Located just outside Uttoxeter in Staffordshire is Bank Top Farm run by third-generation farmers Don and Sue Capewell, and fourth-generation son Simon and his wife Claire. Purchased in 1938, Bank Top Farm now operates an efficient Holstein/Friesian milking herd and spans 180 acres of highly productive cutting and grazing grassland.
“Since working closely with our ruminant nutritionist, Howard Brown over the last six years, we’ve taken the herd from averaging 6,000 litres to over 8,500 litres through incremental improvements in our herd and farm management. We have focused on three key elements; Dry cow management, herd management and grassland management,” says Simon and Claire.
Dry Cow Management
Since making the switch to NWF Drytime, a specifically formulated compound designed for the dry cow, Bank Top Farm has improved on a multitude of factors, resulting in significant benefits into lactation. NWF Drytime feed contains Rheasure, a protected choline shown to reduce metabolic diseases, along with high levels of minerals and magnesium to support calving. “Historically, we kept the herd together, however listening to the advice from Howard, we split the dry cows from the milking herd to allow us to focus more on their requirements during this critical period. Since the split, we have found a reduction in ketosis, milk fever incidences and a reduction in retained cleansings.” Since working with NWF on their dry cow management, a conception rate of 39% rate has been achieved, females reaching second calving has risen to 72% with a calving interval running at 374 days.
Cow and Calf Management
Starting with the future herd, Simon and Claire took a step back to review the youngstock enterprise, with a slightly alternative method of weaning. Calves are reared on NWF Ultra Life milk replacer from day 1, then quickly weaned onto straw for rumen development, followed by a heifer rearer nut, rather than pellets, again to maximise rumen development and DLWG. The herd is fed NWF’s Fusion Pro, a soya and palm kernel-free compound utilising the uniquely manufactured protected rape meal, Ultra Pro R. “We’ve found milk yields have continued to rise since using Fusion Pro, the protected rape meal has proven to more than support our herd’s protein requirements for high-yielding cows,” states Simon.
Switching from a blanket feeding approach to a tailored regime has stopped the ‘overfeeding’ of later lactating cows allowing a focus on those cows that require it. Since splitting the dry cows into a separate shed, feed space has increased up to the recommended 75cm per cow, reducing competition and improving intakes. Reviewing the Cow Signals concept with Howard has helped improve cow comfort with more space in the walkways and freed up cubicle space for cows to walk, drink and rest with ease. Following on with improving the cubicle spacing, have improved the depth of sawdust bedding, not only improving rest periods, which has a direct link to increased milk but also reducing cases of mastitis.
“Looking into 2025, we’d like to invest in fans to keep the sheds ventilated and fresh. With seemingly hotter summers each year, the investment will help keep the herd cooler reducing cases of heat stress,” adds Simon.
Grazing and Forage Management
Fundamentally, grazed grass and forage make up the majority of a dairy ration, so harnessing homegrown forage will make a difference to both the farm’s bottom line and herd performance. It is advised that 10% of grassland fields should be reseeded every year, something that is strictly carried out by Bank Top Farm. You wouldn’t want to eat limp cornflakes – neither would your herd! Tired, weed-heavy leys will not provide the DM, protein and energy the dairy herd desperately needs, whether it’s fresh grass or silaged.
Reseeding with NWF’s Cut & Graze every Autumn, taking 3 cuts from end of April through to mid-September, Bank Top averages 13,000KG of grass silage per acre before grazing for 8 weeks prior to turning in. Howard takes both fresh grass and silage samples throughout the year to ensure what is being cut is worthwhile and silage can be paired with the diet for an all-around ration. To support the ensiling process, NWF Ultra Guard is used to optimise the fermentation process and maintain good palatability.
Regular soil samples are taken to identify any nutrient deficiencies or weaknesses in the soil. With the recent spike in fertiliser prices, a more targeted approach to fertiliser usage incorporated with their slurry application was undertaken. A slurry additive has been used successfully over the past 3 years, resulting in a 15% reduction in their fertiliser bill.
Other Key Notable Improvements
• Installation of additional water troughs in all grazed fields to reduce walking distance and support water intake.
• Working closely with the genetic company – focus on bull selection to improve genetic potential.
• Herd is supplemented with the NWF Techmix range to support calving, off-feed events and rehydration in youngstock.
• Addition of molasses to boost milk production during a year of poorer MYFG.
NWF Agriculture would like to thank Bank Top Farm for their continued business and their insights into their dairy operation.
