Magazine edition 4 is ready! From the Middle East to Denmark

Taking efficiency further by eliminating manure collection

With nearly 50 farm workers across 2dairy farms, owner Niel Wilke from Glentana farm in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is focused on labour productivity as much as he is on the 2,770 cows. For him, stewardship means taking care of animals, the environment and people to ensure sustainability for future generations. Going one step further in his quest for efficiency, Wilke has designed a feeding timetable that means manure ends up on the pastures rather than in the concrete holding pens. Page 18

Sustainability in milk becomes more transparent

A growing number of tools and insights are available to reduce both direct and indirect effects on the environmental footprint of milk production on-farm. This helps to build trust and transparency around our progress in producing sustainable milk. The environmental impact of milk production is a hot topic at many global livestock conferences today. At the recent Animal Agtech Innovation Summit, held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, it was once again addressed that the whole food value chain is responsible for reducing the climate impact of food production. Page 20

What role will hydroponic fodder systems play in dairy’s future?

Dairy farmers worldwide are struggling with nutritional and economic challenges regarding their dairy herds as commodity prices continue to surge, coupled with environmental fluctuations such as harsh droughts that are making traditional forages unreliable. Hydroponic fodder systems could offer a solution. In search of solutions, many farmers are turning to technology to grow nutrient-dense and affordable feedstuffs more effectively. One option that holds special promise is the use of hydroponic fodder systems (HFS), which have been a work in progress for some time and are now making their way onto more dairies. Page 22

Improving udder health with zinc

Mastitis is still one of the main challenges for dairy cows worldwide. Its multifactorial origin and subclinical prevalence threaten the profitability of dairy farms. However, a multifactorial approach, and specifically zinc supplementation, may help to prevent the disease. Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder that has a multifactorial cause. While etiological agents causing mastitis are very vast and complex, large numbers of micro-organisms are known to cause the inflammation (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., etc.). Page 24

Sodium humate in heifer diets has real potential

To realise success in the reproduction of a cow herd, the growth and health of breeding heifers is essential. In their findings published in the Emerging Science Journal, researchers found that sodium humate extracted from freshwater sapropel conferred growth and health benefits to breeding heifers in a cost-effective way. Sodium humate is a macromolecular substance comprising humic acid, which is rich in phenolic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups and has antidiarrhoeal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Page 26

Successfully reducing carbon emissions

It should be no secret that a major push is underway in the animal nutrition industry to develop products, programs and practices that will significantly reduce the C_O2eq emissions of livestock. While much progress has been achieved, there is still a long way to go to achieve the objectives that various government and consumer groups have established as obtainable targets. One key finding that has emerged so far is that it is highly unlikely that any one product, program or practice will, by itself, achieve the targeted Co₂eq reduction objectives that have been set. Page 28

Biological functions and adaptive nutrition

Different nutritional factors affect reproduction, growth, lactation, immunity and adaptation to thermal stresses. Such relationships should provide useful tools to adapt nutritional regimens to meet a specific production target and/or solve a specific production problem. Experiments have shown that the heifers that are adequately fed show an earlier oestrus cycle than those with poor nutrition. Other experiments showed that the level of nutrition also affects the age of sexual maturity of the females. Page 30