28 BRITISH DAIRYING May 2014

Benefits of molasses highlightedIncorporating a fast release energy source in the dairy ration in the form of a high sugar liquid molasses blend is ensuring a high yielding Scottish herd is staying on track.

FEEDING MOLASSES

Ensuring dietary energy levels are meeting the nutritional

needs of high yielding dairy cows is a top priority when rations are being formulated for the Fleming family’s well known Hillhead Hol-stein herd at Kirkpatrick Fleming, near Lockerbie. And as well as nutrition, the high standard of cow comfort provided in the herd’s impressive new cubicle building, is responsi-ble for sustained high yields and a significant improvement in herd fertility. The 300-acre farm, run by Wil-lie Fleming in partnership with his parents Robert and Margaret, carries 250 cows with a herd aver-age of 10,500 litres. The farm also grows 75 acres of maize and 20 acres of winter wheat. “We’ve kept cows inside now for four year and it’s a system

that’s working well for us but it means even more emphasis on getting the TMR mix spot on,” says Willie Fleming whose new cubicle shed built in 2010 means the entire herd is now housed under one roof.

TMR diet fed all year

The same diet is fed all year round and comprises two thirds grass silage and one third maize silage. “This winter we’ve been feeding 21kg of grass silage per head per day with 14kg of maize along with 1.5kg of a high sugar liquid molas-ses blend, 7.0kg Vitagold, just un-der 5.5kg of a high protein blend, 3.75kg soda wheat, 2.0kg beet pulp and 250g Megalac. We run all the cows as one group.” R o b b i e D u n c a n f r o m Quest Farm Supplies, based at

Kilmarnock, formulates the rations and says with the best cows peak-ing at 60 litres a day, ensuring the mix is highly palatable to maintain maximum intakes with enough energy is the key driver. The inclusion in the Hillhead ration of a molasses blend, sup-plied by ED and F Man, has enabled the opti-mum energy needs of a high yielding herd to be met in the most cost effective way. “The high sugar liquid molasses blend provides a unique form of energy and is excel-lent value in cost terms compared with cereals,” says Robbie Duncan. “It’s a rapidly available form of energy that’s quickly de-graded by the cow. “It’s very important to main-tain intakes and that’s where high sugar molasses blend comes into its own. From the palatability as-pect molasses is unbeatable but it also ensures there’s no separation of the feed in the mixer wagon. The sticky effect of the molasses avoids any separation of the ingre-dients in the mix.

Adding variety to ration

“Compared with energy provided as starch from cereals, liquid mo-lasses provides energy from sugar. It adds variety to the ration and is an instant source of energy. The aim is to keep the diet as consist-ent as possible—that’s what cows thrive on—although we make small alterations based on cow condition or milk constituents.” The new building at Hillhead has been designed to provide a light and airy environment with ample space through wide pas-sageways. It measures 220ft by 110ft and achieves optimum ventilation through the steep-pitch of its roof as well as climate controlled cur-tains which run along both sides and are operated via a weather station outside the shed and a ther-

mometer inside. The building’s 220 cubicles are fitted with water beds. “Our calving interval had reached 430 days but we’re now down to 390 days. The improved environment of the new shed—as well as cow comfort and the

correct diet—have all played their part in improving fertility. Heat expression is far better and we’re also using pedometers.

The recently in-stalled parlour is a 24:48 swing-over that enables the twice-a-day milking to be fin-ished in under two hours at each end of the day. Cows rely

totally on the TMR mix—there is no in-parlour feeding. “Since we started using molas-ses two years ago we’ve found it to be the best source of energy that can be quickly assimilated by the cows. It’s improving the ration palatability to boost intakes of the diet. It’s making sure the diet is thoroughly mixed and consistent so that cows want to eat more and don’t sort through what’s in the trough,” says Willie.

2013 silage quality

Last year’s first cut silage had a 28% DM and was just under 12.0 ME, while the 2013 maize crop was one of the best ever made at Hillhead and achieved a 35% dry matter and 35% starch. The Hillhead Holsteins, which aims for an average of six lacta-tions, are now embracing genom-ics in its on-going selection of sires: “I don’t see any risk—the science and research behind it are solid.” The herd’s top cow, Hillhead Bradley Geri, gave 16,500 litres in her last lactation and goes back to a cow imported as a calf from Can-ada almost 20 years ago. Among the current sires being used are De-Su Balisto, De-Su McCutchen, Claynook Deductive and Seagul-Bay MVP.

Willie Fleming.

t: 01691 659226 e: info@jfcuk.com w: www.jfcuk.com

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Further information from: Malcolm Bridges 01438 716220

If you are thinking of using molasses for the first time, and you want to see if it works for you and your stock, then ED&F Man offer a tank trial scheme. In ED&F Man’s tank trial scheme, a fully-equipped storage tank is delivered on-farm for two months, you only pay for the product. During this time the beneficial effects of using ED&F Man’s molasses products can be assessed. After the two month trial period, you can purchase the tank outright, or spread the payment using ED&F Man’s interest free finance scheme. In the unlikely event of seeing no benefits, the tank can be returned at no cost, except that of the product purchased.These high level tanks are convenient to use, and allow more cost-effective bulk purchases to be made. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and is subject to terms and conditions.

Produced June 2014

For more information contact:

Jim Howie 07770 731919

Mel Broughton 07717 341425

Dave Stanford 07767 873748

Freephone: 0800 3898450

www.edfmanliquidproductsuk.com

14 Reasons to feed an ED&F Man Liquid molasses blend this Summer1 Cows need sugars – High yielding cows require around

7% sugars in the diet. Most forage and concentrate diets can not supply this without the addition of added sugars. Molasses provides 6-carbon sugars in the form of sucrose, proven to be the most beneficial to rumen function. Molasses is the lowest cost source of sugars available, around half the cost of molassed sugar beet pulp.

Benefit: Low cost sugars to fill the sugar gap and maximise milk production

2 Sugar energy boosts intakes – Molasses blends offer a ready supply of fermentable 6-carbon sugars. These are essential for rumen fermentation, as they are rapidly digested and this boosts the microbial population. This creates an increase in the overall rate of digestion and so improves dry matter intakes.

Benefit: Maximises home produced forage intakes for cost effective production

3 New raw materials – With some feed materials being very expensive or unavailable, we are seeing increased use of other feeds. Un-molassed sugar beet pulp and low sugar soya hulls are popular but low in sugar.

Benefit: Supplying extra sugar for a balanced ration

4 Improved palatability boosts intakes – Cane molasses blends have been shown to increase Dry Matter Intake (DMI). They are highly palatable, encouraging animals to eat more: DMI is a key driver of milk production.

Benefit: Efficient and increased milk production

5 Proteins are still expensive – With a 50/50 rape/soya mix costing around £320/t, ED&F Man can offer a cost effective alternative. Regumix and Regumaize 44 supply rumen degradable protein. This ‘Regulated Release’ protein mimics natural protein and helps stimulate rumen function. Trials have shown that replacing 1.6kg of a rape soya mix with 2kg of Regumaize 44, maintained performance and saved 10p per cow per day (costs based March 2014).

Benefit: Save money on protein and supply sugars

6 Availability – ED&F Man offers a full range of liquid products available from 5t to 29t. Unlike some low value liquid co-products, we can supply products when required, meaning there are no last minute ration changes. Benefit: Better ration consistancy

7 Reduce ration sorting – Ration sorting can be a bigger issue during the summer when concentrates form a larger % of the ration. Trials have shown that cane molasses blends can reduce sorting. The molasses coats all the ingredients and make it harder for animals to sort out the

tastier elements of the ration, and also mask the bitter-tasting components like minerals. This stops sorting and ensures a consistent ration is consumed.

Benefit: Less health problems and more efficient production

8 Short of forage? Where silage stocks are low it is possible to directly replace grass silage with straw plus a liquid such as Regumix or Regumaize. The high sugar levels stimulate the rumen microbial population and increase the efficiency of digestion. Adding around 0.75kg of Regumaize to 2kg of straw can produce a 12% protein feed.

Benefit: Allows the effective use of low quality forages

9 Concentrate costs are still high – Using one of ED&F Man’s molasses blends such as Molale or Regumix can offer a cost effective solution by replacing part of the dry feed ration.

Benefit: Save money on your feed cost

10 Reduce the risk of grass staggers – Magnesium in the form of magnesium chloride can be added to any of ED&F Man’s liquid products to a maximum of 3% magnesium inclusion. Cost of an extra £8 per 1% magnesium inclusion.

Benefit: Maintain animal health

11 Save time and hassle – The ED&F Man storage tanks enable molasses blends to be bought in bulk, and stored securely without taking up shed space. Liquid feed can then be simply and cleanly added into the top of the mixer wagon. See later for details of the free tank trial scheme.

Benefit: A simple and convenient way to feed

12 TMR rations heating? Warmer weather or the addition of moist feeds to forage can cause rations to heat, causing a rise in the TMR temperature. This can lead to ration spoilage and reduction in feed intakes, affecting animal production. The addition of Fresh-guard into an ED&F Man liquid product can help reduce this problem in a cost effective manner.

Benefit: Maintain milk yield and reduce feed wastage

13 Load sizes – Compared to straights you do not need to buy full loads of molasses blends. A full load of soya costs around £10,000, whereas a 10t load of Regumaize 44 will cost around £2,100.

Benefit: Improve your cash flow

14 Don’t have a tank? Free trial and tank scheme overleaf