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CASE STUDY
Last year, to gain some additional income,
Richard took on a second contract to produce
a different kind of milk, one which is marketed
as 'A2' milk.
Typically, cows produce milk which contains
two main types of beta-casein protein - A1
and A2. The A1 protein is digested differently
from A2 protein, and has been linked to
discomfort after drinking milk. In fact, some
people may be reacting to this specific A1
protein, rather than lactose or other general
milk proteins, as is often assumed.
Some cows naturally have the genetics to
produce milk with just the A2 protein. These
cows can be identified by carrying out a
DNA analysis on a sample of tissue - e.g.
from an ear tag.
Tests on Richard's herd had revealed that
some cows were naturally producing this
A2-only milk, but he needed to buy-in more
animals with the appropriate genetics to
meet the requirements of the contract, which
started in October 2012.
However, at Shordley Hall Farm, Richard had
always maintained a closed herd, to protect
its high health status. He was especially keen
to keep the herd free of Johne's disease.
Ben explains: ‘We were already working with
Richard, monitoring for Johne's disease by
screening the milking cows on a quarterly
basis, at the routine milk recording.
‘But because this disease takes time to
manifest itself, it's the history of a herd that
is just as important, if not more so, than the
latest test results for an individual animal.’
To help Richard with his discussions with
prospective sellers, Ben drew up a
comprehensive pre-purchase health
questionnaire for the seller and his vet to
complete. Questions asked included ones
about yields, cell counts, vaccination policies,
infectious diseases, and results from quarterly
milk tests. In addition, it stipulated that Ben
should be allowed to contact the herd's vet
and discuss aspects of the herd's health.
Ben adds: ‘With the high health status of
Richard's herd, we took a very rigid approach
to requesting written evidence on disease
status. The questionnaire is a constantly
evolving document, but has already proven
its worth. We now routinely use it for other
clients who are looking at expanding.’
Richard agrees: ‘This has been a really useful
risk assessment tool. If the herd I'm considering
buying from doesn't reach the criteria
required, and Ben has also checked it out
and advises against it, then I don't pursue it.’
SUMMER 2013 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
18
A pre-purchase questionnaire
There are a high number of heifers and
young cows in the herd, thanks to recent
purchases of A2 stock. So last autumn,
the herd was moved onto three-times a
day milking to increase milk yields. It had
the additional benefit of creating easier,
shorter days for the farm's milking staff.
The A2 milk needs to be kept separate
from the conventional milk. So the herd
is run as two - with separate sheds and
separate bulk tanks. The A2 cows are
always milked first, to make extra sure
there is no risk of 'cross-contamination'.
Milking Routines
Another change last autumn was the
timing of the weekly routine vet visit.
Richard explains: ‘We're now doing
fertility routines in the afternoons straight
after the midday milking at around
3:30pm. It works really well as we've
got all the morning jobs out of the way,
and cows aren't hanging around for
too long.’
Ben adds: ‘And it's noticeable how quiet
both of our phones are! So we can
concentrate on the job in hand. For me,
it also means I can fit another routine
visit into the day. It's a huge benefit for
all of us.’
Afternoon fertility visits
One of the cows giving conventional milk
Cows that are producing A2 milk are kept in a
separate shed