Boosting milk solids production with GAIN Autumn Extender

As a result of reduced growth rates this autumn, many farmers are struggling to build grass covers. In these situations it is still advisable to extend to the rotation to 30-35 days. Maintaining grass within the diet for as long as possible will help maintain milk performance and save winter fodder. For example, for a 60ha farm, 2ha should be allocated each day. If grass is not sufficient to meet the cows requirements in this allocation, high-quality silage and concentrates need to be fed to fill the gap.

In addition to lower grass availability, the feed value of grass drops in the autumn due to reduced daylight, wetter conditions and greater dead material. Supplementation is therefore required to not only help reduce grass or forage demand and extend the grazing rotation but also provide energy to sustain milk performance.

GAIN Autumn Extender is a 16% protein dairy nut which is  high in energy, suitable for both cows grazing fulltime and being buffer fed silage. GAIN Autumn Extender contains a balanced level of starch from both maize and native cereal grain combined with digestible fibre to aid rumen fermentation. Also included are Bioplex^® protected organic minerals, Sel-Plex®  protected Selenium and Agolin^® from Alltech. Recent Irish research has shown that Agolin^® supplementation particularly in autumn increases milk yield and milk solids production significantly due to improved feed efficiency. At a time where fodder is tight on farm getting the most out of the fodder available will be important.

Bioplex^® protected minerals improve mineral availability, body storage and usage, having a benefit of €50 per cow per year. Bioplex^®  protected minerals decrease lameness by 24% alongside helping to improve locomotive score and helping to reduce somatic cell count by 22%. Sel-Plex® protected Selenium is also included, which helps to improve somatic cell counts, mastitis and fertility. It also contains Magnesium, with 2ozs. of Cal. Mag. included in 4.0kg, as an aid in the prevention of grass tetany. The maximum feeding level is 6kg per cow per day, due to the high concentration of minerals.

GAIN Autumn Extender is ideal for dairy herds that are grazing and it is also suitable for herds being supplemented with silage. Due to its low substitution effect, GAIN Autumn Extender encourages the cow to maximise grass intake, milk yield and will help improve cow body condition as dairy herds approach the dry period.

For more information on feeding GAIN Autumn Extender, contact your local Tirlán FarmLife branch, Business Manager or order online.

First Published 1 October 2024