This event will focus on the vital role of nutrition in maximising dairy cow performance within a housed robotic system, and how diet optimisation can improve efficiency while also reducing the carbon footprint of dairy production.
Following a successful event in Scarva in April, this meeting forms part of a wider series of on-farm events delivered through the UK-DCN project, hosted on participating farms. The events give farmers the opportunity to see project work in action on commercial farms, while also meeting members of UK-DCN team. .
The UK-DCN is working with over 50 dairy farms across the UK to put practical, farm-ready solutions for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into action. Led by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the project is driven by a UK-wide consortium of leading research institutions and industry organisations. The Northern Ireland UK-DCN Farm Network is managed by AgriSearch.
The McNaughton family milk 65 all-year-round calving cows on a single Lely Astronaut A4 robot, as well as operating a broiler unit. Previously the herd has been made up of crossbred genetics, with Holstein, Fleckvieh, and Norwegian Red breeding being used, but recently there has been a move towards predominantly Holstein breeding.
As part of the UK-DCN project, the McNaughton’s have selected actions such as breeding, nutrition and enhanced nutrient management planning.
Focus Area: Nutrition
The herd yields 12,000 litres, with a feed rate of 0.34 kg/l. No Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is fed at the farm, with all forage fed to cows using an easy feed system of blocks of grass pit silage and bales. Concentrate is fed through the robot as well as through Lely Cosmix out of parlour feeders. Fodder beet is also fed through the winter months and is fed over the top of the silage using a chopping bucket.
To achieve such high production, the McNaughton’s focus heavily on producing high quality grass silage from their 105 acre farm. Four cuts of silage are taken annually, with the 1st cut taken in the 1st week of May and subsequent cuts taken around 5 weeks apart.
Through the UK-DCN project, Ciaran selected the Diet Reformulation option as he was keen to introduce further adjustments to the current feeding strategy to optimise cow performance. Ciaran said, “I was interested in diet reformulation to help increase production and optimise cow health. The logical next step for us to fine tune the herd was to look at incorporating protected amino acids, to help reduce dietary crude protein and the overall feed rate.”
With project support, Methionine and Lysine protected amino acids have been incorporated into the diet using a mineral dispenser on the Lely robot. This has allowed for the overall dietary Crude Protein to be reduced while maintaining cow performance. Reducing dietary Crude Protein reduces the level of nitrogen excretion through faeces, which can impact emissions from manure management, while also reducing ammonia production. By utilising alternative protein sources such as rapeseed meal, the reliance on imported soya is reduced, which helps to lower the McNaughton’s carbon footprint associated with purchased feed.
Conclusion
“The farm walk will be an excellent opportunity for visitors to see how nutrition plays such a vital role in both improving efficiency, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the dairy herd,” says Jonathan McAleese, UK-DCN Farm Liaison Officer at AgriSearch.
All are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be provided to all those who register in advance. For further information and to register to attend visit either the AgriSearchor the UK-DCN websites.