GO all out for production, focus on forage quality and only invest in production aids proven to give an economic return, milk producers were advised this week by Ecosyl Products Ltd.

"Rising milk prices and falling quota costs offer dairy farmers the best potential for profit they have seen for some time. But the drive to maximise production must not be at the expense of efficiency," warns forage specialist Dr Shirley Heron.

"Even cows on the highest of concentrate diets still get around two-thirds of their dry matter from forage, and with silage stocks nationally at rock bottom, forage harvested over the next few weeks will determine both the production and profit potential of the industry, right through to next spring."

Poor quality forage was a major cause of the UK finishing the milk year under quota at the end of March 2001, according to Dr Heron of Ecosyl Products. "Weather was a crucial factor, affecting both the grass and maize harvesting seasons, but many producers were also forced to cut corners due to a low milk price and zero profitability.

"Silage inputs declined in general and many management decisions were based on cost and cashflow rather than sound scientific evidence and proven returns. The result was a double blow to farmers' pockets, with reduced output from forage and increased spending on purchased feeds."

Dr Heron advises a return to fundamental principles, with investment in proven production aids as a matter of routine, but only when they are supported by reliable scientific proof.

"Although it is a scientific fact that some silage inoculants improve fermentation and increase milk production, many products have very little evidence to support them and claims are often made on the results of just one or two trials," said Dr Heron. Just as the reliability of an AI bull's proof increases when more daughters and herds are involved, so the reliability of a product's performance claims is greater when there are more trials over more herds, crops and seasons.

Dr Heron suggests using the high performance bacterial strain MTD/1 as a benchmark.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, May 03, 2001