April 2017 Newsletter

Milk Price

The milk price for March is unchanged at 33.08 cpl (150.22 cents per gallon) at 3.60% butterfat and 3.30% protein, including Summer Somatic Cell Count (SCC) bonus of 0.5 cpl, SDAS bonus of 0.15 cpl and VAT at 5.4%.

The average price paid for the month is 34.80 cpl. This is based on the average butterfat of 4.08% and protein of 3.25%, including SCC, SDAS bonuses and VAT.

Milk supply for the first 3 months of 2017 is 4.5% up on the same period last year. This increase in supply is down to stronger March 2017 supply versus March 2016.

Carbery Bonus

The 2016 Carbery bonus previously announced is paid in the March statement.

2016 Drinagh Trading Bonus

At a recent Board meeting the bonuses for 2016 were approved. The Board agreed to pay 0.25 cents per litre on milk supplied in 2016 where purchases from the Society were greater than 7.0 cents per litre and 0.125 cents per litre where purchases were less than 7.0 cents per litre and greater than 5.0 cents per litre. No bonus is paid where purchases are less than 5.0 cents per litre.

A bonus of €7.50 per tonne of fertilizer and €10.00 per tonne of compounded ruminant feed purchased in 2016 was approved and a bonus of €5.00 on pig feeds and €2.50 on straights

Carbery Shares

The Board of Carbery has announced a trading window for shareholders who wish to trade their shares from the 1^st May 2017 to 31^st May 2017.

The most recent valuation has put an indicative value of €3.51 cents on each share.

Drinagh Weed Control & Grass Seeds Brochure

The Drinagh Weed Control Guide and the Drinagh Grass Seed brochure for 2017 are included in this month’s statement.

The weed control guide gives information on what weeds each product will target, application rates, water rates and stock withhold periods. For further information on specific weed issues contact Tim/ Darren.

The grass seed brochure gives the varieties that make up the Drinagh grass seed mixes for 2017.

When considering soil type and future use of the reseed it is essential to select the right mix to get the best results for your farm.

This information will help you to select the Drinagh mixture that best suits your needs this year.

10% of High Load Mircam 5L and Hurler 1L & 5L

Offer runs from April 20^th 2017 to May 27^th 2017.

Teagasc Pasture Profit Index (PPI)

The Teagasc Pasture Profit Index (PPI) is also included in this year’s grass seed brochure. The PPI is designed to assist in variety selection when deciding to reseed.

Each variety can be categorised in to one of four different ploidys :

1. Intermediate Diploids
2. Intermediate Tetraploids
3. Late Diploids
4. Late Tetraploids

Varieties are evaluated under a number of sub indices such as dry matter production in Spring, Summer and Autumn, quality, silage and persistency.

This allows each variety to be ranked on €/Ha per year value, indicating the relative profitability difference between varieties when compared to the base values.

Drinagh have formulated their grass seed mixes for 2017 based on the highest ranking grass seed varieties from the PPI.

Score Drinagh Feeds Spring Diets

Scenario A – Good grass growth rates

Score Hi Maize 14% Dairy (Formerly Protein Improver)

The Hi Maize 16% which was available this Spring proved very popular among our customers and to continue meeting this demand, Drinagh will provide a new Hi Maize 14% ration for the breeding season. Hi Maize 14% is designed to maximise milk protein output from spring calvers. Milk protein is directly linked to energy in the cow’s diet. Contains a high level of maize – the most suitable cereal to feed on a grass based diet. High digestible fibre levels also included to support rumen function – reducing the risk of acidosis and low milk-fat syndrome on low fibre lush spring grass. Also contains Megalac to improve milk yield, fertility, body condition score and reduce risk of acidosis. Fertility booster mineral and cal-mag included, balanced for 3kg feeding.

Score Fertility Booster Booster Nut

An ideal diet for incorporating a fertility booster mineral and cal-mag when feeding levels fall to 2kgs per head per day. Maize based with protein at 14%. Added trace elements ensuring the cows daily requirements are met at lower feeding rates. Trace elements play a vital role in production and fertility during the breeding season. Balanced for 2kg feeding.

Scenario B - Low grass growth rates

Score 16% Dairy Nut

A proven diet that works in all conditions. High inclusion of cereal, including maize and added digestible fibre to help maintain rumen function on high quality spring grass. It is particularly useful when grass growth is poor and higher levels of meal feeding are required. Maintaining rumen function on a restricted grass - high ration diet is extremely important. When growth rates increase ration levels can return to lower levels. Cal-mag included and balanced for 3kg feeding.