Fertility, metabolic problems and cow condition post-calving are key factors that can significantly hinder on-farm dairy cow performance and productivity.

But without external professional support, in the form of nutritionists, feed businesses and farm consultants, to scrutinise and get to the bottom of underlying issues, it can result in on-farm performance standing still. This is where a team approach between several specialists, can really come into its own.

For Mark Simpson and his family at Cleave Farm in Devon, they are all too aware of the benefits that working with an external team of experts can bring to a farm business.

Mark said, “The farm was bought in 1968 and since that time we’ve seen a lot of changes to allow us to keep pace with developments in the dairy sector.

“We’re now running a 550 cow herd, of which 450 are currently in milk. Our operations and management systems have had to develop to effectively manage these changes, but the key has been to ensure cow performance and productivity has not been jeopardised due to this growth.

“This is where input from Robert Cope, our nutritionist has really helped,” he adds.

Robert Cope, an independent nutritionist, has been working with the team at Cleave Farm since 2010. During this time he has seen the business grow, and has had a big input in helping ensure cow performance has kept pace.

“Each farm has their challenges that have the potential to limit the overall farm performance,” said Robert. “But, by identifying these areas and addressing how these can be overcome, or the risk mitigated, there can be room for improvement.”

Robert explains that for the Simpson family, fertility and post-calving metabolic issues were an area where there was scope to improve when he first joined. “The farm and the cows weren’t meeting their full potential,” he said.

“Bulling was inconsistent, but in the four years that followed, we worked to reduce the calving index from 423 to 403 days. And, more recently by specifically looking at the chemistry behind the nutrition, we’ve developed a proven ration that’s helped improve performance and productivity significantly.

In December 2013, on a recommendation from Robert, Mark introduced a novel, patented rumen-protected glycerol powder, into the pre and post-calving ration of the high yielding cows at Cleave Farm.

Abraham Venter, an independent chemist who has been working closely with Rumenco and Bio-Energy Ingredients (BEI) to develop this novel feed ingredient, and also with Robert and Mark to trial the product on-farm, explains the significance of the nutritional chemistry of protected glycerol as a glucose precursor for the dry and lactating dairy cow.

“From research, we know that glycerol has many more beneficial functions than just providing by-pass energy, when provided to the cows in a protected form,” said Abraham.

The chemistry behind Rumenco’s Glycal Forte means it has been formulated to by-pass the rumen straight to the liver. “Weight loss post-calving can lead to a knock-on effect on cow health and performance, but the inclusion of a rumen-protected energy source in the ration means energy passes directly to the liver reducing the risk of cows ‘milking off their backs’ at crucial times.

“Once the protected glycerol reaches the abomasum, as well as releasing energy, calcium reacts with hydrochloric acid to form a source of highly available calcium. These novel properties help reduce the risk of metabolic issues such as hypocalcaemia (milk fever) and ketosis.”

Abraham also explains that Glycal Forte works as an effective slow release rumen pH regulator to help correct the damaging effects of an acidic rumen post-calving. “Not only does this improve protein supply, but also saves energy that rumen microbes would otherwise have used to counteract a low rumen pH,” said Abraham.

The top priority for Mark was to improve the fertility of the Cleave Farm herd, and decrease the incidence of post-calving metabolic issues.

“Since using Glycal Forte, cows are bulling quicker from between 12 and 20 days, average pregnancy rates have improved to 28 per cent, with our best recorded at 31 per cent. We’ve also seen milk yield increase from 8,500l/cow to 10,500l/cow in a relatively short period of time, which is significant for us,” adds Mark.

“Having input from Robert and also working alongside Abraham and Rumenco has been instrumental in helping to achieve this. By assessing our system and being open to different ideas, we’ve been able to make a significant impact to cow performance and productivity,” said Mark.