LKL Services to Agriculture

Lasting relationship produces big benefits

High yielding cows need consistency if they are to perform - and in Andrew Martin's 280-cow herd, this includes reliable staff who can deliver top quality management every day of the year.

Andrew has contracted the services of LKL herdsman Paul Newland since 1996 and says good staff are crucial to his business. "You hear of so many farms selling up because they can't get good staff. It's particularly difficult when someone is off sick. Dairy farms work seven days a week and it's essential to have back-up." he says.

"With LKL this isn't a problem and we also have a third party to negotiate for wages or any problems, plus we have security on farm cottages." he adds.

For the past twelve years he has been working with Paul to develop a high yielding dairy unit at Church Farm near Alton, following the merger of two herds. "We invested a lot of capital, time and effort in getting the system right. But without the right people, it would have failed. The quality of the herdsman and management are critical to success:'

Paul has overseen the addition of another 70 cows to the original herd of 210, as well as average yields rise from 6,500kg to 10,500kg. However, he believes this is a sustainable output and won't be pushing for more.

"Getting to 11,000kg is very hard. Our yields dropped to 8,500 when we switched back to twice a day milking, so we have re-introduced the third milking and seen yields climb again. Once you get to this level, you have to question the cost of going higher and doing it efficiently." he says.

This is more so when high yielding cows prove difficult to get back in-calf. An extended calving interval is an accepted part of higher yields, says Paul. Benchmarking the herd against others of similar size and yield, he says a calving interval of 405 days is typical. Despite this, he feels heat detection is the main issue affecting fertility, so is looking to introduce pedometers as an aid for the team of three staff.

Following US principles, the herd is housed year round which allows him to offer the right care and attention and maintain control of diets. "We feed one TMR to both cows and heifers, based on maize, grass and wholecrop wheat silages. Last year we turned cows out because spring grass was plentiful, but immediately lost 800 litres from 250 cows."

In addition, two years ago Paul shortened the dry period to just five weeks. This practice was adopted after US research showed health benefits. The result at Church Farm has been fewer cases of milk fever - down from 8%-9% to just 0.5% - and retained cleansings are currently at 5%, including cows with twins.

"It also adds something to the bottom line through more milk." he adds. "It was getting too complicated to run two dry cow groups and the changes were adding to the stress load on the cows. Now, we feed one transition diet comprising the same ingredients as the milking diet, just in different amounts. Cows calve back having had no huge nutritional changes:'

While there are no plans to increase yield, the farm will push overall output by adding another 60 cows.

Paul Newland has been an LKL herdsman for Andrew Martin since 1996

Such objectives can be planned because Andrew has confidence in his labour force. Reviewing the LKL contract each year, means he can set new targets and keep up with employment issues.

"LKL also simplifies tax and national insurance obligations. I have the back-up and security that someone will always be available to manage the cows. That takes one of the major headaches out of the complex problem of staffing".