Low butterfat

[Shann_mann]

For the last few summers are butterfats have drop just below where the milk contract want them. We’ve tried add different things to the corn but it seems a dear way about it. We are a closed pedigree Holstein herd and want to stay closed and mustly pedigree. It’s a slower fixes but what would be the because way to cross some of the herd to get fats up that way?

 

[jersey lou79]

Get some jersey in them. You'll get a beautiful cross.

 

[Beef farmer]

For the last few summers are butterfats have drop just below where the milk contract want them. We’ve tried add different things to the corn but it seems a dear way about it. We are a closed pedigree Holstein herd and want to stay closed and mustly pedigree. It’s a slower fixes but what would be the because way to cross some of the herd to get fats up that way?

What's the advantage to your business of being pedigree?

 

[Princess Pooper]

How low is low? Our closed Pedigree Holsteins average just above 4.1, ranging from 3.90 (1 month only) and 4.3 in the last 12 months. Summer grazed, mainly autumn calving. Cake in parlour which is always a high fibre one and we breed for constituents.

 

[Fergieman]

What are they getting fed and how much are they producing? If you are grazing are they getting enough energy to produce the solids? They was someone on a different thread grazing holsteins with very good solid levels but I can't find it just now.

 

[buffalo_soldier]

Here is a middle of the road breeding template if that's what you're after.
Crossing a portion of the herd, while retaining some pedigree won't get you to where you want to be.

 

[Friesianfan]

If you want to improve butterfat cross with a British Friesian. You can maintain your pedigree status because they’re in the same herdbook and benefit from the rest of the breeds attributes as well. A bull like http://www.holstein-uk.org/animaldata/animal/factsheet/40397942 will make a fantastic cross

 

[Slippery Slope]

Bit of dry old silage will do it (tin hat on)

 

[dinderleat]

Are you hitting residuals when your grazing. You should get Holsteins to produce the fat and pro with good breeding and feeding

 

[Adam@Rumen]

What's the current diet?

 

[Whitepeak]

For the last few summers are butterfats have drop just below where the milk contract want them. We’ve tried add different things to the corn but it seems a dear way about it. We are a closed pedigree Holstein herd and want to stay closed and mustly pedigree. It’s a slower fixes but what would be the because way to cross some of the herd to get fats up that way?

Dairy farm just up the road from you have been breeding for butterfat for many years. Its been a slow process, only using bulls with positive bf%, they've also used a lot of Dutch bulls in that time. Their butterfat will never drop below 4%, averaging 9-10000litres. They also feed relatively mature silage and HDF cake in the parlour.

 

[Bald Rick]

Get some jersey in them. You'll get a beautiful cross.

If you want to improve butterfat cross with a British Friesian. You can maintain your pedigree status because they’re in the same herdbook and benefit from the rest of the breeds attributes as well. A bull like http://www.holstein-uk.org/animaldata/animal/factsheet/40397942 will make a fantastic cross

Love it! Can’t beat a bit of promotion

Got some jersey bullers that would be just the job ...

 

[Scoobyscotlad]

I just asked someone same question about our bf hovering around 3.7%..heard of someone mixing NIS pellets in with parlour cake

 

[Blue.]

I’ve probably cows doing 5% fat some doing %3,hovering over 10k with a fat of 4.25,I manipulate via feed,chopped straw and pk are the most cost effective.

 

[som farmer]

the jersey xs here are averaging nearly 5%, and are marginally above the fr frx in yield, the fr are averaging 4.4% fat, while the few holstiens are under 4 but produce the highest yields at 7900, jer x7100, and fr about 6900. the exception is the 8th calving I/c holstien, which is forcast to do 11,000 liters at 4.9 fat, home bred and never had a hfr calf!!!