40
they should be easier to fit in, but if you’re not, it’s well worth thinking of asking an arable neighbour to grow them for you.”
Feeding combinable protein crops is fairly simple as they can easily be crimped and rolled or ground. The pre-processed material can then be stored in Agbags and incorporated into the TMR when necessary. For an option more closely in tune with existing dairy operations, red clover is worth looking at, says Mr Attwell. “Red clover is a good starting point for many milk producers wanting to explore home- grown proteins. It can easily be incorporated in an Italian or perennial ryegrass ley adding significantly to its feeding quality and helping to achieve crude protein levels of 14% to 18% in the final silage. “It is cost effective for dairy farmers to grow, can be sown in spring or summer and requires only a small amount of nitrogen in comparison with straight grass leys.”
Second cut silage containing red clover is always higher in protein than the first as its growth is better later in the season, so it’s often worth clamping separately, he adds. “Once it’s ensiled, you have no further processing costs, but you must be careful to use the correct additive as it tends to buffer the fermentation process in the same way Lucerne does.” In fact, Lucerne is another
good option for home-grown protein, but as it can only be grown in certain areas of the UK, its suitability must be assessed beforehand. “Lucerne is particularly’ pH sensitive and needs careful management, but once established it provides a useful protein supplement, although its ME at about 10 mj/kg/dm is much lower than grass silage so this need to be factored into the ration.”
Protein levels also need assessing with undegradable protein (DUP) more important then straight crude protein. “Crude protein levels are important in general, but the major consideration for high producing cows is DUP particularly in Holstein cows as they have a requirement which, if ignored, can reduce yields by limiting essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine. “In such situations, or when cashflow is restrictive, purchasing soya in bulk is often unaffordable, so bagged products such as Soypass and Sopralin can be targeted just to the high yielding group. A rate of 0.5Kg/cow/day gives a useful boost to cows giving more than 40 litres.”
Other factors to consider when thinking about making maximum use of protein sources in rations include production targets, efficiency of utilisation and the balancing of diets, adds Mr Atwell.
“Ask yourself whether yields are the end goal or whether milk quality is actually more important and work with your nutritionist to make adjustments accordingly.”
Crude Protein %
Wheat Distillers Hipro Soya Beans Peas
Red Clover Silage Rapemeal
32% 48% 30% 25%
17.4% 36%
“You also need to look at the overall structural fibre content of the diet in relation to the dung to ascertain whether proteins are being used efficiently. When cows are loose it probably means you are wasting protein by excessive rumen flowrates.”
By balancing diets to a lower crude protein level, but not ignoring DUP, producers can obtain a healthier rumen and as a consequence nurture more rumen bugs which will improve cow performance, he adds. “As ever, it’s the attention to detail that makes the difference. There is no point agonising over feed costs when you have a poorly balanced diet or one that has insufficient protein or energy to drive production and quality.
“Look at your herd as a whole, the resources you have and the targets you are trying to achieve and make the right decisions from there. It’s not always about least cost.” The below chart shows a comparison of bought in protein sources and relevant costs for every 1% of crude protein. It demonstrates delivered prices for bought-in feeds with a £15 processing charge added to beans and peas for comparison. Red clover silage costs are adjusted to compare with straights at 14% moisture content.
Prices are correct as of the end of 2015. Notice how close soya is to rapemeal and distillers’ grains, representing a particularly good buy when soya’s higher energy content is taken into account.
Cost per 1% CP
£6.09 £5.52 £4.56 £5.12 £7.20 £5.13
Cost Per Tonne
£195 £265 £137 £128
£125 ADJ 86% dm £185
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112