DairyCo

Do you know how much your cows are eating?

Published 12 January 09

Do you know how much your cows are eating?

Calculate your feed conversion efficiency now for better returns over the winter
DairyCo has found that farmers who know their feed conversion efficiency (FCE) are well placed to get maximum efficacy from their feed, nutritionally and financially. Keeping track of dry matter intake is essential for calculating the FCE figure.

Of 237 farms participating in the DairyCo feeding+ events and who submitted data, 35% were able to say what their dry matter intake was, according to DairyCo's Adam Clay, extension officer for the North West.

Adam says: "I believe many more farmers can benefit from calculating feed efficiency. Taking one figure here or there may not be of much use, however regularly monitoring feed efficiency throughout lactation can show important trends and quickly flag up any problems before they result in serious underfeeding or poor feed use.

"That is why we are running the feeding+ modules, to help establish this information so farmers can benefit.  If you know how much your cows are eating and how much milk they produce as a result, you can make improvements that will make a serious difference to your bottom line."

Calculating the FCE is as simple as dividing daily milk yield by daily dry matter in take.  The result shows how well the animal is utilising one kilo of feed, so that farmers can see where improvements can be made.  Data from Keenan  illustrates that as feed efficiency increases, costs per litre decrease.

DairyCo's figures also showed that the average FCE was 1.09 litres of milk per kg of dry matter consumed.  "This is as expected," says Mr Clay, "because some spring block calving herds would have been in late lactation at the time the information was gathered, bringing the average down which is why its important to monitor over the whole lactation.

"Some herds were over 1.5 litres/kg DM showing very good feed efficiency, this average, however, shows there are still improvements to be made.  Ideally, farmers need to be aiming for an increase of 0.1 which is a realistic target, especially if you are currently below 1.3.  The difference financially is visible.  A cow producing 8000l with an FCE rate of 1.2, can produce up to 8680l if the FCE is improved to 1.3."

Improvements can be made anywhere from providing more feeding space, or by providing a better formulated diet, improving digestibility.

Farmers can learn more about feeding efficiency at DairyCo feeding+ events being held throughout the country and can contact their local extension officer to find out more.

ENDS

Image: Source: Prof. David Colman; Richard Keenan & Co, Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) publication. Advance & Thrive; Harper Adams; Feb 2007 

Date 19 January 2009

For further information:
N:    Helen Bond
T:    01285 646544
M :    07980 555369
E:    helen.bond@dairyco.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

DairyCo's current focus is on improving the profitability of dairy farming by focusing on four specific areas:
•    The provision of a world-class information service
•    Helping dairy farmers increase their profits while meeting regulatory and environmental requirements - through better business management.
•    Helping promote the positive perception of dairy products and dairy farming with the general public
•    The development of DairyCo towards a self-sustaining model.

DairyCo is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre.  This provides an annual income of around £7m.

DairyCo co-funds the industry's nutritional and issues management resource - The Dairy Council - with the processors' trade body Dairy UK.

DairyCo Limited was set up in April 2008 following a fundamental review of agricultural levy boards by Defra. The five existing levy boards (including the Milk Development Council) were replaced by one statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Reporting in to AHDB are six sector companies - DairyCo covers the milk sector.