With farmgate milk prices increasingly volatile, producers are looking again at the factors they can control.
That means focusing on input costs, feed efficiency and milk solids.
There are two main considerations: improving feed efficiency and maximising fat and protein content to boost milk prices, says Dr Chris Bartram, head of nutrition at Mole Valley Farmers. “From 2008 to 2025, milk yields, fat and protein increased by 27%, so farmers have already made great strides, through a mixture of improved genetics and management. But by feeding more precisely, it’s possible to get more.”
For example, first-cut silage in South West England this year averaged 11.2MJ/kg dry matter (DM) of metabolisable energy (ME), compared with 10.9MJ/kg last year. “That will enable cows to produce one more litre per day from forage.” Lactic acid content is also higher, at 93g/kg versus 87g, which should encourage cows to eat more. However, individual forages still need to be carefully balanced to maximise feed efficiency and fat or protein production.
“It’s not worth pushing for production if your contract doesn’t pay for the extra,” says Dr Bartram. “But where your contract allows, the economics are still there to feed for the marginal litres.”
More News
-
Sellers' market for dairy cattle buyers cannot afford to miss
-
Will dairy-bred types plug the gap with a seasonal reduction in store cattle
Concentrates can also have a significant impact on yield and quality. More acidic concentrates reduce feed intakes and upset rumen activity. Trials comparing high- and low-acidity concentrates show forage intake falling from 11.7kg DM to 11.1kg/head, with yields dropping from 31.7 litres/cow to 27.8 litres and butterfat declining from 4.18% to 3.75%. “Not all feeds are the same.”
Feeding fresh cows TPI90, which includes prairie meal, protected methionine and lysine before and after calving, boosted fat and protein by 0.2 percentage points. Cows also gained weight rather than losing it, helping to set them up for subsequent insemination.
“If you invest £30/cow the return is £60 – feeding TPI90 just for four days post-calving had a beneficial effect,” says Dr Bartram. “A short, sharp slug has continuing benefits.”
Another good return on investment comes from feeding calves and heifers higher-protein milk powder and concentrates. This maximises growth rates at the most efficient time in a cow’s life, enabling her to calve down earlier.
Other areas to consider include using silage additives to reduce clamp losses, and reassessing minerals and specialist inputs in light of forage analyses.
Share