AB Vista is offering free-of-charge, on-the-spot analysis for silage samples brought to the company’s stand (H102) at the 3rd UK Dairy Day event, to be held in Telford on the 14th September. Available to farmers, nutritionists and consultants the service will be provided using NIR4 Farm, a hand-held near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectrometer recently launched in the UK for on-farm forage and feed analysis.
“The variation in silage feed value even within a single clamp can be substantial,” states Dr Derek McIlmoyle, AB Vista’s Technical Director for GB and Ireland. “Since even a 2.5% reduction in silage dry matter can cut yields by 2 litres/cow in a herd averaging 30 litres/day, the potential impact on overall milk output is huge.
“Regular and accurate analysis of silages is therefore vital if rations are to provide the consistent nutrient supply needed to maximise feed efficiency and overall farm profitability.”
The latest data shows key parameters like dry matter (DM) can differ by as much as 10% from the top to the bottom of the clamp, and by as much as 8% from middle to the sides, with similar changes when moving back through the clamp.
“The hand-held NIR4 Farm allows silage quality to be easily tested on-farm with immediate results,” Dr McIlmoyle continues. “The portability of the device means farmers or nutritionists can continue to test and monitor silage quality throughout the season, enabling rations to be updated more often and at greater speed than has been possible in the past, saving both time and money.”
NIR4 Farm is capable of analysing a wide range of forages, including grass, maize and wholecrop cereal silages, as well as fresh grass. A copy of any analysis results generated at the event will also be sent to each individual via email.
For more information about NIR4 Farm, contact AB Vista on +44(0)1672 517 650 or info@abvista.com.
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Notes to editor:
AB Vista is an animal nutrition technology company offering pioneering products and technical services to the global animal feed industry. Since its establishment in 2004, AB Vista has grown to be a top-three player in feed enzymes and is also one of the largest suppliers of natural betaine to the global animal nutrition industry. The company invests heavily in research and development and has a growing portfolio of products and services spanning the poultry, swine, ruminant and aquaculture sectors. AB Vista is headquartered in the UK, with regional offices located in the USA, Brazil, Singapore, Spain, India, China, Germany and Finland.
AB Vista is part of AB Agri, the agricultural division of Associated British Foods, one of Europe’s largest food & retail companies with a market capitalisation of £22 billion.
For further press information please contact Nic Daley or Mike Keeler on +44 (0)20 8647 4467.
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