Langdon Produce Latest News - August 2011

Low Milk Solids a Problem?

This year, farmers around the South West have seen a similar recurring problem of low milk solids. It has not been limited to any one style of farming with high production herds and medium to low production herds being affected equally.

Over the past months, many farmers have experienced low available pasture production, which in turn has seen higher and more frequent amount of nitrogen based fertilizers being applied. This coupled with overcast conditions and shorter than desired rotation lengths has seen cows consume more non protein nitrogen (NPN) or nitrates/ nitrites from the grass. Compounding this has been the supplementation of grass with home grown forage or bought in feeds.

Across the board the majority of hay & silage produced last year was made in unfavourable conditions resulting in a below than average finished product. In the case of silage, higher dry matter and higher plant maturity have contributed to a poor fermentation process that has consumed much of the plants sugars and true protein, leaving harder to digest energy (Cellulose and Hemicellulose) and a crude protein percentage that has a high proportion of NPN in it.

Work that has come out of the MilkPlus program has concluded that crude protein (CP) can be adequate but the form of protein may be limiting yield and/ or milk protein content. Farms with diets that are largely silage based had a lift in production and milk protein content when grain mixes were supplemented with protein. Over the past month this has been replicated on farms in the south west with milk solids improving as true rumen degradable protein sources have been added.

For more information on improving milk production, contact Reid Langdon Pty Ltd on 1300 331 425


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