Feed and dietary inputs are some of the biggest costs in milk production. A farm at Keevil in Wiltshire has seen a significant financial saving through closer analysis of feed related data.

After years of achieving consistent yields of over 7,000 litres/cow/year, a diet reformulation has allowed father and son, Francis and Paul Banfield, to create a saving of nearly £20,000 on purchased feed per year, while also maintaining yields.

Promar principal consultant Paul Henman, who has been working closely with the enterprise for many years, explains why he pushed the farm for higher results from forage, despite the yield consistency. He said: "Data from Promar’s Milkminder service showed that the farm had previously been achieving around 3,400 litres from forage, which accounts for about 47% of the total yield. Although this is a substantial figure, insight into the performance results didn’t reflect the quality of forage being made.”

The Banfield family have been producing high quality silage of 11.5 – 12 ME for a number of years thanks to their manure management system.

Mr Henman said: "The farm practices slurry splitting, which allows the liquid to be injected into the pasture helping to improve sward utilisation. The farm was feeding high levels of concentrate throughout the lactation cycle which was also capping the yield from forage potential. After careful analysis of the ration, changes were made last winter and a reduction in concentrate being fed during the mid to late lactation period, was implemented.”

One year on, the yield from forage increased by over 1,000 litres per cow, equating to 60% of total yield and a lift in overall milk solids, to reach 4.39% butterfat and 3.51% protein. This reduction in concentrate feed has seen a significant saving of nearly £90/cow per year for the business.

There has also been an improvement in fertility and an all service conception rate of 50% is being achieved.

In addition to a reduction in feed costs and improved fertility, impressive teamwork between the family and their staff has enabled the business to prosper. This was recognised when the farm was named southern regional winner of the Promar Milkminder Manager of the Year 2017 award.

Mr Henman added: “Francis and Paul work in conjunction with their herdsman Simon to make business decisions, and ensure all employees across the farm business are well-informed. Their attention to detail is key and continual investment over the years has allowed the business to thrive. It’s this approach that will ensure the continued success of the business.”