Fall 2013 Free copy. How to. maximize. results. Report: Scotch Lake Dairy. Vastly profitable on the farm!

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1 Fall 2013 Free copy How to maximize results Report: Scotch Lake Dairy Vastly profitable on the farm! 1

2 Rob Lister, B.Sc., Agr. Ruminant Technical Specialist Shur-Gain, Atlantic Region Ken Smith Business Manager Shur-Gain, Atlantic Region Chris Elias Dairy Nutrition Advisor Landmark Feeds a Nutreco Company Our comprehensive approach to robotic milking The Impacts of Milking Robots Over the last few years many producers have invested in robotic systems on their dairy farms. These technologies have helped dairy producers improve efficiencies in milking, feeding, labour, quality of life, and overall farm management. Invested right from the start with the first milking robots Shur-Gain has been invested in robotic milking and feeding right from the start and actually collects research data from specific robotic milking herds. We strongly feel that these technologies provide us with more measurement and management information, which, combined with our expertise in the field, helps us to make better recommendations and assist producers in reaching their goals faster. As with all new technologies, we try to take a comprehensive approach that involves people, management tools, and specialized feeds. We have trained our Dairy Nutrition Advisors (DNA) to be milking robot specialists to ensure they have the specialized knowledge needed to help producers at every step in the transition to milking in an automatic milking system (AMS). With our exclusive NEWTON system, we have developed customized milking robot feeds and the nutritional strategies to help maximize the performance and health of the cows in these dual feeding systems. Nothing makes us happier than hearing from our customers that they have achieved their goals and are taking their dairy to new heights! A special issue on robotics Over the years, At a Glance has published many articles on management practices, new feed technologies, and strategies that producers can utilize to be more profitable, but we are proud to say that this is our first robot themed edition. In this edition, we focus on everything from robotic calf feeding to milking robots. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did putting it together. The first robotic milking unit was introduced to the Canadian market in It took a few years for our dairy industry to embrace the technology, but in the past five years it seems we ve been making up for lost time. Why are milking robots attractive? According to Dr. Diana Stuart from Michigan State University, and Dr. Rebecca Schewe from Mississippi State University, there are four primary answers to this question: To reduce labour on farm The need to upgrade facilities The answer may vary from farm to farm, but from the numerous producers I ve spoken to and worked with, the primary answer is usually to reduce labour. Larger farms want to reduce the amount of hired labour, and smaller, family farms want more flexibility in their schedules. Large or small, it comes down to labour efficiency and being able to get more done in less time. There are various studies that support a 20-30% reduction in labour for milking-related activities when switching to an automatic milking system (AMS). In a 2003 Canadian study by McKnight, Rodenburg and Fisher, they compared 22 AMS herds with parlour herds of a similar size and discovered that for milking, related set-up and clean-up, it took 1.02 minutes per cow per day in the AMS system vs minutes per cow per day in the parlour system. Only 31% of the time spent on milking! Creating a schedule that can bend to daily or seasonal duties can be quite appealing compared to having a schedule that Higher production revolves around milking times it becomes about doing what IN THIS ISSUE with a third milking you want when you want to do it (see Figure 1 on next page). It s the rare producer who hasn t been in the middle of making hay when (explanation below) 2 Editorial 12 Scotch Lake Dairy the clock says it s milking time, forcing him back to the barn. Whether it s doing field work or spending time with family, VIVALTO - Testimonials: 3 The Impacts of Milking Robots 14 having the choice of when to go to the barn can make life Ferme Wallu To transition the farm Your comments a lot more enjoyable. are always welcome! to the next generation Cow Traffic Systems VIVALTO - Testimonials: 6 in Robot Milking 15 Brackley Farm Send them to Rob Lister By mail: 50 Saunders, Fredericton Why do dairy farmers trust (March 2012 Robotic Milking Conference, Michigan State University) (New Brunswick) E3B 1N1 9 Automatic calf feeders 16 Shur-Gain to supply feed for By robert.lister@nutreco.ca their robotic milking stations? 2 3

3 Figure 1: Distribution of daily activities in robotic milking operations 64% Some producers would also rather manage more equipment than more people. A milking robot will do the same job, day in and day out, will always be on time, and will never complain. Of course, there is the occasional inconvenient phone call from the robot, but producers will say these are generally rare. A different management style It s not surprising that managing a farm with milking robots requires some different management techniques than a conventional farm. Below are a few of the main areas that I ve found change significantly when a producer starts using an AMS: Data management Having an AMS will substantially increase the amount of available data on your farm; it may even be overwhelming for some. It s easy to sit down in front of the computer and get lost in all of the numbers, charts, and graphs, which makes it imperative that you know what you re looking at and know how to find what you need. Here are a few tools that can help make data management easier: 1 Training courses Many of the equipment dealers have great training courses or round table forums on navigating the computer software and interpreting the numbers. These sessions are also a great place to discuss ideas and experiences with other producers. 8% 2% 1% 6% 6% 5% 4% Feeding Computer-based herd management Herd Health Grooming Stalls Fetching cows Cleaning robots and milk room Training new animals Changing milk filters Pushing up feed Free time and other tasks Rodriguez, Francisco. Progressive Dairyman (2013). Time management As discussed earlier, robotic milking creates a much more flexible schedule. The key to this, however, is making the most of your extra time. A good way to start is by making a list of all the necessary daily tasks and prioritizing them. Once that s done, you can then start planning the other tasks you want to get done during the rest of the day. Prioritizing is a great way to make sure that nothing is overlooked. With 64% of your day open (Figure 1), you don t want to let it go to waste! Cow management With an AMS, cows are no longer seen at each milking time to check for mastitis, injuries, etc. At the same time, it s likely easier than ever before to manage individual cows in an AMS. To do this well, time needs to be spent in front of the computer looking for cows on the various lists and then following up by visually checking those cows in the barn. Some producers are using their smartphones to help in this area, which is handy if you have several lists to go through. A well-designed barn with conveniently placed gates leading to a catch pen will greatly assist with catching and sorting cows, and moving them to where you want them. Here are two areas where an AMS can help better manage your cows: 1 Heat/sick cow detection Many robotic milking units come with some sort of activity meters, rumination tracking and/ or heat detection devices. If installed properly, these tools are very useful for detecting cows in heat as well as sick cows, doing their job consistently 24/7. When you check the reports, you re looking for cows with irregular rumination or activity they don t normally have; these are the cows you need to monitor. Some units will also predict the optimal time for insemination based on the cow s activity and the herd s previous records. 2 I ve also seen numerous cases where sick cows were detected earlier than they would have been in a conventional facility because of reduced activity and/or rumination. Udder health One of the unique features of an AMS is that each udder quarter is milked individually, so data is collected about each quarter. This information enables more accurate monitoring and treatment. The AMS allows you to track chronic problem cows or new infections, and act accordingly. Since most robots don t measure actual SCC, comparing the numbers with DHI may prove useful. Impact on cow health and production Table 1 shows what the typical day should look like for a cow in any free stall barn compared to a cow in an AMS. Table 1: Comparison of activities for free stall vs. AMS Activity Free stall (hrs/day) AMS (hrs/day) Drinking Holding area & milking parlour Social interactions Eating Ruminating 7-10 Lying/resting Grant and Albright (2000). Rodriguez. Progressive Dairyman (2013). You ll notice the numbers vary most in Social interactions and Lying/resting behaviour. In an AMS facility, you want the cow to be able to choose what she wants to do when she wants to do it. Cow comfort is every bit as important as before (if not more) because you want the cows to be able to move around as naturally as possible lame and sick cows won t do that. Having comfortable stalls that promote lying behaviour is important, but so is proper access to the robot, adequate water and bunk space, as well as space to socialize and walk around. The primary goal needs to be to keep the cows comfortable and stress-free, and not to restrict the patterns they want to create. You want the cows to reach their potential by creating their own patterns. Your most comfortable cows will still make the most milk, just like they always have. As stated earlier, the third main reason for installing milking robots is to increase production via more frequent milkings. There is plenty of evidence to support this when switching from 2x milking to an AMS (Table 2). However, Table 2 also shows that when switching from 3x milking to an AMS, milk production actually drops. Though your average milkings per cow per day may increase to 3.1 or even higher, many cows will choose to get milked less than 3 times per day, so we see a decrease in milk production. There is great benefit to increasing the number of milkings from 2 to 3, but beyond that the benefit is marginal. If you are going from 2x to an AMS, one potential concern that can arise is reduced fertility due to more stress on the cows and a greater negative energy balance postpartum from producing more milk. Table 2: Production and milking frequency Groups 2x to AMS 3x to AMS Milking frequency 2x AMS 3x AMS Number of farms Milk yield (kg/d) day nonreturn rate Kruip, T.A.M., et al. Journal of Dairy Science (2002). 2 3 Knowledgeable advisors Aligning yourself with knowledgeable advisors can be very valuable when trying to figure things out. These advisors can be a good resource for ideas and problem solving. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) These numbers can be incredibly useful to streamline the data management process. Once you know which main KPIs you should be looking at, you can work with your advisors to figure out what they should be on your farm. You can likely get a standard set of KPIs from the equipment dealer and compare them with where you re currently at and where you want to go. Here is a short list of KPIs and where you want them to be: Rest feed (<5%), Milkings/cow/day ( ), Failures/ Incompletes (<5%), Free time (>10%). Since averages can be misleading, it s important to look at individual cows and not just the averages. In a 2001 study, T.A.M. Kruip reported that although milk increased by switching from 2x milking to an AMS, fertility measured by the 56-day nonreturn rate stayed almost the same (see Table 2). Though it appears this number is higher with 3x milking, Kruip states in his report that this number doesn t match the other research (could be attributed to the small number of farms in this study) and that fertility in an AMS facility is actually unchanged. Like many changes on a dairy farm, a well-designed facility, proper nutrition and good management are essential to making them work. Adding milking robots to your farm just adds a new element to the mix. 4 5

4 Brian Tarr Ruminant Nutritionist Shur-Gain, Central Region very popular cow milk optimize modern feeding strategy facilitate technology experience goals modernity cow well-being investment system capacity research quality of life robot cow milking facilitate strong system capacity lactation advantages labour efficiency access optimize health all the time pellet Cow Traffic Systems in Robot Milking Robotic milking has become very popular, and an increasing number of farms are converting to robots. The most frequently reported reason for installing robots is improved quality of life. Some farms have converted existing barns to accommodate robotic milking, while others have built new barns and installed robots. In this article we are looking to give you a generic review of the different cow traffic systems available that can be used with robot milking. The most popular are free-flow cow traffic and forced cow traffic, of which milk-first and feed-first cow traffic systems are the most common. Critically evaluating the different cow traffic systems is difficult as each has its ardent advocates. All three cow traffic systems work well, so it is important for producers to select the system that best suits them, promotes cow well-being, and meets their goals. The basic parameters by which the different systems can be evaluated include the feeding strategy, system capacity, labour efficiency, initial investment, and typical advantages and disadvantages generally accepted in the industry (Rodriguez, 2013). These differentiating criteria reported in the literature and promoted by industry help to set the expectations for each cow traffic system. robot The free-flow system In the free-flow cow traffic system, the cows have unrestricted access to the feed bunk, stalls, robot(s), and water. The cows are fed a partial mixed ration (PMR) at the bunk. The minimum and average amount of grain ration must be greater than that fed in the milk-first system. The main motivation for this system is providing a palatable and high quality pellet. In addition the amount of robot feed delivered is another key factor in motivating cows to visit the robot. This system accommodates cows per robot. The initial set-up cost is the lowest of all the systems (Rodriguez, 2013). The key benefit is that cows have free access to feed, stalls, the robot, and water all the time (Rodriguez, 2013). Early lactation cows are milked more frequently with shorter inter-milking intervals compared to the forced traffic systems (Gygax et al., 2007). There is less risk of cows blocking gates, passageways or walkways (Lely 2013). Some reports suggest that there are more fetch cows compared to the forced traffic systems (Bach et al., 2009). Cows may visit the robot without being milked (refusals), reducing robot capacity. Milking frequency tends to decline with increasing days in milk (Gygax et al., 2007). This may reduce milk production and potentially increase fetch cows (DeLaval, undated). How the ration is balanced is critically important to help maintain turns in late lactation and lower producing cows (Lely, 2013). The milk-first system In the milk-first cow traffic system, the cows are pre-selected on their way from the stalls to the bunk. Cows with milking permission are directed to a holding pen to be milked on their way to the feed bunk. If not, they are directed to the feed bunk. The cows are fed a partial mixed ration at the bunk with a minimum grain ration per cow per day fed through the robot. The main motivation for cows to visit the robot is the bunk mix (PMR). Managing the partial mixed ration well is extremely important. This system, with no refusals at the robot, accommodates cows per robot. The reported number of fetch cows is 1 to 5%, possibly more labour efficient than free flow. The initial set-up costs are higher than those for the free-flow cow traffic system (Rodriguez, 2013). Benefits include more consistent milking frequency between early and late lactation cows (Gygax et al., 2007) and the reportedly lower number of cows to fetch. The low amount of ration fed through the robot allows for more on-farm feeds with this cow traffic system (Rodriguez, 2013). Research demonstrated that the number of visits to the bunk is lower than with a free-flow system, but the cows partially compensated by spending more time eating per feeding and ate a larger meal at a faster rate (Bach et al., 2009). There is a risk that cows may get acidosis, especially if they can sort the bunk mix. Low rank cows may wait for extended periods of time to be milked (Jacobs & Siegford, 2012), keeping them away from feed, stalls, and water, unless water is provided in the holding pen. The feed-first system In the feed-first cow traffic system, the cows are pre-selected after feeding at the bunk on their way back to the stalls. Cows with milking permission are directed to a holding pen to be milked on their way to the stalls. If not, they are directed to the stall area. The cows are fed a partial mixed ration at the bunk. The minimum and average amount of grain ration must be greater than that fed in the milk-first system. For this system to be successful the palatability and quality of the robot feed is extremely important. The main motivation for cows to visit the robot is the feed delivered Barn Amount of ration fed in robot Feeding system/barn design Nutrition Health Lameness Mastitis Metabolic Cow Comfort Clean, dry and comfortable Access to feed, water, stalls and robot by the robot. The system, with no refusals at the robot, accommodates cows per robot. Reported number of fetch cows is 1 to 5%. The initial set-up costs are higher than those for the free-flow cow traffic system (Rodriguez, 2013). The cows have unlimited access to the feed bunk. Only cows with milking permission are in the sort pen waiting to be milked, which increases robot capacity. Cows follow their daily feeding pattern and present more often at the sort gate, resulting in more regular milking. There are reportedly few fetch cows (Rodriguez, 2013). Cows may spend longer than necessary in the feed alley, there may be congestion at the sort gates (Lely, 2013), and cows selected to be milked, particularly low-ranked cows, may spend longer waiting to be milked (Jacobs & Siegford, 2012). Cows will be without water unless it is provided in the holding area. Advantages to all systems Despite the reported advantages and disadvantages of the different cow traffic systems, in practice it is evident that all these systems can work very well when managed appropriately. The sometimes reported advantage of forced traffic over free flow for milkings/cow/day and fetch cows (Svennersten-Sjaunja and Pettersson, 2008, DeLaval, undated) are not necessarily observed on farm. The single most important factor in robot milking is milk speed, followed closely by milkings/cow/day (or total milkings/day) and kg milk/milking (kg milk fat/milking may be just as important). Milk speed is primarily determined by genetics and udder preparation at the beginning of milking. Milkings/cow/day is affected by many factors, some of which are summarized in the diagram (Figure 1. Adapted from Hendrix UTD, 2007). The cow traffic or feeding system, although important, is only one of many factors that determines milkings/cow/day. Because of all the factors impacting turns, it is impossible to definitely say that one traffic system is better than another. It is difficult to control for all these factors in research (and surveys), so the results usually vary substantially. The averages may differ but are rarely significantly different. Figure 1. Selected factors affecting milking frequency in robot milking herds. Adapted from Hendrix UTD, Cows Cow genetics Milk production (kg milk fat) Milking frequency (turns/cow/day) Social order Fresh cows Heifers Robot Cows/robot % free time Pressure on robot (and box time) Robot Milk access matrix Feeding Time and routine of feeding and push-up Palatable pellet Cow factors Days in milk % 1 st lactation cows Number fetch cows 6 7

5 Pierre Dionne, Agr. Sales and Technology Transfer Advisor Shur-Gain, East Region automatic milking system (AMS) herds revealed that herds with >60 cows/ams averaged 2.4 turns and herds with <60 cows/ams averaged 2.8 turns. The average turns/cow for all herds was 2.6. However, there was large variation with 36% of farms with fewer than 2.5 turns, 44% of farms with turns, and 20% of farms with more than 3 milkings/cow/day. There was no correlation between milkings/cow/day and the cow traffic system in the herds surveyed (de Jong et al., 2003). Feeding fresh feed and pushing up feed appear to have a consistent benefit on turns/cow/day. In a survey of 13 free-flow cow traffic herds in Ontario, feeding fresh feed more frequently enticed cows to go up to eat and remain standing after being milked, as well as generally improved cow traffic, turns, milking intervals, and fewer fetch cows (Deming et al., 2013). A lack of feed (bare bunk) at times during the day increases synchronicity among cows. There is more crowding at the robot waiting to be milked, fewer turns, greater variation in milking interval, and typically more fetch cows (Svennersten-Sjaunja and Pettersson, 2008). Many important factors Regardless of the cow traffic system and the diurnal pattern, having feed available at the bunk all the time is very important as cows are milked and eat on different schedules throughout the day. This is especially important in the milk-first system. Producers that have push-up robots typically run them once an hour for 20 hours a day. These herds are achieving very high turns and production: more than 3 turns depending on the number of cows/robot (DNA Trip to British Columbia, 2013). The low synchronicity in milking and other activities, regardless of the cow traffic system, makes it difficult to obtain good research results on cow behaviour, as well as feeding and lying behaviour in robot herds. The contradictory results and large variations often seen in surveys (and research) means that differences in farm management and individual farm variations are more important to production and efficiency than the specific features of the robot (Deming et al., 2013, Jacobs & Siegford, 2012) or the cow traffic system. The appropriate cow traffic system and feeding recommen dations will vary by farm. The best option is to choose the robot and cow traffic system that best reflects your philosophy, management style and goals. Understand the key functions, features, and characteristics of the robot and the cow traffic system. Understand the many factors that affect milkings/cow/day (and kg milk/minute; kg milk/milking); these ultimately translate into kg milk per robot. Optimize each of these to facilitate the most efficient use of your robot, while promoting cow well-being and the bottom line. your Contact Shur-Gain for representative specific suggestions. Automatic calf feeders A powerful tool that deserves to be understood The pre-weaning period is a key time in the development of heifers. Many studies have shown that if a heifer can at least double its weight prior to weaning and avoid disease during this period, its first lactation milk production will be increased by at least 800 litres. With the current average milk price of $79.00/hl, an additional gross income of $ could be earned during a heifer s first lactation. The automatic calf feeder or auto feeder technology is a tool that could help the dairy producer to achieve these goals. Advantages and disadvantages In the past, individual housing has been promoted as a superior way to raise calves, as opposed to grouped housing. This practice was thought to reduce the incidence and severity of disease. However, recent studies have shown that the additional nutrients generally provided in a group setting allow the calves to develop a better immune system, resulting in a lower incidence of disease. These observations are supported by many producers who have adopted this management practice. CY Heifer Farm, a custom heifer raiser in WNY, reported a difference in weight gain during the first 12 weeks of life for individually housed and group-housed heifers. Individually fed calves weighed 110 kg, while those in group housing weighed 125 kg (courtesy of Grober, 2010). In addition, weaning can be done more gradually with the auto feeder than with the manual pail feeding system, and with much less labour, reducing stress and the decline in gain that is often observed during this period: DAILY GAINS Weaning Grober 2011 With 60 cows per robot, the theoretical maximum number of turns is 2.8/cow/day. A survey of 10 U.S. and 15 Canadian Proponents of the free-flow cow traffic system argue that more than 5% fetch cows (similar to the forced traffic system) means the ration is not correctly balanced for this system, or that there is a high number of lame cows, or both (Lely, 2013, Hulsen, undated). In a survey of 43 herds, the fetch cows in 35 free-flow traffic herds was 16.2% ± 10.8%, and in eight forced cow traffic herds it was 8.5% ± 5.9%. Even though the averages are different, the variation is so large that we can t conclude that the number of fetch cows between these traffic systems is truly different. Of all the fetch cows, 19% were classified as lame and 57.6% as non-identifiable reason (Rodenburg, 2007), possibly lazy cows, a result of not having a correctly balanced ration for the system. Average daily gain, kg/d At a basic level, the maximum turns possible is determined by the total time available, the box time, and the number of cows per robot. If we assume 1,260 minutes per day and an average box time of 7.5 minutes, then we have 168 milkings per day. Weeks of age Individual pen (bulls) Large group (11 heifers) Paired pen (bulls) Small group (6 heifers) a Nutreco Company 8 9

6 A worthwhile investment Several producers have stated that the purchase of an automatic feeder is an expensive investment. However, the labour saved by the producer and the improvement in growth more than compensated for this investment. An auto feeder station can feed a group of 25 to 30 heifers, but, with a double nipple system, the system can feed 50 to 60 heifers at a time. The labour savings for a farm milking 100 cows and raising 50 heifers per year represents 385 hours per year (7.7 min./day/calf X 60 days) (Bentley et al., 2011). At an average wage of $12.00/h, this results in a savings of $4, annually. However, a portion of the time saved should be used to observe the calves more and improve the overall calf management. The auto feeder allows the calf raiser to implement a program of accelerated or intensified growth. Indeed, the health of the calf is dependent on several factors, including the amount of nutrients consumed. To meet the energy needs of a calf, especially in the winter months, we need to feed a minimum of 1,200 grams of solids/ day in three meals. A calf naturally suckles 6-8 times per day (Hafez and Lineweaver, 1968). The auto feeder station allows the calf to express this natural behaviour, and thus consume the quantities of milk required for optimal development (between 8-10 litres/day, 1,200-1,500 grams of solids/day). Another important element in the success of the program is the stability of the concentration (% of solids) and the temperature of the milk, which is controlled by the auto feeder. The software in the calf feeder system can also provide the calf raiser with valuable information on the health status of heifers. By monitoring daily consumption and activity of each calf, the producer can address a health problem quicker. Another key feature is the scale installed at the feeding station, which allows the producer to keep track of each animal s weight gain and thus validate if the feeding program is providing the appropriate nutrition. The manager can also use this information to make an assessment and culling decision on each heifer. Another benefit of the automatic feeding system is the ability to provide treatment in milk for individual heifers at a specific time instead of medicating all heifers. Key success factors All technologies used with livestock require very good management. The calf feeder is a tool that must integrate a sound calf management program. It is recommended to acclimate the calves in individual pens during the first 5-10 days of life. This allows you to manage the distribution of colostrum and ensure that the calf s suckling reflex is good. Diarrhea or pulmonary health problems are often observed at this stage of the heifer s acclimatization to its new environment. The ideal grouping of calves depends on farm size and the number of calves born per week. For a farm where fewer than 10 heifers are raised per week, having two different age groups (10 days to 30 days, and 31 days at weaning) is the preferred grouping strategy. This is done to avoid competition in the group between older heifers and new arrivals, and to reduce the risk of disease contamination. However, if there are enough calves raised per week to fill one group within 2-3 weeks, an all-in, all-out system works better and allows for proper cleaning of the pens between groups. The environment is a key factor in the success of an automatic calf feeder. In the past, this element has not been properly handled, resulting in poor development and gain, and a higher incidence of disease and mortality in calves. A clean, dry environment with a good amount of bedding, along with good ventilation to remove ammonia and humidity is critical for the overall success of the program. This is true for every housing system: ventilation is critical for any calf housed inside a barn. It is necessary to implement a maintenance protocol for the feeder, i.e. a daily checklist for the mixer, feeding line and nipples. Make sure that the milk powder outlet is unobstructed. Clean the nipples with a disinfectant solution every day, and clean the line that carries the milk from the mixer to the nipple once a week. The new models of automatic feeders now have auto cleaners, which simplifies this task. It is important to remember that the purpose of the auto feeder is only to feed the calves; the producer still needs to manage the system. ls a i n o m i st e T André and Urs Studhalter from Irma Farm in Saint-Albert, QC, have worked with an auto milk feeder for 7 years. They appreciate this equipment because it reduced mortality prior to weaning. Before installing the automated system, the mortality rate was 10%; over the last two years, it has dropped to 1%. Use the Advantage S-G milk powder throughout the entire pre-weaning phase. Its optimum formula contains high-quality milk protein (26%) and fat (16%). In addition, the milk replacer is mildly acidified to reduce the incidence of diarrhea and disease risks. The fact that it is also easy to mix makes it the ideal choice to achieve your objectives in terms of your herd replacement program. Conclusion The automatic calf feeder is a powerful tool, but it should not be purchased in the aim of spending less time with your herd replacements, but rather to manage them more effectively. Your S-G representative can help you define the elements of management, environment, and feed that will allow you to maximize this investment and achieve your goal of heifer growth. a Nutreco Company André and Urs commented, The time saved in preparing and serving the milk to the calves gave us the opportunity to better manage and monitor our heifers. Photo : Éric Labonté, MAPAQ For Jacquelin Drapeau of Ruisseau Clair Farm in Normandin, QC, who raises about 100 heifers per year, the automatic milk station has improved development in terms of the weight (+ 3.6 kg at 4 months) and height (+ 0.2 cm at 4 months) of his heifers. André 10 Urs In addition, it has decreased the time spent by his employees feeding the calves. 11

7 From left to right: Rachel, David, Carol, Isaac, Christina, Natalie and Richard. Embracing milking robot Richard and Carol Boonstoppel purchased Scotch Lake Dairy in At the time, the acquisition included the barns and the land; the cows, equipment, and quota (60 kg) were purchased elsewhere. In September 2010, they switched from a double 6 herringbone parlour to a Lely A3 Next milking robot, which completely revolutionized their operations. Scotch Lake Dairy and technology The Boonstoppels own 300 acres in Scotch Lake, New Brunswick, where they have a herd of 100 Holstein cows, 50 of which are milking. The herd s average milk production is 10,500 kg. In addition to their dairy operations, they grow grass forages on their land. All hands on deck Richard and Carol have five children: Rachel, 15, Christina, 13, Isaac, 11, and twins Natalie and David, 9, all of whom have daily chores to do on the farm. The kids are also involved in the local 4 H club, taking part in dairy, rabbit, and other non-livestock projects. In their spare time, the Boonstoppels enjoy downhill skiing and road cycling, and are also active members of the Fredericton Christian Reformed Church. Richard is a member of the Fredericton Dairy Management Group and secretary of the local milk committee. For her part, co-owner Carol is a physiotherapist and, along with Richard, a graduate of the Atlantic Agricultural Leadership Program. She is also the organizational leader of the Keswick Ridge 4-H club. On farm, she does all the bookkeeping, the baling in the summer, and she runs the farm on her own, with help from the kids, when Richard is away. Improvements through technology The Lely milking robot which the Boonstoppels consider their greatest achievement thus far was placed in the old free stall barn where the double 6 herringbone parlor used to be. Since Scotch Lake Dairy then, their lives have changed dramatically. After the initial start-up, their year-over-year production went up by about 10-15%, and the somatic cell count has dropped to below 100,000 most months. Udder health has improved significantly due to the fact that the cows are milked more often (average of visits per day); however, the Boonstoppels have had to learn to spend more time cleaning the stalls and keeping the udders free from hair and dirt. A life-altering shift The introduction of this new technology has also meant more free time for the family. As Richard says, It has completely changed our daily routine. When we re busy with crops in the summer, we no longer have to stop for evening milking. One of the kids can feed and we can keep going. Having a robot doesn t mean we re no longer in the barn, but now we can be much more flexible. In fact, we probably spend more time around the cows now, walking through the whole barn, than when we were milking. We ve noticed that the cows are much more relaxed around humans. This means extra time to attend the kids extracurricular activities, and even the occasional day away from the farm; they simply keep an eye on things remotely by computer or smartphone. Farm profile Scotch Lake Dairy, Scotch Lake, New Brunswick Owners: Richard and Carol Boonstoppel Average herd size 100 Cows in milk 50 Average production 10,500 kg Average milk components 3.90% BF 3.3% P Quota 60 kg Types of crops Grass forages Size of property 300 acres Service center: Shur-Gain Moncton Mill IMPROVEMENTS with the milking robot We ve seen a 10-15% increase in production since the arrival of the robot. Adjustment period Initially, the new robot was a little daunting. The system operates continuously 24/7, so someone always needs to be on-call to deal with potential problems. Richard said that it took some time getting used to, but that now they take it in stride; besides, they ve been lucky enough to have had very few problems! The robot also sends a huge amount of information to the farmer every day, which can be overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a strong support network, Richard and Carol have adapted brilliantly. Bright future Richard and Carol s only regret is that they didn t install their milking robot sooner. Other than that, they love the freedom, flexibility, and family-oriented lifestyle that come with the profession. They have no plans to stop farming; in fact, they hope to one day turn the operation over to their children. They foresee a very bright future for the dairy industry, provided all farmers work together to promote the benefits of supply management to governments and the general public. One of the best ways to do this, according to Richard, is to embrace social media. In the meantime, it s full steam ahead for Scotch Lake Dairy! It is an absolute pleasure working with the Boonstoppel family! They are very passionate about what they do and are willing to share and communicate information openly with others. The Lely Robot has been an exciting addition to their farm and has been a great learning opportunity for me as well. I look forward to working with them to help meet their future goals % annual increase in production Improved animal health Better quality of life Improved organization and efficiency Scotch Lake Dairy Jackie Sweetland 12 13

8 TESTIMONIALS Vastly profitable on the farm! FermeWallu BrackleyFarm Sainte-Julienne (Lanaudière), Québec Owners: Jean-Marc Wolfe and his two sons, Stéphane and Pascal Cows in milk: 88 Kilos of quota: 98 Average production: 10,305 kg Average milk components: 4.02% BF 3.33% P BCA: Service center: Meunerie Marcel Bouchard Inc. Brackley, Prince Edward Island Owners: Barry and Denise Uyterlinde Number of head in the herd: 110 Cows in milk: 46 Average production: 10,452 kg Average milk components: 407 kg BF 329 kg P Jean-Marc, Anne Frédérick, Pascal, Benjamin, Lorie, Stéphane and Mégane. Ferme Wallu, located in Sainte-Julienne in the Lanaudière region, is operated by Jean-Marc Wolfe and his two sons, Stéphane and Pascal. Driven by performance, the owners make every effort to increase their dairy production and decrease the number of replacement heifers. To do so, they rely on the expertise of their Shur-Gain Dairy Nutrition Advisor, who proposes targeted solutions. VIVALTO : more milk, same quality! Since adding VIVALTO to their rations, the owners have seen an increase in milk production. Peak milk is higher and faster. The milk fat level in the tank has stayed the same, despite the increased volume of milk, confirms Stéphane. The same goes for reproduction it s remained stable, he adds. The proof is in the numbers We compared the herd s results before adding Vivalto with today s results after six months of use, with similar forages and feed. The increase in milk production from month to month is very obvious on my milk control reports, states Stéphane. Corrected milk production rose from 34.3 kg to 38.6 kg, increasing the average projection for the herd during this period to 486 kg of milk/cow/year, which represents close to $30,000 more in revenue from the herd at Ferme Wallu. Thanks to the increased milk production, it is possible to make up the volume of milk needed for the additional fall days given the limited number of stalls, and thereby increase revenues. With such a steady and significant increase in milk, I m wondering just how far VIVALTO will take us? asks Stéphane. Decrease in replacement heifers To produce the quota of 98 kg/day, we had to milk an average of 87 cows with the fat test holding stable around 4.0%; now, we plan to milk no more than 82 cows to make the quota, considering the increased milk production and the stability of fat levels in the milk, states Stéphane. He adds: If things continue like this, we will be milking five fewer cows, and based on my average cost/cow/day, I ll save $11,300 per year. The cost of VIVALTO is $2,860 per year for the herd; this means we ll make a net profit of $8,440 per year, not to mention needing fewer replacement heifers. Brackley Farms, located in Brackley, PEI, is owned by Barry and Denise Uyterlinde, who took over from Barry s father, Adrian Uyterlinde, in With just 12 cows when Adrian first started farming in 1961, they now have a herd of 110 Holsteins (46 in milk). Passionate about what they do and highly optimistic about the future of dairy farming, the Uyterlindes attribute a great deal of credit for their success to their Shur-Gain dairy nutrition advisor, who brings new technologies to their farm. VIVALTO : making a difference Since adding Vivalto to their rations in early April 2013, the owners have noticed a clear improvement in production. According to Barry, Since starting on VIVALTO, our first lactation heifers have shown improved peak milk and are milking like crazy! In fact, one of the main reasons the Uyterlindes chose to work with Shur-Gain is because they get very good results from the technology. From left to right in the photos are Denise, Barry and Marc. Missing from the photos are Hannah, Andre and Justin. The numbers don t lie On average, the Brackley herd produces 10,452 kg of milk, with 407 kg of fat and 329 kg of protein. Between July 2012 and April 2013, before VIVALTO came into the picture, the average peak milk for first lactation heifers was 35.5 kg. Since adding VIVALTO to the mix, however, their on-farm dairy management software reports that peak milk for first lactation cows was 36 kg in May 2013 and 39 kg in July 2013 an increase of 3.5 kg per cow, a result Barry considers to be excellent! Support from a trusted advisor The Uyterlindes have high praise for their Shur-Gain dairy nutrition advisor, Trevor Tower. They re extremely satisfied with his service and say they wouldn t hesitate to recommend him to a friend. He s great at his job, they have an open and honest relationship, and he helps them meet all their needs by bringing innovative Shur-Gain technologies to their farm. It s a win-win relationship!??? It s a real pleasure to work with the Wolfe family. Since my goal is to help them meet their needs and objectives, I m always on the lookout for new solutions to offer them. A work-family balance is much easier to achieve??? when you have a productive and perfectly healthy herd. It s a privilege for the entire team at Meunerie Marcel Bouchard Inc. to contribute to the success of Ferme Wallu. Working with the Uyterlinde family over the last four years has been a real pleasure. They are open-minded producers who are always willing to use Shur-Gain s technology to help them meet their goals on farm. They take great pride in their operation and it shows! We have a great working relationship and I look forward to seeing them succeed now and into the future. 14 Martin Cartier, T.P. Shur-Gain representative Trevor Tower Territory Manager, Eastern PEI and Newfoundland 15

9 Why do dairy farmers trust Shur-Gain to supply feed for their ROBOTIC MILKING STATIONS? good reasons: Certified advisors who offer a global approach to help you achieve maximum value from this technology Proven degree of expertise gained over the last 10 years working with the first users of robotic milking systems Customized rations thanks to NEWTON, a formulation program exclusive to Shur-Gain that optimizes the value of forages used at the farm 16 The purchase of a milking robot represents a significant investment. That s why dairy farmers have chosen to do business with the LEADING SUPPLIER OF FEEDS. SG130756

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