AlkaProStar® is an alternative buffering option to maintaining winter milk and solids through optimal rumen function.
Things don’t always go to plan. George Watts is a firm advocate of making Alkalage® to feed to his 230 cow autumn block calving herd averaging 8,500 litres. However, a 40 acre wheat crop destined for treating with Home n’ Dry failed last year due to the winter weather conditions.
“We were left without that additional forage to complement our grass silage taken in four multicuts, maintain the 40% milk taken from forage and grazing and enhance the herd’s overall performance,” explains George, who farms with his family near Penistone, South Yorkshire.
“We considered various options and decided the best to be rapeseed meal along with AlkaProStar®, an alkaline, high protein, high starch feed material. There was no need for any further supplementation.
“While AlkaProStar® isn’t Alkalage® that offers a real effective fibre source, the upshot is it’s providing the alkaline benefits, stabilising the rumen environment and improving overall feed efficiency. It’s also driving higher starch and sugar intakes, and we’re subsequently finding the cows are milking even better this winter, peaking at 29.5 litres and settling at 28.5 litres, all without any risk to milk quality – 4.75% butterfat and 3.5% protein levels are being retained. In 2024 we saw yield peaking at 28.5 litres and then remaining at that level throughout lactation.
“Furthermore, we’ve been able to maintain herd health and fertility; we started calving 1 August with 75% calving in the first six weeks; 94% of the herd was served by mid-December, with 80% within the first three weeks of breeding.
George says Alkalage® continues to remain the favourite. “It’s a homegrown crop, providing a source of forage to balance all the grass silages so Alkalage® is still preferable, however AlkaProStar® has stepped into the breach and proved to be a good buffering option. And it’s easy to use, you just have to mix it into the TMR.”
Herd housed in October and introduced to the following dietTMR
Parlour blend
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For further information about AlkaFinisher, please contact your local Dugdale Nutrition sales representative at https://www.dugdalenutrition.com/sales or call the Alka-line on