NMR is introducing the United Kingdom's first individual cow milk urea test.
Targeted at producers, vets and nutritionists, the test is an accurate measure of urea levels and provides results that can be used to improve ration formulation, health and fertility in dairy cows.
"Milk urea tests are already cared out on bulk tank samples," says NMR's Mike Blanshard. "While these are useful for milk buyers, they can be very misleading if used for cow management.
"A herd average can mask serious problems in groups of freshcalved cows for example. Individual urea tests are needed for fine-tuning ration formulations and for health and fertility management."
Freshly calved cows in early lactation can be in danger of losing too much weight and having a negative energy balance. "This can lead to the breakdown of protein and production of urea," adds Mr Blanshard.
"A high urea level in early lactation cows is dangerous as it can upset heat cycles and fertility. Each cow and group of cows is different and the diet needs adjusting to make sure this does not happen - the milk urea test result is an important part of the ration formulation for groups of cows and individuals within the herd."
Initially, the results from the milk urea test will be available through NMR's management system, InterHerd, either on farm or via vets or advisers. More than 2,000 NMR-recorded herds are using InterHerd.
The milk sample taken from each cow at milk recording is testried first for constituents and cell counts and then sent for urea levels. Results from the urea test are sent in a file to InterHerd users. NMR requires no further milk sample for the urea test - and there's no extra work on the part of the producer - so it is able to offer the service for 18p per cow per month for herds recorded monthly, and less for those on sixor eight-weekly recording.
"If you work this out, it's £2.16 a year," says NMR's Mike Blanshard. "A very slight improvement in fertility that reduces calving interval by one day will more than pay for this. For most herds, the potential financial gain is a lot more. And there's also the improved nutrition, health and welfare factors to consider."
The only company to offer individual milk urea tests to UK producers and developed in response to requests from vets, nutritionists and producers, NMR is stressing the involvement of a third party, such as the vet or adviser, to review results and make the necessary ration or management changes.
