Introducing an alternative forage mix to the crop rotation has helped to provide a source of additional feed, particularly in a dry year, on Richard Cole’s Welsh dairy unit.
Richard runs a 200-cow herd, plus 180 followers, in partnership with his son, Edward, on a 162-hectare unit based at Llwyngwydd Farm, in Whitland. The herd, which calves all year round, averages 7,900 litres, at 4.2% butterfat and 3.3% protein. Milk is sold to Muller.
“We run a rotational grazing system, turning the cows out in March and they’re typically rehoused in October,” says Edward.
“Grass is the key part of the herd’s ration and, to complement our spring and summer grazing, we aim to take three cuts of good quality grass silage a year. “This is fed, as part of the TMR, with a maize and rape mixture, during the winter. Individual cows are then ‘topped up’ to yield, through the parlour, with an 18% protein concentrate.”