On all client farms we set the target to boost milk from forage, improve feed efficiency and reduce feed cost per litre.  More milk from forage leads to healthier rumens and less reliance on concentrate and increased business profitability.  The bedrock of good performance is good forages leading to higher dry matter intakes.

In the two examples below we have produced better forages and absorbed the changes from various cuts; in the first we have also dealt with a wet maize silage and in the second a robotic system.  It is important to reflect that on both farms there is still improvement to be made but good progress is being made.

The first farm below is a group TMR fed farm with an Autumn and Spring block.  Maize and Grass form the main forage component although Wholecrop is also used.  A paddock system managed with a platemeter is used to graze all cows except the very fresh and heifers (approx. <200 days DIM).

The second example below, is particularly challenging managing a small AYR calving herd, clamp management, grazing and not impacting the robot throughput rate.  It does prove that robotic systems can be cost effective and we can still produce good milk from forage percentages on higher yields.

To achieve performance like this, please contact Wesley Habershon at wesleyhabershon@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.