Cutting costs by making more from homegrown feeds is amongst Jack Garrett’s priorities and adding Home n’ Dry to the strategy is certainly helping him to achieve that goal.
“We’ve made Alkagrain for the last three years by treating our spring barley crop with Home n’ Dry, and we’re planning to again this coming season. It not only increases the cereal’s protein level from around 9% to 13%, but it’s also easy to use. We treat the barley immediately after harvest and when it’s done, it’s done, it’s ready to feed throughout the season. In fact, some still remains this year for use when and where required.”
Jack manages a 100 cow Holstein cross Swedish Red autumn block calving herd, currently averaging 7,500 litres, 4.6% butterfat and 3.6% protein. He also annually finishes 80 head of Limousin and British Blue cross cattle on his family’s 300-acre unit based near Douglas, Isle of Man.
Jack Garrett
“We run an essentially grass based system, and due to escalating costs shipping materials to the island, we’ve created a real emphasis on homegrown feeds and that includes three quality grass silage cuts taken from 80 acres and 60 acres of spring barley. Then we graze as hard as we can, usually from late February to November.”
Alkagrain is made by simply mixing Home n’ Dry pellets at a 30kg/tonne minimum application rate with ripe, fully mature cereal grain and sheeting, thereby increasing the crop’s protein levels, and pH to 8.5.
During the winter housing period, the Alkagrain is mixed with the grass silage and minerals in the diet feeder to provide M + 20 litres at the trough and topped up with concentrate in the parlour.
During the winter housing period, the Alkagrain is mixed with the grass silage and minerals in the diet feeder to provide M + 20 litres at the trough and topped up with concentrate in the parlour.
Apart from cost cutting, Jack says the alkaline grain has also improved herd health. “We’ve noticed fewer cases of acidosis amongst the milking cows, while fertility is being maintained. The autumn block calving period extends over a 12-week period and the herd is currently averaging 1.6 services per conception with a 380-day calving interval.
Alkagrain is also fed to the finishing cattle ad-lib for the last few months alongside grass silage, aiming for a finish at 24 months of age. ”Since replacing barley with Home n’ Dry treated grain in the diet, we’ve found it easier, quicker and safer.”
He adds; “Longer term, and our aim is to further reduce our reliance on purchased feed and make even more from homegrown products. Alkagrain will remain among them.”
For further help and advice please call the Alkaline on +44(0)1200 613118