NORTH Yorkshire-based dairy farmer Mark Berry, has been feeding Alkanuts for the past eight months, as part of a successful change of system, which has seen him dramatically cut back on inputs.
He says: We were initially forced into lowering our inputs because of the falling milk prices a couple of years ago, but weve found that since weve stopped pushing yields, the cows are far healthier it has improved their fertility and we now have very few cases of mastitis.
The average yield has dropped from 9,500kg to 7,500kg, but because of the health benefits to the cows and the lower input costs, were actually still better off. Regardless of what happens with the milk price, I wouldnt go back to a higher input system again; this way is definitely better for us and the cows.
Now running a 100-strong Holstein milking herd and 150 head of youngstock, Mr Berry who farms 200 acres alongside his father, Malcolm has also started rearing heifers and selling them newly-calved, which has helped supplement the lower milk prices too.
I remember being told that when milk prices are low, its not what you make, its what you save that matters, and its following that philosophy thats got us through the past couple of years.
Mark introduced a rotational paddock grazing system a few years ago, which has enabled him to keep the cows out for longer (April-October last year, and until November the following year). Additional red clover has helped increase protein levels (to 17-18%) and through the parlour in winter, the cows are fed grass silage, brewers grains and cake from FiveF partner Dugdale Nutrition, which has included AlkaNut since last June.
Mr Berry explains: Because of their grass-based diet, dropping cake in the parlour can often upset their stomachs, but the addition of AlkaNut has definitely helped prevent this. Theres a lot less acidosis in the cows and newly calved heifers and cows are able to eat a bit more without it upsetting them.
I never cut back on quality when it comes to feeding, but it has to work, and this definitely works for us, with our forage-based system otherwise I wouldnt still be using it eight months down the line.
See the article here:
Alkalised pellets offer greater feed efficiency - FG Insight
