Staying alert to COVID-19 threat - TOGETHER WE'RE STRONGER - Lakeland Dairies
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July 2020
Why we all need to move to Chlorine-free washes
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER Chlorine free washes is something for all farmers > page 2
Tel: 1890 47 47 20 | www.lakeland.ie | Twitter: @DairiesJP
Staying alert to COVID-19 threat
The clear message from the public VID-19 out of the business and the an- If you or anyone in your family /
health experts is that as the economy swer is simple – hygiene. involved in the running of your farm
and society reopens, the threat of CO- Washing your hands and keep- contract COVID-19, it is IMPERATIVE
VID-19 has not gone away. ing surfaces that you and your haulier that you contact Member Relations
We want to assure our 3,200 farm come in contact with clean is essential immediately.
families that everyone in Lakeland in the fight against COVID-19. Your situation will be dealt with
Dairies continues to operate on full PROCEDURES in the strictest confidence. Lakeland
alert in order to keep your milk col- At the outbreak of COVID-19, we Dairies milk hauliers have received
lected and processed while serving our wrote to you with our operational pro- training and advice in how to safely
We all must
network of customers in some 80+ cedures to ensure the highest hygiene collect milk from farms that have cases
countries. As a business, we are tak- remain standards on your farm. If you need a of COVID-19.
ing every proactive step to keep all our vigilant and copy of these procedures, please con- Any failure to inform us of a case
sites safe and operational. operate to tact Member Relations. of COVID-19 on your farm or in your
When COVD-19 was declared a the highest We are asking all farmers and family is incredibly serious and puts
global pandemic in March, the focus possible hauliers to continue to: our entire business at risk.
for everyone in Lakeland Dairies was hygiene • Wash your hands regularly. We are here to work with you and
to keep our farmers and farm families and safety •Do not come in contact with your we are asking you to do the same.
as well as our staff, hauliers and cus- milk collection or feed / fertiliser We know that the vast majority
standards.
tomers safe. haulier. of farmers are adhering to the proce-
Thus far, everyone has put in a tre- • Sanitise the areas that you and dures aimed at protecting you, your
mendous effort in tackling COVID-19 your milk haulier come in contact with family, your staff and the whole Lake-
but the threat has not gone away – we such as the dairy door handles, the land Dairies business. We are sincerely
all must remain vigilant and operate to bulk tank, etc. thankful and grateful for your efforts.
the highest possible hygiene and safety • Have a source of soap, hot water,
standards. paper towels and a bin for your milk Thank you and stay well,
Keeping the wheels of the business collection or feed / fertiliser haulier to
turning during the peak spring milk thoroughly wash their hands. Eamon Duignan
season has been absolutely critical. By following these simple steps, General Manager, Member Relations
We have been asked by farmers you will greatly reduce the spread of
how they can do their bit to keep CO- COVID-19.
1
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
Why we need to keep chlorine free
We would like to remind farmers to
continue to take a proactive approach
when it comes to reducing chlorates and
TCM residues in milk. High standards
for infant formula and butter products
require us to eliminate chlorates and
TCMs in milk.
The removal of chlorine from clean-
ing routines would significantly reduce
the risk of these residues in milk and,
consequently, residue levels in these
final products like butter and infant
formula.
Farmers have made great inroads,
but it continues to be a huge challenge
for the sector and levels remain stub-
bornly high.
VIDEO
In recent days you will have received
Avoiding lead poisoning on your farm
a text from us containing a video on how Animals will either die • Excitable. that may contain high levels of
farmers can move to chlorine-free. In or perform poorly after • Staggers. lead and remove them; vehicle
the video, farmer Padraig Lynch explains ingesting lead. Cases tend to • Convulsions. batteries, building materials,
how his farm has made the switch with peak in early summer after • Depression. flaking lead paint, lead flashing.
no distruption while maintaining hy- animals are turned out to • Diarrhoea. • Prevent access to old
giene and quality standards. grass. Cattle with lead poi- • Loss of appetite. machinery that might contain
We also take you to the Lakeland soning are not fit for human • Apparent blindness. lead.
Dairies lab where Technical Manager consumption. • Odd behaviour. • Prevent cattle access to
Niamh McGovern outlines why chlorine CAUSE TREATMENT ash from fires.
in milk is such a serious issue. Even a small amount of Cattle that eat lead will • Do not use lead pipes
CHLORINE-FREE DETERGENTS lead can kill cattle. likely die. If you suspect lead for plumbing, or red lead paint
A full range of Chlorine-free deter- Cattle will readily drink poisoning in cattle, remove for preserving metalwork.
gents are available in Lakeland Agri oil, lick grease from machin- cattle from the affected area ON FARMS WITH HIGH LEAD
stores. ery and chew on lead plumb- immediately. SOILS
For further information on making ing and batteries. The cause of the poisoning • Avoid waterlogged and
the switch to chlorine-free washes, con- Other frequent causes should be identified and re- poached land for grazing
tact Member Relations on 1890 47 47 20. of poisoning include flaking moved to avoid further losses. • Avoid overgrazing
high lead paint, ash from Treatment for acute lead • Provide mineral
fires in which lead materials poisoning is rarely effective. supplements
were burnt and lead from All treatments should be • Use mains water or
Online milk statements used gun cartridges. carried out in accordance with tested borehole water.
SYMPTOMS veterinary advice. If you suspect lead poisoning
We are continuing to encourage suppliers Most animals that are PREVENTION in an animal, contact your vet
towards moving to receiving their milk state- lead poisoned are generally Prevention of lead poison- immediately.
ments via email. found severely ill or dead on ing is the best policy. Milk suppliers are
We are grateful to those who have an- the pasture. There are steps you can required to immediately
swered our call looking for email addresses. Common symptoms take to protect your cattle from notify Member Relations if
The move to a more digitally-focussed way of include: lead contamination; their herd has a suspected
communicating with you will continue in the • Frothing at mouth. • Check your farm or confirmed case of lead
coming weeks and months. • Muscle tremors. thoroughly for any materials poisoning on 1890 47 47 20.
Distribution of your monthly milk state-
New sign-up to FundEquip scheme
ments as well as circulation of the monthly
Farm Notes and other technical advice will
be moving fully online in time.
We appreciate that some of you may not Alfco Farm Services has Alfco is making its range €3,000 to €75,000 with fund-
have access to an email address so we would become the latest equipment of automatic scrapers, ing options of between three
encourage you to provide us with the email manufacturer to join the automatic backing gates and and five years at interest rates
address of your spouse or partner or a close Lakeland Dairies FundEquip drafting systems available to of 3.9% for three-year terms
relative who you trust. scheme. the FundEquip scheme. and 4.5% for five-year terms.
We strongly encourage you to contact FundEquip allows Lake- Other equipment available Repayments are deducted from
Member Relations with your email address. land Dairies suppliers make through FundEquip includes: a farmer’s milk cheque only
Please contact Member Relations investments in machinery Bulk tanks and cooling equip- between April and November.
on 1890 47 47 20 for more information and equipment on their farms ment; feed bins; milk record- Anyone interested in the
on the emailing of milk statements or providing loans at very com- ing equipment; automatic calf Alfco range of equipment can
email memberrelations@lakeland.ie petitive interest rates over a feeders. contact Kieran Kerrigan from
with your supplier number. three-year or five-year term. Loan amounts range from Alfco on 046 9431740.
2
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
Going from drought to surplus
Adrian McKeague from the
Lakeland Dairies / Teagasc
Joint Programme looks
at the turnaround in grass
growth since last month.
Going from near drought conditions
to a period of prolonged heavy rain has
certainly made grass management a
challenge so far this summer.
At the time of writing we have indi-
vidual farms recording growth rates of
up to 140kg of dry matter per hectare
(DM/ha) meaning some paddocks are
ready for grazing 9-10 days after their
previous grazing!
Average growth rates in the Lakeland
region have ranged from 59kgDM/Ha
in Offaly to 84kgDM/Ha in Longford
(taken from PastureBase on 3rd July)
GRASS QUALITY
With grass growth rates on the ma-
jority of farms now exceeding demand
(in some cases double demand) main-
taining quality within paddocks will
present a challenge.
It is vitally important to take ap- Farmers that delay removing surplus should be applied:
propriate action to ensure cows continue paddocks waiting on a weather window 1) Rotation length – this should be
to be offered high quality swards for more often than not regret this decision held at 20 – 25 days (5% - 4% of the
grazing. Cows need to walk into covers as it inevitably leaves a grass deficit in milking platform to graze per day).
of 1,400kg DM/Ha on a continual basis the next rotation. 2) If grass supply is scarce and
to maintain a good milk yield and high Where no removal of surplus grass growth rates are slow, DO NOT graze
levels of milk protein. as silage has occurred, grass quality will more than 5% of the grazing platform on
Therefore, paddocks need to be remain poor for a longer period. a daily basis as grazing more than this
walked on a regular basis, i.e twice There is no option but to top these will cause a bigger deficit of grass in the
weekly in periods of high growth. paddocks after their next grazing or to
Failure long run.
Covers of 1,500kg DM/Ha or above close a number of them, stocking rate
to 3) Extra feed in the form of concen-
should be skipped over and taken out as dependent, for silage.
remove trates when the grass deficit is small
surplus bales. Cows grazing these paddocks will
surplus and/or forage in cases with larger defi-
Do not carry out a round of pre-mow- need higher levels of supplementation
will hit cits should be introduced to make up the
ing/topping where there is too much for a longer period as the energy content
the bulk deficit in the cows’ diet.
grass on the farm. in these paddocks with a lot of stem will
tank 4) Topping paddocks should be a
This is wasting feed and is not rectify- be quite low.
with last resort as it will stunt growth rates
ing pre-grazing yield. With high growth rates it is critically
reduced further.
Failure to remove surplus will hit the
bulk tank with reduced milk yield and
important that you continue to walk
the farm regularly to quickly identify a
milk 5) 12-hour grass allocations will be
required again to ensure correct grass
will also leave grass quality issues on the surplus. yield allocations and to ensure good clean-out
next grazing. RULES WHEN GROWTH IS GOOD in the paddocks
The question is often asked about When grass growth rates are high 6) Keep fertiliser applications up-to-
when to take paddocks out if there there are some general rules that should date.
doesn’t seem to be a suitable weather be applied.
window to get bales made dry. 1) Shorten rotation length to match Managing grass over the summer
The important thing to remember growth rates. 16-18 days when growth period is extremely difficult but those
here is you are removing paddocks in rates up at 80kg DM/Ha. farms that are measuring and budgeting
order to correct a grass surplus on the 2) Increase demand by matching grass fare out better.
milking platform; to ensure milking supplementation levels to farm grass
cows are offered the best grass possible supply.
on your farm. 3) Remove surpluses in the form of To discuss any of the points raised
The quality of the subsequent bales is bales. Remove immediately to ensure in this article or for a second opinion
not the priority in this scenario. ground is coming back into the rotation. regarding the grass supply contact
What is most important is that the 4) Continue to apply fertiliser. Member Relations or the Lakeland
grass that has gotten too strong is re- RULES WHEN GROWTH IS SLOW Dairies / Teagasc Joint Programme
moved quickly so the paddock can begin When grass growth rates are slow on 1890 47 47 20.
to grow better quality grass once again. there are some general grazing rules that
3
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
Thinking of upgrading your bulk tank? Demand drag
Bulk milk tanks on some farms are old, inefficient, have poor washing systems and have compres-
sors located in the wrong places.
on markets
New tanks are energy efficient, well insulated, have up to date technology, a range of features to As we come to the end of
ensure quality milk and offer peace of mind when the dairy door is closed. the 2020 peak milk production
A new tank will cost between €1.00 and €2.00 per litre depending on size and features, after grant season, weak demand, coupled
and reclaimed VAT. When buying, plan for future expansion and five milkings at peak. with a slowly recovering food
THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS: service sector, are impacting the
Applications must be submitted online through agfood.ie. markets.
Applicants who wish to apply online or through their agents must first be registered for online ser- Last month we wrote about a
vices (OLS) with the Department. floor having entered the market
Instructions for registration can be found online at www.agfood.ie or you can contact agfood online following the collapse in prices
services helpline in the Department’s Portlaoise office Locall 1890 0252 118 or 0761 064424 or email as a result of the COVID-19 pan-
agfood@agriculture.gov.ie demic.
Lakeland Dairies operates two schemes to provide funding to help with the purchase purchase of a This floor was welcomed as
new bulk tank - namely FundEquip and MilkFlex. it stabilised markets after weeks
You can contact Member Relations on 1890 47 47 20 or FundEquip directly on (01) of free-fall. However, since then,
639 1370 and Milk Flex directly on (01) 6470255 for further information. there has been little in the way
of activity from buyers to further
Lakeland Dairies takes #Breeding2020 online drive the market forward.
Prices for all the main but-
With COVID-19 continuing to restrict of Lakeland Dairies Member Relations ter and powder products have
gatherings and large events, Lakeland said it has been critically important to remained broadly inline with
Dairies continues to provide advice continue to keep farmers updated and where they were last month. The
around the Breeding 2020 Season to its informed while recognising the govern- global food service sector has
farmers with a series of videos, advice ment guidelines on social interactions. slowly started to awaken after its
and information online. “The Lakeland Dairies / Teagasc shutdown to help curb the spread
Members of the Lakeland Dairies / Joint Development Programme is about of COVID-19.
Teagasc Joint Development Programme driving efficiencies and profitability at While the return of flights,
have been tracking the progress of three farm level, with relevant advice based on hotels, cafes, restaurants, etc
Lakeland Dairies farmers over the course research and experience from Lakeland is welcome, social distancing
of the breeding season. We will farms, including practical tips on the guidelines mean that customer
Adrian McKeague, Colin Anderson continue best breeding techniques. capacity is down. With fewer cus-
and Owen McPartland are visiting the to innovate With the COVID-19 restrictions es- tomers, buyers need fewer dairy
farms to see how the season is going. in order to sentially limiting farm visits and farm products.
HOST FARMERS best serve walks, we’re continuing to bring advice PRODUCTION
Co. Westmeath farmer Robert Eng- the needs and updates to our farm families On production, European
lish, Co. Cavan farmer David Williamson INNOVATION supply is kicking into growth
of our
and Co. Monaghan farmer Peadar Quinn “The #Breeding2020 series of videos after drought conditions over
have all opened their gates to inform
suppliers have already proven to be hugely suc- the summer while New Zealand
farmers what they are doing as part of across the cessful with the videos containing David, is forecasting growth as its new
their breeding season. Lakeland Peadar and Robert having being viewed season commences now.
The first round of videos were filmed Dairies’ over 100,000 times through Facebook US farmers are continued to
at the start of the breeding season and, catchment (www.facebook.com/LakelandAgri) and be supported by Donald Trump
with a month to go in the spring breed- area Twitter (www.twitter.com/DairiesJP). to grow output in the face of weak
ing season, a new round of videos have “We will continue to innovate in demand.
been launched on our website this week order to best serve the needs of our Lakeland Dairies will continue
and shared through the Lakeland Dairies suppliers across the Lakeland Dairies’ to monitor the market closely in
relevant social media channels. catchment area,” Eamon said. the coming weeks and months
Eamon Duignan General Manager ahead.
Lakeland videos hit 100,000 views
In recent months, you may have noticed
Contact
increased activity on the Lakeland Dairies social The Lakeland Dairies’ Member
media channels – www.facebook.com/Lake- Relations Division works with
landAgri and www.twitter.com/DairiesJP. all our milk producers to help
The Member Relations, Lakeland Dairies / drive profitability at farm level
Teagasc Joint Programme and Lakeland Agri teams as well as providing information
have be visiting farms and providing advice for on the progress of the Society.
Lakeland Dairies farmers through videos. We are always excited to hear
The short and concise videos offer practical tips from new entrants. Contact
and advice for farmers on improving profitability at us:1890 47 47 20 (ROI).
farm level.
David Williamson with his sons Glen and Alan on their farm Since rolling out the videos earlier this year,
near Baileboro, Co Cavan. The Williamsons star in the new they have received more than 100,000 views which
Lakeland Dairies Breeding 2020 video series. is an incredible number of views.
4
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