Improve milk from forage at Wynnstay workshops
Improving forage production and utilisation efficiency on dairy farms will be the focus of a series of timely workshops hosted by Wynnstay.
The aim is to highlight areas where farmers can make specific improvements to forage utilisation, all with the aim of reducing inefficiencies and increasing milk from forage.
The workshops provide the opportunity for farmers to hear insight and new advice from leading industry experts in the field of dairy nutrition, to implement on-farm ahead of the silage season.
With the inevitable introduction of tighter controls on the excretion of nitrogen, and nitrogen-containing substances, across the UK, part of the workshop focus will be on how dairy farmers can reduce nitrogen inputs while increasing saleable nitrogen in the form of milk protein. Ultimately this will improve bottom line performance and herd health.
I will be outlining how to improve the efficiency of forage protein utilisation, and will be joined by fellow Wynnstay senior dairy specialist and Nuffield Scholar, Iwan Vaughan. Iwan will be giving practical advice on how to buffer feed high yielding cows at grass.
We are also pleased to be joined by Dr Andreas Foskolos, from IBERS Aberystwyth University, who will be discussing the scientific evidence that backs the Cornell model for fibre digestibility and metabolic energy (ME) supply from forage.
This new approach improves the estimation of ME and microbial growth in the rumen. These findings are key for regulating rumen turnover, and in turn, feed intake.
Alongside expert speakers in ruminant nutrition, there will also be specialists who will be able to demonstrate to farmers how to achieve and maintain the best quality forage in the clamp.
Dr Dave Davies from Silage Solutions, who has over 20 years’ experience in grassland research and rumen biology, will discuss how to reduce silage losses in the clamp and offer practical advice on silage production.
The workshops will also include sessions by representatives from Volac and Trouw Nutrition GB, so there will be a real mix of theory and practical advice for farmers to take away.
Dates are: April 19, Court Farm, Kempley, Dymock, Gloucester; April 28, Langdon Mill, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire; May 3, Fforddlas Farm, Llanfwrog, Ruthin.
All run from 10.30am to 2pm.
Places are limited, so if you would like to attend, please contact Nadine Pilkington on 01691 827145 or email: nadine.pilkington@wynnstay.co.uk
Dr Huw McConochie is Wynnstay’s Head of Dairy Technical Services
