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New Hoofsure HELP service from Provita

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Research from DairyCo shows that lameness can be successfully reduced by up to 70% through effective footbathing. It can be assumed that with the average UK milk output per cow and average herd size having increased by approximately 20% and 30% respectively in the last 10 years alone, lameness levels and stress on cows feet will also rise (Dairy Co Datum 2014).

The role of the veterinarian in reducing lameness levels has been discussed at recent conferences such as at the Cattle Lameness Conference 2015 and International Lameness Conference 2013, in Bristol. It has been suggested that not only has the size and shape of farms altered but so have the roles and responsibilities of farm owners, workers as well as vets and other contractors (Alcock, 2015). 

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Fantastic silage results

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Co Armagh dairy farmer Dean Wright is confirming a tremendous start to the 2015 silage season.

“We took a first cut during Balmoral Show week with the second following at the beginning of July,” he said.

“And we are delighted with the results achieved to date. The analysis of the first cut confirmed a dry matter 27%, an ME value of 11.5 a 70D value and an intake value of 99, plus good yields were achieved.

“The grass was wilted in the field for 24 hours.”

Dean points out that these analysis results were obtained prior to the second cut being taken.

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Achieving 2 lamb per ewe

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North Tyrone sheep producer, Isaac Crilly was a visitor to the Provita stand at Sheep NI. He currently manages a 500-strong flock of Belclare x New Zealand Suffolk ewes, the majority of which are crossed with Meatlinc tips.

“Mineral nutrition is crucially important,” he said.

“In my own case, we test the sheep and the soils. We have soils with high levels of copper, but most of it is locked up by molybdenum, therefore the sheep are low in copper. Additionally the sheep were low in selenium. As a result I needed to source a product with high levels of selenium and copper.

I selected ProVitaMin as it has a high specification, is produced locally in Northern Ireland and is very cost effective in terms of cost per dose. I have been using ProVitaMin plus Copper for the past number of years, and when combined with good management it has worked well. We take part in benchmarking to monitor flock performance and last year we sold just over 2 finished lambs per ewe.”

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Better preservation of crops

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Mixed weather has coincided with the start of the second cut silage season.

“Those crops that have been taken are light, but quality is excellent,” explained Provita’s Tommy Armstrong.

“Higher dry mater forages are harder to compact. Under such circumstances regular rolling as the crop goes into the clamp is crucially important, as is the use of a lactic and acetic acid inoculant, such as Advance+. Its use will reduce heating in clamps at feedout, secondary fermentation, mould and yeasts. This will help maintain feeding values and reduce waste once clamps are opened.”

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Digital dermatitis workshops

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According to survey work carried out by AFBI, 79% of Northern Ireland’s dairy producers count digital dermatitis (DD) as a significant problem in their herd. With trends going towards larger herds and the confinement of cows, a recent survey by Thompsons shows that the statistics are not improving. Alongside the detrimental effect on animal welfare, … Read more

Invitation to unique lameness event

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Farmers are openly invited to a unique lameness event on the farm of Seamus and Gerard Quinn, Drumaney Road, Ardboe Co Tyrone BT71 5BD, on the 29th Oct from 10.30am to 2pm. The event is being organised and hosted by Provita.

It will feature several practical demonstrations covering; a rollover crush for farmers; an in-parlour explanation of the different stages of Digital Dermatitis; footbathing milking cows, dry cows and heifers. These will be followed by food then brief presentations on the latest research on Digital Dermatitis and examples of successful practical footbathing set up’s.

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Enhanced Hoofcare Services from Provita

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With lameness estimated to cost approximately £10,000 per 100 cows in herds with an average level of lameness, it represents one of the areas dairy farmers can target to reduce costs and benefit from improved herd health and fertility. Work carried out by Dairyco showed that farmers who footbath all year around have 75% less lameness than those who don’t footbath.

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High copper levels confirmed in UK soil

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Recent independent research in the US has shown that copper from copper sulphate footbaths is contributing to high copper levels in soil. Soil tests carried out by Provita in the UK using an independent UKSTA approved lab has shown copper levels to be too high, see graph. It is strongly recommended that farmers who have … Read more

Formalin classified as carcinogenic

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The UN body IARC has classified Formalin as a class 1 carcinogen since 2004. This year the EU has classified it as a mutagen and a carcinogen 1B. This will have implications for farmers using this very dangerous chemical. Additionally they should check its suitability under HACCP and COSHH or consult their insurance company. 

Scope To Improve Beef Margins!

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“Research carried out by the Scottish Agricultural College confirmed that daily liveweight gain increases of up to 0.55 kilos will be achieved by feeding good quality silage with an ME of 11.2 as opposed to offering poor quality forages at ME of 9.6, cut approx. 2 weeks later” Provita’s Tommy Armstrong explained.

Detailed analysis carried out by Provita, using silage test results obtained this year and AFBI prediction equations, has confirmed the added benefit of using the company’s new Advance+ inoculant in store to beef finishing systems.

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