The latest weekly milk from grass figures produced by Trouw nutrition show that growth rates are the lowest we have seen since the middle of April. Despite recent rainfall, dry matter content is still over 20% and the feed value good at 11.2 ME and 22.8% protein.

The problem lies in low growth rates, and together will reducing day length, this means the average milk from grass was only around 5 litres. On most farms buffer feeding will need to increase, along with the amount of concentrates fed each day if cow performance is to be maintained into the winter.

Recent raw material price drops mean that Carrs Billington has both blends and compounds that provide excellent value for money and a cost effective way of maintaining milk yield.

Contact us for more details.

Producers tend to have low expectations of late cut silages but that need not be the case, choosing the right additive can be the key.

Grass growth has slowed and sugar levels will fall as we move into autumn. Low sugar levels make the ensiling process more difficult because they lower the buffering capacity of the silage. Using an acid based additive from Perstorp, one of Europe’s leading producers, and supplied by Carrs Billington can make all the difference.

Promyr NT610 is a blend of Propionic acid and Sodium Formate salt that is safe for users and farm machinery, it produces quality silage in all conditions by:-

1) Lowers ph level immediately. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR LATE CUT SILAGES

2) Decreases cell respiration, heat generation and protein breakdown during ensiling

3) Saves sugar for naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria

4) Inhibits unwanted bacteria

5) Prevents mould and toxin formation

6) Prevents secondary fermentation

7) Preserves nutritional value

University trial work has proved that aerobic stability of silage is achieved several days earlier than untreated grass and dry matter losses during fermentation are significantly reduced, this means more quality forage is left for your livestock.

Contact your local branch today for more information.

We all want the best from our sheep, for the best results at tupping, the easiest of lambing’s and the best prices at market. The Carrs Billington work with farmers to provide the most suitable feed blends, from the best ingredients to help your stock maintain their condition, but for much of the year you rely on the forage on your holding.

Sheep require a balanced diet that provides them with a full range of vitamins and mineral elements for optimum growth, fertility and general health. Experience shows that forage alone does not always provide sufficient levels of protein, vitamins and minerals for maximum development and optimum growth of ruminants.

Even if you believe that your stock is in the best of health, performance may begin to fall off in response to a deficiency before obvious signs appear, so it is prudent to consider supplementation at key times of the year. A liquid trace mineral and vitamin drench such as Ovi-Thrive is an easy way to achieve this. It can be administered conveniently and accurately.

Talk to your farm representative or local Country Store about the benefits of Carrs Billington Ovi-Thrive Vitamin and Mineral Drench for your Ewes, Tups and Store Lambs.

Ovi-Thrive is also available to Buy-Online

Ovi-Thrive

Carrs Billington has purchased the B E Williams Ltd feed merchant business based in Sennybridge, near Brecon in Powys. Elfed Williams, son Ben and the rest of the team have joined Carrs Billington and will continue to operate from the Sennybridge site.

Carrs Billington will supply the site with compound and blended feeds in both bags and bulk. These will be available for self collection by local farmers and delivered out from here to farm businesses further afield.

The LGVs belonging to the business will continue to operate as part of our Southern delivery fleet based at Carrs Billington’s Stone Mill. This acquisition represents another significant step in the development of Carrs Billington

The dairies want more, cows produce less

What Causes Butterfat to Drop

Low forage dry matter intakes, especially mid summer grazing

Heat Stress

Grass high in unsaturated oil

Insufficient physically effective fibre

Highly digestible grass

Wet Grass

What can be done to Reduce the drop

Ensure sufficient forage intake, what is the grass availability

Supplement with Butterfat Extra

Consider Actisaf Yeast and Acid Buf

Supplement with high digestible feeds

Avoid feeding unsaturated oils

Take care if feeding moist feeds

Carrs Billington Agriculture can help

Range of Dairy cakes blends and meals

Buttermax with extra Yeast and Butterfat Extra, Buttergold

Use of digestible fibre Citrus Pulp, Wheatfeed, Soya Hulls, Palm Kernal

Saturated fats used Palm Oil, Butterfat Extra

Controlled use of unsaturated oil

Actisaf Acidbuf

Forage analysis, Milk from grazed grass prediction

Winter Forage 2014

We are fast approaching the winter feeding season and many 1st cut silage clamps made in spring 2014 are now being opened. There is a wide range of silages made this season due to the variable weather conditions in May. National milk production is beginning to fall over the past few weeks. Milk quality is also very variable with both low protein and low butterfat levels being reported.

Season Averages So Far

The table below shows the average of the samples received by the lab so far this season:

Dry matter is good as an average but there is a wide range from 17% to over 50%. ME and D Value are significantly lower on average than last season.

Grass silages can probably be split into four main categories

• Low dry matter, highly acidic                                               20% DM, 10.8ME, 48% NDF

• High Dry matter, low ME high fibre                                  35+% DM, 10.0ME, 55%NDF

• Good all round                                                                            28% DM, 11.4ME, 45% NDF

• Traditional                                                                                    28% DM, 10.5ME, 50% NDF

These silages will require very different nutritional approach this winter.

The table below shows the amount of silage and compound required for M + 30 litres and recommended type of compound for each type of silage.

Balancing Diets

The exact balance will depend on the individual silage analysis and on farm circumstances.

There may be a requirement for additional products to balance particular silages. For example, it is likely that the high acid silages will require a rumen buffer (Acid Buf) especially with high levels of compound. Also some of the high dry matter low D value silages may benefit from adding some Amaferm.

Current Milk Production

Based on Dairy Co Figures, daily milk production has continued to fall. This was particularly affected by the extreme heat at the end of July. Production has fallen by around 3.5% since the middle of July. This equates to around an average of 1 litre per cow per day.

Production is still significantly above the previous two years’ production. However, the next 8 weeks production will be critical in terms of winter production. With grass growth levels falling in the past few weeks, feeding management will need to be altered to maintain levels of milk production and cow body condition.

Overall the current level of production is unlikely to result in the UK being over milk quota in the final year of quotas.

Jimmy Goldie

Ruminant Technical Manager

Carrs Billington Agriculture

Maize and Wholecrop cereals are very high energy crops that hold great feed value to the modern dairy cow. The value of these crops has been proven over many years and despite the growing/harvesting difficulties experienced in some years, they still are the most desirable forages to feed to the lactating cow to support high yields and boost milk quality.

It is therefore vital in all growing seasons to capture the value of these crops through correct ensiling and preservation. Fermentation will naturally create some losses, however by far and away the biggest losses come about through aerobic spoilage.

Typical Dry Matter losses from untreated clamps can result in 15 % lost energy, it has been recorded as high as 50% energy loss when severe aerobic spoilage has occurred. Resulting in the possibility of not only losing valuable energy, but you may also be incorrectly formulating your rations and falling short of potential productivity.

Simple rules

• Get the air out – consolidate

• Inoculate and preserve

• Cover and seal

• Manage the face – keep the air out

Naturally present yeasts and moulds + residual sugars and starches + oxygen = aerobic spoilage (heating)

Result = valuable energy loss

Ecosyl DA Ecocorn

DA Ecocorn is the Proven Preservative and Inoculant all in one product ideally suited to ensure minimal losses at ensiling and feed out.

For more information on how to ‘Make the Most of Maize’ contact your local Carrs Billington Sales Specialist or your local Carrs Billington Country Store.

KWS Hibrid Rye can be grown across the UK and outperforms both wheat and triticale when grown for wholecrop silage. Typical yields are between 35 and 45t/ha. This crop offers great potential for Biogas production as well as animal feed.

Sown in the autumn, this winter hardy crop will give you consistent performance. Harvest during the summer when it reaches the cheesy-dough stage and the crop matches the feed quality of traditional wheat or triticale wholecrop. On commercial farms Hibrid rye has proven more resistant to lodging than other, shorter crops and produced 15-20% more feed.

Contact your local Carrs Billington branch today for more information.

The weekly milk from grass figures from Trouw nutrition show that growth rates are holding up well, this is important for farmers wishing to build covers to ensure there is plenty of grazing for an early turnout next spring. The general target is to build a cover of 2800kg dry matter/Ha by the end of October.

The average potential yield from grass is now around 8 litres, which is high for the time of year. Quality remains good at 11.8ME and 25 % protein but watch out for excessive cow condition loss, caused by high grass proteins driving cows to milk off their backs.

Declining day length will have an impact on cow grazing time and milk from forage, so buffer feeding remains important. If it is part of your routine to inspect the cows during the evening, consider letting the cows graze after evening milking but bring them back inside later on so they can have access to buffer feeding during the night.

Contact Carrs Billington for more information on ration planning and buffer feeding to help ensure a successful winter’s milk production.

Modern dairy calves require feeding with higher levels of milk replacer to achieve their genetic potential and reach the target growth rates dairy farmers are looking for, in order to calve heifers at two years of age. Carrs Billington has now revised the feeding recommendations on our highly successful range of calf milk replacers to reflect these requirements. For example, in cold temperatures calves need significantly more energy and we now advise feeding an extra 100g of powder per day for each 10 degree C drop below 20 degrees.

Carrs Billington recognise that both dairy and beef calves are facing increased challenges on larger and more intensive units. So while revising the feeding recommendations we have taken this opportunity to include the well proven additive NuStart into our calf milk replacer range. NuStart is an all-natural gut conditioning package which improves calf growth rates, feed conversion efficiency, dry feed intakes, intestinal health and rumen development; it has been included in our very popular Prime Calf Sprinter Pellets for many years

NuStart contains – Estheric oils from selected herbs and spices to improve palatability and intakes, Functional fibres promoting rumen development. Probiotics encourage the growth of good bacteria and help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

For more information and advice please see our new calf leaflet by clicking on the image below and contact our milk product manager David Paton on 07767 460281 or your local Carrs Billington branch.

The rise in temperatures seen at the beginning of September has boosted grass growth in the last week. Dry matter is around 18%, which is good for the time of year, and average energy content is 11.78 ME with around 26% crude protein.

Don’t be tempted to take too much milk off autumn grazing as longer nights are reducing daily grass intakes, buffer forages will help fill the gap and improve butterfat content.

The high protein grass will drive milk yields but cows need extra concentrates to supply sufficient energy to balance this protein. Failure to do so will mean that they take too much condition off their backs and milk production and milk quality will suffer during the winter.

Contact your local Carrs Billington branch for advice on the most profitable ration solutions for your farm.

Order 1t Carrs Billington Biomin minerals between now and the 30th November 2014 and you will receive a £30 Clothing voucher which can be spent in any Carrs Billington Country Store.

Biomins mineral supplements are specifically made for Carrs Billington and offer excellent value for money. The extensive range covers all ruminant livestock feeding systems and farm types within our trading area. Practical on-farm support is always available, ask us for a complete mineral check on your forage to assess which product provides the correct balance of minerals and vitamins for your livestock this winter. Pallets can be made up of two products.

Tailor made solutions can be produced for customers who have a specific requirement not already catered for within the range.

Contact your local country store for more information

Working closely together with Krone to provide superior products and excellent service has resulted in success for UK distributor Carrs Billington

The company has a reputation for reliability, good customer service and fair dealing – attributes that were shared by the founder Jonathan Dodson Carr 180 years ago. As a provider of a vast range of products to the farming industry, including machinery, animal feeds, fertiliser, seeds, animal health supplies, agrichemicals, clothing and sundry products, the business has become a one stop shop for farming and rural communities through its mills and 26 retail country stores.

Included within the network of branches are six machinery departments based at Carlisle, Annan, Penrith, Barnard Castle, Morpeth and Hexham, which are overseen by machinery director Ian Gate.

Ian Gate – Machinery Director

“Due to the company ethos and reputation we rely on all our suppliers supporting us to deliver the products and services farmers demand,” he says. “It is close relations with suppliers and customers that have allowed Carrs Billington to grow its business in all sectors and the choice of products and organisation such as Krone has been pivotal in helping to build an unrivalled reputation.”

Carrs Billington has held the Krone franchise since 1992, initially focusing on mowers, tedders, rakes and balers, all the time working closely with Krone UK and the German parent company. Its product portfolio compliments other franchises held by Carrs including tractors, combines, feeding solutions, tillage and fertilising equipment and ATV’s. From the Krone range, mowers, tedders and rakes are still prominent, but the big square balers and self-propelled forage harvesters have gained in popularity.

The success Carrs has found with the Krone range has resulted in the Northern England and Scottish based business becoming the German manufacturer’s biggest UK dealer. This successful working relationship is due in part to the support from Krone UK and Krone in Germany.

“Brand awareness has grown significantly ” says Mr Gate. “We have strong links with the factory, and we benefit from a fast and reliable delivery system. Our sales team enjoy selling Krone equipment because it is a competitive, quality product with good backup and stock availability”.

The future of Krone and Carrs Billington is strong with products such as the 700hp Big X self-propelled forage harvester performing well and commitment from Carrs including a newly opened site at Annan. Mr Gate forecasts that Krone will contribute in excess of £2.5 million to their £31.5 million machinery and parts sales this year and his sales and service team look forward to promoting and selling Krone products for many years to come.

Article taken from Issue 3 of the Krone “BIG TIMES” magazine

Some colder nights and reduced daylight hours are significantly reducing the potential milk from grass now we are into October, and many farms will not even be achieving maintenance from grazing. Before the rain this weekend, grass was still close to 20% dry matter, energy content was reasonable at 11.3 ME and crude protein at 23%.

Wet and windy weather this week will reduce both  dry matter content and grass intakes as well as putting stress on cows. Watch fresh calved cows for metabolic disorders such as milk fever. Dry cows at the transition stage should be housed now so the rumen can adapt to a winter diet before calving and reduce stress. 2-3 kg concentrates, depending on herd yield fed during the last 3-4 weeks of pregnancy will prevent excessive condition loss at this critical stage and enable the rumen microflora to adapt to concentrated feeds.

Carrs Billington Transform Dry Cow Nuts or Rolls, stocked at your local Country Store provide the complete nutritional package to help ensure a healthy calving and successful start to lactation.

Click here to your Local Country Store

Special offer on Rockies mineral blocks this winter.

Available at your local Carrs Billington Country Store.

Get stocked up today!

Book now to take advantage of our early order offers on all Crystalyx products delivered before the end of October.

• There is a lot of poor quality autumn grass and mountains of mediocre silage nationwide.
• To get the best from poor forage, Crystalyx Cattle Booster is the product! See the trial below.
• Wet grass, low in energy, significantly increases the risk of Staggers, particularly when there is weather stress on livestock too. Cattle High Mag is recommended for all lactating animals at risk of staggers/tetany on lush grass.
• Ewes should be in good condition but to get them in peak condition for tupping feed Extra High Energy 6-8 weeks before the rams go in
• Rams need conditioning and will benefit from access to Crystalyx both before (to optimise semen quality) and throughout tupping to help maintain condition
• Improving both digestibility and intake, Crystalyx can improve forage performance dramatically, here’s some proof from Aberystwyth University:

In this case 176g EXTRA liveweight worth 30p against a cost of 10p/day it’s a no-brainer!
At +176g/d that’s an extra 5kg in a month – worth £9 – for an investment of only £3!

For more information on our Crystalyx range click on the image below.

To place an order, contact your local Country Store or

call our Customer Service Team on 01228 518860/01785 760535

Don’t waste it – Graze it! Make the best possible use of autumn grass by feeding Crystalyx – you know it takes some licking!

Molasses have not dropped in price like other feed ingredients because of lower world production of sugar but there are still plenty of good reasons to feed Carrs Billington’s E-zi Flo range of liquid feeds this winter.

1) Cows need Sugar. High yielding cows ideally need 7% sugar in the diet and there are plenty of low sugar silages out there, particularly first cuts. Molasses is still the lowest cost source of sugar available.

2) Poor Quality Forage. On average silage quality is lower than last year. Low D Value forage diets will often benefit from added sugar to stimulate rumen function and improve digestion.

3) Improved Palatability boosts intakes. Higher dry matter intakes help drive milk production.

4) Reduce Ration Sorting. This can be an issue on many farms, molasses coat the ingredients and make it harder for animals to sort out the more palatable feeds.

5) Soya hulls have been increasingly used instead of sugar beet pulp to provide cost effective digestible fibre. However, they are low in sugar. Add molasses for a cost effective solution.

Contact Carrs Billington for winter contract prices on our E-zi Flo liquid feeds.

EziFlo Leaflet 2014

Range of Liquid Feeds

Industry commentators are predicting fertiliser prices are set to rise between now and the spring of 2015. The main reason is the difficulties manufacturers are having in sourcing enough gas from Russia, which will impact negatively on production. In Egypt, a major source of urea nitrogen for Western Europe, the Government continues to fluctuate Gas supply, thus reducing urea production. The past slow market has meant there is less fertiliser on farm than 12 months ago which will certainly reflect in production time and Haulage in the New Year.

Carrs Billington are able to supply competitive Origin products as well as Added Value Grades with attractive terms that may prove suitable as it would be wise to take delivery of at least some of your Spring requirement before the season starts in earnest.

Please contact your Carrs Billington Sales Manager so that they are able to advise you accordingly.

Carrs Billton have purchased the W M Nicholls business based in Crickhowell and Brecon (Lime and Fert). Andrew Lewis, the current general manager, and his team will join Carrs Billington and continue to operate out of the Crickhowell site.

W M Nicholls manufactures feeds for all ruminants and coarse mixtures for horses and goats. In addition Carrs Billington has been manufacturing Nicholls own range of compound feed for the last ten years. This family business has been operating for 75 years and has always been known for offering a friendly and reliable service throughout Brecon, South Wales, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.  Their specialist coarse mixtures for show, pedigree cattle, sheep and Welsh Horse Feeds (produced for over 20 years) have built an excellent reputation for quality within the region.

The investment includes a number of LGVs, which will operate as part of Carrs Billington’s southern fleet based at Stone mill.

 Nicholls Feeds 

Congratulations to Michael and Alex Cousins from the Laws Farm, Whitfield; who won Supreme Champion and the Michael Walton Perpetual Silver Challenge Cup at the Bellingham suckler calf sale held at Hexham. The Supreme Champion was a 6 month old Limousin cross heifer out of a British Blue cross cow. Her sister, entered in the same class, was awarded the reserve championship and Michael and Alex also won with a Charolais calf in the continental class.

All these suckled calves have been reared on Carrs Billington’s Flakey Calf/Lamb 16 blend. This same flexible product was used by P L and J Dawson of Kentmere Hall, who won the NEMSA gimmer lamb sale championship, held at Lazonby. The Dawson’s also achieved fourth prize with another pen of lambs at the same sale and the fifth prize was awarded to Messrs Raine of Outhwaite, who also use Flakey Lamb 16. Congratulations to all.