August 2020

How is Northern tackling Johne’s Disease? TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER Steps to tackle to reduce Johne’s Disease in herds > page 3 Tel: 028 3026 2311 | www.lakeland.ie | Twitter: @DairiesJP Co. Down farm family wins Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Award A Co. Down farm family has been named as the joint winner of the Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Milk Award. Sean, Shane and Stephanie Sloan from Kilkeel, Co. Down as well as Stanley and Tanya Graham from , Co. Cavan have both been named as Supreme Champion. The awards publicly recognise the achievements of Lakeland Dair- ies milk suppliers who are commit- ted to quality in all aspects of their milk production. The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 16 counties who produce milk for the 1.85bn Lakeland Dairies milk pool. This is the first time in the history of the awards that there have been joint Supreme Champions. The Sloan family from Kilkeel, Co. Down joint winners of the Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Award. Left to As well as winning the Supreme right Michael Hanley (Lakeland Dairies CEO), Sean and Shane Sloan with Alo Duffy (Lakeland Dairies Chairman). Champion award, both the Grahams and the Sloans took home individual category awards too. business. “We continue to recognise the The Sloan family are winners in In the past five years, more than integral aspect of our farmers to the >1m litre producer category in 300 new entrants have started sup- the ongoing success of the Lakeland while the Graham plying Lakeland Dairies. Dairies business. family also took home the <500,000 Kenneth Whittle from Walsh Is- “Quality is the building block of litre producer category in the Repub- Quality is land, Co. Offaly has been declared our entire business and I acknowl- lic of Ireland. the building the winner of the edge all my farming colleagues for In previous years, winners were block of new entrant category while David their continued commitment to ex- celebrated at a function but with CO- our entire Hylands from Limavady, Co Derry / cellence.” VID-19 restrictions in place this was Londonderry wins the Northern Ire- Lakeland Dairies Group not possible in 2020. business land new entrant category. CEO, Michael Hanley said: WINNERS and I Lakeland Dairies Chairman “The global reputation and suc- Outside of the Supreme Cham- acknowledge Alo Duffy paid tribute to the cess of our business starts with ev- pions, Lakeland Dairies has also an- all my award winners: ery single litre of milk sent to us for nounced the winners in the other cat- farming “Despite the onset of the COV- processing and is therefore based egories of the Milk Quality Awards. colleagues ID-19 global pandemic, it is critical on the dedication and hard work of In the Republic of Ireland, Der- for their to recognise and reward the com- the 3,200 farm families who we are mot Sherry from Drumhillock, Co continued mitment of our 3,200 farm families deeply proud to have within our co- Monaghan is the winner in the to the highest standards of milk pro- operative. commitment >500,000 litre producer category. duction, sustainability, hygiene, ani- “Our customers place the highest In Northern Ireland, Cecil and to excellence mal health and overall care for the levels of trust in our credentials of Gordon Wilson from Dromara, Co. environment. sustainability, quality and reliability Down won the <1m litre producer “With Lakeland Dairies export- in meeting their needs for value-add- category. ing high-quality products to some ed dairy products. NEW ENTRANTS 80 global markets, the basis of our “We are able to fulfil that -com Lakeland Dairies continues to pay exporting success is based on the mitment based on the excellent en- tribute and recognise the impact quality milk produced inside the deavours of our dairy farmers.” new entrants have on the overall farm gate. FOR MORE, SEE PAGE TWO.

1 TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER Showcasing the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Award Winners

The Graham family from Killeshandra, Co. Cavan, along with the Sloan family in Co Down, won the Supreme Milk Quality Award. Pictured on the Graham farm are Stan- ley, Chloe, Tanya, Dawn, Eileen and Jim Graham. The Graham family also took home the <500,000 litre producer category in the Republic of Ireland.

Cecil, Gordon and Julie Wilson with Gordon and Julie’s children James (8) Lydia Dermot Sherry from Co. Monaghan won the >500,000 litre producer category in (4) and Adam (6) with Bruno the dog. The Wilsons from Dromara, Co. Down won the Milk Quality Awards. Pictured are Dermot along with his parents Owenie and the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland. Loretta along with Pat Meehan from Lakeland Dairies.

Winner of the Republic of Ireland New Entrant Award is Kenneth Whittle from David Hylands from Limavady, Co. Derry / Londonderry won the Northern Ireland Walsh Island, Co. Offaly. Pictured on the Whittle farm are Orla, Kenneth Junior New Entrant award. Pictured on the farm are David, his wife Aimee and their and Kenneth Whittle with Liam Cahill from Lakeland Dairies. children Seb (4) and Bethany (3). 2 TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER Tackling Johne’s Disease in dairy herds

Johne ’s Disease (JD) is one of the most common infectious diseases found in dairy herds and can have huge impacts on cow health as well as farm profitability. End stage disease is characterised by chronic weight loss and diarrhoea in adult cattle, which ultimately leads to death. However, the most important impact of the disease is during the period before these signs appear as cows become less productive and more prone to other conditions and therefore more likely to be culled. In most dairy herds the economic impact of JD is through increased culling rates. Many dairy herds have JD circu- lating in their herd, impacting farm profitability, without necessarily recognising its presence. CALVING Most animals get infected as test inconclusive cow for any future the NI Johne’s Disease Control calves. It is crucial to minimise the breeding stock. Programme to meet this need and to contact calves are likely to have with • Do not pool colostrum or assist dairy farmers to prevent and adult dung that might contain the milk – or at least minimise the pool control Johne’s Disease. bacteria that causes JD and avoid size. The programme is based on an calves consuming colostrum or milk • Harvest colostrum and milk on-farm veterinary risk assessment that might contain dung. cleanly – avoiding contamination and management plan (V-RAMP). • Cull all JD infected cattle with dung. This is a detailed on-farm review that are showing signs of the disease. • Ensure all calf feeding uten- carried out by an approved veterinary • Ensure no JD test positive sils are clean. Feeding calves practitioner (AVP) in partnership or inconclusive cows are permitted to • Build up a bank of frozen at least three with the farmer to: calve in the same environment as test colostrum from low-risk cows (i.e. litres of clean 1. identify aspects of manage- negative cows. cows that have tested negative over colostrum from ment that could predispose to the • Minimise calf contact with multiple cycles of individual testing) the first milking introduction and spread of infection adult dung in your own herd for emergency situ- of their own within the farm • Ensure calves receive at ations. dams within the 2. provide recommendations least three litres of colostrum as • Avoid the use of waste milk for the reduction of these risks. first two hours of quickly as possible after birth. for feeding calves. The V-RAMP uses a scoring sys- • Treat the progeny of posi- • Use good quality milk life is essential. tem which assists the identification of tive cows as high-risk animals. replacer to the manufacturer’s recom- high-risk practices and areas within • Ensure dry cows’ teats, legs mendations. the farm on which control should be and flanks are free from dung as they • Consider using an on-farm focussed. enter the calving area. milk pasteuriser. Only use milk from Once the V-RAMP has been com- • Minimise the number of low risk animals for pasteurisation, pleted and uploaded to AHWNI, the animals calving at the same time in i.e. test negative animals. approved veterinary practitioner will the same pen. • Avoid any contact between provide the herdowner with a decla- • Ensure calving areas are adult cattle, their dung or slurry, and ration that both the herdowner and frequently cleaned and well bedded. calves less than six months of age. veterinary practitioner have carried CALF REARING • Minimise the group sizes of out the V-RAMP. Feeding calves at least three litres pre-weaned calves. This certificate can be used as evi- of clean colostrum from the first milk- • Pen bull/s away from the dence that the herdowner is partici- ing of their own dams within the first calves. pating in the AHWNI Johne’s Disease two hours of life is essential. • Ensure the ‘sick pen’ is not Control programme, Colostrum and milk feeding prac- adjacent to the calving and calf rear- Herdowners wishing to participate tices are also important in reducing ing areas in the programme should contact the risk of calves becoming infected RED TRACTOR REQUIREMENTS their veterinary practitioner. with JD. All Red Tractor approved dairy Milk suppliers wishing to Colostrum or milk containing herds will be required to participate test individual cows can do so the bacteria is a major risk factor for in a Johne’s Disease Control Pro- through IML. calves becoming infected with JD. gramme from 1st October 2020. Contact your Member Rela- • Avoid the use of colostrum Animal Health & Welfare North- tions team member for more or milk from any test positive or ern Ireland (AHWNI) has developed details. 3 TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER It’s lime time on all farms Supply – demand finely balanced

The dynamic between how much milk is currently being pro- duced on the global stage (supply) versus the activity from buyers looking for product (demand) is finely balanced at present. Activity from buyers around August is usually more curtailed with many of the traders on holidays. The latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction in New Zealand As part of our soil sampling programme, Target fields with the largest requirements caught many off guard. Lakeland Dairies and Lakeland Agri have first but do not exceed 2.5t of lime per acre in a The GDT, which is one of the sampled and analysed 1,997 individual soil single application. main barometers for the dairy samples. Lime can be applied all year round, with market, saw prices fall by over 5%. Some 550 of these showed soil pH of less this time of year being ideal after second/third When converting those prices than 6.0, with over half showing less than 6.3 cut silage has been removed if no more cuts are to euro, the real fall was closer to which is ideal for grass growth. planned on that ground, or where paddocks 8%. Lime is mainly lost from the soil through have been grazed. There has been little change rainfall and drainage which reduces soil pH. It is ideal to apply lime onto bare ground. in the market in the past month Correct soil pH will make better use of Urea or slurry should be applied ten days since the last edition of the Farm fertilisers applied to land either organic or before lime application if required and avoid Notes. chemical. Ultimately, lime is the cheapest and spreading after lime as it can lead to nitrogen Prices for all the main butter most effective fertiliser you’ll ever spread. loss. and powder products have re- Having a correct soil pH also makes nutri- Lime costs in the region of £25/t spread mained broadly in line with where ents more available for plant growth, research but has a potential return of seven times this they were last month. shows average grass production response of at which has been proven through research. PRODUCTION least 1t/ha from lime alone. Regarding production, most of It is recommended to apply lime on a three Anyone wishing to discuss a liming the main European countries and or four-year programme on your farm so as to programme for their farm based on soil the UK volumes have now moved build up soil pH and also maintain soils that results taken in recent years can talk into growth compared to this time are at correct soil pH. to Niall McCarron 0n 07785 469219 or last year. Follow this lime plan based on the most Member Relations on (028) 3206 2311. The US has grown its output in recent soil samples available. June by 0.5%. The US produces more milk in the month of February than the COVID-19: the threat remains island of Ireland does in an entire year. We continue to ask Lakeland Dairies sup- resurgence of the virus. The new seasons in Australia pliers to take the threat of COVID-19 extremely We have recently sent you our video on and New Zealand have just started seriously. how you can protect yourself, your family and with new calves only just hitting Everyone in Lakeland Dairies from our the entire Lakeland Dairies business at milk the ground in the past couple of farm families to our staff across our eight sites collection. weeks. have put in an enormous effort to keep each Remember: Lakeland Dairies will continue one of us safe. • Wipe down any surface you and your to monitor the market closely in Public health bodies as well as governments haulier may come in contact with such as door the coming weeks and months around the world have paused the full reopen- handles, the bulk tank etc. ahead ing of economies and societies in response to • Have a supply of hot water and soap the surge in new cases. for haulier to wash their hands. In the Republic of Ireland, the Government • Make sure there are disposable tow- Contact The Lakeland Dairies Member has imposed a regional lockdown in coun- els and a bin for the haulier to dispose of the Relations Division works closely ties Laois, Offaly and Kildare where there are towels. with all our milk producers to also very significant clusters and outbreaks of If you or any of your family become help drive profitability at farm COVID-19 in food related facilities including infected with COVID-19, make contact level as well as providing infor- the closure of some plants. These are three immediately with Member Relations. mation on the progress of the counties which we collect milk from and this Your situation will be dealt with in the Society. We are always excited highlights just how local the threat of CO- strictest confidence. to hear from new entrants. VID-19 is to us all. Hauliers have received training on how to Contact us by calling 1890 47 47 The rise of national and international cases safely collect milk on farms which may have 20 (ROI) or 028 3026 2311 (NI). is deeply worrying. COVID-19. We are asking you all to redouble your Stay safe, stay well, protect each other. efforts as we face into what appears to be a 4