Stephen and Mark Montgomery run 185 pedigree Holstein cows on a 110ha grassland unit at Drumahoe, close to Derry city.
The brothers have farmed in partnership on their present site since 2001. Initially, the farm operated a suckler beef and sheep enterprise before converting to dairy in September 2008.
Like most dairy units in Northern Ireland, the herd is managed as a high-input, high-output system. But there are noticeable differences on the Montgomery farm compared to the typical NI dairy unit.
Cows are predominantly autumn calving with 80% calved from 1 October to 31 December.
For instance, rather than operate a contained system, grazed grass plays a big role in controlling production costs.
Breeding goals are changing, with the long-term focus now geared to maximising milk from forage, while still maintaining yields at current levels.
Along with increased milk from forage, rather than concentrate, herd sires are now selected to improve milk solids. Cow diets are also being tailored to yield higher butterfat and protein.
Herd performance
The herd is milk-recorded and benchmarked annually to monitor production costs. The 12-month rolling average milk yield at the end of January was 9,950l/cow.
Milk solids totalled 726kg/cow during this period, with cows averaging 4.03% butterfat and 3.27% protein.
Costs of production are well controlled thanks to a gradual and planned expansion programme
All 185 cows are currently in milk and during April, cows yielded 34l/day at 4.4% butterfat and 3.29% protein (2.2kg MS/cow) with SCC levels at 100,000 to 120,000.
Costs of production are well controlled thanks to a gradual and planned expansion programme.
During the past year, production costs were 21p/l (24.4c/l) excluding labour. In 2018, milk price averaged 29.15p/l (33.9c/l) which gives an ouput of £2,900/cow (€3,372/cow) in milk sales and a net margin of £810/cow (€942/cow) before labour costs are deducted.
Milk is now sold to Lakeland Dairies since the completion of its merger with LacPatrick.
Calving pattern
Approximately 80% of the herd calves from 1 October to 31 December, with all remaining cows calved by mid-March.
The calving profile is geared to make full use of grazed grass through spring and summer. The relatively compact calving pattern also simplifies herd management in winter, as cows are operated in either a mature cow or heifer group.
Grazing platform
Grazing is carried out on a 75ac (30ha) milking platform surrounding the main yard. The stocking rate is exceptionally high at over six cows/ha but sustainable due to supplementary concentrate feed levels. Paddocks are set up to provide cows with two fresh grass allocations daily, through day and night grazing blocks.
Cows were turned out to grass by day on 29 March. As of 19 April, 100% of cows were at grass by night and day.
Cows went to grass on 29 March by day and full-time grazing on 19 April.
Grazing ground is fertilised in mid-February using slow-release liquid ammonium nitrate, rather than conventional bagged nitrogen.
No further fertiliser is applied to grazing ground, as the ammonium nitrate applied is the equivalent of 10 bags/acre of 27% CAN spread throughout the year.
Costs compare favourably with CAN, but there is a considerable time saving using the liquid fertiliser.
Buffer feeding
At each milking during the grazing season, cows have access to a total mixed ration (TMR) as a buffer feed.
The TMR consists of a 50:50 mix of grass silage and wholecrop rye, along with 4kg/head of a 16% protein blend.
Heat detection is carried out through a management system that monitors cow activity through an ear-tag.
An 18% protein nut is fed through the parlour, with cows currently averaging 4kg/day.
At 8kg/day of concentrate, milk from forage (MFF) is currently 16 litres and well ahead of the NI average which is closer to 10l/day.
Reducing concentrate use
As a high-input, high-output system, the herd is still reliant on purchased concentrate to maximise milk yield.
While milk from grazed grass is excellent for the type of system, efforts are being made to get more milk from silage during the first half of the lactation.
For the 12 months to the end of January 2019, cows consumed on average 3.9t/head of concentrate, which is high.
However, Stephen points to increased concentrate feeding because of early housing the previous winter, late turnout in spring 2018 and low grass from drought last June and July.
Concentrate use during the most recent winter was reduced significantly. Cows were capped at a maximum of 6kg/day through the parlour, from 20 days in milk, until turned out to grass full-time.
Last year, cows averaged 10kg/day over the same period. Over 180 days, this has reduced concentrate use by 720kg/cow, saving £190 to £200/cow (€220 to €232) at current ration prices.
Silage is made in a three-cut system, with surplus grass on the grazing block also ensiled. First cut was harvested on 10 May last year with dry matter at 26%, energy of 11.8 ME, 14.5% protein and 74 D-Value (78% DMD).
Second cut is typically harvested in late June, with third cut harvested in early August. Around 40ac of wholecrop rye is grown annually and yields around 16t/ac.
Wholecrop is harvested in late July, with last year’s crop analysed at 42% dry matter, 10.2 ME and 38% starch. Wholecrop is grown in a rotation, with ground reseeded in grass after harvesting.
Rye has been grown for the past six years, with wheat grown prior to this. However, Stephen states that rye is cheaper, and easier, to grow with the bonus of higher starch levels.
TMR diets
During the winter when cows are in early to mid-lactation, animals are fed in two separate groups. Mature cows are fed a TMR of first-cut silage and wholecrop, including 8kg of concentrate (21.5% protein), as a maintenance feed set to 29l daily.
Cows were topped up through the parlour at 6kg/day of concentrate with yields averaging 42.3l daily over the winter period. First-calved heifers were fed the same TMR, but set to a maintenance yield of 26l daily.
When drying cows off, milk recording data is used to select cows that have SCC levels below 200 in the most recent lactation with no history of mastitis.
These cows receive a teat sealant only, with antibiotic tubes only given to cows with high SCC levels or mastitis issues. Around 80% of cows are now dried off just using teat sealants.
Stephen is responsible for breeding in the herd. With yields close to 10,000l annually, he wants to maintain this level of output.
Herd sires have traditionally been selected for yield, longevity and fertility. Cows are robust and hold body condition at grass.
Milk records are used to identify sires to complement individual cows and Stephen is now focusing on selecting sires to improve milk solids.
Breeding starts in January and cows are inseminated using Holstein-Friesian sexed semen during the first month.
Conception rates are typically 60% to first service with heats identified through a monitoring system using ear tags.
Angus stock bulls are used to sweep cows from February onwards, with late-calving cows crossed to Angus, Blue and Hereford sires through AI.
All calves not retained for breeding are sold for export around 10 to 14 days of age. Calving interval was 375 days last year.
185 pedigree Holstein cows.110ha grassland - 40ha owned and 70ha rented.9,950 litres/cow 12-month rolling average.4.03% butterfat, 3.27% protein (726kg MS/cow).80% herd calving 1 October to 31 December.Two full-time labour units. Read more
Dairy markets: UK milk production surges ahead for March
Dairy management: breeding season commences
Stephen and Mark Montgomery run 185 pedigree Holstein cows on a 110ha grassland unit at Drumahoe, close to Derry city.
The brothers have farmed in partnership on their present site since 2001. Initially, the farm operated a suckler beef and sheep enterprise before converting to dairy in September 2008.
Like most dairy units in Northern Ireland, the herd is managed as a high-input, high-output system. But there are noticeable differences on the Montgomery farm compared to the typical NI dairy unit.
Cows are predominantly autumn calving with 80% calved from 1 October to 31 December.
For instance, rather than operate a contained system, grazed grass plays a big role in controlling production costs.
Breeding goals are changing, with the long-term focus now geared to maximising milk from forage, while still maintaining yields at current levels.
Along with increased milk from forage, rather than concentrate, herd sires are now selected to improve milk solids. Cow diets are also being tailored to yield higher butterfat and protein.
Herd performance
The herd is milk-recorded and benchmarked annually to monitor production costs. The 12-month rolling average milk yield at the end of January was 9,950l/cow.
Milk solids totalled 726kg/cow during this period, with cows averaging 4.03% butterfat and 3.27% protein.
Costs of production are well controlled thanks to a gradual and planned expansion programme
All 185 cows are currently in milk and during April, cows yielded 34l/day at 4.4% butterfat and 3.29% protein (2.2kg MS/cow) with SCC levels at 100,000 to 120,000.
Costs of production are well controlled thanks to a gradual and planned expansion programme.
During the past year, production costs were 21p/l (24.4c/l) excluding labour. In 2018, milk price averaged 29.15p/l (33.9c/l) which gives an ouput of £2,900/cow (€3,372/cow) in milk sales and a net margin of £810/cow (€942/cow) before labour costs are deducted.
Milk is now sold to Lakeland Dairies since the completion of its merger with LacPatrick.
Calving pattern
Approximately 80% of the herd calves from 1 October to 31 December, with all remaining cows calved by mid-March.
The calving profile is geared to make full use of grazed grass through spring and summer. The relatively compact calving pattern also simplifies herd management in winter, as cows are operated in either a mature cow or heifer group.
Grazing platform
Grazing is carried out on a 75ac (30ha) milking platform surrounding the main yard. The stocking rate is exceptionally high at over six cows/ha but sustainable due to supplementary concentrate feed levels. Paddocks are set up to provide cows with two fresh grass allocations daily, through day and night grazing blocks.
Cows were turned out to grass by day on 29 March. As of 19 April, 100% of cows were at grass by night and day.
Cows went to grass on 29 March by day and full-time grazing on 19 April.
Grazing ground is fertilised in mid-February using slow-release liquid ammonium nitrate, rather than conventional bagged nitrogen.
No further fertiliser is applied to grazing ground, as the ammonium nitrate applied is the equivalent of 10 bags/acre of 27% CAN spread throughout the year.
Costs compare favourably with CAN, but there is a considerable time saving using the liquid fertiliser.
Buffer feeding
At each milking during the grazing season, cows have access to a total mixed ration (TMR) as a buffer feed.
The TMR consists of a 50:50 mix of grass silage and wholecrop rye, along with 4kg/head of a 16% protein blend.
Heat detection is carried out through a management system that monitors cow activity through an ear-tag.
An 18% protein nut is fed through the parlour, with cows currently averaging 4kg/day.
At 8kg/day of concentrate, milk from forage (MFF) is currently 16 litres and well ahead of the NI average which is closer to 10l/day.
Reducing concentrate use
As a high-input, high-output system, the herd is still reliant on purchased concentrate to maximise milk yield.
While milk from grazed grass is excellent for the type of system, efforts are being made to get more milk from silage during the first half of the lactation.
For the 12 months to the end of January 2019, cows consumed on average 3.9t/head of concentrate, which is high.
However, Stephen points to increased concentrate feeding because of early housing the previous winter, late turnout in spring 2018 and low grass from drought last June and July.
Concentrate use during the most recent winter was reduced significantly. Cows were capped at a maximum of 6kg/day through the parlour, from 20 days in milk, until turned out to grass full-time.
Last year, cows averaged 10kg/day over the same period. Over 180 days, this has reduced concentrate use by 720kg/cow, saving £190 to £200/cow (€220 to €232) at current ration prices.
Silage is made in a three-cut system, with surplus grass on the grazing block also ensiled. First cut was harvested on 10 May last year with dry matter at 26%, energy of 11.8 ME, 14.5% protein and 74 D-Value (78% DMD).
Second cut is typically harvested in late June, with third cut harvested in early August. Around 40ac of wholecrop rye is grown annually and yields around 16t/ac.
Wholecrop is harvested in late July, with last year’s crop analysed at 42% dry matter, 10.2 ME and 38% starch. Wholecrop is grown in a rotation, with ground reseeded in grass after harvesting.
Rye has been grown for the past six years, with wheat grown prior to this. However, Stephen states that rye is cheaper, and easier, to grow with the bonus of higher starch levels.
TMR diets
During the winter when cows are in early to mid-lactation, animals are fed in two separate groups. Mature cows are fed a TMR of first-cut silage and wholecrop, including 8kg of concentrate (21.5% protein), as a maintenance feed set to 29l daily.
Cows were topped up through the parlour at 6kg/day of concentrate with yields averaging 42.3l daily over the winter period. First-calved heifers were fed the same TMR, but set to a maintenance yield of 26l daily.
When drying cows off, milk recording data is used to select cows that have SCC levels below 200 in the most recent lactation with no history of mastitis.
These cows receive a teat sealant only, with antibiotic tubes only given to cows with high SCC levels or mastitis issues. Around 80% of cows are now dried off just using teat sealants.
Stephen is responsible for breeding in the herd. With yields close to 10,000l annually, he wants to maintain this level of output.
Herd sires have traditionally been selected for yield, longevity and fertility. Cows are robust and hold body condition at grass.
Milk records are used to identify sires to complement individual cows and Stephen is now focusing on selecting sires to improve milk solids.
Breeding starts in January and cows are inseminated using Holstein-Friesian sexed semen during the first month.
Conception rates are typically 60% to first service with heats identified through a monitoring system using ear tags.
Angus stock bulls are used to sweep cows from February onwards, with late-calving cows crossed to Angus, Blue and Hereford sires through AI.
All calves not retained for breeding are sold for export around 10 to 14 days of age. Calving interval was 375 days last year.
185 pedigree Holstein cows.110ha grassland - 40ha owned and 70ha rented.9,950 litres/cow 12-month rolling average.4.03% butterfat, 3.27% protein (726kg MS/cow).80% herd calving 1 October to 31 December.Two full-time labour units. Read more
Dairy markets: UK milk production surges ahead for March
Dairy management: breeding season commences
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