How progressive nutrition is helping an Armagh dairy farm hit milk quality bonuses

At Garvey’s Farm near Silverbridge, County Armagh, the Garvey Family are rebuilding with a clear focus: a consistent and robust system that maximises calf performance from birth through to weaning, while supporting cows from the dry period through peak lactation.

It is a progressive approach shaped by a difficult decade. After losing three herds to TB, the farm has concentrated on the practical factors it can control: quality forage, straightforward rations, careful transition management and close monitoring of performance.

Raymond and Aidan explained: “We have lost three herds to TB over the last 25 years and have had ongoing issues with TB over the past decade. We currently now have around 115 cows, and last year they produced 1.2 million litres of milk.” Overall Herd yield has increased from approximately 8500 litres to over 10,000 litres and milk quality has improved significantly- Milk Butterfat has went from 3.9% to 4.7% and Milk Protein has seen an increase from 3.2% to 3.5%. With the recent changes to milk pricing structure, ensuring milk quality is optimal is extremely important to our farm from an economic perspective”, explains Raymond.

Herd health and performance is now supported by a whole-farm nutrition programme developed with Mazzoleni Ireland. Nutritionist Ben Bingham visits regularly, with additional attention around calving and during early and peak lactation. This helps Raymond and Aidan adjust the diet as cows move through each stage.

Raymond and Aidan said: “From the day Ben came to us and recommended changes, we followed them. Within a month we had hit our bonus from Lakeland Dairies, and we have not missed a bonus since.”

The result is a system that connects calf rearing, the dry period, calving and lactation rather than treating each group or ration as a separate job.

Preparation begins before calving

At Garveys Farm, preparation for the next lactation begins during the dry period. The ration is built around the forage available on farm, with a dry-cow mineral programme intended to help cows move smoothly through calving and into early lactation. The brothers said: “We previously had issues with dry cows and felt cows weren’t reaching their full potential in terms of milk yield. Now cows are calving in well and getting up to peak milk much more quickly.”

The ration remains deliberately straightforward. On-site NIR forage analysis shows what the forage is contributing there and then, meaning decisions can be made promptly on which of the farm’s own feeds are to be used to create a balanced ration. This also means the dry-cow TMR can be adjusted, as and when necessary. Mazzoleni’s Supramom Elite Mineral pack is used to ensure adequate supply of vitamins and trace elements to the dry cow and contains chelated sources of Copper, Zinc and Selenium to support health and help prevent metabolic disorders.

In the immediate post-calving period, the focus shifts to maximising dry matter intakes, promoting rumen function, maintaining body condition and ensuring adequate energy supply to help support milk production. The milking cow ration utilises BioCell® live yeast to support rumen function, (Mazzoleni’s own live yeast) with Nutragold hydrogenated fatty acids included where additional energy density is required.

Milk reports show how those decisions are translating into yield and constituents, while Raymond and Aidan also watch the cows themselves. “I can see the difference in the cows just looking at them,” Raymond said. Rumination and rumen fill has improved greatly and dungs are much more consistent than before, “he notes.

Raymond added: “Ben has been a game changer for us.” He explained: “His advice is all about the nutrition, he does the diets and sends them to my phone, and if I have a problem he calls back in to see me. He has changed us inside out.”

The Garveys’ recent investment in a new calf shed with an automatic feeder is another sign of the farm’s focus on building a robust system for the future. Within the shed, Aidan has adopted the same stage-by-stage approach with calf rearing. Vitamilk M60, a high-skim calf milk replacer offered by Mazzoleni Ireland, provides consistent early nutrition alongside good colostrum, hygiene and husbandry. “Calf performance has surpassed our expectations since moving to the automatic feeder, since the M60 Powder has been introduced calves have a great shine and fat cover and are extremely content,” explains Aidan.

According to Aidan, Ben’s advice is to get nutrition right from the baby-calf stage because the benefits follow through over the animal’s lifetime. As calves approach weaning, attention turns to starter intake, growth and a smooth transition from liquid milk to a fully solid diet. That attention continues after milk is removed, when calves can remain susceptible to digestive setbacks.

Making the most of forage

Forage is central to the system at Garveys Farm. Its feeding value can vary with the season, field and clamp, so knowing the quality of what forage is available helps the farm decide where supplementation will add value and where it will not.

Regular herd walks provide a practical check on whether the ration is working. Cow condition, intakes and mobility are considered alongside milk reports, giving the farm an opportunity to respond when something begins to change.

Raymond said Ben is currently advising the farm on how to make the best silage possible, adding: “Good silage is the key to good success.” Mazzoleni also supports the farm with forage-making and ensiling decisions so that the best possible crop goes into the clamp. The use of Certillus Grass Silage Additive has helped improved fermentation and reduce waste at the silage clamp.”

The focus at Garveys Farm is now on maintaining consistency whilst rebuilding the herd. Speaking about Mazzoleni and their on farm support, Raymond and Aidan said: “We have recommended Ben to other businesses and they are happy too. Whatever Ben says will work, works. And whatever Ben says he will do, he does.” His advice to other farmers was simple: “Talk to Ben. We would recommend Ben to anybody.”

About Mazzoleni

Mazzoleni Ireland provides nutritional products and practical support for dairy, beef and youngstock systems. The company has recently expanded its Northern Ireland team and now has three dedicated nutritionists supporting farmers across the region. Its approach is to build straightforward rations around the forage available on farm, whilst using targeted nutritional inputs where they have a clear role.

For more information visit https://mazzoleni.ie or call 0800 2081514. You can also learn more on Facebook or Instagram