Feeding and breeding for milk solids: Orkney

Join us for a meeting with Neil Birkett, Fats Specialist at Volac Wilmar, on how to feed and breed cows for milk solids.

At the meeting, Neil will discuss the nutritional approach to increase milk solids. Chris Stockwell, AHDB Dairy Knowledge Exchange Manager for Scotland will look at the selection of both the dam and sire to breed for increased milk butterfat and protein percentages and the use of breeding tools to help make decisions.

With the recent changes in the pricing structure at Orkney Milk, moving from a liquid to a milk solids contract, there is now an emphasis on both increasing and maintaining the butterfat and protein content of the milk produced. Focusing on feeding, particularly the role of fatty acids, can help in the short and medium term, while breeding will play a role in the long term.

The meeting will cover:

• Factors affecting milk solids and milk fat depression
• Where milk fat comes from
• The mode of action of the different fatty acids (e.g. C16, C18’s)
• The balance/profile of fatty acids in the milk
• The role of protected fats and the effects of feeding high palmitic fats
• Cost effectiveness of feeding high palmitic fats
• Heritability of breeding for milk solids
• Dam choice when selecting breeding replacements for increased butterfat and protein percentages
• Selecting the sire to help increase butterfat and protein percentages
• Choice of breeding index i.e. £PLI, £ACI and £SCI
• Use of AHDB breeding tools – Herd Genetic Report and Bull Search

Who should attend? Dairy farmers, managers and herdspersons.

The cost is covered through your levy. Please ensure you register your attendance for catering purposes.

To find out more, please contact Chris Stockwell, chris.stockwell@ahdb.org.uk or to book contact the KE Events hub on 01904 771216 or email ke.events@ahdb.org.uk.

Dairy Pro Points are available for attending this event.