Mr. Daniel Corbett Newcastlewest Co. Limerick

Danny Corbett milks just over 100 Holstein Frieisan type cows both autumn and spring calving just outside Newcastlewest in Co. Limerick. Cows are milked all year round and cows are buffer fed at grass for some of the year. Danny has invested in the herds genetics over the past few years and is eager to keep improving. Iomlán Animal Science have been working with Danny since after the National ploughing championships in September 2017. There Danny spoke to Iomlán about his difficulties with nutrition, retained cleanings, Milk fever, scours, low milk solids and cows not as in as good of condition as he would like. After this Iomlán called to Danny’s farm to see what issues were in greater detail and worked with Danny to improve performance over time. Iomlán Animal Science in conjunction with their nutritionists and veterinary help addressed the main nutritional, metabolic diseases and devised a plan for the plan.

Silage samples both grass and Maize silage (which Danny buys on contract from a Cork farmer) were both tested for nutritional and mineral & trace element status. Iomlán walked through the cows with Danny and from this, Danny decided to go with the Iomlán pre-calving programme which included silage testing, diets for the dry cows and Iomlán Far-Off dry cow minerals and nutritional advice throughout the year. Iomlán believe that it essential to have a good dry cow diet in order to prepare cows for the subsequent lactation. Danny always had problems with retained cleanings and milk fever and cows with a lower intake after calving.

"This year is the first that I can remember where I had no issues with either milk fever or retained cleanings". Cows are milking well and as of the 6^th June 2018 cows are averaging over 34L with Fat 4.2% and Protein over 3.38% which includes a group of autumn and spring calving cows. Danny said earlier the cows were averaging @43L of milk/cow/day with Fat 4.1% and Protein 3.43% with many cows over 50L/cow/day. Danny contributes this to the good dry period but also the lactation diets and minerals which he also used. The cows are milking very well and holding very good condition and came in bulling quick with very few repeats. 

"Heat detection and breeding has gone very well this spring with very few repeats. I won't know for sure until after scanning but things are looking good at the moment." " The cows are in good condition and are healthy looking which explains the good breeding season." 

Another issue which Danny always had was with calf scours as many farms do. Danny gave Neofenol Starter to all calves at birth and found that the thrived very well. “ It’s the first time I didn’t have to use a scour powder”. Later in the spring Danny had issues with naval ill on the calves but after talking to Iomlán he began using Dominate liquid in the calving pens. Once I started using Dominate I had no issues with it (naval ill). Dominate liquid is a probiotic spray which works against disease causing bacteria and replacing them with “good bacteria”, It was easy just to spray the calving boxes and also the calf rearing area.” Working with Iomlán’s Representatives, Vets and Nutritionists has made massive changes for the good in terms of cows health and productivity and in just a short time”. We continue to try and improve, with Iomlán calling regularly with support and advice”.

When Danny saw that the autumn and spring calving cows were performing very well he decided to start his weanlings and heifers on the Iomlán Beef/Heifer minerals and heifer rearing programme. This programme comprises of health plan for the full year for the heifers in question to ensure they meet their target weights and improve health and productivity in their 1st lactation.

Levabon Rumen E

In conjunction to the Lactation minerals, Levabon Rumen E autolysed yeast is also added to the diet. This is added at a rate of 15g/head/day. Levabon Rumen E allows the cows to utilise feed better, help avoid digestive upsets and from this health and production are improved. For more on Levabon Rumen E click here