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November 2024: Housed cows, tupping and Christmas orders

  • Over the past few weeks, the wet weather has forced many producers to bring cattle in, not only to support milk yields and production but also to maintain field health (reduce poaching)! 
  • Is it that time of year where sheep farmers, if they haven’t already, have put the tups in with the ewes to start the production cycle again. If you are looking for molasses, minerals and licks, get in touch! 
  • And just like that, Christmas is just around the corner. Every year we see delays and extended lead times, and this year is will not be different! Please have a look at stock levels to make sure you are covered to mid January! 
  • For the full newsletter: Nov 24

September 2024: Have you started planning for Winter?

  • A variable grass growing season has been experienced this year which has led to many farmers having to delay cutting. This has resulted in a higher proportion of older material in clamps and is reflected in the digestibility of the silage, highlighting the importance of reviewing rations and inputs to promote health and performance in stock this winter. 
  • Fats have seen a turbulent time over the summer, with tight supplies and shipping
    routes being influences by the issues in the Red Sea, which have affected routes and have increase freight costs. 
  • For those who have maize, using an additive on the crop will not only help to preserve and make the most of that all important feed value, but it may also help reduce the risk of mycotoxins which will impact animal health, fertility and performance.
  • Optimising Milk fat production without C:16 fats:
    • In the current economic climate of low milk prices, maximising milk quality to
      increase earnings per litre can significantly impact overall returns. Feeding cows influences milk fat content. About 40% of milk fat is synthesised by the
      mammary gland. While feeding C:16 fats can increase milk fat content, it’s more cost-effective to enhance mammary gland synthesis by increasing the
      availability of volatile fatty acids. Rumen microbes produce these fatty acids and can positively impact milk fat.
    • RumenSmart is an innovative feed additive that increases milk fat production in dairy cows by supporting the rumen microbial population. It has been shown to improve butterfat production and is particularly effective in diets that may suppress milk fat production.
  • For the full newsletter: Sept 24

August 2024: British Dairying Magazine, Support Gut Health and Amino Acids

  • In July’s edition of the British Dairy Magazine (pages 22-23), we spoke about all things British milk replacer with a couple of farm features. A massive thank you to Colin at Glencairn Jerseys, Dave from Bulls Green and the Redmayne Family from Preston for their feedback and thoughts!
  • Gut health and the rumen of the cow is fundamental to overall cow performance and ultimately the business’ bottom line. During stress periods, for example periods of warm weather, the dairy cow’s gut wall becomes more permeable, “leaky”, and when this occurs, undesirable bacterial and toxic substances can pass through to the blood stream which initiates an inflammatory response. This inflammatory response uses energy which can impact the cows yield and also reproduction.
  • Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and cows have amino acid
    requirements. One well-known fact is that the first limiting amino acid is Methionine! Methionine is pivotal in supporting milk production, fertility and immunity!  
  • When a cow experiences a methionine deficiency, she initially conserves it from milk protein, leading to a slight decrease in milk protein. This then subsequently reduces the amount of methionine use for fertility and immunity which can impact her ability to conceive and maintain pregnancy, as well as her capacity to combat infection. 
  • For the full newsletter: Aug 24

July 2024: Quarter 3 prices, block calving and thinking about reseeding?

  • Quarter 3 prices have been released and prices have firmed, with some products increasing more than others. This is predominantly due to container shipping rates becoming very expensive. We are doing what we can to negotiate prices and look at mineral specifications on request. If you are feeding a mineral, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your mineral specifications!
  • Are you a block calving herd? There are many inputs which we could help save some pennies on! From minerals and milk replacer, to fresh cow drinks and salt licks, get in touch for prices and availability!
  • Did you know we supply a wide range of grass seed and herbal leys? There are several cost and production benefits associated with reseeding, and now is the time to look at different options and book in product for your Autumn reseeding plans. For more information, read the full newsletter or get in touch!
  • For the full newsletter: July24

June 2024: Summer, where are you?

  • The “summer” months are in full swing, but it has not been feeling like it! Although May has been rather unsettled, many farms have managed to get their 1st cut silage done! Maize planting has been a struggle this season, with many having to have drilled a lot later than planned. 
  • With these unpredictable weather trends, it is as ever important to get the most of of your forage;  get  in  touch to  see  what additives we have on offer and  for prices!
  • We have had our new milk replacer on many units across the country and getting some great feedback:
    “The calves love RS Energy Advance and are doing really well on it, we are very happy with the product, the performance of the calves on the powder, and support from Rumen Supplies” Ayrshire.
    “Really liking this new powder, calves doing well on it and settled” Dumfrieshire.
    “We spend a lot of time getting the colostrum right for our replacement heifers, so making sure the replacer we give them is top quality is a non-negotiable. Our calves have responded as we had hoped with RS Energy Advance; all drinking without any fuss, growing well!” Lancashire.
  • Butterfats at grass, there are two mains reasons why a decrease in butterfats can occur once cows have been turned out; 1) Reduced rumen pH, and 2) High fat levels in grass. For ways to help reduce the impact, read the full newsletter or get in touch!
  • For the full newsletter: June24

April 2024: Minerals, Market Overview!

March 2024: Spring, pirates and a wet first quarter of 2024!

  • With a wet 1st quarter so far, we need some sun and a breeze to dry out pastures! For those who are looking to turnout and those who have had an early turnout, careful consideration should be made regarding magnesium levels, intakes and milk constituents.
  • A mixed bag of lambing percentages having been discussed with our sheep customers which highlights that it is as important as ever to make each lamb
    count!
  • As you will have no doubt seen in the news, the situation in the Red Sea is having a significant impact on transit times for many products (protected fats, paper, rock salt).
  • Silage additive: Home grown forage is the cheapest feed source, get the most out of it by using one this season.
  • For the full newsletter:  March 24 

December 2023: Extended lead times, winter wonderland and Christmas...

  •  It is that time of year again where we see extended lead times ahead of Christmas and New Year; it feels like it gets earlier every year!
  • Hopefully you have got most of your inputs stocked up, and orders in place which should cover you until the New Year. If not, please get in touch ASAP and we can see what we can do!
  • For the full newsletter:  December 23

November 2023: Foot and rumen health key to optimise performance this winter!

  • Every year we focus on foot and rumen health and rightly so, having issues associated with lameness and any compromise to rumen health (and therefore performance), costs the business more money than what we might expect!
  • For the full newsletter:  November 23

October 2023: Preparing for winter; forage update and amino acids...

  • Cows are being brought in, tups are getting put to the ewes and maize crops are pushing on, with many considering when best to cut! In this months newsletter, we have a grass silage update to what to expect this winter and we talk about protein efficiency; including protected amino acids to support cow production and without increasing costs. 
  • For the full newsletter:  October 23

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Rumen Supplies Ltd is a national supplier of farm inputs, specialising in minerals, supplements, and hoof care.

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