The genetics already exist within the NI dairy herd to produce more milk, so farmers should consider focusing on traits other than milk yield when selecting bulls, farmers attending a United Feeds event in Omagh last Friday were told.

“The chances are your cows already have enough ability to produce milk. Look after what you have – we rarely see cows which couldn’t do more,” suggested United Feeds business development manager Andrew Fyffe.

He said the priority in early lactation is to minimise negative energy balance, when there is more energy being utilised than is going in via feed. The cow mobilises body reserves to fill the gap. Until the situation is reversed, the animal won’t start cycling or go in-calf again.

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The whole process has become more challenging due to genetic progress. “50l is the new 40l – there are now a lot of 60l cows on farms. We have to get their energy requirement matched as well as we can,” said Fyffe.

To do that he said it is necessary to fine-tune the diet with the likes of protected fat, glycerine and amino acids, but on all farms, it is important to ensure diets are set up correctly and reviewed on a regular basis.

For first-calvers, he said they need extra energy for growth and will also eat less than a mature cow, so that should be allowed for in diets.

He also urged farmers to take into account the recent increase in milk solids achieved on farms. Since 2022, butterfat is up by around 12 percentage points, while protein has increased by approximately six points.

For a cow producing milk at 4% butterfat and 3.2% protein he said it takes 5.3MJ of energy per litre, but at 4.4% fat and 3.4% protein, this increases to 5.7MJ. “A standard 0.45kg/l feed rate supports 5.3MJ, but for 5.7MJ you are talking closer to a 0.5kg/l feed rate,” he said.

Consistent

The other main issue he highlighted related to the importance of a consistent diet. He warned farmers to be cautious using alternative feeds such as bread, brewers grain or pot ale syrup, unless there is a firm guarantee around supply. “Your cows will hate any chopping and changing,” said Fyffe.

He said dry matter content can vary in the likes of brewers grains, so a load at £50/t, could actually end up at a similar price per tonne of dry matter as concentrate feed. “Is it cost effective? Can you store it. Can you keep vermin out? Will it keep?” he asked.

2025 – a year to feed cows

Currently the milk to feed price ratio is still favourable at around 1.2, but for much of 2025, it was at 1.5 and above.

Farmers responded to that and United Feeds representatives estimate ruminant feed was up 10% or 250kg to 300kg, which helped deliver an extra 700l to 800l per cow. As well as extra milk, cows were in better condition, while milk quality and cow fertility both improved.

“Body condition score was as good as we have seen at the end of last winter. In a few cases we were having to advise some farmers to take the foot off the accelerator as cows were in too good a condition,” said Fyffe.

Banks want a cash flow projection

2025 was a good year for dairy and there are currently no concerns about finances, but 2026 looks significantly more difficult, representatives from the Ulster Bank told the event last Friday.

According to business development manager Fergus McCrossan, there are various options for anyone with financial issues this year, including parking some debt and going interest-only, increasing an overdraft or bringing loans together to pay off over a longer time frame.

“If you are coming to us, do that as early as possible and come with a cashflow projection for the next 12 months. We would also like to see your latest accounts, a list of creditors and your last six months of milk statements,” said McCrossan.

Farmers manage a herd of cows

Also speaking at the event, Michael Verner from United Feeds reminded farmers about the importance of attention to detail.

He said when he visits farms, sometimes farmers might bypass the calf shed or the heifer rearing house, while also skipping past a couple of lame cows, to show him a big cow doing 60 litres. “You manage a herd of cows, not one cow,” said Verner.

He pointed out that calves are the most efficient convertors of feed on farm, so they must be kept in clean, well-bedded accommodation and fed a high-quality diet.

Once weaned, he said heifers can become a forgotten group, especially at grass, but it is vital to hit weight targets if 24-month calving is to be achieved.

In the dry cow house, he suggested if there are issues with colostrum quality or milk fever, it is due to poor dry cow management.

Post calving, he emphasised the importance of having adequate feed space, keeping silage pushed up and taking away rejected feed.

“An overcrowded house is serious for a cow. And are you batching cows – you can waste a pile of money by feeding 15l cows a 30l diet,” said Verner.

He urged farmers to make sure they have the right cow for their system and to listen to good advice from trusted sources.