021 4317321 info@southernmilling.ie ORDER NOW! Select Page Testimonials ACTISAF PREVENTS ACIDOSIS AT GRASS When his herd’s milk butterfat levels dropped to 3.3 per cent, County Cork dairy farmer, Kieran Meade, knew he had a problem. Kieran, who milks 50 Holstein Friesian cross cows on his farm near Killeagh, runs a simple system where cows are grazed from March to mid November, with the whole herd being supplemented with a flat rate of compound feed throughout the grazing season. The indoor diet comprises of maize, beet and grass silage and is supplemented with a compound through the parlour containing Actisaf at 2 kg / tonne from Southern Milling. “We have traditionally seen problems in the grazing season from April onwards. These were related to the very high quality grass we were grazing, which led to a decrease in butterfat down to an average of 3.3 per cent across the herd. On examining the milk recording sheet we found we had up to 20 per cent of cows with milk fats of less than 3.0 per cent. We were also seeing cows with loose dungs containing gas bubbles and poor rumen fill and were struggling with fertility issues at times, with as many as 30 per cent of cows not getting in calf, which was clearly not acceptable moving forward.” Back in 2010 Kieran spoke to his nutritionist, who suggested that the symptoms he was seeing were very typical of sub acute rumen acidosis (SARA). He was advised to include Actisaf live yeast in his compound feed, as his nutritionist explained it is a very effective buffer, helping to raise rumen pH thereby normalising rumen function, which in turn maximises feed intake and performance. “We added Actisaf to our compound feed and the results were amazing,” Kieran explained. “Within three weeks our butterfats had increased to 3.7 per cent and dung had firmed up. I also noticed that the cows just generally seemed to be better — their coats were glossier and they seemed to be healthier. What’s more, our milk yields went up and cows seemed to be bulling more strongly.” That was four years ago and since then Kieran has always ensured that Actisaf is included in his compound feed. He currently has Actisaf added to Southern Milling’s Grassmate High Fertility nuts. Over time his calving interval has improved and fertility is now much better, with only around 8-12 per cent of cows not in calf — a result that he’s never achieved before. “I am sure that Actisaf has really helped my herd,” Kieran concluded. “We don’t see loose, bubbly dung any more in the spring, or when we are feeding high levels of beet, and cows seem more contented.” ACTISAF REDUCES ACIDOSIS AND IMPROVES BUTTERFATS Late Lactation Feeding 2020 Sep 11, 2020 Autumn grass has a lower energy value (lower sugar content) compared to spring/summer grass even through it can look very leafy and green. The response to ration in terms of milk yield is better in the autumn than at any other time of the year. Low milk lactose levels can be an indication of not enough energy in the cows diet caused by low intake of wet, low-sugar, autumn grass. With the above mentioned in mind, We at Southern Milling are promoting our Lacto 16 Dairy Nut. read more Home Company Profile Facilities/Fleet Nutrition Ingredients Accordion Gallery News/Updates Contact Us Privacy Policy We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More