Trystan on twitter @cd_dairy
or visit the Challenge Dairy Website at www.challengedairy.co.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us at the following upcoming events to see our latest products and services for
dairy farmers;
UK Dairy Day, 17 th September, Telford International Centre
The Dairy Show, 1 st October, Bath and West Showground
The Welsh Dairy Show, 14 th October,
United Counties Showground Carmarthen
Dairy Team Contact Details
Steve Brown - Ruminant Feeds Product Manager
m: 07774 855026 steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk @sirbilly55
Dr Huw McConochie - Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie
Iwan Vaughan - Dairy Specialist
m: 07990 578548 iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk @maesmochnant
Gill Dickson - National Calf Specialist
m: 07971 296702 gill.dickson@wynnstay.co.uk @Healthycalves
Rebecca Richards - Calf Specialist
m: 07881 093633 rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk @richardscalf1
Adrian Morgan - Dairy Business Development Manager
m: 07780 683043 adrian.morgan@wynnstay.co.uk
Alan Dickson- Business Development Manager
m: 07968 177726 alan.dickson@wynnstay.co.uk
CALF GROWTH CHALLENGE
38 - 50kg in 3 weeks?
The annual calf cheque from a flying herd can make a significant
contribution to overall herd profitability, even in the current beef
climate!
When the bull calves are Holstein, it still makes sense to give
them a good start. In a difficult market, you can always sell a
good animal. Simon Fryer of ‘Meadow Quality’ calf group says
“too many dairy farmers are failing to reach the top grades with
their calves”, this is sometimes just through breeding but mainly
through inadequate feeding.
The old adage ‘90% of the breeding goes in at the mouth’ rings
true, especially with calf rearing. A dairy cross calf which looks
like a suckler calf will achieve a high grade and a high price either
via a calf group or the auction mart.
One way to achieve a better frame, with plenty of cover, is to feed
more milk, or milk powder in the first 4 weeks of life when the
calf’s ability to convert feed into growth is at its most efficient.
A system which mimics the cow is the most effective way to put
on weight, so ad lib feeders, including computerised feeders show
outstanding results.
‘Ad lib milk and
loving it!’
Back in the 80’s ad lib feeding with cold acidified milk powder
gained popularity, but high powder prices saw a swing back
towards restricted systems and once/day feeding. Currently, with
milk powder at 20p/litre and whole milk at 30p/litre, it’s time to
think again.
When ambient temperature is around 20°C calves will happily
drink cold milk ad lib and grow at 1kg/day, allowing a calf to
Restricted Feeding
Ad-Lib feeding
Twice
Computer Fed
Warm
Once Daily
Cold ad-lib
Daily
'little & often'
ad-lib
CMR (kg) 18 21 26 30 42
Costs @£1600/ tonne £28.80 £33.60 £41.60 £48 £67.20
Concentrates to 11 weeks (kg) 125 130 120 110 96
Costs @ £280/ tonne £35 £36.40 £33.60 £30.80 £26.88
Overheads to weaning £27.80 £27.80 £37.30 £27.80 £28.90
(vaccination, vet and med,
straw, energy, feeder hire)
Labour to weaning (minutes) 115 70 20 40 20
Cost/calf @£7.42/ hour £13.80 £8.40 £2.40 £4.80 £2.40
Costs /calf to 11 weeks
Feed costs £63.80 £70.00 £75.20 £78.80 £94.08
All overhead costs £41.60 £36.20 £39.70 £32.60 £31.30
Total £105.40 £106.20 £114.90 £111.40 £125.38
Calf weight at 11 weeks 102 105 108 108 114
TOTAL REARING COST
(£/kg liveweight gain) £1.88 £1.80 £1.85 £1.80 £1.84
*This is a rough guide to compare systems. Performance will also be influenced by other factors (colostrum status, disease level, hygiene etc.)
** Based on calves entering the unit at 46Kg
*** Adapted from the Volac Calf Management Guide with updated CMR and concentrate costs
Courtesy of Volac
reach the target of 50kg at 21 days. Calves bloom and thrive on
ad lib feeding, growing away from disease.
This system fulfils all the ‘Red Tractor’ criteria for calf welfare
allowing group rearing. It’s a ‘once a day’ system with a difference
– it’s available ALL day!
The cost of different feeding systems has been recorded by Volac.
In this comparison, the ad lib warm milk calves were the heaviest
at 11 weeks, but the cost per kg liveweight gain was similar to a
once/day system (see below). Calves should not be fed restricted
to ‘once a day’ until they are 28 days old and eating adequate
dry feed.
During the winter months, when temperatures dip below 10°C,
growth rates plummet, so it’s necessary to heat the milk. If you
have 40 calves or more, hiring a Volac Autofeeder is one option,
or a more permanent solution is a small efficient ‘Heatwave®
milk warmer’ which flash heats cold milk before arriving at the
teat.
The ‘Heatwave®’ system has been developed to cope with the
cold winter months, allowing a continuous supply of warm milk.
Theres a Heatwave® coming in the autumn - please ask for further
details from the Wynnstay Calf Team.
Wynnstay
Calf Team:
Gill Dickson
National Calf Specialist
m: 07971 296702
gill.dickson@wynnstay.co.uk
@Healthycalves
Rebecca Richards - Calf
Specialist
m: 07881 093633
rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk
@richardscalf1
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 3

COCCIDIOSIS IN CALVES AT PASTURE
If youngstock at grass look thin or have scour, it is easy to
assume worms are at fault. However, on an increasing number of
occasions, coccidiosis is the cause.
Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoa parasite infection. The
lifecycle involves damage to the gut wall, as the various stages
develop and reproduce, eventually resulting in shedding of
“oocysyts”, the highly resistant eggs, in massive quantities in
faeces. These oocysts are the source of new infection, and can
survive many months in the correct conditions, and even overwinter
on pasture.
There are three main pathogenic species of coccidiosis (Eimeria)
in cattle: E zuernii, E bovis and E alabamensis, each with slightly
different life cycles. Generally, the lifecycle is around 3 weeks
(slight shorter for E alabamensis) which means that calves are
most likely to show disease from 3-4 weeks onwards, but disease
occurs commonly up to yearling stage, and occasionally in older
cattle.
Balance between infection and immunity:
Immunity
Where oocyst numbers are
low, and calves are not
stressed, immunity will ensure
coccidiosis is kept at bay: the
disease is self-limiting and
good immunity develops.
Classic coccidiosis symptoms include weight loss with dark
diarrhoea, straining and streaks of blood, typically in calves 6-12
weeks of age. Whilst this might be the “classic” form, there is
a very wide range of degrees of disease. It is fair to say that all
farms will have some coccidiosis - the protozoa is found virtually
everywhere. In around half of farms, the infection is self-limiting,
with low doses of infection stimulating immunity and calves
becoming immune before disease develops: the calf wins. In the
other half of farms, the parasite wins. In most cases, this means
the calves fail to grow as well, they lose their appetite, and some
might scour. Although they eventually recover, large economic
losses will occur.
In the minority of cases, the scour is severe, the calves constantly
strain, and blood is passed in the faeces. In these cases, the calves
can die without treatment as the parasite definitely has the upper
hand, and the calves no longer have the ability to fight off the
infection and gain immunity. So, coccidiosis immunity, infection
Parasite
Where oocyst numbers are
high, or calves have stress, the
parasite develops and large
numbers of oocysts are shed
in faeces. Varying degrees of
disease develop, with severe
infections resulting in scour,
weight loss and even death.
and disease is always a balance, with the “classic” signs being the
tip of the ice-berg representing the scenario when the parasite
has clearly won.
Coccidiosis at pasture:
Usually, E. alabamensis is involved as this can over-winter.
Relatively small numbers of over-wintered oocysts can be
multiplied up in infected calves to cause heavy pasture
contamination, and disease which can be confused with gut
worms. Perhaps the most common scenario occurs with spring
block calving herds, where large mobs of calves are grazing,
particularly if calves are turned onto the same pasture as the
previous year.
Sometimes a trigger factor seems to be involved, such as a change
in weather, or reduction of concentrate feed. The first symptom is
calf growth rates slowing, followed by progressively more calves
developing diarrhoea. A wide gap can soon develop between the
biggest and smallest calves in the group, with more severely
affected calves falling behind. This can be very significant for
block-calving herds in particular, where growth rates must be
maintained so heifers can be served to calve in the block.
Diagnosis:
As sheep farmers will confirm, differentiating coccidiosis from
worm infestation is not always straight forward. Laboratory
diagnosis using faeces samples is the most usual method to use,
via the vet. Detecting coccidiosis eggs in faeces does not always
confirm the diagnosis, as some coccidial species do not cause
disease, so always involve your vet in interpretation of results too.
There are other potential causes of ill-thrift and scour which your
vet can help rule out.
Once a diagnosis has been established, treat the affected calves,
but just importantly, plan ahead for future batches or years, as
prevention is always better than cure. It is important to have in
mind that once the calves have started scouring, anticoccidial
therapy has a limited effect on avoiding the consequences
of the disease. The setback suffered is virtually impossible to
compensate for later.
Control:
A good preventive strategy will keep the balance of infection
in the calves’ favour, allowing immunity to develop. Reducing
environmental build up of oocytes and keeping calves otherwise
fit and healthy are the two cornerstones of prevention.
Preventive strategies include:
1. Reducing stress - e.g. avoid sudden diet changes and keep
well fed to avoid nutritional stress.
2. Reduce infection risk - e.g. keep feed and water troughs
clean, and raised to avoid dung contamination. Rotate
pastures - avoid set-stocking. Turn out onto clean pasture
from previous year. Keep stocking density low. Maintain
youngstock in even age-groups.
3. Strategic use of Deccox in feed. This requires a veterinary
prescription, and is added in either a preventive dose or a
higher treatment dose. Accurate daily feed intakes must be
known, so the inclusion rate used can be correctly calculated
by your vet: under-dosing is common, especially when feed
is withdrawn to encourage grazing. There is no residual
activity, so once feeding stops, protection stops, until
immunity has developed.
4. Strategic oral dosing with a coccidiostat. Vecoxan and
Baycox Bovis are the two licensed products. Neither have
residual activity, so targeted dosing is necessary, timed to
coincide with likely infection - usually approximately 14 days
after exposure. Once sufficient exposure has occurred,
immunity develops. Vecoxan does not treat Eimeria
alabamensis, which is the species most often present at
pasture.
Summary:
• Be vigilant for the possibility of coccidiosis in calves at
pasture: it is not only a disease of housed calves.
• Coccidiosis parasites are found everywhere: problems occur
only when the balance of challenge and immunity is upset,
but classic coccidiosis scour symptoms should be seen as
the tip of the ice-berg.
• Develop a control strategy using your vet and your
agricultural merchant, so that clinical disease does not
occur, and growth rates are maintained. If treatment is
required, the control strategy has failed.
‘Develop a control
strategy using your
vet and your
agricultural merchant’
Dr. Owen Atkinson MRCVS
Dairy Veterinary Consultancy Ltd
4 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 5

PREGNANCIES FOR PROFIT
Pregnancies and calvings drive production and profitability.
Despite this well documented and well accepted primary principle
of profitable milk production a lot of dairy farmers still struggle
to achieve the minimum levels of performance to achieve a
consistent flow of calvings on an AYR calving system (Figure 1).
RMS Performance KPI’s
21 Day Heat Detection Rate - 50-60%
Conception Rate - >33%
Service per Conception - 80%
% Pregnant by 100 DIM - >50%
% Open at 200 DIM - 35%
In addition CI does not show where problems are occurring and
is therefore of little use in monitoring reproductive performance.
As an alternative we use heat detection rate, conception rate and
pregnancy risk/rate. The main benefits of this approach are as
follows
a) Defined as the percent of cows that are eligible to become
pregnant that become pregnant during each 21 day period
commencing at the VWP (Figure 2)
b) Eligible animals are past VWP, not DNB, not recently bred and
not pregnant
c) Combines the two major components of reproductive
management – Conception Rate x Heat Detection Rate
d) Measures success – how many pregnancies against number of
attempts
e) Monitors short term and long term trends every 21 days
f) Includes all cows – 1st lactation and animals not yet pregnant
Figure 1
Figure 3
a 100 cow herd a drop in preg rate/risk of 2% below the 17%
level required to maintain a flat calving pattern is worth between
£4000 and £4800 a year. There are potentially a large number
of reasons why cows do not get in-calf (Figure 4). But by far the
most significant reasons will be energy deficiency and extreme
negative energy balance and semen deficiency as a consequence
of poor heat detection rate and a failure to intervene with
controlled hormonal breeding programs.
Maintaining or improving reproductive efficiency in herds will be
essential to maintain profitability through a period of lower milk
prices this coming spring. However, because of the negative effect
that low energy intake has on fertility reducing feed quality and
feeding levels is not a justifiable approach. Quite simply maintain
or increase production and fertility to produce more milk and
reduce fixed costs per litre.
In the next part of pregnancies for profit we will look at the
options for improving heat detection rate, protocols to induce
heat and synchronised breeding programs.
Figure 2
If you have a calving interval of 425 as opposed to 385 days you
are in all probability forfeiting a whole year’s milk cheque every
12 years. Although calving interval (CI) gives an indication of the
magnitude of the effect poor fertility has on profitability, it is in
reality a very poor performance indicator for the following reasons.
a) A cow has to be pregnant to get a CI
b) Historic – suffers a 12 month to 2 year lag
c) Does not include 1st lactation animals
d) Projected CI assumes bred cows maybe pregnant
In an AYR calving system services, pregnancies, and calvings per
week are the important targets that need to be achieved. Figure 3
shows the effect of achieving these targets on farm profitability.
In this example the herd needs to generate 34 pregnancies per
week. When pregnancies per week are above this target the herd
will generate profit, fall below this line and profitability comes
under pressure. This is known as the hardcount line, a figure
easily calculated for any herd.
Pregnancy rate or risk can be given a direct financial value. One
percentage point is worth between £20 and £24 per cow. For
Figure 4
Image source courtesy of ABS Global Inc
Dr. Huw McConochie
Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857
huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk
6 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 7

DIGITAL DERMATITIS
A POTENTIAL BOTTLENECK?
Identifying the most limiting bottleneck on a dairy farm is the
key to improving herd performance. Bottlenecks can exist in all
shapes and forms from nutritional and cow comfort to health
issues. For the past 7 months Dr Huw McConochie has been
working with Mr Richard Pilkington of Aintree Holsteins to
improve hoof health after it was identified as being the most
significant bottleneck in his herd. The results have been most
encouraging with an improvement in locomotion score and a
three-fold reduction in the number of cows with digital dermatitis
(DD).
The process started with identifying the reason for poor herd
locomotion highlighted by monthly locomotion scoring sessions.
With the assistance of Michael Bain from Zinpro, digital
dermatitis was identified as the cause. Monthly locomotion
scoring sessions were then combined with digital dermatitis
scoring and changes to the foot bathing protocols and trimming
procedures were made.
Based on work done by Zinpro in the States, the milking cow
mineral was also reformulated. The integrity of the skin on the
heel of the hoof is the main barrier against infection by digital
dermatitis. If this becomes compromised the DD causing bacteria
which are known as Treponema spirochetes soon start to invade
the epidermal layers and can soon become established deep
within skin. Research conducted by Dörte Döpfer, and Arturo
Gomez Rivas of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary
Medicine showed that a mineral and vitamin supplement
designed to promote the integrity of the skin and enhance the
immune system was effective at reducing the prevalence of DD.
Historically the herd was foot bathed daily with a combination
of copper sulphate and formalin with dry cows and heifers only
being foot bathed occasionally. And here lay two fundamental
problems with the existing approach.
Formalin is very effective against keeping a dermatitis problem
in check. On the downside however it can help to maintain a
reservoir of dermatitis in the herd. Formalin preserves the
infection within the hoof preventing other treatments such as
topical antibiotics or Copper Sulphate from gaining access to the
infection. In combination, formalin works against Copper Sulphate.
A report published by Hoffman of Washington State University
demonstrated that Copper Sulphate above 5% concentration was
effective at reducing new DD infections and reducing the number
of existing infections. There is no conclusive evidence however
that Formalin has the same efficacy.
A fundamentally important requirement of any hoof health
protocol is to ensure that dry cows and in-calf heifers are also foot
bathed on a regular basis. Otherwise they can act as a reservoir
for infection. Every time an infected heifer or dry cow re-enters
the herd it re-introduces the disease challenge on the other cows.
Monthly locomotion and DD scoring sessions at Aintree Holsteins
are followed by the generation of a trim list. The score 3 and 4
cows (Figure 1) identified are presented to the foot trimmer on a
monthly basis. Cases of DD are treated with a topical treatment
and wraps applied. The wraps are removed from the cows before
the cow re-enters the footbath. Sending cows with wraps through
the footbath can recreate a moist warm anaerobic environment
ideally suited to the DD bacteria. In terms of scoring DD, cows
were recorded as either having no lesions, a type M2 early stage
infectious lesion (Figure 2) or a type M4 chronic lesion (Figure 3).
The footbath solution now being used at Aintree Holsteins is a
combination of Copper Sulphate, Sodium Bisulphate to improve
the solubilisation of the Copper and detergent to help improve
the cleanliness of the feet. Cleanliness of the hoof and of the
cow’s environment plays a significant role in controlling DD.
Healthy Hooves® is a commercially available alternative to
Sodium Bisulphate.
Figure 2: M2 Early Stage Infectious Lesion
Figure 3: M4 Chronic Lesion
Images Courtesy of A. Gomez, UW-Madison
After 6 months on the new regime a significant improvement
in the incidence of DD was seen (Figure 4). It was found that
the regime reduced the number of cows with lesions. This was
predominantly a reduction in the number of infectious M2 type
lesions. The M4 or chronic type lesion is the most difficult to cure
but it is this type of lesion which can revert to a M2 infective
type lesion and cause a herd outbreak (Figure 5). By not using
formalin and improving foot hygiene it may be possible that
topical antibiotics may have improved access to the chronic type
lesion making affective treatment possible.
Figure 4: Nutritional Management Service (NMS)
Progress on reducing the incidence of digital dermatitis at Shordley Hall
The focus on hoof health has also resulted in an improvement in
herd locomotion score which will help to improve milk production
and fertility. Locomotion scoring is an effective tool for identifying
hoof health issues and developing a focussed approach for a hoof
health regime. It effectively identifies those cows most likely
to go lame in the future allowing you to implement a proactive
prevention strategy. Locomotion scoring and the development
of hoof health protocols is a service offered by the Wynnstay
Technical Team.
For more information, contact
Figure 5: Outbreak Dynamics
Images Courtesy of A. Gomez, UW-Madison
Dr Huw McConochie - Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk @HuwMcConochie
Figure 1:. Score 3 and 4 cows off the Zinpro locomotion scoring chart
Iwan Vaughan - Dairy Specialist
m: 07990 578548 iwan.vaughan@wynnstay.co.uk @maesmochnant
8
www.wynnstay.co.uk
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 9

EPRINEX® BOOSTS HERD HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES OF WARMING TMR DIETS
Andrew Singleton runs 550 dairy cattle at White Hill Farm,
Preston, Lancashire. Milking 190 cows, Andrew sells his milk to a
local cheese dairy for processing. The herd at White Hill Farm are
producing an impressive average yield of 10,000 litres per cow.
Andrew says: “It is important to keep animals in very good
condition. We wouldn’t be getting the same sort of yields if it
wasn’t for herd health. They need to be in a good condition to be
productive but also so that they look well when they go through
the auction.”
There are also 300 youngstock on farm. The better half of the
young stock are kept as followers, with the other half sold through
the local auction mart. One third of the herd are newly born calves.
“We used to follow a ‘cheap and cheerful’ health regime, with
treatments carried out monthly. But we were coming to a point
where the cows weren’t bagging up properly and they were not
blooming. They weren’t giving the expected yields and they just
did not look right”, explained Andrew.
In response to this decline in stock condition, Andrew introduced
the use of EPRINEX® Pour-On. “EPRINEX® is good because you
can administer the pour-on and then don’t have to worry about
the risk of worms. The overall condition of the animals visibly
improved and the cows were also being more productive.”
Victoria Hudson, Brand Manager at Merial Animal Health, says:
“Gutworm can significantly reduce the productivity of the herd
by reducing the milk yield by as much as 2.14 litres per day 1 . This
equates to 671 litres per year.”
“Cows with gutworm often don’t show any clinical signs of
infection. Merial offer MOO tests which involves taking a bulk
milk sample and testing it for antibodies to gutworm infection in
the herd. If the results show a high level of gutworm challenge in
the herd – worming is advised.”
EPRINEX® has a zero milk withhold and is licensed for the
treatment and control of gutworms and lungworm as well as
lice and mange mites. EPRINEX® has been successfully used by
farmers for more than 15 years and is supported by post-launch
field studies trials, demonstrating the benefits of treatment on
more than 8000 dairy cows.
Andrew added: “Since we started to use EPRINEX®, we have seen
a reduced number of problems and are on top of our herd health.
EPRINEX® is a now a key part of our regime and boosts our herd’s
performance.”
For further information, and to organise a MOO Test, dairy farmers
are urged to contact their local vet or licensed animal medicine
prescriber in their local Wynnstay store.
EPRINEX® Pour-On for Beef and Dairy Cattle contains 0.5% w/v eprinomectin.
Eprinex® is a registered trademark of Merial Ltd. © Merial 2014. All rights reserved.
Legal category: POM-VPS.
1
Reist M et al, Vet Rec 2002 151:377-380
For more information please contact your local Wynnstay
Store or Animal Health Representative
Research has identified that mixed diets can be subject to
significant spoilage after feeding. This is of no surprise since the
high moisture and nutrient content is an ideal medium for the
development of yeasts and moulds which, in warm conditions,
can develop rapidly causing significant deterioration of the feed
quality of the mix.
• Heat development from yeast and mould activity reduces
feed dry matter (a rise in temperature of 1°C reduces dry matter
content by 0.25%).
• Intense microbial activity in the TMR leads to processes that
produce negative changes in both the taste and smell of the
feed
• Increased wastage of mixed feed can result from lower appetite
• Loss of dietary nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, etc.) by
microbial and yeast activity
• Different kinds of mould can form harmful mycotoxins which
can impact on performance and health through effects such as
reduced feed intake, reduced immune status, organ lesions
and fertility disturbance
The addition of an organic acid mixture (Selko® TMR) delays the
heating process under medium to high ambient temperatures.
The addition of Selko® TMR promotes higher ration intakes and
DM losses are significantly reduced.
Economic assessment of the benefit of Selko® TMR suggests that,
based only on sugar as a lost nutrient, its application could save
1 litre per cow per day in lost milk. Increased intake of other
nutrients, reduced exposure to mycotoxins and less feed wastage
are other notable benefits which could improve performance
health and fertility.
Selko® TMR Product Features
Selko® TMR is a specific liquid combination of organic acids, all
of which are approved for use in cattle feeding systems. Selko®
TMR,
• is highly effective against yeasts and moulds - this high
level of activity is due to the strong synergistic effects
between the different organic acids
• is non-corrosive (pH 5.5 - 6.0), non-toxic and completely
biodegradable
• has a low vapour density and is user friendly
• is easily and effectively distributed through the TMR mix
• has no lag-phase before the product begins to work
Selko® TMR is available from Wynnstay. For more
information, please contact Dr Huw McConochie, Iwan
Vaughan or Steve Brown.
Steve Brown
Ruminant Feeds Product Manager
M: 07774 855026
steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk
10 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 11

PLANNING FOR EXTREME WEATHER
‘Shock weather forecast: Hottest August in 300 years on
its way as jet stream boils (Daily Express Aug 2014)’ -
regardless of whether this forecast ever came to pass, it
should make us consider strategies to cope with extremes
of weather. Global warming promises more extreme weather
conditions and we have to plan around this.
Old people and young babies suffer badly in extreme weather.
Likewise, baby calves struggle when they are forced to live
outside of their ‘comfort zone’ i.e. a 10-26°C window. Exceeding
26°C takes them above their upper critical temperature. At this
temperature calves will use additional energy to cool down and
this costs money in terms of poor appetite and compromised
liveweight gain. In very hot, or very cold weather the feed rate of
milk powder should be increased by 10% to provide extra calories.
The calf will use the extra energy to increase their respiratory rate
and cool down.
300 years ago cows would wander down to the river, wade in
the water, drink copious amounts of clean water and stand in the
shade, exhibiting natural behaviour.
Some of our modern housing and management practices stop
natural impulses and fall a long way short of comfortable, in a
hot spell. American vet, Sam Leadley PhD (Attica Vets) says “with
a temperature change from 70°F to 80°F it has been estimated
water intake goes up 33 per cent” and when temperature jumps
from 70°F to 90°F, a 100% increase in water intake should be
expected.’
A badly designed calf hutch, especially if it is a dark colour with
no roof ventilation, can become like an oven in direct sunlight. As
the calf tries to cool down it comes out into the warm air, then
returns to seek shade in the hutch. There is no escape from the
heat. Calves will naturally increase their respiratory rate to try
and cool down, and their water intake increases. We can help
by jacking up the back of the hutch on blocks, to increase air
circulation, and provide ad lib cold water. Cold water 10-15°C is
preferable to get rid of excess heat. The calves may become ill,
or scour as their immune system is compromised, and in a worst
‘Calves will naturally
increase their respiratory rate
to try and cool down, and
their water intake increases’
case scenario dehydration and death may follow. Shading, or
placing the hutches under trees will cool the hutches and reduce
the stress. Black calves and those with thick hair will suffer more
owing to heat retention.
In the July 2012 Journal of Dairy Science study, elevating the
back of the hutch lowered evening respiratory rates from 58 to
44 breaths/minute and lowered carbon dioxide levels. Fibreglass
hutches or igloos are more forgiving than plastic structures as
they provide a degree of insulation from the heat. In another study
in conventional housing, using fans to force air into buildings
improved weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, and lowered
respiration rates.
Older heifers which are ready to calve down will drink more, eat
less and fertility will suffer. It has been shown that the quantity
and quality of colostrum produced is poor in a hot period. Heat
stressed heifers have smaller less vigorous calves who are not
so efficient at absorbing antibodies from colostrum, resulting in
a poor start.
CONSIDER:
• Shade
• Water - cold and frequent
• Handling - not between 10am and 10pm if possible
• Fans
• Sprinklers
‘..temperature below 10°C
will cause the calf stress,
reduced growth, and will
increase maintenance
requirements.. ‘
At the other extreme, we must plan for the winter ahead. Average
temperatures in February are from 2-8°C. Baby calves do not
tolerate cold in the same way as adult cattle and temperatures
below 10°C will cause the calf stress, reduced growth, and will
increase maintenance requirements. It also needs extra calories
for its immune response to function. Once temperatures drop
below 10°C baby calves are stressed and begin mobilising body
fat to keep warm.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Provide shelter from draughts and chilling breezes, so the calf
can lie down in a warm place e.g. hutches and igloos
Kerbl Calf Coats (56727) - Please contact your local Wynnstay Store
• Use calf coats on young calves. These have been shown to
increase growth rates by up to 6kg/calf in cold weather.
Wynnstay recommend the Kerbl Calf Coat
Would you like more information on the
rearing of youngstock?
• Feed a high energy (20% fat) warm milk. E.g. Wynngold Bloom
or Stellar
Then look out for our Calf Club Blog at
wynnstaygroup.blogspot.co.uk
Igloo and veranda providing protection from the elements
• Add milk powder to whole milk to increase milk solids
• Keep bedding dry. Allow the calf to ‘nest’ in deep straw to
conserve body heat
• Offer starter cake (Start ‘n’ Wean nuts) ad lib & and warm water
30 mins post milk feeding (before it freezes again!!)
Gill Dickson
National Calf Specialist
M: 07971 296 702
gill.dickson@wynnstay.co.uk
Our Calf Specialists will be posting regular blogs to keep you up
to date with their industry experiences and the latest information
on calf rearing.
JOIN
TODAY!
Simply visit
www.wynnstay.co.uk/calfclub.html to join
the Wynngold Calf Club
12 www.wynnstay.co.uk
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 13

FREQUENT FEEDING TRIAL CHANGES
FARM POLICY
Harper Adams student and calf enthusiast Kate Watts set out on
a mission to quantify whether feeding Holstein heifers 3x per day
would give higher growth rates than the traditional 2x per day.
This was a 10 calf trial over a 9 week period, and flagged up some
interesting findings.
three times a day, instead of the conventional twice a day system,
weighed 4.7kg heavier and were 1.7cm taller at 8 weeks old
(Schroeder, 2012). A recent survey revealed that only 8-14% of
dairy farmers and calf rearers feed calves three times a day or
more. Increased volumes of milk fed to calves has been noted to
positively affect the calf in later life, through improved immune
system, reduced age to first calving and an increase in milk
yield for the heifers first lactation. There is an estimated 15%
improvement in feed conversion, from the same nutrient intakes,
when offering multiple feeds.
Fed 2x per day
Fed 3x per day
The Herefordshire farm chosen was feeding antibiotic milk which
research has shown to lower growth rates & cause digestive
problems and scours. Some of the calves were failing to reach
80kg by 8 weeks old, and vet bills were too high.
Modern cows are producing yields 16% higher than those 10
years ago, however calf rearing practices have changed little over
the years. Studies have shown that 14.5% of heifers fail to reach
their first lactation, with an extra 33% failing to reach second
lactation, which can be linked to poor nutrient intakes in the first
8 weeks of life (Cooke and Wathes, 2014). To rear a heifer calf up
to first calving has been estimated to cost over £1200, with this
cost increasing by £50 per heifer a month when they fail to calve
down at the expected 24 months. This will have a huge impact on
the profitability of a 500 cow herd.
It is common practice in parts of Europe to feed 3x per day times
day in the first few weeks of life, but relatively unusual in the
UK. However the University of Wisconsin found that calves fed
‘Studies have shown
that 14.5% of heifers
fail to reach their first
lactation...’
The calves were housed in individual hutches and fed waste cows
milk twice per day. It was decided, during the trial period to feed
a standard product, a 26% protein 16% fat milk powder called
Volac Heiferlac fed twice per day versus 3x per day. During the
trial, the time between the afternoon meal and the following
morning meal was 13.5 hours. This is a long time for a calf to go
without milk, especially considering that calves left with the cow
will nurse up to 8 times a day in order to satisfy their appetite.
It was thought that the calves may not be receiving sufficient
nutrients needed to sustain weight gains, hence the prolonged
pre-weaning stage, failure to reach target weights and subsequent
reduced immunity to disease. It had also been noted by farm staff
that calves would call when people entered the yard at night,
which is a sign of hunger.
Figure 2 shows the starter feed intake.
For the trial period, both groups of calves had a 13.5 hour gap
between the afternoon and morning meal. However, calves fed
three times a day were given an extra meal at mid day which it
was hoped would make them feel fuller during the night.
The trial consisted of 10 Holstein calves, both male and female,
at an average of 3-5 days old. The calves were taken off the dam
at birth to reduce the spread of disease and all received 6L of
good quality colostrum within 6 hours of birth; although most
research states 4L of colostrum is adequate the farm prefers to
feed more (Lang, 2008). Colostrum from each cow was collected
after calving and the quality measured using a colostrometer.
‘Calves were not keen
to take 3 x 2.5 litres in
their first week...’
The calves were then assigned to either a 2x per day group or
a 3x per day group. Both groups were fed 250g of powder per
meal during the first 2 weeks of life. Then the twice/day group
were fed 600g/day and the 3x per day group were fed 900g per
day. The calves were weighed using a weighband every week, and
milk volume was reduced in the 7-8th week. Calves were offered
Wynnstay Start n Wean 18% protein nuts throughout.
• Calves on 3x per day suffered a massive post weaning slump.
Halving the milk quantity in 12 hours was too quick for calves
on an accelerated program. If weaning is too quick, any extra
weight gained pre-weaning will be lost post weaning. A longer,
gradual weaning retains a fast growth rate.
Discussions with the farmer and farm staff acknowledged that
feed conversion from milk is at its best in the first 63 days of life
(Volac – J.Cooke) and the fact that the calves in groups have a
higher feed intake at weaning (Bach et al, 2010). There was also
a need for a long slow weaning period, so it has been decided
to purchase a Holm & Laue computerised feeder and create a
group housing system. This machine will allow calves to rear and
socialise in groups whilst each calf will have an individual feeding
plan provided via a transponder in the collar. It will also allow the
calf rearer more flexible working hours. Better for the calves and
the staff, a happy conclusion to the trial.
Gill Dickson
National Calf Specialist
M: 07971 296 702
gill.dickson@wynnstay.co.uk
Fed 2x per day
Fed 3x per day
Lessons learned:
• Calf health was better on milk powder as the diet was more
consistent.
• Calves need 150g/litre x 6 litres per day (900g/day) to hit target
LWG of 0.7 to 0.8kg per day.
Figure 1 shows the weekly weight gains
• Calves were not keen to take 3 x 2.5 litres in their first week.
In fact 3 large meals caused inadequate weight gain. The
volume of milk given needs to be provided in meals of less
than 2.5 litres when frequent feeds are offered.
14 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 15

WORKING WITH WYNNSTAY
TO ENSURE A PROFITABLE FUTURE
It is highly likely this spring that milk prices will come under
pressure, so now is the time to take an in depth look at your
dairy enterprise and identify where extra margin can be realised.
If you look at feed costs and reducing them, quite simply you are
looking in the wrong place. Reducing the costs of your feed will
inevitably mean feeding less or feeding cheaper poorer quality
ingredients. The net effect of this will be reduced milk output
and actually higher costs of production. In general silage quality
this year is not as good as expected and therefore cutting feed
costs and compromising quality will only reduce your herd’s
performance and profitability.
to over 400 this winter. Wynnstay in conjunction with VES Europe
have provided Edward with advice on the design of his new unit
including layout, lighting, ventilation and stall design. Working
closely with Genus RMS technicians we have also put together a
new repro management programme to increase the submission
rates and help achieve >80% of cows served by 80 DIM. The new
protocol has allowed him to move the VWP to 50 days and give
all the cows the maximum opportunity to conceive to a natural
heat which is more successful than serving after an ovsynch.
Profitability is governed by production efficiency and output
because the value of your product should always be greater than
the cost of your raw materials. The level of fixed costs per litre is
reduced by increased output. Controlling fixed costs and diluting
them with increased production is the way to ensure profitability.
Maximising your herds output ( in no particular order) is dependent
on the following
1. Good fertility
2. Effective transition cow management
3. High health status
4. Sound locomotion
5. Access to good quality forage
6. Good nutrition using the highest quality ingredients
7. Effective cow management protocols
Figure 1 Average yield per cow in milk and in herd
Dave Richards of Ridgend Farm, Wichenford, Worcestershire
runs 200 cows milked twice a day and housed all year round.
Dave teamed up with Wynnstay Senior Dairy Specialist, Huw
McConochie in December and since then has seen yields improve
significantly (Figure 1). More importantly Dave has realised an
increase of 30% in milk sold but only an increase in cow numbers
of 7% and all achieved without incurring any additional fixed costs.
Production has increased nearly
30% with less than a 10% increase
in cow numbers.
Dave Richards, Ridgend Farm
It’s a similar story at Court Farm, Dymock, Gloucestershire
where Calvin and Rachele Pugh milk 220 Holstein Friesian
cows. Production has increased nearly 30% with less than a 10%
increase in cow numbers. On an all year round calving and housing
system, high production is essential. One of the goals set out
by the Pugh’s when they started working with Wynnstay was to
increase production per cow. The transition period was identified
as being the most important bottleneck in the system which was
reducing milk production in early lactation. A total change in the
nutrition of the dry cows was implemented which together with
changes in the fresh cow diet has yielded encouraging results
(Figures 3). The transition cow diet is now based on Soychlor.
Figure 3 Improvement in average milk yields of heifers (fig 3) and cows at
Court Farm
8. Cow comfort, environment and building design
9. Quality well reared replacement heifers
The Wynnstay Technical Team have been applying these guiding
principles on farms across Wales and England and achieving great
results. Central to improvements in herd performance has been
the farmer’s desire and the active participation of the farm vet.
Apart from nutrition the Wynnstay team have been involved with
advising Dave on a number of other aspects of herd management.
Following an article in the Wynnstay Dairy Newsletter Dave
decided to convert his existing straw yards to sand bedded stalls
and calving packs. In addition, following suggestions from the
team, he implemented a more aggressive approach to raising
submission rates (Figure 2) .
Figure 4 Improvement in predicted 305 day yields at Woofields Farm
Figure 2 Pregnancy and heat detection rate trends at Ridgend farm
Pugh Family, Court Farm
Soychlor is an anionic, high protein supplement that improves
calcium metabolism reducing milk fever and increasing milk
yield production in early lactation. In the first 120 days of
lactation the cows and heifers have seen an improvement of over
7 litres per day. The introduction of a DCAB transition cow diet has
also been instrumental in boosting milk production at the 520
cow Woofields herd, Ledbury. Working closely with Mathew
Pugh of Belmont Vets the transition diet has been successfully
implemented, helping to reduce transition diseases and increase
the predicted 305 day lactation yield (Figure 4).
Edward Newton of Millers Court Farm is also taking advantage
of the advice offered by Wynnstay. Currently Edward milks 200
cows milked 3x and averaging 32 litres but has plans to expand
Recently this group of dairy farmers visited Howell Richards, Cwrt
Malle farm and were under no illusion that the way forward for
their businesses was to start benchmarking against one another.
The group is currently in the process of setting up a benchmarking
group.
Positive attitude, desire to improve profitability, and working
closely with the farm vet, nutritionist and breeding technician
has been the key to the improvements made on all of these farms.
Dr. Huw McConochie
Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857
huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk
16 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 17

SUCCESS AT HARDWICK FARM
TOP AWARD FOR BELLA AG BOLUS
Nick and Liz Haines run a contract farming arrangement at
Hardwick Farm, near Ellesmere. Previously Nick worked on a
farm in Dorset, but the couple moved to Shropshire when the
opportunity to ‘have a go’ at farming presented itself.
Liz had previously worked in an office, however she was keen
to get stuck in right from the start and took on the role of calf
rearing. This is probably the most important role on the farm
when trying to establish a new herd. She is aiming to rear healthy
calves achieving the targeted daily live weight gains, and give
them the foundation to perform having entered the herd.
The couple run a spring calving herd, last year they calved from
January through to March but are looking to tighten this gap next
year. Last year they calved 350, next year they will be looking to
calve 440, and plan to expand the herd to around 500.
Auto Feeder
Traditionally Liz used to group the calves and trough feed them,
but this time the couple were looking for a way to make things
easier. Taking advice from Wynnstay on calf protocol, Liz and Nick
decided to use the Volac Auto Feeder ‘using it was an easy way
of getting warm milk into the calves and saved labour, as we are
a small team’. The calves are situated across the road and the
auto feeder meant the couple didn’t have to carry buckets across
to the calves each day, ‘just being able to chuck the powder into
the machine was so easy’ the feeder freed up their time allowing
them to focus on attention to detail.
‘For people looking for a simple
system to reduce labour, I would
definitely recommend it’
‘The calves grew very quickly on the machine and, next year
we plan to improve the weaning protocol, taking them off the
machine earlier’. Liz also paid close attention to colostrum,
ensuring the calves received 10% of birth weight within the first
6 hours, this worked well and ZST tests carried out by the vet
showed that calves had received very good levels of colostral
immunoglobulins.
The calves thrived on Wynngold Stellar and the elevated feeding
enabled by the auto feeder kept the calves fit and healthy, it was
a year where the calves faced no major health challenges. ‘We
would do this system again, weighing calves so I can wean calves
more efficiently. ‘For people looking for a simple system to reduce
labour, I would definitely recommend it.’
Rebecca Richards
Calf Specialist
M: 07971 296702
rebecca.richards@wynnstay.co.uk
The Bella Ag temperature monitoring bolus, a product which is
exclusive to the Wynnstay portfolio recently won an award for
the product which showed the most potential for improving
agriculture in Wales at the Royal Welsh Show’s Tomorrow Today
Exhibition.
The Bella Ag Bolus was chosen as one of ten products in the
Tomorrow Today exhibition of innovation in agriculture at the
show in July, and came out with the top prize of Royal Welsh
Award of Merit (Machinery & Tradestands) for new innovation
that shows the most potential for improving agriculture in
Wales.
The Bella Ag bolus resides in the reticulum of the cow, records
the cows core body temperature every 15 minutes for 5 years
providing an up to date picture of herd health. Tell-tale increases
in core body temperature can give an early indication of ill
health up to 48 hours before the observation of clinical signs
or symptoms. Implementing treatment earlier can result in an
improved prognosis and reduced veterinary costs.
The Bella Ag software flags up cows with raised body temperatures
for attention which enrols the cow on a standard treatment
protocol. Adopting bolus technology has been shown to reduce
treatment costs and the value of milk discarded as well as
increase milk production and cull value.
‘...early detection and diagnosis
of health issues...’
Different conditions generate different temperature patterns
which can be used as a primary diagnosis by an experienced
operator. In future it is predicted that data generated by the bolus
will be used to detect signatures of heat.
“We can also use those patterns to diagnose various conditions
and target our treatment better too, especially before any
symptoms are seen.”
Philip Davies of Ludchurch Farm, Narberth was an early adopter of
the BellaAg temperature monitoring bolus in 2011, he comments;
“The bolus has allowed us to give individual attention and
monitoring to every cow resulting in early detection and diagnosis
of health issues such as mastitis and pneumonia. Early diagnosis
of these issues simply means we can initiate a better treatment
programme.
In reality it’s a simple concept which works no matter what the
herd size is, and certainly a system we would recommend to
others”.
For more information on BellaAg Bolus please contact
Dr Huw McConochie - Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857 huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk
VOLAC AUTO FEEDER
Vet Rob Davies of Allen & Partners Veterinary Services in Whitland,
Camarthenshire, said his experience with the Bella Ag bolus has
shown it helped identify and treat sick cows more quickly and
effectively.
• Feeds up to 50 calves
• Provides an ad lib system that is simple and very efficient
• Maximises feed conversion in the
first few weeks of life
• Free of rigid feeding
routines the machine
allows you to attend
to your calves at your
convenience.
“We have a farmer who has used the Bella Ag temperature
boluses for several years and they have helped him find sick cows
in the very early stages of disease, sometimes even before other
symptoms have become apparent,” said Mr Davies.
“Identifying illness quickly ensures the cows better-respond to
treatment, meaning less treatment is often required and there are
fewer deaths due to infection and toxaemic conditions. In future,
taking consistent and regular readings with the boluses will help
identify temperature patterns which can be used to diagnose
different conditions.”
Liz with her weaned heifers
• HIRE THE AUTO
FEEDER FOR 6
MONTHS £300 + VAT
Please ask one of our
calf specialists for
more information
“As we continue to use the most current boluses we are beginning
to see recurring temperature patterns associated with different
activities such as eating and drinking. Different ailments show
different patterns too, so in future as we learn to interpret these
patterns I believe we will be able use them to detect when a cow
is bulling.”
Mrs Rhian Duggan, President of this year’s Royal Welsh Show presents
Dr. Huw McConochie, Wynnstay Group with the Royal Welsh Award of
Merit.
18 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 19

AUTUMN OFFERS
QLF LIQUID FEED MOLASSES
SPECIAL
WYNNMIN OFFER
ON DAIRY, BEEF & SHEEP MINERALS
20
www.wynnstay.co.uk
Order your bagged Wynnmin Minerals before
30th September 2014 and take delivery on farm by 10th
October 2014 to receive:
Up to £40/t off *
*Offer only available on orders over 1 tonne
For more details please contact your
local Wynnstay Representative or
Store Manager
Order a minimum
of 40 x 25kg Biosprint
Farm Mix live yeast for delivery
before 31st October 2014, at our already
discounted price and receive
8 EXTRA BAGS FREE OF CHARGE
(20% extra free)
Speak with your local Wynnstay Store or
Sales Representative for more details
Download our latest minerals leaflet at
www.wynnstay.co.uk/product_leaflets.html
20% EXTRA FREE*
FOR A LIMITED PERIOD
Farm Mix
For Beef and Dairy Livestock
FINE TUNING YOUR RATION INCREASES
PRODUCTION OF MARGINAL LITRES
Being a successful dairy producer requires optimizing your
marginal milk production. What is marginal milk production?
It is the additional milk that you produce per cow by finetuning
your ration and feed management.
Depending on the stage of lactation every extra Kg of dry
matter intake will result in between 0.8 and 2 litres of milk.
Cows are most efficient in early lactation when the response
is at its highest and nutrients are predominantly targeted
towards milk production. As the lactation progresses the
response drops as more nutrients are partitioned toward live
weight gain and the developing foetus.
Marginal litres are a sure way of increasing profit and do
so because of the relationship between feed costs and milk
price. The value of a litre of milk is far greater than the cost
of a kg of a dry matter of feed. Interestingly even if the
response is only 0.8 litres/kg DM at a DM cost of 22p and
a milk price of 28ppl, it is still profitable.
The financial benefit of marginal litres is in fact greater than
simply the margin between the feed cost and milk price.
The reason for this is as production per cow goes up, the
fixed costs per litre comes down and profit goes up. Stage
of lactation plays a major role in the profitability of marginal
litres. Keeping the herd’s median days in milk around the
160 to 180 days in milk will ensure a profitable milk yield
response to increased DMI.
Fine tuning carbohydrate nutrition can increase the
production of marginal litres. Milk production is solely
dependent on the delivery of glucose to the mammary
gland. Glucose is synthesised from propionate produced in
and absorbed from the rumen as well as glucogenic amino
acids. The predominant precursor of propionate in the
rumen is starch, so it follows that feeding more starch and
producing more propionate produces more milk. However,
over feeding starch can result in ruminal acidosis and a
reduction in milk fat production. Under feeding starch on
the other hand and placing too much reliance on structural
carbohydrates can reduce milk production. A nutritionist’s
goal is to find the ‘sweet spot’ - a balance between starch,
structural carbohydrates and sugar. Unlike structural
carbohydrates however, including sugar in the diet does not
reduce performance.
‘production per cow
goes up, the fixed costs
per litre comes down
and profit goes up’
have the ability to positively modify the rumen environment.
Income over feed costs was increased in all the trials. Over
the 10 trials milk production was increased by on average,
2 litres FCM (fat corrected milk) and dry matter intake
increased by 1.06 Kg DM. Including sugar in the diet will
result in an increase in the production of marginal litres,
reducing fixed costs per litre and increasing profits.
Sugar supplementation is associated with liquid feeds, but
not all liquid feeds are equal or necessarily contain the
right type of sugar. Liquid feeds produced by QLF contain
molasses or sucrose - the sugar sources which have been
scientifically proven to increase milk production and profit.
Make sure your diet is finely tuned. Discuss
with your local Wynnstay Representative or
one of our Dairy Specialists who have the tools
to help you increase your marginal litres.
In 10 University trials it was shown that when sugar replaced
some of the starch and was included in the diet at between
5-7%, milk and milk solids production was increased. Dry
matter intakes were also increased suggesting that sugars
*Offer only available on orders over 1 tonne Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Spring 2014 21

PROTEIN SOLUTIONS
QLF’s TMR products are designed for use in UK diets as high
protein, high sugar supplements and use UK sourced beet
molasses as a base which is 2.5 times the mount of natural
protein to that of cane molasses. Higher protein levels are
achieved using QLF’s unique “Timed Release” protein; QLF
create a urea phosphate solution which bonds the protein
source so as to mimic soya in way it degrades in the rumen.
Other molassed protein liquids that simply add urea into
molasses, degrade in a faster time period in the rumen and
hence may be utilised less efficiently.
The graph below shows the typical degradation times of
unbonded urea solution, soya and QLF’s “Timed Release”
protein. It is clear that QLF’s “Timed Release” protein can
be used as a substitute for soya with the same / if not
improved performance.
‘improve uniformity
of ration intake...
enhance
efficiency of feed
utilisation’
This bonding of urea into a phosphate compound slows
down the breakdown of urea into ammonia in the rumen. As
a result, rumen ammonia values are kept more constant and
do not peak at the levels of unbonded urea. This leads to a
more efficient utilisation of urea with less being absorbed
into the bloodstream as an excess level.
Addition of protein in a liquid form also benefits from an
improved dispersion throughout the whole ration and
similarly, distribution down the feed trough.
By coating the ration with a QLF liquid you will also reduce
ration sorting and therefore, not only improve uniformity of
ration intake but also enhance efficiency of feed utilisation.
QLF - The ideal “Time Release” Supplement
NEED A REASON TO FEED QLF?
WELL HERE’S THREE!
1. The power of Sugar
Feeding a source of sugar provides needed energy at the right time in relation to starch and fibre to increase ration nutritive
value – basically the sugar gives the rumen microbes a ‘kick start’.
Its all about a balance of energy sources, look to achieve 6-7% of the ration DM as sugar, a lower level will cost in terms of
diet efficiency, production potential and can lead to poor fertility.
Sugar supplements have been shown to increase fibre digestibility (starch decreases fibre digestibility) – this helps to ensure
a healthy rumen pH and optimising both animal health and productivity. Research into SARA (sub-acute ruminal acidosis)
has demonstrated that SARA cows had significantly lower NDF digestion compared to controls.
And don’t forget that not all sugars are equally effective – it’s the 6 carbon sugars that are highly rumen digestible unlike
the residual 5 carbon sugars that are found in fermented forages – QLF liquids provide the 6 carbon type.
2. Cut your bought in Protein costs
QLF protein products, manufactured using UK beet molasses, with a higher natural protein level than cane, offer a very cost
effective source of protein, in addition to the value of sugar and phosphorus they provide. QLF’s unique ‘Timed Release’
protein degrades in the rumen over a similar time period that of soya.
In addition, by having an improved rumen flora activity from meeting sugar requirements, an increased level of microbial
protein will be produced, with an ideal amino acid profile.
3. Reduced ration sorting
Addition of a QLF supplement ensures that the ration stays uniformly mixed and that ingredients are not sorted out by
livestock. This not only improves both feed efficiency but also optimises production. (Journal of Dairy Science May 2012).
Less wastage and better nutrient dispersion throughout the TMR.
NO TANK - NO PROBLEM!
QLF TANK SYSTEMS
QLF offer 10,000 litre tank (12 tonne) which is supplied with an electric pump. This
enables QLF liquid to be easily added into any mixer wagon. These heavy duty plastic
tanks do not degrade like steel types and are semi-opaque, allowing the level of
liquid to be seen at all times. The tanks are 2.7 m in diameter and must be sited on a
level, solid base. For customers requiring a larger storage volume, tanks can be linked
together and piped into a single pump.
There is the option to either purchase the tank system outright, or to rent the system
from QLF (subject to the term in the Tank Rental Agreement).
Looking at Dry Cow Management?
The liquid solution from QLF
QLF Dry Cow Optimiser 25
Specially formulated to address dry matter intake, rumen size and rumen function.
A fully mineralised product that’s effective, economical, flexible and convenient.
If you want to feed
our liquid products
and haven’t got a tank
that’s not a problem
with QLF’s tank rental
scheme.
For more information contact your local Wynnstay Representative or call our Customer Service Team on:
t: 01691 828512
22
www.wynnstay.co.uk
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Spring 2014 23

MAKING THE MOST OF MAIZE
Take home messages:
1. Be patient and harvest maize based on crop
maturity and not date
2. Aim for 33% DM and above 32% starch
3. Aim for a chop length of 15 to 22mm
4. Inspect the crop for signs of disease prior to
harvest
5. Use a bacterial silage inoculant
6. If possible wait three weeks before opening
the clamp
In general this year’s grass silages have been disappointing in
terms of quality; high in fibre and low in energy. On the other
hand this year’s maize crop looks promising and has the potential
to offset much of the poor nutritional value of grass. Making the
most of maize in our dairy diets will be the key to maintain the
excellent performance achieved by the majority of herds last
winter.
Producing high quality forage is highly dependent on the timing
of harvest. From a nutritional point of view aim for a dry matter
of around 33% and a starch content above 320g/kg DM which
should ensure energy levels in excess of 11.8 MJ/Kg DM are
achieved. Milk yield from maize silage is optimised at these
levels. The maturity of the crop can easily be established in three
easy steps. Firstly asses the DM of the cob, secondly the ratio of
cob to plant and thirdly the DM of the stalk. Cow Management
and LG Seeds have produced an App which calculates plant
maturity and predicted harvest date from these three measures
in order to optimise forage quality.
Processing the crop at harvest is the next point to consider.
In the UK we currently only have the option of chopping and
cracking the grain during harvest. There is much debate as to the
target chop length but from personal experience a chop length
of between 15 to 22mm is advisable while ensuring that all the
grains are processed. A short chop length is desirable in order to
improve utilisation provided the effective fibre of the rumen is
satisfied by other forages. In the States producers have the option
of producing Shredlage as an alternative to finely chopped maize.
In addition to crushing the kernel, Shredlage silage is longer cut
maize measuring 26mm-30mm with the stalk ripped length wise
into planks and strings (Figure 1) allowing for improved effective
fiber, better packing, and a greater exposure to the inner cells
of the plant for increased microbial activity. Shredlage has been
shown to have improved digestibility over chopped maize and
also improves butterfat levels in milk. It is thought that greater
exposure of the plant surface area to the rumen microbial
population results in the production of higher levels of acetic acid
which in turn supports fat synthesis.
Figure 1
Producers with more than adequate maize crops should also
consider the production of alternative feed products from Maize.
Ground ear maize or Snaplage is a high energy high starch feed
produced by processing only the cob of the plant. Producers that
can combine maize crops should consider producing Maxxamon
treated maize grain as opposed to crimping and treating with acid.
This produces a high starch and energy rumen friendly feed which
can help to reduce the probability of ruminal acidosis associated
with feeding high starch levels and low pH grass silage.
‘Ideally maize
silage should be left
for 3 weeks before
opening the pit...’
When mature, harvest the crop rapidly ensuring that the forage
is well consolidated in thin layers spread over the surface of
the clamp. Apply a bacterial inoculant to the forage as this will
reduce losses, improve stability and improve animal performance.
Before sheeting apply salt to the surface and shoulders of the
clamp to reduce the formation of spoilage organisms which can
increase ensiling losses and produce mycotoxins. Prior to harvest
inspect the forage for the presence of fungal disease on the
plants. Mycotoxins produced by these diseases in the living plant
can survive the ensilage process. Feeding forages contaminated
with mycotoxins can depress milk yield, milk quality, health
and fertility. In these situations consider including a mycotoxin
binder in the diet. The clamp is best covered with a cling film type
product over laid with black plastic to protect it from damage.
Ideally maize silage should be left for 3 weeks before opening the
pit. Allowing the crop to stabilize will improve aerobic stability
during feed out. This can only be achieved if sufficient maize is
produced to last the whole year. If this year’s maize crop is to be
ensiled in front of or on top of last year’s crop it is a good idea to
remove the existing forage and re-ensile it in another location.
Re-ensiling 3 weeks of maize silage requirements will allow
you continue to feed the old crop until the new crop has time to
stabilise.
The starch in maize increases in its rumen degradability over
time. At harvest maize starch can be around 60% and be as high
as 80% by the end of the winter. This is a very important point
to consider when switching from last years to new crop maize.
New crop maize will require additional rumen degradable starch
in order to maintain rumen function.
Remember we learn from everything we do on a daily basis so
if possible try to record yield and quality of different varieties,
harvest dates and crop maturities. Gathering this information will
allow you to make better informed decisions in future.
WYNNSTAY CORN
A biological inoculant for maize and wholecrop silage.
The preservation of maize silage is similar to that of grass silage,
consisting of fermentation to produce lactic acid, resulting in a
reduction in pH which preserves the crop and prevents the growth
of spoilage organisms. Maize has a high dry matter (DM) which
together with the high starch content of maize cobs generally
ensures a rapid fermentation removing the need for a lactic acid
bacteria inoculant to aid fermentation. The maize forage is at
risk from aerobic spoilage due to its high DM and high starch
so the use of an additive to prevent the growth and colonisation
of yeasts and moulds during ensiling and feed out is essential.
Wynnstay Corn has been proven to reduce the growth of these
yeasts and moulds and therefore increases the aerobic stability of
maize silage thus reducing the risk of heating at the clamp face.
Tried and Tested
Trial work has been carried out comparing 30% DM maize
silage treated with Wynnstay Corn against untreated maize.
The graph, below, shows the difference in stability on exposure
to air 95 days after ensiling. Access to air encourages yeasts to
multiply, but with treatment with Wynnstay Corn the time taken
for concentrations to reach ‘at risk’ levels is greatly extended
therefore increasing the time available to feed the forage before
the onset of nutritional losses.
For more information on Wynnstay Corn Additive please
contact your local Wynnstay Store or Sales Representative
A next generation clamp sheet that sits directly beneath traditional black silage sheeting where it clings to the forage surface to help
prevent air pockets forming. Consequently it reduces spoilage losses in the clamp and facilitate a faster, more efficient fermentation
process helping boost live-weight gain and milk yield and to provide a greater overall return from the forage harvest.
Dr. Huw McConochie
Senior Dairy Specialist
m: 07771 740857
huw.mcconochie@wynnstay.co.uk
• Thinner and more flexible - clings to the clamp surface
• Reduces top and shoulder losses
• Suitable for a variety of crops including grass, maize, whole crop silage and crimped grain
• Ideal for moist crops with a greater potential for spoilage
For more information
please ask your local
Wynnstay Store for
a competitive price
24
www.wynnstay.co.uk
Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 25

MAXAMMON® FOR ALL SEASONS
MAXAMMON® CEREALS
Whether you grow cereal or not, Maxammon is an option you
should consider. Treat your own or bought-in grain and you’ll
benefit from a stable product, a 30% increase in protein and an
alkaline pH. With its straightforward application rate and noncorrosive
nature, a growing number of famers throughout the UK
have been using Maxammon.
In support of this versatile treatment, we offer a ‘complete
package’ throughout the UK of grain analysis, technical support
and nutritional advice and if you can’t treat it yourself, it can be
treated by Feedmix. To complete the picture, a specialist range
of minerals and concentrates for beef, dairy and youngstock has
been developed to ensure that the performance of your stock is
maximised.
Maxammon is suitable for treating moist grain, combinable
wholecrop and straw and can also be used to treat dried grain
throughout the year with the addition of water, to create an
appropriate moisture level.
Cost-Effective
Maxammon provides a practical and cost-effective mature grain
treatment which widens the harvest window, treats any grain at
16-22% moisture and is suitable for storage inside or outside in
a sealed clamp.
Maxammon enhances the nutritional benefits of cereals with
increased protein and an alkaline pH, allowing grain to be safely
incorporated into diets at higher levels.
In terms of protein supply and energy efficiency, the benefits
of treating grain with Maxammon are explained below by Brian
Reidy, independent nutritionist.
There are three types of protein that are available and utilisable
by ruminants, namely By-pass Protein (DUP) e.g. soyabean meal,
Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP) as found in grass, cereals and,
Non-Protein Nitrogen (NPN) e.g. urea.
Perfect Compliment
NPN is a commonly used form of protein for ruminants and is
rapidly available in the rumen. NPN is a perfect complement to
starch in high cereal beef or dairy rations. The protein equivalent
of any NPN is 6.25 times its nitrogen content.
NPN sources such as urea require to be converted to ammonia
in the rumen prior to being used by the rumen bugs. At high
levels, urea may provide more nitrogen than the rumen bugs can
cope with and this surplus is simply passed through unused. The
process of excreting surplus nitrogen uses significant quantities
of energy thereby reducing animal performance and efficiency.
Diets including urea need to be formulated to ensure an
appropriate supply of readily available carbohydrate to match the
rapidly available nitrogen. When you feed Maxammon treated
cereals or wholecrop, you supply NPN in the form of ammonia thus
skipping a step in the process. Crucially, much of the ammonia
has reacted with, and bound to, the fibre in the Maxammon grain.
This results in a slower, more controlled release of nitrogen.
By slowing the release of nitrogen, the animal benefits from
more efficient rumen function, thereby reducing the energy
requirements for digestive purposes and optimising microbial
protein production. In this way, Maxammon encourages the
production of an improved supply of quality protein available for
digestion in the small intestine
Energy Efficiency
As a result of this energy efficiency, the protein in Maxammon
works in a similar way to DUP as it is available for absorption in
the small intestine more quickly.
Maxammon® is a combination of enzymes and essential oils that when
mixed at a specific ratio with Maxammon® Soluble Urea, preserves
moist grains and wholecrop cereals.
• Wheat, maize, barley and oats can be treated
• A wide range of moisture contents (18-22%)
• Harvesting can be at higher moisture level
• One application rate per tonne
• Can be stored indoors or outdoors as long as clamp is sealed
thoroughly
• No drying cost, dust free, vermin free
• No mould, no waste
• Ready to feed 2-3 weeks after treatment
• Consistent feed with high nutritional content
• Very high pH feed giving a healthy rumen, minimising acidosis
• Enables higher levels of starch to be fed, safely
• 3-4 extra units of rumen available protein
How to treat grain:
1. Harvest grain at 18-22% moisture
2. Crimp or lightly roll
3. Pre-mix 5kgs Maxammon® + 15kgs Maxammon® Soluble Urea
and mix with every tonne of crimped or lightly rolled grain
4. Fill clamp to a depth of between 4ft and 10ft depending on
moisture content
5. Ensure clamp is on a clean concrete floor with at preferably
concrete side walls and a concrete back wall.
6. Ensure clamp is sheeted and sealed thoroughly
7. After 2-3 weeks, grain is ready to feed. If the clamp is indoors, the
sheet can be removed; if outdoors, keep the clamp covered to
prevent rain spoilage.
Feeding recommendations
Dairy
Housed: 2-6kgs/hd/day, enabling much higher starch % in total diet
Grazing: 1-4kgs /hd/day
Dry cows: 0.5-1 kg/hd/day
Beef
Intensive: up to 9kgs/hd/day
Calves & rearing cattle: 3m old 1-2kgs; 12-15m old 2-4kgs
• Maxammon® treated wheat can also be purchased as a straight or
as part of a bespoke feed.
• A specific Wynnmin Maxammon® balanced mineral should be fed
alongside Maxammon® treated cereals.
• Maxammon® treated cereals should be fed following rationing
advice from a qualified Wynnstay Nutritionist.
Steve Brown
Ruminant Feeds Product Manager
M: 07774 855026
steve.brown@wynnstay.co.uk
26 www.wynnstay.co.uk Wynnstay Group Plc Dairy Newsletter Autumn 2014 27

THE COMPLETE DAIRY PACKAGE FROM WYNNSTAY
DAIRY NUTRITION PRODUCTS
• Compounds
• Blends
• Straights
• Molasses
• Minerals
• Supplements
CALF & HEIFER REARING PRODUCTS
• Wynngold Calf Milk Powders
• Concentrates - starters, rearers
• Supplements, Minerals, Boluses
• Equipment, Calf feeding machines, Housing
FERTILITY
• Heat detection
• Heat time
• Tail paint
ANIMAL HEALTH PRODUCTS
• Maxammon for
wholecrop & grain
• Heat detection
• Trace element boluses & milk fever boluses
• Footbath solutions and footcare products
• Anthelmintics and flukicides
• Mineral & vitamin drenches
• Fresh cow solutions
• Fly and lice control
• Footbaths
• Dosing and drenching equipment
TRANSITION 80/20 PRODUCTS
• Prepare 80/20 nuts
• Dry Tec 80/20 nuts
• Reviva 80/20 fresh cow drink
• Recharge 80/20 liver function/fertility enhancer
• ProKeto 80/20 ketosis prevention
DAIRY HYGEINE PRODUCTS
• Pipeline cleaning
• Bulk tank cleaning
• Udder hygeine
• Sundries
SERVICES
• NMS on farm evaluation and report
• Herd ketosis screening
• Feed, forage, water & milk analysis
• Diet Check ration formulation & monitoring
• Diet mineral formulation
• Calf & heifer nutrition, health & housing advice
• CowWatch®
FORAGE PRODUCTS
• Grass, Maize & Cereal seeds
• Fertiliser
• Sprays
• Silage Additives
COW COMFORT PRODUCTS
• Cubicles, mattresses and sand bed systems
• Bedding material
• Fans and humidifiers
• Lighting design and installation
• Rubber mats for cow passages
• Feed barriers
• Water troughs
To discuss any of the articles or for more
information about any of the products listed
in this edition Dairy Newsletter, contact
your local Wynnstay representative or ring
Wynnstay Sales Support on:
28
01691 828512
or email: info@wynnstay.co.uk
www.wynnstay.co.uk
Wynnstay Group Plc • Eagle House • Llansantffraid • Powys SY22 6AQ Registration No: 2704051
Telephone: 01691 828512 • Fax: 01691 828690 • Email: info@wynnstay.co.uk • www.wynnstay.co.uk
Registered in Wales and England
Vat Reg No. 168 7221 87
Images are for illustration purposes only.