Nutritional Consultancy & Intelact
Dairy production systems are changing from the traditional NZ all grass, seasonal systems to more supplement based, often split-calving systems. Dairy nutrition is a complicated process and a lot of research is done all over the world to optimize the way we feed our dairy cows.
Although all grass systems are still seen as the best systems for NZ conditions it is clear that an all grass diet is often not the ideal ration for a dairy cow. All grass rations are too high or too low in proteins, always too low in carbohydrates and often too low or too high in fibre. They are almost never well balanced! Dairy nutrition is about balancing the available protein, energy and fibre to ensure optimum rumen function during the different stages of lactation. Vet Services (HB) Ltd uses a rumen balancing programme, CPM Dairy, to balance rations and to make sure that available supplements are used in the best possible way.
Farm profitability is not driven by production alone, although in years with a high pay out there is definitely a link between production and profitability. Milk price, stocking rates, cost of supplements and labour efficiency are important factors defining farm profitability. Vet Services (HB) Ltd is offering Intelact consultancy to provide sound advice on the whole farm operation. Intelact Consultancy is based on the farm modelling program UDDER, providing a live computer model of your farm enabling us to assess different scenarios to drive farm production and farm profitability.