VIV Asia is the leading international feed to food trade show in Asia and attracts up to 1,250 international exhibitors. This three day show takes place from the 13th-15th of March and will present the latest solutions, trends and technologies for animal husbandry, breeding and processing.

The Agritech team are delighted to attend this event as it is a unique opportunity to meet with current and potential partners from across the world and showcase our wide range of feed supplements for ruminant, pig and poultry markets, which are enriched with essential omega-3 acids and salmon oil. On the day, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about our products, including Agromega and Salomega for monogastric animals such as pigs and poultry and Rumate, Rumicare, Vitameg, and Optimate, which have been developed for ruminant animals.

We will be exhibiting at Hall 105, Stand 806, so be sure to drop by to learn more about our product range or to simply chat to our team of experts!

For further updates, check out our international page here. 

Key Areas to Monitor:

1. Body Condition Scores (BCS): Are your cows holding their pre-calving BCS? If your cows are losing condition in the weeks post calving, it must be addressed promptly by seeking professional advice.
2. Dung Consistency: Dung that appears firm indicates that the cow’s diet may be too low in protein and too high in fibre. A loose and thin consistency suggests excess protein/carbohydrates or low fibre, which may possibly lead to acidosis.
3. Milk Fat to Protein Ratio: The ratio of fat:protein is an excellent indicator of cow health and feed efficiency. The ideal butterfat:protein ratio is circa 1.27:1. Where the ratio goes above 1.5:1, strict attention should be paid to cow health as there is a strong possibility of Ketosis in the affected animals. Where the ratio drops below 1.2:1, a possible link to Rumen Acidosis exists.

Key Tips:

1. Maximise dry matter intake (DMI) through a well-balanced diet formulation and continuous assessment of rations fed to cows.
2. Ensure that there is a minimum of 600-800 mm feed space per cow, along with ample drinking points.
3. Introduce concentrates slowly over a five to ten day period post calving. Adding concentrates too quickly in an attempt to provide energy is a recipe for Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis. Introducing a high quality rumen buffer such as Rumicare from Agritech will help counteract rumen and intestinal acidity and has the added benefit of providing much needed calcium, magnesium and sodium for the early lactating dairy cow.
4. Continue to analyse you cow’s BCS on a regular basis. It is vitally important to maintain adequate BCS to ensure that the cow quickly returns to cyclicity in advance of the breeding season.
5. Supplementation of post calving minerals is a much neglected area as many dairy farmers assume there are enough minerals in the purchased concentrate. However, unless there are very high levels being fed, this is rarely the case. The post calving diet needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that the cow receives adequate levels of macro and trace minerals at this important time.Take a look at our new 2019 Welmin Mineral Range brochure here, which features a number of products suitable to help you get the most from your freshly calved cow.
6. Introduce grazed grass in to the diet. It is important to align the indoor ration to match up with the grazed grass level being fed in order to optimise cow performance and health.

For further advice, contact your local Agritech distributor. 

It is safe to say that 2018 will go down as one of the most challenging years for farmers across the country. Thankfully, we have reached a point where most farmers are now coming out the other side with favourable conditions over the last few weeks delivering much needed grass and maize silage which will significantly reduce the fodder deficit on farms.

Unfortunately, the one dilemma that has not disappeared is the shortage of straw. Rumen health is where straw has its biggest benefit as it is one of the most effective sources of structural fibre. Currently, round bales of straw are trading at around €30 each, with no sign of this reducing anytime soon. This exorbitant price means that straw is no longer a viable option for farmers. Peat is becoming a more economical bedding option for farmers; however, many will find it impossible to get a return on its inclusion in animal diets as it continues to command a value of circa €200 per tonne. To further complicate the situation, the high fibre ration sources are extremely expensive with straights such as Soya Hulls and Beet Pulp priced at an all- time high.

Rumen Health  

If we compare an animal’s diet to a human’s diet, we all know that an over-supply of sugary foods and not enough fibre will cause a stomach imbalance that will make us feel unwell and less inclined to consume full portions. Our quick fix solution is to reach for indigestion or heartburn tablets. This approach has parallels in the ruminant animal; however, instead farmers are encouraged to reach for rumen buffers as they work on the principal of neutralising rumen acidity and promoting rumen protozoa populations.

Rumicare

Rumicare from Agritech has been developed to help counteract rumen and intestinal acidity and to promote adequate rumen protozoa populations in intensively fed animals and those consuming lower fibre diets. Rumicare Beef and Dairy is formulated using a unique combination of phased release rumen buffering minerals. Phased release technology ensures a constant and ongoing fight against Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). Added Rumigest® yeast will further enhance rumen bacteria populations and activity aiding better digestion of starch and cellulose.

Agritech’s Sales Director John Kenny says “we see Rumicare as providing real solutions for Irish farmers this winter as it will significantly lower the requirement for straw, leaving more room for quality feed. Our Agritech sales team are available to provide on farm nutritional support as well as a free of charge dietary recommendation and feed plan this winter if required.”

For further assistance or advice do not hesitate to contact your local Agritech distributor.

With the recent improvement in growth rates, there will be a trend towards zero grazing over the coming weeks. The lush leafy grass that exists on farms at this time is even more pronounced this year due to the rapid uptake of nitrates. This grass is generally of the very highest digestibility and if consumed by the dairy cow in adequate amounts, it will contribute to improved milk yields and milk protein yields.

Despite having numerous benefits, this highly digestible forage is extremely low in structural fibre and low in dry matter content which can leave the cow prone to bouts of Sub-Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). SARA significantly reduces rumen pH which thereby negatively affects rumen efficiency and herd performance.This condition also has a significant impact on the yield of milk solids and consequently milk price.

Solutions to alleviate SARA

What measures can be implemented on farms to combat this condition?

The addition of a structural fibre source such as straw to the diet has traditionally been a worthwhile consideration, however due to current straw prices, this is an expensive solution.

Alternative options such as Rumen buffers are recognised worldwide as an excellent remedy for this condition. In Ireland, the use of rumen buffers is highly recognised in the formulation of purchased rations but not as much as an antidote to correcting low pH levels in grazed grass. Here at Agritech, we have been involved in the production of rumen buffers through our Rumicare range.

Rumicare Rumen Buffer

Rumicare was developed to help counteract rumen acidity and promote adequate rumen protozoa populations in intensively fed animals and animals consuming low fibre diets such as highly digestible grazed grass. Rumicare is on the market for almost ten years now and is widely used on Irish farms and also enjoys worldwide reputation as it is exported to countries as far away as Australia.

Rumicare is a totally unique blend of phased released rumen buffering minerals and Rumigest Yeast in the one bag. These minerals have strong alkaline properties which counteract rumen acidity right throughout each 24 hour period. The addition of Rumigest Yeast further contributes to healthy rumen protozoa populations.

The tell-tale signs of SARA are sometimes difficult to detect, however our Agritech technical team have listed some of the most common symptoms which they have witnessed on farms.

• Bubbles on dung.
• Cows swishing their tails (due to passing acidic manure).
• Animals performing 5-10% below capacity.
• Increased lameness levels.
• Less than 80% of animals which are lying down were observed chewing the cud.
• Mildly depressed demeanour.

Note: Using Rumicare at 150 grams per head per day will help counter this underlying condition.

For further assistance or advice do not hesitate to contact your local Agritech distributor or Agritech Technical Advisor.