One farm who has used Advance+ since its launch in 2013 is Jim and Dean Wright from Portadown. They have targeted more milk from forage as an essential performance target.
Provita Animal Health
Advance+ inoculant dual benefits on Fivemiletown dairy farm
Nathan Hall combines his job at Fane Valley Stores’ operation in Augher with milking 55 spring calving dairy cows. He started up the dairying business as a new entrant five years ago. The Fivemiletown man is committed to maximising milk output from grass and forage.
“The cows are currently averaging 7,000L and there is scope to expand the herd over the coming years,” he said.
Optimising output from grazed grass and silage are equally important for Nathan. He normally takes two cuts of silage annually.
Smell the sweetness
Advance+ Silage Inoculant. Unique formulation combining EU approved lactic and acetic acid bacterial strains at guaranteed rate of 1.2 million cfu per g of forage. FREEPHONE 0800 328 4982
Silage Inoculant Applicator Deals Available
Provita can provide farmers and contractors with the means to apply Advance+ silage inoculant accurately on all types of silage making machines. Cab controlled non-blocking powder, standard liquid, digitally controlled liquid and ultra-low volume systems are available. These can fit self-propelled machines, trailed harvesters, balers and silage wagons. Competitive deals are available when using these machines along with Provita Advance+.
Advance + delivering optimal silage quality and almost zero forage losses on Tyrone dairy farm
Given his herd’s predominantly autumn/winter calving pattern, making good silage is an absolute priority for Co Tyrone dairy farmer Cyril Maxwell. The Augher man is currently milking 130 cows, averaging 8,300L over 305 days
“The cows calve between October and April,” he confirmed.
“The aim is to produce maximum levels of high quality milk from forage. This includes silage and grazed grass. The cows are currently receiving 2½t of concentrate per lactation.
“Our current milk quality is good with butterfats averaging 4.23% and proteins 3.15%.”
Farmer doing mini-silo tests on his own farm
“As a contractor and farmer I regularly get asked what use a silage inoculant is, or do I need one?” commented Kenneth McIlory.
“A few years ago we saw the idea of using a mini-silo promoted by Provita for testing silage on farm. We were interested in trying the idea for our own curiosity and to be able to honestly answer other farmers.”
“The tests were very easy to do and the results were interesting, my son James and I farm together and he organised it.”
Team effort delivers Digital Dermatitis success story on Co Antrim dairy farm
Provita continues to provide its Digital Dermatitis advisory service with great effect, to dairy farmers throughout Northern Ireland. A case in point is the relationship that has built up between the company and Broughshane milk producer Allister McCullough, who manages the 120-strong Rocavan Holstein herd with his father William John.
“The cows are currently averaging 10,500L with good butterfats and proteins,” said Allister.
“Our plan is to increase cow numbers up to 130 by bringing in additional home bred heifers. The herd is milked courtesy of two Lely robots. We also strive to get as much grazed grass into the cows’ diets. And to this end, we invested in a Lely Graze way system last year.”
Allister is quick to confirm that lameness-related problems, particularly those caused by digital dermatitis, are no longer an issue within the herd.
Slaughtneil flockowner looking forward to a good lambing season
March 21st is the projected start to the lambing season on the Slaughtneil farm of Dermot McCullagh. He started housing his flock of Lanark Blackface cross ewes back at the beginning of January.
“All preparations have gone pretty much to plan,” said Dermot.
“The ewes are certainly, looking extremely well at the present time. They were scanned at around 185%. So I am looking forward to a good lambing season ahead.
“But scanning percentages count for very little, unless these can be translated into equally good figures when it comes to the number of lambs actually reared per ewe.”
Archie’s Limousins looking forward to another good year in 2017
These are exciting times for the Mc Kenna family, owners of the Archie’s Limousin herd. Fast increasing sale prices in tandem with a recognised commitment to artificial insemination and embryo technology is ensuring the Bellaghy-based operation is starting to catch the eye of both pedigree and commercial cattle breeders within Northern Ireland and beyond.
Provita Lamb Colostrum proves its worth on Innisrush Texel flock
The Innisrush flock of pedigree Texels was established by Portglenone breeder Philip Whyte back in 2005. Currently comprising 20 pure bred females, this elite breeding enterprise is run in tandem with 50 cross bred ewes.
“I also keep an additional four to five ewes for flushing purposes,” said Philip.
“In fact, I have been making extensive use of AI and embryo technology in order to fast track the rate of genetic improvement within the flock. My objective is to boost the size and depth of the ram lambs that are brought to market.
“And the results of the investment made are starting to be seen. Last year, I sold a ram lamb at the Ballymena Texel sale for 2,100gns.