Feeding AppleBoost MPG to close-up and fresh cows is helping the 780-head herd at Stowell Farms, Wiltshire achieve yields of over 11,000 litres per cow per year.
AppleBoost MPG is a blend of glycerine and monopropylene glycol with a fresh apple taste. One of its roles is in improving liver function by giving cows an energy boost that then reduces body fat mobilisation. This in turn reduces the risk of fatty liver and ketosis.
Farm Manager, Neil Ridgway believes feeding 150g per head per day to cows close-to-calving “kicks the liver into gear” so they are able to hit production targets.
“From day one we were feeding monopropylene glycol to fresh cows. We’ve now started that earlier. Why ask the liver to do more at the point they calve – supplement earlier so the liver is up and running,” he explains.
Stowell Farms is a Mole Valley Farmers’ Focus Farm, read more here
The herd is milked through 12 Lely A5 robots with AppleBoost also fed through the robot for the first three weeks post calving. Its fresh apple flavour helps to drive intakes. It is also automatically provided at 50g per head per day to any individuals yielding over 60 litres a day after the three weeks. This is all part of Neil and Herd Manager Chris Gowen’s preventative approach to cow health, which is supported by the data from the robots.
The robots monitor individual cow milk fat and protein levels as a means of establishing ketosis risk. Any imbalance will be flagged and cows will be dosed with AppleBoost. This helps prevent subclinical ketosis from developing into clinical disease – something which the herd no longer sees.
Neil said: “The AppleBoost has delivered everything I wanted. From my experience, whether it’s dry cows, fresh cows or high yielders, their demand on the liver is huge. If we’re not looking after the liver, cows won’t be healthy and productive.”
For advice on diet management on robotic milking herds, contact the Feed Line on 01566 780261 or feeds@molevalleyfarmers.com