Safe grass grazing with DELTATYS [Breeder testimony]
At Lecomte farm, the main objective is to ensure the longevity of the livestock. “I prefer to consolidate what I have: I might as well make my herd as old as possible! When performance and savings are good, it’s better not to take any risks. I replace as little as possible, except in cases of infertility. Since I have been using Deltatys®, I am convinced of the improvement in my herd’s fertility,” explains Christophe.
Deltatys® to improve protein self-sufficiency
“I take my cows out very early in the spring. On the first grazing trip, I supplement my cows with a dietary feed, which allows me to add magnesium and clay to dry them out. I use Deltatys® for the second grazing trip and the following grass shoots,” explains Christophe.
It was on the advice of their CAM nutritionist and technician, Franck Bodin, that the breeders introduced Deltatys®: “I recommended Deltatys® on this livestock farm 5 years ago for one main reason: the type of pasture. In fact, Christope and Chantal Lecomte’s meadows are very rich in clover. Before, the breeders only used magnesia, but that didn’t allow them to make the most of the clover’s protein. On several occasions, they have even applied Deltatys® to autumn grass regrowth, because at that time, the clover is sometimes even more prevalent,” explains Franck.
“Feed is a major factor in the technical and economic results of my farm,” says Christophe. “The forage we produce is what costs the least, so it’s up to us to make the most of it! For me, working pastures with clover means trying to improve my farm’s protein self-sufficiency. However, I know that clover can have a negative effect on the fertility of my herd. With Deltatys®, capturing excess soluble protein with natural tannins enables me to meet two of my needs: improving fertility and improving protein self-sufficiency,” says Christophe.
Deltatys® for the other risks of grass grazing
“Deltatys® is a complete product. The different sources of magnesium enable me to cover the herd’s needs in this area and therefore limit the risk of tetany. I’ve also noticed that there are fewer urea peaks in the milk, that the cows are in better condition and that there is less embryonic mortality. In this way, I can guarantee the quantity and quality of the milk and reduce the metabolic risks,” concludes Christophe.
The farm in figures:
- 2 man-work units
- 44 dairy cows and 20 Montbéliard bullocks
- 330,000 litres of milk
- Stable level: 8,071 l
- Fat content: 42.5 g/l – protein content: 34.2 g/l
- UAA: 53 ha
- Spring ration:
- free-range grass grazing
- maize silage
- production feed based on maize grain
- tanned nitrogen corrector
- minerals
- DELTATYS
Excerpt from Journal GALA
Dominque GENDRY and Franck BODIN – CAM