Dairy farming in Northern Ireland is no longer an enterprise related solely to economics, politics and weather conditions of the Island of Ireland. A global drive for free markets means Northern Ireland farmers must compete with the best worldwide in terms of product production efficiency, environmental impact, and food taste to ensure their products receive shelf space in a highly competitive food industry.

The dairy industry within Northern Ireland is focussed very much at present on the production of commodity products such as Skim Milk Powder, Whole Milk powder etc. Volatility is very evident in these markets and therefore any production system must be able to exist within the high and lows of this market. With this in mind it is essential that the modern dairy cow produces calf as close to annually as possible, replacement heifers can grow effectively to be in a position to calve and produce milk at 24 months, and that the milk produced is of the highest quality attainable to maximise returns.

Thompsons are consistently evaluating product types and configurations in a guise of scenarios ranging from farm to research institute trials. The constant demand for improved performance and efficiency within the modern dairy cow is a key focus of Thompsons Research and Development program.

Realising the potential of grazed grass is the foundation on which Thompsons recently launched range of summer rations and the Full-graze system is built upon.

Integral to the system are the research based blue prints which detail the management and feeding guidelines for the herd.

Buffer feeding is one such guideline approached within the system. Buffer feeding may provide a consistent diet during variable weather conditions for fresh calved cows. But recent research from AFBI has shown that buffer feeding conserved forages considerably reduces the time spent grazing and as such adds very little to overall energy intake.

Supplementation with the correct composition and levels of concentrate had a very limited impact on grass intake and a significant benefit in total energy intake.

The key target this summer must be getting grazed grass into high yielding cows as and when weather and ground conditions allow.

For further information on Thompsons range of summer dairy rations please contact Thompsons Technical Department on 02890 351321 or your local Thompsons Rep.

Do you receive the European magazine "Cow Management?". If you would like to receive a copy each month please contact Allison Matthews at John Thompson and Sons 028 9035 1321.