Spring 2011 Dairy - AAG Landmark Feeds

Fall 2010
Spring
2011
Free copy
!
Reports: Sunflo Dairy, Benner Holsteins Ltd., Sigurson Dairies Ltd.,
Centretrail Farms, Beauroc Dairy Ltd. and Kamps Dairy Ltd.
Lindsay Bridge, B.S.A.
Dairy Business Manager
Western Region
Landmark Feeds
Landmark Feeds’
New Heifer Program
The Power of Research Within your Reach
Our focus at Landmark Feeds is to make your herd more profitable,
healthy and efficient. We continue to challenge ourselves to look
for areas of opportunity where we can make a difference to both
yourself and the animals you work with. Around the world our global
research team is focusing on quantitative nutrition, functional
nutrition and on-farm management tools to help you achieve your goals.
Quantitative nutrition focuses on ensuring we are meeting the calf
or cows needs accurately and not over or under feeding. Under
or over feeding can stress your animals and cost you in terms
of performance, health and ultimately the bottom line.
Functional nutrition relates to products or nutrients that impact
the health of your animals. An example of this would be increasing
vitamin E levels past the cow’s requirements to help combat
a mastitis issues. The requirement for vitamin E has not changed,
but increasing this nutrient improves the cows ability to combat
infection. These areas of focus are important, but equally important
is making sure we execute these appropriately at the farm level
and that we have the products and programs to help you.
Milk cows and dry cows often get the most attention, but this edition
of At A Glance focuses extensively on calves and heifers. Great calf
and heifer programs can impact your herd significantly from both
a health and economic standpoint, but recent research from around
the world indicates a further future benefit from having a great calf
and heifer program, more milk!
IN THIS ISSUE
Your comments
are always welcome!
2
Send them to Kim Kaminsky
By mail:
Box 27, Otterburne
(Manitoba) R0A 1G0
By e-mail: [email protected]
By fax:
204 433-7003
“We now know that the first
two months of a calf’s life is
critical to optimizing future milk
production performance.”
We now know that the first two months of a calf’s life is critical
to optimizing future milk production performance. Simply put,
the higher the plane of nutrition in this time period the more milk
potential the animal will have when she enters the milking line.
OPTIVIA Calf and Heifer Program
We believe so strongly in this research that we have dedicated
the last several months to an exhaustive scientific review as well
as conducting numerous experiments at our research facility in
Burford (Ontario) to create the OPTIVIA calf and heifer program.
OPTIVIA combines everything we have learned into new products and
programs to help you optimize the growth and health of your calves
and heifers. The ultimate goal of OPTIVIA is to allow these animals
to express their true potential when they enter your milking herd.
2
Editorial
3
OPTIVIA’S Milk Replacers:
18 Centretrail Farms
20 Beauroc Dairy Ltd.
for an Optimized Future Performance
22 Kamps Dairy Ltd.
6 Intensified Growth Program:
a Profitable Choice!
You Have the Right to Know –
24 Quality Control Approved
Calf
Starter:
the
Other
Important
9
Feedstuff for Proper Calf Growth
26 New Expertise
and Development!
To Support Producers
12 Sunflo Dairy
27 The Ideal Cattle Supplement
14 Benner Holsteins Ltd.
16 Sigurdson Dairies Ltd.
28 OPTIVIA
Douglas F. Waterman, Ph. D.
Director, Dairy Technology Application
Nutreco Canada Agresearch
OPTIVIA’S
Milk Replacers:
for an Optimized
Future Performance
Effect of Feeding Isocaloric Amounts of 22:20
CP:Fat and 28:15 CP:Fat Milk Replacers on Growth
Under Identical Management – data of Tikofsky et al.
300
(136.36)
246
(111.82)
250
(113.64)
200
(90.91)
150
(68.18)
226
(102.73)
172
159.2 (78.18)
(72.36)
Weaning
weight
Courtesy of Mike VanAmburgh
Remarkable Results
The concept of “Intensified” Milk Replacer was introduced to the
industry in the late 1990’s by Dr. Mike VanAmburgh. He showed that
calves would consume significantly higher amounts of dry matter
from milk than was recommended and that they would gain more
weight, be taller and have more lean tissue growth. Tikofsky et al.
2001 showed that calves raised on a 28:15 versus a 22:20 milk
replacer gained 13 lb (5.9 kg) and 20 lb (9.07 kg) more weight by
weaning and the end of the transition period (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Weight, lb (kg)
How you feed and manage your herd replacements during
the first 56 days of life has a significant impact on first lactation
milk yield and this extra milk potential should carry through
to subsequent lactations!
Transition
weight
22:20
28:15
3
Optimized Milk Performance
However, did these animals maintain the advantage in growth and,
more importantly, produce more milk? We now know that they indeed
did produce more milk and the research now indicates that they
produced approximately 1800 lb (818.18 kg) more milk in the first
lactation. A summary of seven trials that compared cows raised
conventional vs intensified milk replacer programs reported the milk
yield advantage ranged from 1000 to 3000 lb (454.55 to 1363.64 kg)
(Table 1). Figure 2 illustrates the benefit of higher average daily
gains from birth to breeding on lactation milk yield.
Additional first-lactation milk
Foldager and Krohn (1994)
3,092
Bar-Peled et al. (1998)
998
Foldager et al. (1997)
1,143
Ballard et al. (2005)
1,543
at 200 days in milk
Rincker et al. (2006)
1,100
based on projected 305d milk
Moallem et al. (2006)
2,500
Drackley et al. (2007)
1,841
OPTIVIA Milk Replacers:
For the OPTIVIA Program we developed two different milk replacers.
The 22-18 (protein-fat %) is our “High Performance” product. It was
designed to provide adequate protein and energy to support lean
tissue growth and a gain of around 1 lb (454 g) per day. The
“Advantage” product is a 26-16 (protein-fat %). This product was
developed to support 1.75 to 2.0 lb (600-900 g) of gain per day. The
protein to fat ratio and feeding rates were based on the metabolizable
energy (ME) and apparent digestible protein (ADP) requirements for
the targeted ADG and intake (adapted from Davis and Drackley, 1998).
Table 1
Study
The DCHA Gold Standards
The DCHA Gold Standards are available via the DCHA website
(calfandheifer.org). They provide an excellent overview of goals your
herd replacement program should achieve, such as colostrum
management, growth rates, mortality, morbidity, housing and
nutrition. One key point made within the Gold Standards is that
we need to supply these animals a higher plane of nutrition then is
commonly being practiced, especially during periods of cold stress.
This is Why in Our New
We Recommend:
Hoards Dairyman January 2011
Figure 2
Milk
Temperature
Quantity
High Performance
13 °C and 21 °C
(55 °F and 70 °F)
600 g
(1.5 lb)
0 °C (32 °F)
900 g (2 lb)
Advantage
13 °C and 21 °C
(55 °F and 70 °F)
900 g
(2 lb)
0 °C (32 °F)
1,200 g (2.5 lb)
y = 8240.6x + 13481
R² = 0.2762
Courtesy of Mike VanAmburgh
Milk yield, lb/yr (kg/yr)
First Lactation Milk Yield vs ADG Birth-Breeding
40,000
(18,181.82)
35,000
(15,909.09)
30,000
(13,636,36)
25,000
(11,363.64)
20,000
(9,090.91)
15,000
(6,818.18)
10,000
(4,545.45)
1 (0.46)
1.5 (0.68)
2 (0.91)
2.5 (1.14)
3 (1.36)
Average daily gain, lb/d (kg/d)
Significant Weight Gain
Based on work from Cornell, higher rates of gain resulted in more milk
and 22% of the variation typically observed in first lactation yield
can be explained by pre-weaning growth rate! “Intensified” milk
replacer programs may cost more to implement upfront, but are more
profitable from the standpoint of lifetime profitability.
OPTIVIA Program: An Important Innovation
With these facts in mind, Landmark Feeds is introducing OPTIVIA A new Herd Replacement Program. OPTIVIA incorporates the
latest science based around the “Intensified Concept” and the Dairy
Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) “Gold Standards” in regards to the
milk replacer products, calf starters and management. In this article
we will outline the improvements we have made to the milk replacer
product line, while starters will be addressed in a subsequent article.
4
OPTIVIA Program
*For temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F), a thirds feeding is recommended!
For the times of the year when the environmental temperature drops
below 32 °F (0 °C), preliminary research would suggest that calves
can not maintain a target growth rate of 2 lb (0.9 kg) at the above
recommended feeding rates. At these extremely low temperatures
it is highly recommended that a third feeding be provided if you want
to continue growing your herd replacement. In addition, research has
clearly shown that a higher caloric intake will have a positive impact
on the animal’s immune function.
100% Milk Protein
The key to formulating a high quality milk replacer is to start with the
right ingredients. The best sources of protein and carbohydrates are from
milk ingredients (whey, whey protein concentrate, skim milk, delactosed
whey, casein, lactose). These ingredients are highly digestible and
provide lactose which is an excellent source of carbohydrate to a young
digestive system. Calves raised on milk replacers formulated with
ALL MILK proteins consistently out perform those raised with alternate
proteins. Tomkins et al. (1994) reported a trial that compared milk
replacers formulated with varying amounts of alternative proteins and
at different percentages to an ALL MILK formula. Calves fed the ALL MILK
milk replacer gained significantly more weight in days 1-14, recorded
lower mortality and lower morbidity (Figure 3).
Figure 3
Results: Calves Included in Analyses
30
Number of Calves
30
29
28
28
27
27
26
25
24
Another feature of the O PTIVIA Advantage milk replacers is
the addition of supplemental Amino Acids (lysine and methionine).
The purpose of including additional lysine and methionine was
to achieve levels similar to those present in whole milk. Hill et al.
(2008), reported higher ADG days 1-28 for a 26% CP milk replacer with
supplemental amino acids (AA) compared to a 28% CP milk replacer
with or without supplemental AA. The overall benefit is that less
total protein is being fed so the calf is more efficient and it is more
economical for the producer.
Figure 5
Amino Acids Reduce the CP Required in a Milk Replacer
2
3
SPC
4
Wheat
5
6
Plasma
7
8
Milk
A typical alternative protein milk replacer will save $5-10 per bag, but
if you loose one calf or more, have higher morbidity and/or lower
growth rates, the alternate protein will not be more economical.
Make sure your milk replacer contains only milk ingredients!
Next to lowering mortality and morbidity the success of your calf
program will be measured by how well they grow. The growth goal
should be that the calves will double birth weight by 56 days. This can
be achieved by providing more total nutrients as mentioned above.
You can enhance your chance of success by also providing the highest
quality milk replacer possible.
Mildly Acidified Milk Replacer
for Optimized Results
Another feature incorporated into OPTIVIA milk replacers is mild
acidification. Mild acidification was chosen over full acidification
because the primary goal was to reduce the time the pH of the
abomassum was elevated versus complete preservation of the milk
replacer. Text books have shown that the bacteria that cause scours do
not grow well below a pH of 4.5. A calf’s abomassum is generally
around a pH of 3, but when sweet milk replacer is fed the pH increases
to 6-7 which is optimal for many bacteria (see Figure 4). By mildly
acidifying the milk replacer you lower the amount of time that the gut
pH is above 4.5 thus reducing the optimal time for the bacteria to grow.
Mild acidification will not reduce DMI and will not require additional
mixing to prevent separation. Another benefit which can not be
overlooked is that you do not have to handle dangerous acids yourself,
as we have blended it directly into the OPTIVIA milk replacer line.
1.2
(0.55)
No AA
w/ AA
17% fat MR fed at 1.5 lb (0.68 kg) per day
1.0
(0.45)
Adapted from Hill et al. (2008)
1
Gain, lb/day (kg/day) (0-28 days)
20
0.8
(0.36)
0.6
(0.27)
24
26
% Crude Protein
28
Please Read the Milk Replacer Tag!
Other milk replacers may list supplemental lysine and methionine
on their tag, but this may not necessarily mean extra amino acids
or protein. Synthetics can be added just to meet a targeted crude
protein. This method simply replaces some of the milk protein
ingredients in the formula with synthetic amino acids, which lowers
the overall amino acid balance and potentially makes it less expensive
compared to a product with just ALL MILK protein.
It is always important to read the milk replacer tag to make sure you
are comparing equivalent products. Look at more than just the protein,
fat and mineral levels. Check the ingredient listing and make sure
the product is made with ALL MILK ingredients and don’t be afraid to
ask your nutritionist to explain any differences.
Figure 4
Milk Acidification Reduces Scour Producing Bacterial
Growth in the Stomach
6
x x xx
xxx x x
x
xx
xx
x
xx
2
Period of
no bacterial
growth
xxx
xx xx x
4
Period during
which bacterial
growth could occur
x x x x xx
xxxx x x
x
xx x x
pH
Feeding
x xx
xx x
Time
O PTIVIA milk replacers are formulated too
supply highly digestible sources of nutrients
that will support higher rates of gain, support
lower mortality and morbidity by:
• Using ALL MILK proteins
• Being mildly acidified
• Containing supplemental amino acids
• Providing a higher plane of nutrition
• Adopting DCHA Gold Standards
5
Douglas F. Waterman, Ph. D.
Director, Dairy Technology Application
Nutreco Canada Agresearch
Fred Lundy,
y, M. Sc.
Dairy Sales Advisor
Shur-Gain Central Region
Intensified
Growth Program:
a Profitable Choice!
BEWARE OF FALSE PERCEPTIONS
Rather than label a calf raising program as “conventional” or “intensified”, we should be focused on what the calf requires to grow efficiently
and through these increased efficiencies we may get a healthier
animal of proper size and weight that potentially gets into the milking
stream at an earlier age and produces milk to her genetic potential.
This is a win-win... raising heifers that will make more milk and have
a lower mortality and morbidity rate. In addition. calving at a younger
age means that less replacements will be required to maintain your
herd size or allow for greater internal herd growth if you are in fact
growing your herd.
YOU CAN CALCULATE IT: INTENSIFIED GROWTH PROGRAM
IS PROFITABLE
Dr. Galligan illustrates in Figure 1 the time required for a heifer to cover
her raising costs... basically how long before she is profitable.
We all know that a heifer isn’t considered “profitable” until the amount
of money she generates (milk in the bulk tank) is greater than
the amount of money invested (feed, medicine, vet costs, etc.). The
average heifer will be 40 months of age and into her second lactation
before she starts becoming profitable.
6
Figure 1
Animal Age Versus Dollars Spent or Gained per Month
5,000
250
4,000
200
3,000
150
2,000
100
1,000
50
0
0
-50
-1,000
-100
-150
-2,000
0
10
Daily
20
30
40
Cow age
50
60
70
Cumulative
Chart courtesy of David T. Galligan, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Total dollars
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO CONSIDER:
THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT
So how does lowering the AFC impact her profitability? With the
current cost of raising a heifer from birth to calving ranging from
$1600-1800 the sooner an animal is introduced into her lactation the
sooner she can start paying you back. In addition, the younger she
calves the more productive days she will potentially have or in other
words the greater her productive life will be, assuming the same age
of leaving the herd. Dr. Alex Bach at the 2010 Landmark Feeds
Seminar reported that the younger a heifer calves, as long as she is
at least 22 months old, the greater the probability of her completing
her first lactation compared to older heifers.
Dollars per month
For years now, you as producers have heard the debate between
conventional and intensified calf programs. Some disregard the
intensified program because the initial input costs were greater due to
increased milk replacer powder being consumed. Others might say,
“What difference does AFC (Age at First Calving) make, as long as she
makes it into the milking stream at some point in her life-time.”
Perhaps we (nutritionists and producers) have been thinking about
this the wrong way.
BENEFITS ON CALVING AGE AND HERD REPLACEMENT
AND ABOVE ALL: INCREASED MILK PERFORMANCE!
Another important point to take into consideration when assessing
AFC is the impact it can have on the number herd replacements
needed to maintain your herd size. Table 1 illustrates the impact on
the number of herd replacements required per 100 cows based
on cull rate and AFC. As you would expect as the cull rate increases it
will require more replacements to maintain the herd, but for every
month that the AFC is above 22 months the farm will need 1.0 to
1.5 more heifers per 100 cows, depending on the specific cull rate.
So there are three direct benefits of lowering the AFC to 22 months...
higher probability to complete the first lactation, less herd
replacements to maintain the current herd size and a higher number
of productive days. Dr. Overton illustrates the potential income
that can be generated with an intensified program versus a conventional program by comparing input costs and the extra income from
milk (Table 2). In addition, you could add another $1600-1800
in savings for every animal not raised by simply lowering your AFC.
As mentioned in an earlier article, Dr. Van Amburgh has been an
advocate for intensified growth programs and a summary of data
suggests that an intensified growth program increases milk production
in a heifer’s first lactation by as much as 1800 lb (818.18 kg) and this
extra production should continue into future lactations. At $18 milk,
that equals an additional $324 in milk income for that first lactation
alone. Leonel Leal summarized numerous papers on intensified milk
replacer programs in a recent literature review and some of the data
is listed in Table 3. The literature supports significantly higher ADG
at weaning for 9 of the trials listed for an average increase of 160 g/c/d
(0.35 lb/c/d). That is 19.8 lb (9 kg).
Table 1
Number of Replacement Heifers Required
for 100 Dairy Cows
Age at 1st Calving
Herd Cull Rate %
22
24
26
28
30
20
40
44
48
51
55
25
50
55
60
65
69
30
61
66
72
77
83
35
71
77
83
88
93
40
82
88
94
100
106
45
92
97
102
107
112
Table 2
Based on the Assumptions Used in this Model:
Net Results: (Intensive vs Conventional)
Feed costs
$74.29
Labor costs
$(14.66)
Health/vet med
$(14.65)
Interest cost
$(15.50)
Reproductive culls
Other costs
Seven of the 11 trials recorded AFC with 4 reporting less days to
calving for heifers raised on an intensified program compared
to conventional. The differences were not significant but calves raised
on the intensified program were numerically younger at first calving.
In addition, the first lactation milk yields were significantly higher for
6 of the 11 trials while all the trials reported numerically higher milk
yields (+1077 lb or 488 kg) for heifers raised intensively.
HEALTHY HEIFERS WILL COVER THEIR RAISING COST,
AND EVEN MORE!
While at the Landmark Feeds Seminar this fall, Dr. Van Amburgh
detailed the importance of adequate nutrition for the first few days
of the new-born calves’ life. Calves are born with only 3 to 4% body
fat, much lower than other animals. If calves do not consume enough
calories to meet their maintenance requirements, they will begin
to use body fat. With such little fat reserves, they will ultimately begin
to use body protein as an energy source, and this has substantial long
term delays in growth and leads to a weakened immunity system.
Calves that have a weaken immune systems are more prone
to sickness which can slow or inhibit growth, delay AFC, or die.
These so called “poor performers” may make it to calving but a high
percentage fail to complete the lactation. Animals that don’t make it to
calving (die or culled) or don’t complete their first lactation are never
able to cover their raising costs, thus loosing the producer money.
$(7.45)
$(20.36)
Total “dead calf” costs
$(21.49)
Net Result (Savings):
$(19.81)
• Add in value of additional milk - $170 – and the advantage for Intensive Rearing ˜$190
Mike Overton, AABP 2010 courtesy of Mike VanAburgh
7
Table 3
Reference
Liquid feed Starter feed
composition, composition,
%CP: %CF
%CP: %CF
Ballard et al.
(2005)
Bar-Peled et al.
(1997)
Davis Rincker
et al. (2006)
Drackley et al.
(2007) (1)
Drackley et al.
(2007) (2)
Moallem et al.
(2006)
Morrison et al.
(2009)
Morrison et al.
(2010)
Raeth-Knight
et al. (2009)
Shamay et al.
(2005)
Terre et al.
(2009)
27:20 vs 27:15
Total DMI,
kg/day
−
−
−
−
−
−NS
6,803 vs 6,014*
23:15 vs ... : ...3
16: ...
−
−
61.9 vs 73.4
0.56 vs 0.85**
700 vs 669*
9,171 vs 9,624†
22:22 vs 31:16
20: ... vs 24: ...
0.45 vs 0.68
−
−
−
... vs -17*
− NS
22:20 vs 28:20
−
−
−
−
0.56 vs 0.69**
762 vs 795NS
9,226 vs
10,555**
22:20 vs 28:20
−
−
−
−
0.59 vs 0.67†
720 vs 729NS
8,778 vs 9,119**
24:13 vs 26:293
18: ...
1.19 vs 1.09**
1.36 vs 1.27**
82.7 vs 85.8
0.73 vs 0.81**
751 vs 745†
23: ... vs 30: ...
22:2
0.6 vs 1.2
−
66.3 vs 73.2**
0.45 vs 0.54**
−
23:16 vs 26:17
23:2
0.463 vs 1.1**
−
69.5 vs 75.4†
0.47 vs 0.61**
723 vs 729NS
20:20 vs 28:18
20:3 vs 25:3
0.49 vs 0.91*
0.93 vs 1.13*
64.0 vs 73.7
0.56 vs 0.79*
744.5 vs 717*
23:12 vs 27:293
18: ...
0.45 vs 0.99*
1.1 vs 1.21*
69.5 vs 84.0
0.59 vs 0.88*
700 vs 684NS
25:19
21:4
0.41 vs 0.9**
1.20 vs 1.19 NS
55.9 vs 60.7
0.8 vs 0.9*
−NS
9,272 vs
10,340*
3,967 vs
4,041NS
6,508 vs
6,267NS
12,962 vs
13,680NS
10,784 vs
12,104*
9,888 vs
10,512NS
1 Weaning occurred between 42 and 56 days of age.
2 305-day production, but for Ballard et al. (2005) 200 DIM (days in milk)
and Morrison et al. (2009) 160 DIM.
3 Wholemilk.
† P < 0.10; *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; NS No significant;
FIN
FINALY,
HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS
YOU SHOULD ASK TO YOURSELF:
Reg
Regardless
of what type of calf raising program
you are using the most important questions
to answer are these: 1.) am I meeting the
nu
nutritional requirement of the calf, 2.) am I
m
meeting those requirements under times of
e
environmental
stress, 3.) am I maximizing
m
my milk income profit by having heifers
ccalve in a timely manner at an appropriate
size and weight
weight, an
and 4) have I provided her every opportunity
to cover her raising costs?
Now it’s your turn to decide what feed strategy you want.
Your Landmark Feeds Dairy Nutrition Advisor is there to help
you find the right plan based on your needs and objectives.
8
ADG until
Age at first
First
BW around
weaning1, kg weaning, kg calving, day lactation milk
prod.2, kg
Liquid feed
intake,
kg/DM day
Brian Tarr
Ruminant Nutritionist
Shur-Gain Central Region
Calf Starter:
the Other Important
Feedstuff for Proper Calf
Growth and Development!
In the previous article we discussed the importance of feeding your calves a higher plane of nutrition.
Calves raised on an intensified program, grew faster, were healthier, calved earlier and produced more milk
in their first lactation. However, to grow a calf correctly and economically a calf starter must also be fed along
with the milk replacer.
From Milk Replacer to Dry Calf Starter
Figure 1
Figure 2
The calf is totally dependent on the protein and energy supplied
by milk replacer for the first 14 to 21 days of age. At this point in time
the calf will require more nutrients than the milk replacer or milk alone
can supply. To correct for this you must feed more milk replacer or dry
calf starter. Starter is much more economical and it is necessary
for the development of the rumen. Adequate calf starter intake is
essential for volatile fatty acid production, particularly butyrate,
which enables early rumen development and enables the calf to be
transitioned off of milk (Figure 1 and 2).
Only Milk
Milk and dry starter
When Should we Offer Dry Calf Starter?
As early as 5 days of age calves should be offered calf starter and free
choice water. The most important factor for the successful feeding of
the pre-weaned calf is the early acceptance and high intake of the calf
starter ration. There are many factors that affect the calf starter intake
but the two main factors are free-choice water and a starter that
is palatable. Kertz (1984) conducted a trial that showed calves
consumed significantly more dry starter and recorded higher average
daily gains (ADG) when they had access to free choice water compared
to no water (Graph 1, page 10).
9
Graph 1
Calves Need Water!
400
(0.88)
300
(0.66)
Source: Kertz, et al., JDS, 1984
Gain / Intake, g (lb)
500
(1.1)
200
(0.44)
100
(0.22)
0
ADG
Blue is ad lib water
Intake
Red no water
Trials and Studies on Ingredients for Palatability
Palatability generally means the feed “tastes good” but in the context
of the calf that may be more difficult to define. Several researchers
have examined different ingredients for palatability to calves. Quigley,
for example, suggests that soybeans and molasses improve palatability, soybean meal and corn don’t appear to have any effect either
way, while canola meal, and urea will reduce palatability. Some
ingredients, such as fats and bicarbonate may enhance palatability
at low inclusion rates but depress intake at higher inclusion levels.
Work reported by Montoro et al. (2010) in a preference trial showed
that wheat was highly palatable while gluten feed was not. Choosing
the best ingredients is important, but equally important can be
the inclusion level of these ingredients.
Landmark Feeds has conducted several trials looking at ingredient
palatability and followed these up with preference trials to determine
which feeds the calves actually prefer or would consume first given a
choice. The preference trials conducted at our Nutreco Research facilities
demonstrated a wide range of preference by the calves for several
products on the market today. We brought in calf starter products
manufactured across the company as well as the best competitive
products on the market to evaluate the preference and acceptance
by new born calves. Interestingly, when our group examined all the
products for appearance and “smell”, the calf starter that we deemed
10
to be best based on these visual criteria, was not the one the calves
ate the most of!
OPTIVIA Textured Calf Starters,
for Optimized Palatability and Intake
The Landmark Feeds 22% Express Textured Calf Starter out performed
the other textured products on trial based on early acceptance
and overall intake by the calves. These studies have been used
to further refine our calf starter formulations and we are confident that
the ingredients selected and inclusion levels used in the OPTIVIA
rations optimize the palatability for the young calf and thus ensure
maximum intake.
Textured vs Pelleted Calf Starters
Both textured and pelleted calf starters are fed to pre-weaned calves
and they both can provide equivalent nutrients. However, numerous
research trials have demonstrated that feeding textured starters
helps prevent parakeratosis (keratin build up on the papillae) in
the developing rumen. Keratin build up on the papillae permanently
reduces their ability to absorb nutrients. Both textured and pelleted
forms of calf starter produce the Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) necessary
for rumen development but textured starters provide the scratch
or abrasiveness that prevents the build up of keratin on the papillae.
EXCLUSIVE
CALF STARTER
with a Special Flavour Enhancement:
FLAVOUR BURST
Palatability or what we perceive as “taste” can also be enhanced in a number
of ways, including flavours and sweeteners. The simplest of these and most
common is molasses. Calves and other small ruminants show a distinct preference
for starter rations that have molasses added “on the outside” of the feed. The
research reviewed indicates that 4 to 5% molasses is ideal. It is not entirely clear
if this is simply enhanced palatability or if there is an olfactory role as well.
To gain the highest intakes, Landmark Feeds has developed a special flavour
enhancement that will only be available with OPTIVIA Calf Starters. This
flavour enhancer when combined with our carefully selected ingredients
led to a significant improvement in intake.
Keratinization can be partially mitigated in pelleted calf starter
formulations by supplementing the starter with chopped straw or hay.
Recent studies reported by Dr. Alex Bach from Spain showed that
feeding straw along with pelleted calf starter rations provided
sufficient “scratch” to help reduce parakeratosis. However, the straw
intake should not exceed 10% of the total daily feed intake. The advantage of a pelleted starter is it can be stored in bulk bins and attracts
fewer flies in the summer compared to textured feeds with molasses.
Optimum Protein Level
When selecting a calf starter which crude protein level is best?
In reality the crude protein level should not matter - the key parameter
is the amount (g/lb) of protein consumed. The most important factor
in optimizing protein consumption is intake. More palatable calf
starters promote higher intake and supply more total nutrients.
Key Points
for a Good Start
High calf starter intake is the most important
factor determining the success and outcome
of the calf feeding program (higher growth
rates and better health). There have been
many studies looking at nutritional composition
of the diet in an effort to find the optimal diet for growing calves
efficiently and cost effectively. This is likely more difficult
to determine than it appears as it is confounded by palatability
and intake. In addition, cold and heat stress have important effects
on the nutritional requirements of calves, as do the environmental
conditions that they are raised in. We need to feed well balanced,
highly nutritious diets to calves that can be easily adjusted to suit
the prevailing conditions.
11
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Sunflo Dairy
The Strength and Determination of a Family
Starting from Scratch
Morley and Kathleen Sundell are the first owners of Sunflo Dairy,
which they established in 1990, in Holland, Manitoba. The couple
had purchased the farm from Morley’s parents in 1985. They began
milking cows by hand shortly after their marriage in 1983 and
obtained a cream quota. To switch to milk production, they installed
a used pipeline milking system in the barn in 1986.
A Remarkable Bunch
With a family of 12 children who are between the ages of 0 and 25,
the Sundells are quite remarkable by today’s standards. The two oldest
children, Tammy and Monica, are now married and starting their own
families. Nicholas bought his own acreage this past year on the same
home section and works as a carpenter building pole sheds. Stephanie,
still at home, is presently employed at a local financial institution, while
Jeremy is employed full time with the dairy. This leaves Elliott, Kirk, Paul,
Bridget and Daniel (homeschooled), Francis and their new baby (early
April arrival) living at home. “Time will tell who will be taking over the dairy,
but we’re not ready for retirement yet,” asserted Morley and Kathleen.
100% Family Owned and Operated
Sunflo Dairy is a 400-acre farm with a Holstein herd of 115 animals
including 50 cows in milk. The production average is 10,139 kg with
3.7% butterfat and 3.1% protein. The herd boasts 2 EX, 8 VG, 36 GP
and 9 G, and has a BCA of 233-219-227. There are no employees.
All the work in the barn and in the fields, where wheat, hay, rye and
quality forage are grown, is done by family members.
Off-Farm Activities
In addition to running a busy dairy operation, both Morley and
Kathleen are very active in their local Catholic church. The Sundells
also like sports, including curling, baseball and golf, and attend regular
extended family get-togethers for birthdays and anniversaries.
In the mid 90s, they even found time to take animals to shows and
did this for a period of 10 years or so. They happily recall winning
the All Manitoba Junior Two Year Old in 1997.
Proud of Their Achievements
The Sundells certainly have a lot to be proud of. They succeeded
in raising a large family from a relatively small farm, which they turned
into a thriving dairy business. They certainly have come a long way
12
4th cut alfalfa in September 2010.
since they milked their cows by hand and cleaned the barn using
a horse-drawn stone boat! Morley and Kathleen proudly remember
the first time one of their cows achieved a BCA of 600 in 1992.
There was also their first homebred VG 10 years ago. That cow had
twin heifers when she first calved. One died at birth, but the other
turned out to be Sunflo Dairy’s first homebred excellent.
Working with Nature
Lately, the Sundells started composting their manure. They hope this
new venture will generate enough income to eventually support one
of their children’s families. Working with nature is important to them,
and they rarely give their cows antibiotics. As for the crops,
no chemicals or commercial fertilizers are used, even when the field
is worked up. The only exception is the occasional use of broadleaf
herbicide on wheat. They believe that the future of their farm depends
on the sustainability of their soil and water and plan to continue
working in harmony with nature.
The Best Profession
Although they did enjoy other pursuits in the late 70s—Morley worked
as a radio announcer and Kathleen was employed in a financial
institution—the Sundells would not trade their profession for any
other. In addition to being able to work as a family, they enjoy being
their own bosses, setting their own schedules and having a regular,
steady income. They also like using top genetics to improve their
herd and working with professionals outside the family to help them
reach their goals.
Great Service and Welcome Advice
One of the professionals the Sundells like to rely on is their Landmark
Feeds advisor, Chris Elias. “He is knowledgeable, practical and has
common sense approaches to nutritional challenges,” states Kathleen.
What’s more, the couple says they have always received great service
from Landmark Feeds. They especially value having bag truck delivery
to their farm and the quick response they get in unexpected situations,
such as suddenly running out of dairy ration. Most importantly, in
working with Chris and Landmark Feeds, they feel they are with people
who are genuinely concerned about their operation and family.
New barn built in November 2008.
Different stages of composting manure.
Sunflo Dairy
Morley, Kathleen and their children: Tammy, Monica, Nicholas, Stephanie, Jeremy, Eliott, Kirk, Paul, Bridget, Daniel and Francis.
“They succeeded in raising a large family
from a relatively small farm (…).”
Farm profile
Sunflo Dairy, Holland, Manitoba
Owners: Morley and Kathleen Sundell
Herd size: 115
Cows in milk: 50
Production average: 10,139 kg
Average annual components: 3.7% BF − 3.1% P
BCA: 233-219-227
Herd classification: 2 EX, 8 VG, 36 GP and 9 G
Feed Management: wheat, hay and rye
Available land: 400 acres
Service center: Otterburne
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Chris Elias
A Family with a Promising Future
“The Sundells are an enjoyable family to work with and I always look forward to my monthly farm visit. In the past three
and a half years I’ve had the opportunity to watch them double the size of their herd and take on new challenges with
enthusiasm. It’s encouraging to see the next generation take interest in working to improve the already strong records –
from picking sires to harvesting good quality forage there’s lots of desire to see success. It’s always enjoyable to walk
through the barn and have Morley point out the multiple generations of cow families they’re currently milking. With a herd
full of deep pedigrees and a family that desires to see success I look forward to a great future working with this farm!”
Chris Elias
13
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Benner Holsteins Ltd.
A Thriving, State-of-the-Art
Dairy Operation
Humble Beginnings
When you visit Benner Holsteins, a well-run, state-of-the-art dairy
operation in Steinbach Manitoba, complete with a new 4-robot milking
barn, it’s hard to imagine that it started with only 11 milk cows. This
was back in 1954 when Ben Penner farmed with his 7 sons. Twenty
years later, when Ben’s sons Peter, Burt and Don became partners
in the business, there were almost 10 times as many cows to milk.
Equipped for the Future
Today, the farm is operated by Burt, Peter, Don Penner and Don’s
two sons, Tim and Scott. They manage a herd of 800 head with
320 cows in milk, 240 of which are milked by 4 robots. The other
80 cows are housed in a tie-stall barn where they can easily be seen
by buyers interested in the top end genetics of Benner Holsteins.
The herd’s official production average is 11,248 kg of milk with
4.1% butterfat and 3.4% protein.
A Family Run Operation
One thing that hasn’t changed at Benner Holsteins is the fact that
it is a family-run operation. There are 7 full-time employees as well as
4 part-time young workers, including family members. “Being able
to work with family is a blessing,” says Don. The size of the Penners’
farm is 1,500 acres, with 60 acres of pasture. They grow 750 acres
of corn, 520 acres of hay and 230 acres of canola.
Balancing Work and Leisure
Life is always full of activity on the farm, but the Penners try to keep
a healthy balance between work and family life. Don’s wife, Shirley,
is a very busy wife, mother and grandmother, but she also runs
errands, brings meals to the field in summer and occasionally helps in
the barn. As for Scott’s wife Rosanna, she works as a real estate agent,
and the couple has a one-year-old baby. The Penner family also finds
time for activities such as hockey, baseball, hunting and Don has
been the president of the Manitoba Holstein Branch and is on the
Church Camp Committee.
Breeding: an Ongoing Passion
When asked what things they like the most about their profession,
14
the Penners are unequivocal: “We really enjoy working with the
genetics end of dairy farming,” they say. Their passion is fuelled by
their ongoing interest in and love of cows, and their efforts in the area
of genetics have certainly paid off. Today, Benner Holsteins is known
for breeding and raising some of the highest indexing cattle in Canada.
Proud Showmen
The Penners have also carried off some significant awards at shows.
They are very proud of having bred the Grand Champion at the
Manitoba Spring Show and winning the All Canadian 2-year-old in 2007.
More recently, they won the titles of Premier Exhibitor at the 2010
Manitoba Spring Show and Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at the 2010
Club Manitoba Spring Show. “Being present at a show when an animal
we bred gets pulled into first is an awesome moment,” Don is proud
to recount.
Confident About the Years Ahead
With everything the Penners have going for them, they can certainly
look forward to a good future for Benner Holsteins, where the focus
is now on stabilization rather than growth. After reaching their goals
and expanding the milking herd from 200 to 320 cows over the last
2 years, they want to concentrate on stabilizing the business
and maintaining their efficiency. As long as the quota system stays
in place, they believe the dairy industry will continue to do well.
Communication and First Class Service
Be it with family members, employees, or their feed advisors
Curt Bossuyt and Derek Reimer, the Penners feel that communication
is a key component of their business. Don finds it important
to communicate with everyone on the farm to plan the day and ensure
that all needs are met. Knowing that the herd is getting the right feed
ingredients is also a major priority. The owners of Benner Holsteins
are very satisfied with their relationship with Curt and Derek and
the service they have been getting from Landmark Feeds. “Being able
to work with such great nutritionists has been wonderful,” concludes
Don Penner. It all boils down to two important things: communication
and “first class service”.
Bethany has a record of 305d 15,785 kg milk,
Babylon has a is projected to 16,190 kg milk,
Jiro has a record of 305d 15,642 kg milk,
4.7% fat, 3.5% protein with a BCA of 394-497-429
and is the # 8 GLPI cow in can, VG 85.
4.5% fat, 3.6% protein with a BCA of 397-480-444,
VG 87.
4.5% fat, 3.2% protein with a BCA of 391-478-391,
VG 87.
Benner Holsteins Ltd.
©Manuel Pottek, MSP Photography.
“We really enjoy working
with the genetics end of dairy farming.”
Farm profile
Benner Holsteins Ltd., Steinbach, Manitoba
Owners: Burt, Peter, Don, Tim and Scott Penner
Herd size: 800
Cows in milk: 320, 80 in the tiestall and 240 milked by 4 robots
Production average: 11,248 kg
Average annual components: 4.1% BF − 3.4% P
Feed Management: corn 750 acres, hay 520 acres
and canola 230 acres
Available land: 1,500 acres and 60 acres pasture
Service center: Otterburne
Dairy Nutrition Advisors: Curt Bossuyt and Derek Reimer
A Highly Successful Team
Curt Bossuyt
Derek Reimer
“Benner Holsteins is a well run dairy with many family members active in the operation. The dairy has recently
expanded from the tie stall to include a new robotic milking barn. The farm has many aspects to it which include show
cattle, marketing top end genetics, successful cropping operation, tie stall barn and robotic milking freestall barn.
They even have a collection of antique John Deere tractors. These old tractors get put to work on occasion for an old
time plowing match which is a novelty for the gang at Benner. We enjoy working with Benner Holsteins and wish
them future success for years to come.”
Curt Bossuyt and Derek Reimer
15
15
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Sigurdson Dairies Ltd.
Making a Living Right at Home
Earlier Foundations
The story of Sigurdson Dairies began in 1972 when Sigurjon Sigurdson
started producing milk there in 1972. After Sigurjon passed away
in 1985, his sons, Jeff, Reg and Frank, started a partnership. The farm
was incorporated in 2006, and a new dairy facility was built.
Strategic Growth
From 1985 to 2005, the farm slowly expanded from 30 to 50 milking
cows. Then in 2006, the herd was expanded to include 120 cows
in milk. More than ever before, Jeff is convinced that this was the right
move because dairying in Canada is doing very well. He anticipates
milking 150 cows and having 200 kg of quota within the next 5 years,
in addition to starting to market hay and selling heifers.
The Farm Today
Sigurdson Dairies is a 1,400-acre farm in Riverton, Manitoba. It has
a 260-head Holstein herd with 120 cows in milk. The herd includes
17 VG, 86 GP and 16 G. The average yearly production average
is 10,000 kg of milk with 4% butterfat and 3.4% protein. The herd’s
BCA is 215-226-204. The Sigurdsons grow alfalfa, grass, barley, oats,
canola and flax on the farm. The work is done by 5 employees who
are all family members.
Family Entrepreneurship
The Sigurdson family runs a dynamic, hands-on operation. Jeff,
who grew up on the family farm, was always interested in animals
and wanted to grow the business. As someone who once considered
becoming a vet, he is skilled at detecting health problems in cows
and knowing when they are in heat. Jeff and his wife Jinny work side
by side on all aspects of the dairy: milking, feeding, herd management,
etc. Jinny is very entrepreneurial and is the one who pushed
for expanding the dairy in 2006. She also has a flock of 75 ewes
she lambs out in the spring.
While Jeff’s brother Frank left the dairy to focus on his grain farm
after 2006, his other brother, Reg, continued taking part in the milking
and feeding the dry stock. Jeff and Jinny’s two oldest children,
20-year old Brendan and 17-year-old Stuart, are also involved in
the business. Brendan is very good with animals and can operate
any kind of machinery. As for Stuart, he plans to work on the farm
16
Gypsy VG 88.
after finishing grade 12. Kaitlyn also helps out when needed. Jeff
likes nothing better than to be working with his family. “Everyone
has to make a living,” he exclaims. “We can make a living right at home!”
Leisure Activities
Although all active family members work long hours on the farm,
they also take time out for leisure. Jeff grew up playing hockey
and coached his son Brendan until he was 16, so hockey is one
of the things Brendan really enjoys. As for Jinny, she has 5 horses
and loves to ride them.
Braced for the Future
“We built our new barn with the future in mind,” says Jeff. “We wanted
to minimize labor. Now we feed round bale silage once every 5 days
and the cows are fed their grain ration with a computer feeder.”
Jeff is well aware of the fact that dairy farming has become a very
scientific industry and that everything keeps changing at a very rapid
pace. “To keep up with it, you need to continuously improve cow
management,” he advises. “The most successful farms are the ones
operated hands on, and that’s exactly what we plan to do here.”
Jeff is proud of everything his family has achieved so far at
Sigurdson Dairies and quite hopeful about the years ahead. “With all
the planning, loops and research it took to get to this point, the biggest
smile will come when we see the next generation take it to the next
step,” he says.
Mixing Business with Pleasure
The Sigurdsons have been doing business with Landmark Feeds
in Otterburne for the last 12 years. They say they are very satisfied
with the professional service they have been getting, the monthly
visits from their feed advisor, Lindsay Bridge, and the fact that they
can always reach someone in case of emergency.
Working with Lindsay Bridge is like being with one of their own for
the Sigurdsons. “We do business on the phone, and when Lindsay
comes to the farm, it’s a social visit first,” states Jeff with a smile.
The Sigurdsons are happy to know that if they need anything, be it
feed or expert advice, Landmark Feeds is only a phone call away.
Sigurdson Dairies Ltd.
Brendan, Kaitlyn, Juel, Jinny, Jeff and Stuart.
“The most successful farms are the ones
operated hands on, and that’s exactly
what we plan to do here.”
Farm profile
Sigurdson Dairies Ltd., Riverton, Manitoba
Owners: Jeff and Jinny Sigurdson
Brothers: Reg and Frank Sigurdson
Herd size: 260
Cows in milk: 120
Production average: 10,000 kg
Average annual components: 4% BF − 3.4% P
BCA: 215-226-204
Herd classification: 17 VG, 86 GP and 16 G
Feed Management: alfalfa, grass, barley, oats, canola and flax
Available land: 1,400 acres
Service center: Otterburne
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Lindsay Bridge
A Progressive Family
“It doesn’t seem like 12 years have passed since the Sigurdson family began buying from Landmark Feeds but it has
been a lot of fun working with this progressive family. It was exciting to see the farm go through an expansion phase from
a tie stall barn into a new free stall barn. There have been a lot of wet years and tough crops in the Interlake area where
the Sigurdsons farm but they stay positive and forge ahead to put up the best forage crop possible considering
the weather. We wish the Sigurdson family continued success in the years to come.”
Lindsay Bridge
17
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Centretrail Farms
The Courage to Keep Forging Ahead
The Family’s Difficult Struggle
Sometimes, just when things seem to be going perfectly well, life deals
us a terrible, irreparable blow. This is what happened to Arnold and
Kim Lange, the owners of Centretrail Farms in Dufresne, Manitoba,
when they lost their youngest daughter, Bryann, in a tragic accident
on their farm in 2004. This story is a tribute to their strength and
courage, as they willed themselves to continue forging ahead, in spite
of the disastrous effects this event had on their lives.
Beginnings
Arnold Lange came to Canada from Holland with his parents and four
siblings in 1981. The family settled on a farm in Dugald, Manitoba
and later purchased a dairy in Dufresne. Arnold and Kim met in 1990
when they both attended Kemptville College in Ontario. After graduating
in 1992, Arnold started working full time with his father. He and Kim
got married in 1996. They moved onto the dairy farm in Dufresne,
which they purchased two years later, in 1998.
A Growing Business and Family
Arnold and Kim’s first child, Jonathan, was born the same year that
they purchased their farm. The couple acquired more quota shortly
after and did several renovations to the barn. In 2000, their daughter
Ria was born. This was followed by more quota purchases, but without
increasing the size of their Holstein herd, as Arnold wanted to continue
looking after the business on his own. The Lange’s second daughter,
Bryann, was born in 2002.
Plans to Expand
As the free stall part of their barn was getting older and needed major
repairs, Arnold and Kim began thinking of the possibility of purchasing
his parents’ farm in Dugald and build a brand new dairy barn for
100 cows. With 600 acres to farm instead of 180 and a more suitable
location for replacement heifers, the future of Centretrail Farms
appeared to be full of promise.
Tragedy Strikes
The passing of Arnold and Kim’s daughter, Bryann, in 2004 was
nothing less than devastating for the Langes. All of a sudden, what
they had loved to do—farming—didn’t matter anymore. They couldn’t
even think of buying the other farm and building a new barn. By 2006,
however, they had to make a decision: get out of farming or fix
the barn. Arnold decided to rebuild a new barn over the existing free
stall part of the barn, thinking he and Kim might still sell the business
afterwards.
New Hope
With the birth of Anja that same year, new hope came to the Lange
family. Although their life was still very tough, things finally started
to feel a little better, and they didn’t put their farm up for sale. Still
uncertain about the future and intent on running his farm on his own,
Arnold continued to make improvements, mainly focusing on efficiency
and cow comfort. This paved the way for more quota purchases
and improved production while maintaining the herd to 150 head.
Working Together
The Langes work together as a unit and only very occasionally rely
on hired help. Their herd has 68 cows in milk, producing an average
of 10,069 kg of milk a year with 3.9% butterfat and 3.2% protein. The
BCA is 218-219-217. Arnold looks after all of the farm’s needs, including
AI. Kim regularly helps with the milking and runs errands for the
farm. Arnold’s father, Willie, takes part in field work and other projects,
which Arnold also does for him in return. As for 12-year old Jonathan
and 10-year old Ria, they really like the farm and enjoy helping out
with the chores.
Future Prospects
It is still too early to tell if any of the children will one day take over
the farm, but Jonathan has developed a marked interest for raising
chickens. He already has a flock of 20 birds and says he would like to
expand. He even has plans to turn the dairy into a chicken barn! In spite
of the emotional hardships his family still faces, Arnold now feels that
challenges can be overcome and is proud not to have given up farming.
Appreciated Support
The Langes appreciate the support they have been getting from the
Landmark Feeds mill in Otterburne for the last 20 years. “They helped
us in any way they could when we were going through our hardest
times,” says Arnold. “As for our feed advisor, Chris Elias, he is more like
a friend than a sales rep. “He looks after our needs, knows his job well,
and if there is something he doesn’t know, we can rely on him to find
the answers.”
Centretrail Picolo Cook 309 - GP81.
18
Centretrail Farms
Arnold, Anja, Kim, Ria and Jonathan.
Maria and Willie.
“This story is a tribute to their strength
and courage (…).”
Farm profile
Centretrail Farms, Dufresne, Manitoba
Owners: Arnold and Kim Lange
Herd size: 150
Cows in milk: 68
Production average: 10,069 kg
Average annual components: 3.9% BF − 3.2% P
BCA: 218-219-217
Feed Management: corn, hay and haylage
Available land: 180 acres
Service center: Otterburne
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Chris Elias
An Inspiring Example
“Arnold is a progressive dairyman that strives for perfection. He’s not afraid to make changes if there could be a return
and the positive results speak for themselves. Spending money on improving the stalls and buying in better feed are
two examples that have definitely paid off. Arnold and his family know there’s more to life than work, which causes
them to constantly look at options to make the dairy run smoother and allow for more time as a family. Even though
things haven’t always gone as planned, the Lange’s determination to keep going has served them well – both on and off
the farm. I find Arnold’s desire to keep improving motivating and inspiring and hope we can keep working together well
into the future.”
Chris Elias
19
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Beauroc Dairy Ltd.
Building a Promising Future Together
A Dynamic Partnership
Beauroc Dairy Ltd. in St. Malo, Manitoba is owned by two brothers,
Dominique and Denis Chartier, and their respective spouses, Crystal
and Danielle. Dominique and Crystal have two children: six-year old
Amélie, and four-year old Russell. As for Denis and Danielle, they have
three: Maxine, 11, Stéphane, 8, and Joline, 6. This certainly makes
for a lively atmosphere at the farm!
Second Generation Farmers
Denis and Dominique’s parents, Pierre and Irène, bought the farm in
1975. Their two sons took over from them in 2003 and the farm has
continued to thrive since. Their Holstein herd in now 245-head strong
with 135 cows in milk and has a BCA of 231-288-229. Classified
animals include 11 VG, 77 GP and 28 G. The farm grows 120 acres
of corn for silage and 370 acres of grass and alfalfa. To look after
the needs of the herd as well as the fieldwork, the Chartiers all work
together and also have the help of two part-time employees.
For the Love of Dairying
At Beauroc Dairy, everyone works together, and Crystal and Danielle
are no exception. They both milk cows, feed calves and drive tractors
when needed, in addition to taking care of their family. To these young
producers, raising and milking cows is a pleasure. They also enjoy
working with machinery and meeting other producers and people
in the dairy industry. Like all farmers, they have to deal with
the unpredictable whims of Mother Nature, but for them, the benefits
of dairying by far outweigh any disadvantages.
A Great Place to Raise a Family
To the Chartiers, there is no better place to raise their family than on
a farm. They knew right from the start that this was the way to go
because they really wanted to give their children the same farm life
experience as they had when they were growing up. Although it is still
too early to tell if any of the children will follow their parent’s footsteps
and become producers, they sure are off to the right start!
20
20
As much as they love their work on the farm, the Chartiers also like
to make time for leisure activities. They especially enjoy camping,
fishing, curling and hockey. These pastimes strengthen family ties
and values and also appeal to their innate sense of sportsmanship
and competition.
Motivated to Get Results
Because they are both competitive, Denis and Dominique are highly
motivated to set goals for themselves and always try to achieve them.
“Whether we want to improve production or quality, we always aim
for 110%,” they are proud to state. One likes to work with computers
and the other enjoys crunching numbers. Incorporating these skills
in their herd management practices goes a long way in ensuring
the smooth running of the business.
A Beneficial Relationship
The relationship the Chartiers have developed with their feed advisor,
Curt Bossuyt, and the Landmark Feeds team is another contributing
factor to their success. When they felt they needed a change from their
previous feed supplier, Denis and Dominique chose Landmark Feeds
based on a recommendation by some industry friends. They haven’t
looked back since!
“Curt is very knowledgeable and visits regularly to see how we are
doing and check on our herd,” says Denis. As for Landmark Feeds,
Dominique and Denis are both very satisfied with the professional
service they have been getting from their feed mill. Based on past
experience, they are confident that if anything goes wrong, the
problem will be rectified. It’s reassuring to know that help and expert
advice are only a phone call away when they are needed.
Beauroc Dairy Ltd.
Back row: Danielle, Denis, Maxine, Pierre, Irène, Dominique and Crystal. Front row: Joline, Stéphane, Russell and Amélie.
“Whether we want to improve production
or quality, we always aim for 110%.”
Farm profile
Beauroc Dairy Ltd., St. Malo, Manitoba
Owners: Dominique and Crystal, Denis and Danielle Chartier
Type of breed: Holstein
Herd size: 245
Cows in milk: 135
BCA: 231-288-229
Herd classification: 11 VG, 77 GP and 28 G
Feed Management: corn for silage 120 acres and
grass/alfalfa 370 acres
Service center: Otterburne
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Curt Bossuyt
Committed Young Farmers
“I very much enjoy dealing with Denis and Dominique Chartier and their families. They are energetic young farmers
committed to the dairy business. This is evident with the new free stall barn recently built. It pleases me to see future
in a farm and the new barn represents that. The barn is well planned, functional and most importantly a great work
environment for their cows. I value my role as their feed advisor and enjoy farm visits. We discuss herd performance,
future direction and potential adjustments to be made along the way. From time to time we even discuss other activities
in life that may involve a fish tale or two. Their future looks bright with years of profitable production from the new barn.
Thanks for your business.”
Curt Bossuyt
21
AT A GLANCE, SPRING 2011
Kamps Dairy Ltd.
Better Production, Healthier Cows
and the Satisfaction of Doing Things Well
A Pioneer in his Time
Albert Kamps Sr. moved to Canada from Holland in 1928 and first
worked in Saskatchewan before moving to central Alberta. In 1944,
he bought a farm and built a new dairy barn for 24 cows four years
later. In 1955, the stanchion barn was converted to one of the first
milking parlors in the province, and the herd was expanded.
Albert’s son, Bill, became involved in the operation in the mid 50’s, and
the old barn was converted to free stalls with a liquid manure system.
After many years and several herd expansions, the 37-year-old milk
parlor had begun to show its age.
Transition to Modern-Day Facilities
In 1991, a new dairy was constructed on the present location in
Lacombe, Alberta, and the farm was split into two separate
corporations. This allowed Bill Kamps’ son, Albert, and his wife,
Karen, to purchase the dairy operation. Bill’s other son, Grant, decided
to concentrate on the field crop and beef feedlot portion of the farm.
Although they are separate entities, the two farms are still closely
related, sharing labor and equipment whenever possible.
Further Developments
A heifer barn was added in 1996, a house in 1997, corrals in late 1998,
and a garage and repair shop in 2000. The barn now houses 120 milk
cows, and has a capacity for 150. Today, Kamps Dairy owns
260 animals and milks 120 to 140 registered Holsteins with the
prefix Linquenda. The herd has 18 VG, 70 GP and 22 G. The official DHI
production is 11,733M, 451F, 366P with a BCA of 260-270-255.
Current Operations
The cows are milked three times a day. Regular labor currently
consists of Albert and 3 part-time workers, two of which are Albert’s
wife, Karen, and their 18-year old son, Hayden. Plans are underway
to hire a fulltime herdsman and another part-time worker.
Kamps Dairy has some unique attributes. For one, the Kamps
purchase all their feed, including forages. Also, the only equipment
they own is a skid-steer, two trucks, and a cattle trailer. All feeding,
manure hauling, and corral bedding is custom hired. All manure
is sold, and all bull calves are sold as well.
22
22
Breeding
Heavy emphasis is placed on the higher type bulls when selecting
AI sires. Starting with a genetically superior cow and managing and
feeding for production has been a successful strategy for the Kamps.
The prefix Linquenda was chosen by Albert Kamps Sr. It is a word used
by Dutch immigrants, which means “Into the world naked you come,
and from the world naked you leave”.
Dairying as a Way of Life
The steady routine, the even workload and the fair return dairy farmers
receive under the Canadian Supply Management System are the
aspects of dairying that Albert likes the most. “In agriculture, there is
no other commodity where returns are so predictable to a properly
managed farm,” he says. Albert enjoys the steady routine of chores
mixed with the surprises that inevitably come when one works
with animals.
For the Kamps, one of the down sides of their work is not always
being able to get reliable labor. For the most part, however, they’ve
been fortunate to hire highly-skilled sons of other local dairy farmers
when there wasn’t quite enough work for them at home. When asked
to sum up the dairying experience, Albert had this to say: “if you do
your work well, you will always be rewarded with better production,
healthier cows and the satisfaction that you have done things well”.
Professional Support
One of the main factors contributing to the success of Kamps Dairy
has been the farm’s reliance on professional support from both their
vet and their feed advisor. “I chose to work with Landmark Feeds,”
Albert recounts, “because of their willingness to work with the herd
veterinarian, and because I was not happy with the results with
the mill I was purchasing from. We started dealing with Landmark
Feeds in September 2009 and were proud to have the most improved
BCA herd at the 2010 Central Alberta Holstein Club Awards Banquet.”
Furthermore, Albert has nothing but praise for Charles Leclair,
the farm’s nutrition advisor. “Charles has been diligent in finding ration
balancing solutions, even when forages were less than ideal.
He monitors herd performance and suggests changes when milk
components, production, reproduction, or even manure consistency
changes.” With the right professional support, the owners of Kamps
Dairy can feel confident about their farm’s continued success in
the years to come.
Kamps Dairy Ltd.
Stephanie, Hayden, Albert and Karen.
“In agriculture, there is no other commodity
where returns are so predictable
to a properly managed farm.”
Farm profile
Kamps Dairy Ltd., Lacombe, Alberta
Albert, Karen Kamps and family
Herd size: 260
Cows in milk: 120-140 registered Holsteins
Production average: 11,733 kg
BCA: 260-270-255
Herd classification: 18 VG, 70 GP, 22 G
Service center: Landmark Feeds Strathmore
Dairy Nutrition Advisor: Charles Leclair
A Talented Team
“Albert and Karen are a pleasure to deal with. They are very talented and focused dairy producers that make sure
that fun is included in everything they do. When you have quality cows like they have that are milking as well as they
are, I guess it’s easier to be happy and have fun. Albert also finds time to serve on the milk board and invests a great deal
of his time on projects for the Alberta producers, a responsibility that he takes very seriously. I am very pleased to be
part of Albert’s and Karen’s team and look forward to many years of fun and high production.”
Charles Leclair
23
Joanne Armstrong, B. Sc., Ag
Dairy Technical Support
You Have the Righ
The consumption of quality feed enhances animal performance
and improves the profitability of livestock enterprises. Quality
feeds begin with quality ingredients.
At Landmark Feeds, we purchase and accept incoming ingredients (commodities, feed additives, vitamins and minerals)
according to a standard set of ingredient specifications.
Feed ingredients (commodities) are tested for a number of quality
specs. The incoming loads of commodities are probed prior to
unloading, and are tested for a number of quality specs. If they are
sub-standard then the load is refused. Knowing the quality and
the nutritional value of the ingredients that are being used is not only
key to producing quality feed, but also to providing results on farm
in the form of milk, meat or eggs. Think about it like making a loaf
of bread... you must start with good quality flour, milk, eggs and yeast
to get a loaf of bread that tastes and looks good and provides
nutritional value. Feed manufacturing is very similar; we want quality
ingredients that are palatable, appear high-quality (free of debris,
mold and mildew), and meet the nutritional standards that we are
trying to achieve in the end product. Commodities such as wheat,
barley, corn, peas and oats are tested for bushel weight and moisture
as a minimum when they arrive at the mill. Additional testing for
protein, dockage and vomitoxin levels may also be performed on site,
depending on the mill and the specific commodity.
24
Finished feeds are regularly tested at a Standards Council of Canada
accredited Lab. All of our locations have a finished feed sampling
schedule. Finished feeds are sampled and examined, and composite
samples of finished feeds are submitted to a Standard Council
of Canada accredited lab for further analysis on a weekly and monthly
basis. Landmark Feeds is committed to implementing the use of Near
Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) for testing incoming ingredients and
finished products at all of our locations within the next 2 years.
Feed safety and quality is a priority at Landmark Feeds. We have a
unique feed-to-food quality strategy we call Nutrace®, with standards
and protocols that are applied across all Nutreco/Landmark Feeds
businesses. It is a means of quality assurance and of traceability.
The established standards are Certified Quality, Monitoring, Risk
Management, Ingredient Assessment and Management and Tracking
and Tracing. The development of Nutrace® is guided by the Nutrace®
Platform Group, which includes quality and food safety specialists
from all Nutreco business units around the globe. As Nutrace® is a
dynamic strategy, this platform group provides a forum for discussion
and helps our companies share their knowledge and best practices
and the work of safeguarding the quality of our products in a era
of global sourcing of ingredients.
Our dedication to the feed industry is demonstrated in many ways,
but most significantly in our effort to provide our customers with
Feed safety and quality is
a priority at Landmark Feeds.
t to Know
the highest quality of nutritional products and programs available in
today’s marketplace. Not only do we have our own internal feed safety
and quality system (Nutrace®), but we invest significant capital each
year into our manufacturing facilities retaining FeedAssure™ accreditation. Since becoming the first feed supplier in Canada to have
a full-service feed mill FeedAssure™ certified (September, 1999),
Landmark Feeds has continued to support the Animal Nutrition
Association of Canada’s (ANAC) voluntary certification program in all
of its feed mills. This is a major achievement for Landmark Feeds,
and good news for the Canadian feed industry that is very clearly
doing the right things for food quality and safety. FeedAssure™ is
a comprehensive feed and food safety assurance program designed
to manage and minimize risks during all stages of food production.
The FeedAssure™ system consists of a set of guidelines for
manufacturing feed, referred to as Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMPs), and control procedures that are applied at critical points
of the feed manufacturing process.
in the feed industry and are committed to not only ensuring our
manufacturing practices are safe, but also helping to ensure your
operation is able to meet the same level of food safety. We’ll continue
working to maintain the highest standards in our products and in our
commitment to our customers: those who buy our feed as well as
those who consume the milk, meat and eggs produced from our feed.
Innovation and efficiency are key components in all of our facilities,
as we strive to offer high quality, performance-based feeds. Whether
you buy bagged or bulk feed, you can be assured that at the heart
of your Landmark Feeds experience will be a solid core of precision
technology, nutritional expertise and dedication to service. We’ve long
known that our manufacturing processes reflect on the best practices
available to the feed industry. We are committed to being a leader
25
New Expertise
To Support Producers
Strathmore Mill
A COMPETENT HAND FOR DAIRIES
Wes Skene
Landmark Feeds is proud to welcome and introduce
Wes Skene to the Landmark Feeds Dairy Team.
Wes was born in southern Alberta and received his
B. Sc. from the University of Calgary. Wes brings
with him 11 years of experience in the dairy
industry, spending most of his career in the
Okanagan and the last 2 back in Alberta. Wes is
living in Lacombe Alberta and services the Central
Alberta Area. He hopes to help grow the dairy
business in this region and support the dairy
community to the best of his ability.
AN EXPERIENCED NUTRITION
SPECIALIST
Philip G. Lee
Landmark Feeds is also very happy to welcome
Phil Lee as a new member of its Dairy Team.
Phil was born and raised around Red Deer, Alberta.
He grew up playing a lot of hockey and got involved
in the purebred Simmental business of his family
for many years. He brings with him over 20 years
of experience as a dairy nutrition specialist
and cattle management expert. Phil will be happy
to assist producers in the central Alberta area
and central B.C. with all matters pertaining to dairy
herd monitoring, animal health, ration formulation
and nutrition analysis.
This is a definite plus for the Landmark Feeds mill located in Strathmore, Alberta.
Coming
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