Lakeland Agri: Can you really afford to leave 5p/l behind you?
A poor transition from the dry period into lactation is costing Northern Ireland dairy farmers as much as 5p/litre in potential savings, according to findings from a herd monitoring programme including some 8,000 cows in Northern Ireland.
Lakeland Agri, alongside Premier Nutrition, has launched phase two of a pioneering and successful development programme, the Transition Management System (TMS). The TMS Programme is available to all Lakeland Dairies milk suppliers in Northern Ireland.
The TMS programme monitors cows and dairy herds across the UK. Of the nearly 300 farms running TMS, some 60 herds are from Northern Ireland.
In total nearly 78,000 cows are being recorded through TMS – approximately 8,000 are from Northern Ireland.
The TMS programme focuses on correcting problems in cows such as ketosis, mastitis, milk fever and retained cleanings which are usually the result of poorly managed cows during the transition period.
Farmers who took part in Phase One of the TMS programme with Lakeland Agri and Premier Nutrition saw tangible results in terms of herd health as well as financial improvements.
Speaking at the launch of Phase Two of the TMS Programme, Alan Hurst Technical and Product Manager with Lakeland Agri said applying the principles of the TMS programme is a win-win for milk suppliers.
“Findings from the successful Phase One of the TMS programme showed that farmers need to take a more strategic approach to managing the cow through the transition period. The TMS programme shows that even the best herds are losing 0.5 p/l with some herds losing up to 5 p/l.
“Cows managed properly will lead to improved transition success which delivers a higher milk yield, improved health and increased fertility.
“The TMS programme provides farmers with all the information and data they need to make key decisions during the dry period. Lakeland Agri will be on hand to help farmers implement the necessary changes that will lead to improved herd health and financial performance on their farms,” Alan Hurst said.
As places are limited, any Lakeland Dairies milk supplier interested in taking part in Phase Two of the TMS programme, which will begin in September 2020, should contact one of the Lakeland Agri Technical Sales team or call Lakeland Dairies on 028 3026 2311.