Multiple wins for dairy herd given non-antibiotic feed additive

One small change to the herd diet is producing multiple wins on a Co. Tipperary dairy farm.

Anthony Carroll’s spring-calving British Friesian herd is run on a grass-based system at Raheenroe, Burncourt, near Cahir. Grazed grass is a key to milk production with the 32ha farm growing a remarkable 14t/DM/ha.

Average milk yield in the 90-cow herd is 7,500L, with 6,500L produced from forage and 1t/cow of concentrates fed.

Anthony also farms two off-lying blocks of land which he uses for grazing his replacement heifers and for producing silage.

Three years ago, he noticed that cow dung was loose, a situation that can suggest excess production of acids in the rumen due to the rapid fermentation of grass resulting in sub-acute rumen acidosis.

To address this and to improve herd performance, Anthony was introduced to Rumen Proof by Pat Corbett of Mayo Healthcare.

Cow rumen functioning better

This non-antibiotic antimicrobial technology, Panatec, has been developed over a number of years in cooperation with the National University of Ireland.

This novel feed additive is now used in all major dairy producing countries within the EU and has been supported by the Horizon2020 EU scientific fund. Recent trials conducted in Harper Adams Ag University have shown statistically significant gains in feed efficiency and growth rates compared to a market leading yeast and a control.

Anthony first used the parlour pack, feeding 10 grams per cow per day through his parlour feed system in the spring. The looseness issue quickly reduced and cow coats developed an obvious shine, he reports. There was also a surprising and unexpected bonus, for grassland management.

“It is easier to manage the grazing because cows have a better appetite so they graze grass tighter,’’ Anthony says.

This is because the cow rumen is functioning better. Lameness is no longer a problem and there has been an improvement in fertility – heats are stronger and more noticeable.

The empty rate has reduced to 6% from a previous high of over 9%. Anthony calves 75% of the herd in the first six weeks, finishing calving by the end of March.

The combination of better health and rumen function has had a direct impact on milk quality – the average butterfat percentage has risen from 3.8% to 4.2%.

In the last two years, Anthony has fed Rumen Proof through his diet feeder, both before and after calving, to reduce negative energy balance and ketosis. In the spring and summer he has it incorporated in the dairy nut he buys from Roches Feeds in Limerick.

“Overall, cows are a lot healthier and performance has definitely improved,’’ says Anthony.