Grazing cows through the summer is crucial for the fourth-generation family run business at West Dhuloch Farm, Stranraer. Robert and Susan Agnew are now running 200 pedigree Holstein cows across 300 owned acres and 90 rented, with 270 followers. The farm has been in the family since 1946, with the fourth generation now coming through as twin brothers, Robbie and Craig left school almost a year ago to come home full time to work, with the eldest daughter, Kate at University in Edinburgh studying Primary teaching.
“We like to have the cows out to grass as it’s a real selling point for our produce. It is exactly what the consumer wants to see and it also keeps the costs down for us through the summer,” said Robert, with the herd
grazing outside from March to November.
During the winter, the cows will be housed inside on cubicles, whilst being fed a TMR through a Kennan feed wagon, which consists of silage, straw, molasses, and a Davidsons Animal Feeds bespoke meal.
“Having just switched over to Davidsons 18 months ago we have yet to be disappointed by their service, it is a real selling point, and it is the main reason we moved suppliers. The delivery service is reliable and
prompt which is a big thing for any farmer.
“Our dairy technician, Michael Carruthers, keeps an eye on the silage quality by testing the silage regularly, with last years’ first cut testing 28% dry matter, 11.9 protein, second cut at 53%DM and 16.9P with third cut coming in at 34DM and 19.6P. Michael constantly tweaks the meal for optimum performance as we move through the pits. Davidsons
are a great asset to the farm and certainly help us to achieve producing more milk on average”, said Robert, who aims for every cow to be averaging 50tons of milk per lifetime, while hoping to breed the odd
show cow.
Cows on average will be producing 8800kg a year with 4.1BF and 3.4P, being fed to yield through the 10:20 swingover parlour twice a day. All milk is sold through First Milk in a Nestle contract. The family have just
started a five-year plan with the same contract to lower their carbon emissions.
Recently Nestle’ have carbon tested the whole farm and Robert has signed up to undertake measures which should improve carbon secretion.
Sowing different grass seed mixtures, rotational grazing, reducing water, electricity and antibiotic usage are some examples of the actions to be undertaken. Robert is also reducing his fertiliser usage this year
due to the cost, alternatively he has managed to store more slurry which the grass fields will get two goes at with just one load of fertiliser.
The farm takes three cuts of 130acres of silage annually in which a contractor undertakes, although last year the Agnew family invested in mowers and tedders. Aiming to have the silage around the 35DM as the
team finds 40% being too dry for the feed. “Silage quality has a massive impact on our milk production, so we need to get it right. We moved from two cuts to three cuts to help increase our energy and protein”.
“We like to have the cows out in the summer to enjoy the grass, we are lucky we are in a great grass growing area,” added Robert.
Calving takes place all year round with the majority getting two turns of sexed semen before being put to either the Holstein or beef stock bulls. Calving Interval is currently sitting at 402 days, with heifers calving at
two years old. Robbie has recently been through a course to allow him to AI the herd which is a huge time and money saving for the firm.
“I believe that fertility is the number one thing we need to concentrate on to keep our milk yields up. If we can get our calving index lower it would help get cows back in calf quicker and back to producing milk
sooner,” said Robert.
All calves will be reared on the farm and sold store at 18months of age through Ayr auction market, with all Holstein heifers retained for replacements in the herd.
“We are currently at our capacity of cow numbers to acres so we might need to start selling surplus heifers next year, however with the two boys coming through we will need to make land our next big investment and
try to increase our herd numbers.
“The value of land is a dangerous game, the forestry commission cannot push the price of land up any further. Farmers need to be able to afford to buy into land or increase their acreage to invest into the future of
their farm. For the folk that are keen to work and put the hours in there will be opportunities arise in the industry, the next generation is crucial.
“The only way the industry can survive is if we continue to keep an eye on our inputs and keep our outputs as high as we can by producing as much milk as possible, until the costs settle down a little bit. I would like
to hope the soaring expenses for the industry do ease off a little bit, however they are never going to go back to where they were.
“Finally dairy farmers are beginning to see a small increase in price for their produce which is well overdue, and it’s time for the consumer to pay that little bit extra to keep milk on the shelves. Cows grazing seven
months of the year is a key picture consumers want to see and something we strive on,” said Robert.
Robert concluded: “It is an honour to be asked to be part of Davidsons Dairy tech road show and I look forward to welcoming everyone on Wednesday 8th June to West Dhuloch. I am hoping I will learn
something from the experts in the industry too.”
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