Achieving optimum fertility with GAIN Spring Breeder

Martin O’Hare is a new entrant to dairy, having made the switch from a beef enterprise last year. "We are milking 80 British and Holstein Friesian cows, on a 60 acre milking platform, 100% spring calving herd. We made the switch to dairying because we can see a real future in producing a high value commodity for consumers."

Tony Brennan is Martin’s GAIN Business Manager. Martin believes that Tony is extremely professional in terms of offering expert advice and guidance, particularly when it comes to offering advice and driving herd performance. “Tony is excellent. I can rely on him to guide me on what will work on the farm. He calls to the farm regularly and we chat on the phone at least once every week to make sure all is working ok. We would look at cow performance, herd health, grass yields and breeding strategies.”

Martin was very impressed with his 2020 breeding season. Based on last year’s figures, 95% of Martin’s herd went in calf after an eleven-week breeding season. When it comes to herd fertility, Martin is quick to highlight the crucial role that GAIN Spring Breeder plays in ensuring that his herd is in optimal condition for breeding. “Having the cows in the right body condition is key in having a successful breeding and subsequent calving season. GAIN Spring Breeder gives my cows all that they need to make sure they are ready. We have had a very successful calving season this year, with little to no difficulties. We started on 24 January and only have 5 left to calve.”

Martin has been using GAIN Dairy Breeder and GAIN Spring Breeder since entering dairying. “I give the cows GAIN Dairy Enhance when they are in the shed to start building condition and switch to GAIN Spring Breeder when to cows head out to grass. At breeding time. In particular, I find that the Novatan in GAIN Spring Breeder really helps with the cows’ fertility.”

GAIN Dairy Enhance Nut is an 18% protein, premium early lactation feed for cows that boosts the output of milk solids and is suitable for cows being fed silage. During February Martin’s cows averaged 2kgs milk solids per day. It has a balanced energy profile that ensures a steady transition if you are switching from silage to grass in the spring. It contains the key ingredient Novatan that significantly improves feed utilisation in the rumen by increasing energy and protein utilisation. When at grass full time Martin switches to GAIN Spring Breeder, a 13% protein nut that supports milk solids and fertility. It contains three critical components; Novatan, and Bioplex protected minerals and Selplex from Alltech. Novatan increases the protein available for milk production, reduces scour and increases fertility. Bioplex copper supports fertility, Bioplex zinc supports hoof and udder health, while Selplex selenium improves somatic cell counts, mastitis and fertility.
 

When it comes to managing grass on the farm, Martin places a massive importance on grass measuring, “The farm is regularly walked to determine grazing covers and grass measure at least once every week so I know how many days grazing ahead I have. If any paddocks are getting too strong, I can pull them out for silage.” Last year, we grew 15 tons of DM per Hectare, which we were very pleased with. When we kept a beef enterprise on the farm, we were part of the Better Beef programme where there was a massive focus on growing as much quality grass as possible and this has massively helped since we’ve made the move to dairying. We have really seen the benefits of reseeding in terms of maintaining milk solids during the 2020 grazing season’’. With a herd of heifers we delivered 457kgs of milk solids last year. 

Martin is very optimistic about the future of his farm having made the switch to dairying. Martin aims to expand the size of his herd and maximise his grass growth and utilisation, “The future looks very bright for us. My wife Eilish and the kids play a massive role in making this possible. We are aiming to increase cow numbers slightly over the coming years but ultimately not put too much pressure on the grazing platform. We want to continue to focus on maximizing grass efficiency to drive milk solid improvements throughout 2021’’.

New GAIN Momentum Programme

The new GAIN Momentum Programme launched this spring. The objective of this programme is to add tangible value, increase efficiency, environmental performance and profitability on farm. This is a results driven integrated programme comprised of four main categories; Great Grass, Herd Nutrition, Herd Health and Milk Solids.

Herd Nutrition focuses on Heifer Rearing, Lactation Performance and our bespoke diet formulation package ‘Rumenade’. 

For more information on our GAIN Momentum Programme click here to view our brochure.

 
Trading Bonus Scheme:

The Glanbia Co-op Trading Bonus Scheme encourages, recognises and rewards active members of the Co-op for trading with the business they majority own, Glanbia Ireland.

Member Benefits:

• An opportunity to get €10 back on manufactured feed, purchased by dry shareholder farmer Co-op members.
• A potential 4% return to dairy farmer Co-op members who trade at 5c/l.The 4% return is equivalent to a €12/t discount on a €300/t product.
• A potential 5% return to dairy farmer Co-op members who trade at 8c/l.The 5% return is equivalent to a €15/t discount on a €300/t product.

For more information, please contact your GAIN Animal Nutrition Representative, Glanbia Branch or visit glanbiaconnect.com. 

First Published: 13 April 2021