US dairy expert urges Scots farmers to adopt precision feeding

WORLD-RENOWNED dairy calf and heifer expert Jud Heinrichs, professor of dairy science at Pennsylvania State University, has urged the dairy sector in Scotland to place accurate weight measurements at the top of their dairy management priority list.

Speaking to a group of dairy farmers at Davidsons Animals Feeds while on a recent tour of the UK, Professor Heinrichs gave indepth advice on dairy calf and heifer feeding.

He highlighted the concept of precision feeding whereby heifers are fed according to their accurately measured weight rather than given feed ad lib. This ensures that feed is properly absorbed before being displaced by the next intake and can therefore lead to increased feeding efficiencies.

Professor Heinrichs also urged farmers to ensure that they address the issue of minimising time until a heifer’s first calving, to an average age of 23 months, in order to reduce overall input expenses. Lawrie and Symington Ltd sold 21 prime heifers in Lanark on Monday to a top of 256p per kg and an average of 237.7p (-3.7p on the previous sale), while 9 prime, beefbred bullocks peaked at 240p and levelled at 234.2p (-3.8p). Eleven prime, dairy-bred bullocks sold to 203.5p and averaged 180p (-10.4p).

In the rough ring 66 beef cows averaged 137p and 24 dairy cows levelled at 121p. Twelve OTM cattle averaged 133p and 4 bulls levelled at 141p.

The firm also sold 1887 prime hoggs to a top of £121.50 per head and 270.9p per kg to average 211.2p (n/c on the week), while 41 prime lambs peaked at £125.50 and 292.9p to level at 264.2p (+9.6p).

The 373 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £109.50 for Texels and £49.50 for Blackfaces to average £59.18 overall.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 684 prime hoggs at Ayr on Monday to a top of £119 and 229.2p to average 195.7p (-7.9p), while 145 prime lambs peaked at £130 and 302.3p to level at 250.3p (+2.5p).

The 342 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £125 for Suffolks and £80 for Blackfaces.

Wallets Marts sold 128 store heifers in Castle Douglas on Monday to a top of 234.5p and an average of 203.7p (-7.9p), while 139 store bullocks peaked at 247.1p and levelled at 214.8p (-5.2p).

The firm went on to sell 158 prime hoggs at the same venue yesterday to a top of £103 and 196.2p to average 165p, while 75 prime lambs peaked at £130 and 309.5p to level at 265.6p.

The 285 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £100 for Suffolks and £64 for Blackfaces.

Harrison and Hetherington Ltd sold 128 store heifers in Lockerbie yesterday to a top of 318.7p and an average of 208p (-8.1p), while 159 store bullocks peaked at 277.2p and levelled at 219.5p (+5.8p).