AHV solutions put Dairy Farmer in Control of Herd Health

A strong focus on udder health management is driving herd health and performance at a Welsh dairy farm.

Gareth and Gwen Hughes, their two sons, Elgan and Shon, and daughter, Hanna, milk 60 cows on 93 acres at Tan Dderwen Farm, Glascoed, Abergele.

The all-year-round calving herd was predominately Holstein Friesian, but Norwegian Red genetics have been introduced in recent years to reduce cow size and to capitalise on the farm’s manufacturing contract with Arla with higher milk solids produced.

Milk from forage is a key parameter for the business. By producing high-quality forage and grazing from March to the end of October, the herd is producing 4,571 litres of the 7,293 litres yield average per cow from grass and silage with constituents at 4.31% butterfat and 3.45% protein.

Driving down usage of traditional treatment

In common with many dairy farms, driving down usage of traditional treatment methods when it comes to health challenges has been a goal in recent years, to meet targets set by government and by its milk contract.

“One of the big things we have learned is to question whether we really need to use these traditional methods in specific situations and what the alternatives are,’’ says Gareth.

“There is always that risk of contamination of the milk tank due to residueand there is the loss of milk income too because of the withdrawal period.’’

Gareth uses this approach for addressing udder health issues, with exceptional attention to detail in every area of cow health and welfare.

The Solution

He wanted to further improve sustainability and, to achieve this, introduced a range of Animal Health Vision (AHV) solutions.

“My son, Shon, works on another dairy farm which uses AHV protocols, and he thought I should give them a go. I thought that I had nothing to lose, so I did,’’ Gareth explains.

He is now supported by AHV Area Consultant Aled Evans-Hughes in targeting these solutions to specific cows in need of support to optimise health, efficiency and performance, including milk production and quality – he milk records every month and this red flags any areas where intervention is required.

AHV Udder Health Protocol

Gareth administers AHV Extra Tablet, AHV Quick Tablet and AHV Aspi drench to cows exhibiting early signs of a health challenge as part of a bespoke plan for his herd.

“There are times you have to force yourself to sit on your hands, to allow for that response time,’’ Gareth admits.

“Other products we have used before have had a level of effectiveness, but nothing compared to these.’’

The Extra Tablet is designed to cleanse the udder tissue and provides support during udder health challenges while the AHV Quick Tablet has been developed to provide rapid support of the immune system, support udder health, uterus health and mobility.

AHV Aspi is a drenching liquid providing a rapid response to the immune system during recovery periods and promotes the well-being of the animal.

Fresh calvers also receive an AHV Booster Tablet, to promote the metabolism in the liver and rumen, and to provide additional energy.

“It does what the name suggests, gives the cows that extra boost,’’ says Gareth.

The AHV Booster Tablet has also been used on some dry cows within the herd too.  

“We give it to the older cows, those that might have had a bout of ill health, the twin bearers, two or three weeks before they calve,’’ he explains.

The AHV protocol has become an important part of the system at Tan Dderwen.

The investment in using the AHV protocol is proven beneficial by the exceptional milk quality we are receiving from our herd – we are hitting a milk price of 53p/litre.

“And there is no withdrawal period for the milk so, for a cow producing 30 litres a day that could be worth £100 over 10 days.’’