Dairy Diary: April business update

Elanco and Royal DSM announce alliance in US for Bovaer feed additive

Elanco and Royal DSM have announced a US strategic alliance for Bovaer. Elanco has secured the exclusive US licensing rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise Bovaer, a methane-reducing feed additive for beef and dairy cattle, already available in Europe, Brazil, Chile and Australia. For dairy cows, more than 50 peer-reviewed studies and 48 on-farm trials in 14 countries show Bovaer consistently reduces enteric methane emissions by approximately 30%. The companies say that the methane reduction from feeding a million cows Bovaer is equivalent to planting 45 million trees or removing 300,000 cars from the road.

Meanwhile, Arla Foods and Royal DSM are set to start a large-scale on-farm pilot with Bovaer on 10,000 dairy cows across across more than 50 farms in Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

Millbrook Dairy Company opens its doors in the Netherlands

As part of its expansion plans, UK-based Millbrook Dairy Company, which was founded in 2019, has launched a new subsidiary company, Millbrook Dairy Europe BV, based in Limburg, the Netherlands. This will allow the business to expand its offering of cheese and butter products into new territories across Europe.

Field Options publishes new grass, clover and forage crop guide

Field Options has published its 2022 Grass, Clover and Forage Crop Guide which contains a wealth of agronomic advice to help livestock farmers maximise milk and meat production from homegrown forage, in addition to providing details of the company’s specialist grazing, silage and forage crop seed mixtures. Topics covered in the new publication include guidance on how to get the best results from grass, clover and herbal seed mixtures by reseeding effectively, as well as practical advice on cultivation technique, soil nutrition and soil health, pH and structure. Also included is advice on pest and weed control.

VetPartners launches training platform for dairy farmers

FarmIQ has been launched by VetPartners as a unique training hub, which aims to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge they require to optimise herd health and business performance. Dr Tim Potter, training consultant at VetPartners, says that the platform provides flexible training options for any farmer looking to brush up on their skills as the industry changes rapidly.

Amcor announces recycle-ready cheese packaging

Amcor has a new application for its AmPrima recycle-ready solutions launching in Europe. The polyethylene (PE) recycle-ready portfolio is being expanded for dairy and coffee products to offer brands a more sustainable packaging choice without compromise on performance. AmPrima PE and PE PLUS solutions for cheese in Europe will be available in a variety of formats including flow wrap for hard cheeses, pouches for grated, and even flow-packs for leak-prone cheeses such as mozzarella. The launch for cheese will allow brands to choose a full PE solution with robust product protection, that fits the requirements of most European PE recycling streams.

New brand launch for UFAC-UK

Operating across the ruminant and monogastric sectors, UK nutritional supplement manufacturer and supplier to the animal feed industry, UFAC-UK, has launched its new-look branding and website.

MSD Animal Health develops salmonella risk assessment app

MSD Animal Health has developed the Salmonella Risk Assessment app, for dairy farmers to use alongside their vets. The interactive checklist tool helps highlight areas of high risk and areas where improvements can be made to help prevent salmonella infection on-farm.

Cargill expands capabilities of Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Centre

With a US$50 million investment, Cargill is expanding and renovating its Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Centre in Elk River in Minnesota, the US. Along with a facility in Velddriel, the Netherlands, and the soon-to-be-operating Changrong R&D centre in China, the Elk River site serves as a hub of the company’s global network of 15 animal nutrition research and technology application centres.

Designed to serve dairy, poultry, swine and aqua nutrition customers and the testing needs of other Cargill businesses, the company will upgrade animal facilities including a new dairy innovation unit, construct a larger onsite feed mill, create a visitor’s space, and build a laboratory for nutrient research and development. The site has been operational for Cargill since 1958, and the upgraded facility that will open in 2023.

Anpario presents new research for Optomega range

An in vitro study carried out by the University of Reading assessed Anpario’s Optomega Algae and Optomega Plus supplemented at 100 g/cow/day and 160 g/cow/day, respectively, and the effect of the range on gas and methane production when supplemented in the dairy herd ration. Results showed that both products helped lower cumulative gas production over a 24-hour period, the company announced. Compared to control diets, the cumulative methane output was 10.8% lower in Optomega Plus-supplemented cows and 6.6% lower in cows fed diets supplemented with Optomega Algae.

Products in the Optomega Range are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. This includes biologically important eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Optomega products have demonstrated efficacy in supporting the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, aiding mammary gland development, optimising milk yields, and enhancing omega-3 levels in milk for human consumption.

Si-Ware’s NeoSpectra with AB Vista’s Aunir for NIR calibration choices

NeoSpectra by Si-Ware has partnered with AB Vista’s Aunir to give customers access to all Aunir INGOT NIR calibration models on the NeoSpectra LabStore for in-field analysis and decision-making across animal feed, feed ingredients, flour, and milling, pet food, aquafeed, forages, animal by-products, plant breeders and other specialty products.

NIR analysis, say the companies, is a quick, accurate and reliable method to measure the nutritional, chemical, and physical properties of ingredients and products. Users will be able to measure the integrity of raw materials and ensure their finished product meets specifications.

Welsh Lloyds Dairy Centre dairy dealership expands

Lloyds Dairy Centre has almost doubled its team and taken on a new site in Pembrokeshire to meet demand from Welsh dairy farmers. The DeLaval dealer has operated from Lampeter for 30 years and has expanded with further branches in Carmarthen and Fishguard. The business operates 24/7, with service engineers on hand to help farmers at any time.

The World Dairy Expo welcomes new directors and communications specialist

The World Dairy Expo has welcomed 3 new directors and a new communications specialist. The 3 incoming board members are:

• Kristine Childs, who leads Nasco’s Farm and Ranch division in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
• Dr Paul Fricke, faculty member of the Department of Dairy Science at UW-Madison. His research programme focuses on dairy cattle reproduction.
• Joseph Opsal, who works full-time at his family’s herd, Opsal’s Ridge, in addition to operating Joseph Opsal Photography and covering events as part of Cowsmopolitan.

Jenna Langrehr also joins WDE as communications specialist. Langrehr has earned degrees in Dairy Science and Life Sciences Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been an active member of Badger Dairy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and served as the Public Relations Director for Babcock House. Most recently, she was the Marketing Communications Specialist at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

2022 Master Breeder Awards winners announced

Holstein UK has announced the winners of the 2022 Master Breeder Awards, which recognises herds that have excelled in classification, production, and longevity. Points are awarded to each female bred by the herd, which was recorded as having produced a lactation within the last 2 years. The top 10 herds, based on highest average points scored per animal, are then selected as Master Breeder Winners 2022 and are:

• Bannwater – A J Magowan & Son, County Down
• Berryholme – H Wright & Son, Cumbria
• Castellhyfryd – S P & S R Davies, Carmarthenshire
• Gwili – M A & M R Williams, Dyfed
• Lisnacloon – William S Hunter, County Tyrone
• Matfield – Lewis McMurray & Sons, County Down
• Mythebridge – F K Robinson & Son, Gloucestershire
• Newry – S J, J R & C Stevenson, County Down
• Sanbay – D F Bailey, Devon
• Trasnafarm – H & A Maguire, County Fermanagh

UK Dairy Day announces judges

This year, UK Dairy Day will welcome an international line-up of judges to cast their professional eye over the National Shows for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Holstein which will be featured in the cattle show alongside Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey breeds.

For 2022, the Ayrshire Cattle Society of Great Britain and Ireland announce the judge of their National Show as Lynn Lee from Smyrna, Tennessee. Lynn is a lifelong dairy cattle breeder with a wide range of experience and has previously worked as an auctioneer, a type evaluator for the American Jersey Cattle Association and a show judge.

The Brown Swiss National Show will be judged by Italian judge, Daniele Galbardi. Together with his brother, Galbardi runs Galby farm and has a herd of 50 Brown Swiss cows-in-milk, along with followers. The average annual production is 11,000 kg with 4.15% fat and 3.84% protein.

American judge, Adam Liddle, will judge the National Holstein Show. Liddle and his wife own and operate Liddleholme Farm, Argyle, New York, which is home to 70 milking Holsteins.

UK Dairy Day will be held on 14 September 2022 at in Telford, Shropshire.