Gain Programme aims to improve efficiency and profitability

DIET dry matter for Glanbia herds at the end of April last week ranged from 14% to 20%, DMD from 75% to 85%, crude protein was relatively high, and ADF in the overall diet was less than ideal.

DM4, which measures the amount of dry matter degraded within four hours of ingestion, is being measured on four farms in Cos Cork, Laois, Wexford and Wicklow. Last week, it averaged 55%, compared to the ideal 50%, so cows faced possible rumen function and acidosis challenges.

The figures come from the dairy group’s Gain programme of services to improve farm efficiency and profitability.

Soil, pasture, forage, nutrition, herd health and milk production are being monitored by a team of 30 and a technical support team, and the most up-to-date information technology is used to bring real-time data for maximum benefit during farm visits.

The full programme was rolled out this year, and about 60% of all Glanbia agribusiness customers use some elements of the programme. About 30% are using the full programme, said commercial manager Denis Herlihy, who made presentations on the Gain programme to farmers attending Emerald Expo.

Data is collected on farms to help maximise grass and forage production, formulate diets to optimise output and production efficiency, manage herd disease risks, and maximise milk solids per cow and per hectare. & Farmers pay for soil and forage analysis, the Gain programme is a free service otherwise, said Herlihy.

Results are available within one week for soil pH, lime, P, K, and trace element measurement, in the Soilade portion of the programme.

In the Pastureade service, a Gain business manager walks the land with the farmer to determine and chart grass covers, for grass management decision-making.

A mineral profile of the grazing platform can be determined by using fresh grass samples. Weekly DM, DMD, crude protein, fibre, and DM4 results are sent to milk producers taking part in a pilot project. Results are texted to suppliers using the service.

The Forageade service offers sampling and analysis of home-saved forage, and results are linked to feed formulation for each farm, which is part of the Rumenade service.

Gain’s Healthade service is designed to manage disease risk on the farm, and establish current herd health status, using bulk tank milk screening for BVD, IBR, lepto, Johnes, neospora, salmonella, fluke and worms, and mastitis bacteriology. Action plans are then developed with the farmer’s and Glanbia’s vets.