When it comes to robotic milking, the key to success lies in the choice of feed ingredients and how they are distributed to cows according to their needs.

“It’s all about the balance between the partial mixed ration (PMR) given to all animals and the individual ration distributed by the robot," says Philippe Couture, agr., an advisor in agribusiness strategy for Sollio Agriculture’s dairy sector.

According to statistics from the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the fat content of milk decreases every summer. And in recent years, heat stress episodes have increased. Although the extent of this decline varies from herd to herd, there are strategies to minimize the impact of heat on milk production.

1. Good ventilation and fresh water

Proper ventilation, increased in summer, remains a priority to minimize the impact of heat on milk and milk component production, as does access to fresh, high-quality water and comfortable stalls.

Feeding calves with a milk replacer optimizes their growth from the first weeks of life and allows them to reach their full genetic potential.

Different protein to fat ratios allow you to adjust the desired growth type, whether you have a tall heifer or a calf ready to be weaned.

Sollio Agriculture milk replacers are formulated with skim milk powder and contain sources of fast-releasing (carbohydrates) and slow-releasing energy (oils and fats).

Québec’s forage stocks for 2021 are generally healthy, but things are more complicated for some farmers who must innovate to avoid finding themselves with an empty warehouse. Fortunately, some by-products and feeds, including Synchro F-Plus and Totalveau, can be used to substitute part of the forage in your rations.

Assessing forage stocks

Before making any decisions, the first thing that you should do is conduct proper inventory assessments—one of your forage stocks and especially one of the animals to be fed in the coming year.

Single ingredients representative Sylvain Gélinas is quick to admit it: “Before 2020, Sollio Agriculture was not a major player in the market for single ingredients for making feed on the farm.” The tide turned when the network began to invest in this key area of livestock production at the request of its members.

The Sollio Agriculture team is always monitoring the latest developments in dairy production. Every year, experts review studies and talk with researchers around the world to learn about the latest trends. They convey this knowledge to agri-advisors, who then pass it on to you and others on the ground. In this article, we present the 2021 trends in forage production.

The Sollio Agriculture team is always monitoring the latest developments in dairy production. Every year, experts review studies and talk with researchers around the world to learn about the latest trends. They convey this knowledge to agri-advisors, who then pass it on to you and others on the ground.