Farmgate milk prices are getting increasingly volatile, so what can producers to do manage those elements that they can control: Input costs and income?
There are two main considerations – improving feed efficiencies and maximising fat and protein content to boost milk prices, says Dr Chris Bartram, head of nutrition at Mole Valley Farmers. “From 2008 to 2025, milk yields, fat and protein increased by 27%, so farmers have already made great strides, through a mixture of improved genetics and management. But by feeding more precisely, it’s possible to get more.”
For example, first cut silage in South West England this year averaged 11.2MJ/kg dry matter (DM) of metabolisable energy (ME), versus 10.9MJ/kg last year. “That will enable cows to produce one more litre per day from forage.” Lactic acid content is higher, too – at 93g/kg versus 87g – so cows will eat more of it. However, individual forages will need to be carefully balanced to maximise feed efficiencies and fat or protein production.
Marginal litres
“It’s not worth pushing for production if your contract doesn’t pay for the extra,” says Dr Bartram. “But where your contract allows, the economics are still there to feed for the marginal litres.”
However, the concentrates fed can have a massive impact on yield and quality. More acidic concentrates reduce feed intakes and upset rumen activity. Comparing a high acidity and low acidity concentrate, trials show forage intake falls from 11.7kg DM to 11.1kg/head, causing yields to drop from 31.7 litres/cow to 27.8 litres, and butterfat to decline from 4.18% to 3.75%. “Not all feeds are the same.”
Feeding fresh cows TPI90 – which includes prairie meal, protected methionine and lysine, before and after calving – boosted fat and protein by 0.2 percentage points. In addition, cows gained weight rather than losing it, helping to set them up for subsequent insemination.
“If you invest £30/cow the return is £60. This is a really exciting development – feeding TPI90 just for four days post-calving had a beneficial effect,” says Dr Bartram. “A short, sharp slug has continuing benefits.”
Growth rates
Another good return on investment comes from feeding calves and heifers higher protein milk powder and concentrates. This maximises growth rates at the most efficient time in a cow’s life, and enabling her to calve down earlier.
“A Reading University trial showed that increasing dietary protein at a cost of under £4/calf gave a positive return on investment with only 15 litres more milk required to break even in the first lactation,” he explains. “And yields in a summary of recent studies increased from 10,242 litres to 11,511 litres, simply by feeding more protein in the rearing period. So if you’re still feeding 18% concentrates, have a look at 22% protein instead.”
Other areas to consider include using silage additives to reduce clamp losses, and re-evaluating minerals and specialist inputs in the light of forage analyses. “Bringing that all together, alongside payments for carbon efficiency, can help you to claw back up to 5ppl,” notes Dr Bartram. “We may not be able to influence the milk price, but you can influence input costs and what you get out of them.”
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