Poznajcie Petera i Sheilę Cox, duet stojący za farmą Mearfield Farm w słonecznym południowo-wschodnim regionie Kornwalii. Wraz z rodzicami Petera opiekują się stadem około 150 krów w gospodarstwie robotowym o całorocznym schemacie wycieleń.
Dzięki zaangażowaniu w genetykę stada, udało im się wyhodować wysokowydajną, wysokiej jakości krowę, która obecnie zajmuje pierwsze miejsce w Kornwalii pod względem zawartości tłuszczu i białka na liście NMR.

ODKRYWANIE KORZYŚCI AHV

Peter i Sheila rozpoczęli współpracę z AHV wiosną 2023 roku, kiedy spotkali się z marką na wydarzeniu Dairy Tech.

“Szukaliśmy różnych produktów, które moglibyśmy stosować u naszej młodzieży, aby pomóc jej w walce z deficytem odporności. Dlatego korzystamy z niektórych produktów z Programu Odchów cieląt i widzimy świetne rezultaty.”

The AHV protocol for calves

Sheila describes how she uses the AHV Calf Rearing protocol: “Once our new calves have been fed for a few days with its mum, we then move our calves straight onto milk powder and introduce the Calf Start Powder for the first two weeks. After that, she’s onto the Booster Powder. We then move the calves onto an automatic feeder which is made into a bulk feed and supplemented with Booster Powder. Reco Paste is used, not very often but if we have any digestive upsets.  

Peter Cox continues “We’ve seen good live weight gains right through to weaning and a continuous growth plane right through from birth up to weaning when they come off the AHV products.“

Post-weaning success

One of the most significant benefits they’ve noted is the absence of a post-weaning dip, a challenge they previously faced. With AHV products, their calves maintain a consistent growth trajectory even after weaning at approximately nine weeks.

“We found that when the calves finish weaning at around 9 weeks, we don’t find any post weaning dip which we used to find quite noticeably, they just carry on the same plane of growth.”

More saleable milk in the tank with AHV 

Peter and Sheila have worked closely with AHV Advisor Ben to analyse records and effectively target specific animals with udder health issues. This precise approach allows for more saleable milk in the tank and increased farm profitability.

“With Ben’s advice looking at the national records and uniform files, this has allowed us to target specific animals with udder health issues. This allows us to put more saleable milk into the tank and giving us more profit on the farm.”

“With continued visits whenever required and Ben is always on the end of the phone whatever time of day or day of the week.”

Supporting cows post calving

Their AHV protocol extends to their cows. Beginning during the dry period, they administer AHV Booster Tablet, to all cows approximately two weeks before calving. This smooth transition minimises the risk of negative energy balance post-calving. For cows with higher uterine health risk, such as those expecting twins or in later lactation stages, StartLac Paste and a Metri Tablet come into play.

These products promote uterine health and hasten their return to open periods, reducing the number of open days post-calving and the need for replacements.

Sustainable solutions for herd health and longevity

The Cox family’s journey with AHV exemplifies how innovative products and a proactive approach can improve herd health and profitability while aligning with sustainable natural methods.

Peter concludes “It(AHV) gives us the added bonus of allowing us to use a product range that in modern day milk production, a lot of our milk buyers are looking at alternatives to animal health and this really ticks that box.”