Breeding for improved milk constituents is the future for the milk industry in Northern Ireland.
This is the strongly held view of Ai Services’ breeding services’ manager, Ivan Minford.
“The processing sector is now fully committed to manufacturing a range of products that fully reflect the fat and protein levels of the milk they receive from local dairy farms.
“And those dairy farmers who have committed to prioritise milk quality are now reaping the benefits of this investment.
“We have consistently offered a selection of elite sires with the ability to breed daughters that can produce milk with improved level of milk components both in terms of kilos per lactation in tandem with enhanced butterfat and protein percentages,” Minford said.
Breeding for improved milk constituents
Farmers taking this approach know that breeding for this trait will deliver long-term benefits, “with each generation of daughters coming into their herd building on the genetic foundation established by their dams and grand dams”, according to Minford.
The Ai Services representative went on to confirm that the second most important breeding priority for dairy farmers is that of selecting proven sires that can breed daughters with improved longevity and fertility.
Meanwhile, farm gate milk returns continue to improve.
“This is a direct consequence of string base prices, the winter milk bonuses now available and the additional price boost linked to good milk components.
“Relative to the position that existed 12 months ago, the milk price to feed ration has improved significantly.
“As a consequence, dairy farmers have the opportunity of boosting feed rates to their cows and milking heifers at the present time. This will act to boost milk output and fertility levels over the coming weeks.
“Improved farm gate returns will also allow dairy farmers to invest in better genetics. The winter breeding season is staring to gain real momentum at the present time,” he explained.
Ai Services is also confirming the growth in demand for sexed dairy sires.
“Approximately 90% of the dairy straws that we sell are now sexed. And there is no prospect of this figure dropping. There continues to be a strong demand for replacement dairy heifers
