Milks yields in ideal conditions will drop off 2.0-2.5% per week or no more than 10% per month. Anything above this indicates an energy deficit or the cows dry matter intake capacity is not being met. To ensure adequate energy intake pay particular attention to both grass quality and quantity.
During the key mid-lactation months of May, June and July, the focus should be on ensuring cows are being turned into high quality grass consistently.
Target pre-grazing yield: 1,200 – 1,400 kg DM/ha
Target cover/cow: 160-180 kg DM/LU
Rotation length: 18-20 days
Operating above these targets will lead to losing quality in swards. Ideally where growth has increased significantly or continuously exceeding demand creating a surplus, the poorest quality paddocks will be taken out as surplus. Also, consider turning cows into poor quality paddocks at a lower cover in order to achieve 4 cm residuals – this will ensure you will have good quality grass in the next round.
GAIN Summer Sustainer
There is a strong reason to try and hold production as close to the typical lactation curve as possible. GAIN Summer Sustainer range is specifically formulated to help sustain milk yields and milk solids production, while helping cow fertility and pregnancy maintenance, during the key mid-lactation months of May, June and July.
GAIN Summer Sustainer complements a grass-based diet, while ensuring cows are receiving the optimum level of cal-mag and minerals during this critical period at typical feed rates, while also offering crude protein levels of both 14%. Balanced, with a high level of rumen bypass starch in the form of Maize, the range also includes the feed additive Agolin, scientifically proven to increase feed efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase milk output yields.
