_LAKE Notes April 15 13/04/2015 14:38 Page 1

Lakeland Dairies do not in any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy of any advertisement published and disclaim all and any liability for loss or damage of any nature Lo-Call arising from the publication of any advertisement. 1890-47-47-20 Fax 042-969 4389 RELIEF MILKING AND EXPERIENCED GENERAL www.lakeland.ie FOR SALE FARM OPERATIVE AVAILABLE Contact: MEL FARRELL 087 2700435 / 043 3323636 Pedigree Registered Friesian bulls with Genomic EBI`s to €327, born Spring 2014, suitable for heifers, breed by top AI bulls PBM, QGH,OTL,TYH,PCW. Vaccinated for BVD, Scanning Service and FFAARRMM NNOOTTEESS LEPTO and IBR. Contact: Kevin Clare, Ardee, 087 2766672. VOLUME 1 I SSUE 145 APRIIL 2015 Selection of service age Holstein Friesian bulls , dam yields to 10,000lts, at 5.05% Bf and 3.86% Pr. Contact: Stephen Lawlor 087 9252243. End of Milk Quotas 30 cows , calved and springing, from a high EBI herd The Annual General Meeting (172 average). Low SCC 149 and high constituents of 4.39% For the first time in 31 years, you can now produce as much milk as you want, unhindered by Bf and 3.65% Pr, last year’s averages. quota limits and without the future threat of superlevy. This is an excellent opportunity for any of Members of Lakeland Dairies Contact: 087 9482821. dairy farmers to profitably grow and maximise milk production . Co-operative Society Ltd. British Friesian Heifers in calf to Hereford Bull out of high For some, it is simply a matter of continuing to milk onwards and upwards beyond traditional will be held on quota limits, with a gradual expansion of dairying operations. For others, there are specific yielding herd. Good B.F and Protein. Due in April. TUESDAY, 12 May 2015 Westmeath Area. If you are considering Milk Recording investments being made in growing herds and expanding facilities. There are also many new Contact: 086-3017562 contact Louise Knight at 087-250 5723 entrants and conversions to dairying. All current and new milk will be welcome at Lakeland at 1.00 p.m. Dairies. If you have milk metres that you wish to in the Sale; by Taaffe Auctions 041 9881288 sell please contact Louise Knight From our current milk intake of over 750m litres per annum, we estimate that our milk intake Saturday 18th April 2015 at 12 noon sharp, at 087-250 5723. will grow to over 1 Bn litres by 2020. We have the processing capacity and economies of scale HOTEL KILMORE , for Stanley and Evelyn Wright required to maximise the value of every litre that you will send us for processing. This includes Road, Cavan a further new €36m Milk Drying Plant at Bailieboro which will be completed in 2016. , , Co. . DONEGAL FRIESIAN BREEDERS SHOW AND SALE 40 P.B.R calved cows and heifers and Wednesday 22nd April 2015 Overall, while current world milk supply exceeds current demand, there is good reason for * Car Parking at Rear of Hotel 20 bulling heifers. Herd average medium term optimism. World dairy demand, across the world, continues to grow 2% annually Show at 11.00am and Sale at 1.00pm and our milk producers now have the freedom and opportunity to compete for a growing share * Only registered shareholders will be 7000lts at 4.00% Bf and 3.40% Protein, at east Donegal mart, Raphoe, Co. Donegal. of that market. As we all enter the new Post Quota Era, Lakeland Dairies wishes you every admitted medium size with good udders. 50 calved heifers and young cows. success in your dairying enterprises and we look forward to supporting you strongly on a Contact; Stanley at 087 6383275. Normal mart fee’s apply. competitive and sustainable basis long into the future. Free transport for all animals purchased. Enquiries; 074 9381147 or 086 8330305. Lakeland Dairies/ IFFPG Farm Plastic collections in Superlevy Position Teagasc Ballyhaise association with SMITHS PLASTIC Lakeland finished the last quota year 2014-2015 over quota by 5.1% or 24.4million litres. This equates to a super levy bill of approx. €7 million for those suppliers over their quota, after flexi milk has been OPEN DAY RECYCLING allocated. Monday April 27 – 11.00 am LONGFORD: Mart 11th April, Flexi milk of 19 million litres was distributed. GAA 14th April, Dromard GAA 15th April, Category 1 suppliers who have quota less than 350,000 litres got a maximum of 55,249 litres of flexi milk MAXIMISING MILK Longford Shroid Slashers GAA 16th April, GAA provided they did not cross 350,000 litres. PRODUCTION 17th April, Ballymahon Mart 18th April, Category 2 suppliers who have quota greater than 350,000 litres got 8765 litres of flexi milk. FROM GRAZED GRASS The seminar will cover some of the Muleadys Ltd 22nd April. Invitation challenges and exciting opportunities facing Grass growth 15 tonnes DM /Ha Milk WESTMEATH: Castlepollard Co.Co. Yard 9-4.30pm 24th This flexi milk must be deducted from your net quota position on your March 2015 Milk Statement to the agri-business sector in today’stoday’s changing Solids 1250 kgs/Ha to Our environment.environment. show your final super levy position. April, Delvin Mart 25th April, Come and see some of the key agri-business YouYou will gain insights fromfrom industry For suppliers who are over quota, this will necessitate deductions form milk payments in line with super stakeholders and commentators, receivereceive Kilbeggan, John Gannon Concrete Ltd 28th April, Moate features supporting this impressive event advice on efficientefficient tax planning and learnlearn how levy regulations. to effectivelyeffectively fund your farm with the support Agri Supplies 30th April, Rochfortbridge of Bank of Ireland.Ireland. level of grass production Ex-Ascon Site, Rhode Rd. 2nd May, Colm Steel & Tools, The only good news is that there are Plans by the EU and Department of Agriculture to offset Super levy Speakers penalties over a three year period. Details have yet to be finalised, and hopefully we will have confirmation  Seamus Ferry,Ferry, Bank of IrelandIreland Creggan, 7th May, Flynn Machinery Chairperson and details of the scheme within the next few weeks. PreparingPreparing for growth.growth. Yard, The Downs, 9th May. Planning for success.  John Brady,Brady, Bank of IrIrelandeland MONAGHAN; Mc Nally's Quarry, Glaslough 12th May, Hence, there are some super levy deductions from March milk. Deductions will recommence from April milk and any refunds will also be Funding for Change included. Errigal Hotel, Cootehill  Liam Young,Young, IFACIFAC Threemile House GAA 14th May, 8pm TakingTaking the Complexity out of Farm Transfers.Transfers. Thursday April 16th Clones Mart 16th May, Ballybay Mart 19th May, Scotts  Pat Ryan, Dairymaster MILK CARTERS, SUPPLIERS AND STAFF, THANK YOU Light refreshmentsrefreshments will be served. Corner Landfill 8-4pm 21st May, Managing expansion on Dairy Farms post Quotas. Magheracloone GAA, Carrickmacross 23rd May, Broomfield Approximately 4 million litres of milk was collected on the 1st April, most carried over from the last days of March. This carry over #Let’s#Let’s Connect Agri Castleblaney 26th May. will have saved over quota suppliers in excess of €1,000,000. Our milk carters and on site staff deserve a well earned thank you for their Register at bankofireland.com/agrieventsbankofireland.com/agrievents Contact Ronan 086 2506129 efforts in arranging, collecting, processing and ensuring this milk was of the highest quality when it was pumped into the silo’s. Our Bank of Ireland is regulatedregulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. suppliers who stored and cooled this milk must also be thanked. Let us hope that it will not be necessary to have to repeat this effort ever again.

Printed by Blacks Cavan Tel. 049-433 1655 _LAKE Notes April 15 13/04/2015 14:38 Page 2

All iML / BVD Queries to FARMNOTES Áine at 042-967 5353 FARMNOTES

NO MORE QUOTAS! By Trevor Dunwoody, Teagasc REDUCING TCM L EVELS ON FARMS Finally, after over 31 years, dairy farmers can make decisions about their dairy business without the restriction of a quota regime. The Irish Dairy industry relies heavily on the sale of Irish butter Wash routine It gives the freedom to produce more milk by milking extra cows or by getting more milk from existing cows. But expansion won’t sold in the EU. Stringent export regulations for specific dairy • Use detergent levels as specified by manufacturer be for everybody – improving efficiency should always come before expansion . It does not give the freedom to chase production products play a major part in our Irish Dairy industry today. One by adding costs to your system. Dairy markets will continue to operate in a volatile manner, so any changes to your system from of these export regulations is the monitoring of Trichloromethane • Rinse with 14ltr/unit water pre and post washing April 1st must be based on profitability in a volatile market place. Efficiency per litre is still very important but concentrating on (TCM) which occurs when milk reacts with chlorine products • If detergent steriliser (chlorine included) is used product must grass utilisation and profit per hectare will be essential to maximise farm profit. used in the cleaning of bulk milk tanks and milking equipment. be rinsed clear immediately after wash High levels of TCM in butter can result in a poor tasting product. • If detergent only product (no chlorine) is used the product Cost control Therefore it is essential to reduce TCM levels in butter to With potential milk price volatility ahead, dairy farmers cannot afford to lessen their focus on cost control for 2015. There are 0.03mg/kg and TCM levels in milk to <0.002mg/kg. should be left on the plant and rinsed prior to next milking two main reasons for this. Firstly, the relentless upward trend in milk production costs, and secondly, the additional costs Since 2007 Lakeland Dairies have been monitoring TCM levels • Do not reuse detergent more than once associated with expansion. Unless there is a focus on cost control, there is a real risk that individuals other than the farmer and have made significant progress in reducing the level. • Descale wash should be carried out weekly to both machine producing milk will be the one to benefit. With this in mind, this month will look at managing two of the bigger costs on dairy However, TCM levels are still a concern and work in this area is and bulk milk tank to remove mineral deposits farms – meal and fertiliser. ongoing. • Check rinse water and detergent usage settings in bulk tank The leading causes of high TCM levels in milk are: Meal feeding • Meal feeding costs accounted for about 25% of total costs per litre in 2014 in this region are correct • Overuse of detergent/steriliser containing chlorine costs • Including more grass in the cows’ diet will reduce this cost; this will require you to be more focussed • Wrong dosing rates or improper washing routine • Peracetic acid can be used instead of chlorine in the final rinse on grassland management • Insufficient rinsing pre and post washing (14ltr/unit) if required • Use the grass wedge to make grassland management decisions for the farm. A line drawn from the • Additional chlorine being added to final rinse water • Farmers who are cluster dipping should use peracetic acid and pre grazing yield to the post grazing residual provides a guideline on surpluses and deficits. NOT hypochlorite . • Aim for a pre grazing cover of 1,300 1,500kg DM/ha (depending on stocking rate). Products • Grass surpluses should be removed as baled silage; this can be fed back to lactating cows later. When purchasing a product it is recommended to always look for a All milk collection routes are being tested and results will be • Graze to 4.0cm residual. • High caustic product (>15%) • Aim to make high quality grass silage for winter feeding. • Low chlorine product (<4%) texted to relevant suppliers. All samples should have readings less • Registered products (PCS number) than .002mg/kg. Fertiliser • Fertiliser & lime costs accounted for about 10% of total costs per litre in 2014 in this region costs • Soil test so that P and K fertiliser isn’t wasted. • Lime is the first thing to get right before one should consider building either soil P or K. CELLCHECK TIP OF THE MONTH Correct pH ensures P & K are fully utilised. Gloves looking after your cows and hands! • Apply P & K according to farm fertiliser plan. - • Use slurry/ soiled water to replace some purchased N, P and K. LET’s BE practical -considering the broad range of jobs you do daily as a farmer, • Match fertiliser N to stocking rate. it is going to be very difficult to have very clean hands. Yet milkers’ hands are an important vehicle for the transfer of bacteria from cow to cow at milking time. Research done in the 1960’s in England showed that 50% of milkers’ hands were contaminated • Urea is about 25% cheaper than CAN – can be used under moist conditions with bacteria (that could cause mastitis) before milking, and 100% of hands were contaminated by the end of milking. Wearing • Spread Sulphur (at least 20 units/acre) on dry farms from April. gloves during milking can reduce the risk of transferring bacteria in 2 main ways: 1. Prevents bacteria from getting lodged in skin cracks, creases and around the nails 2. The smooth surface of the glove makes it easier to remove any bacteria by washing and disinfecting. LAKELAND DAIRIES SUMMER RATION RANGE A recent Dutch study showed a bacterial reduction of up to 98% between gloved hands that were disinfected, and bare hands after milking. Another added, and often underestimated benefit, is the protection that gloves give the skin on your hands. Gloved NOW AVAILABLE hands will have less dirt engrained and are therefore easier to scrub clean. The gloves will also protect against direct contact with With the higher temperatures experienced over the last week, grass growth has chemicals, and help prevent the chapping that can occur when hands are constantly getting wet, especially in cold temperatures. Milkers that wear gloves generally have hands that are smoother, softer and cleaner....something both you and the people in your really taken off on the majority of our farms. For cows at grass full time, high life will appreciate! It’s time to dispel the myth that gloves are for “sissies”! energy / lower protein rations should now be considered to avoid an oversupply of protein in the diet. However, 1. Gloves come in various sizes, so find the size that fits you. when choosing a ration for use at this time of the year and throughout the breeding season, care should be taken 2. Use 2 new disposable gloves for every milking, and replace them if they get torn during milking. to ensure a full complement of minerals is being supplied on a daily basis at the feed levels being applied on 3. It’s easier to put gloves on dry hands before milking, rather than on wet hands when a problem appears. individual farms. To meet these requirements, Lakeland Dairies extensive Summer Ration range is now 4. Rinse and disinfect them at regular intervals during milking, especially after finding clinical cases and after forestripping available. For advice on which ration best suits your situation, please talk to your Lakeland Dairies Feed known high SCC cows i.e. subclinically infected. representative or Lo Call 1890 47 47 20. For more information, see the CellCheck Farm Guidelines for Mastitis Control