Herd health is the bedrock of any farm’s production efficiency, profitability, animal welfare and carbon footprint. Recent UK industry averages, however, indicate there’s significant economic potential in improving herd health, even incrementally. For example, a combination of UK industry data indicates:

5-10% of all calvings require assistance, with veterinary assistance averaging £255 when sought. Beyond the cost, assisted calvings impact calf health and cow recovery.

Retained foetal membranes occur in 4% of calvings, with each case costing approximately £500 in milk loss and veterinary treatment.

The long-term impact on cow health, fertility and lifetime yield is also considered to be substantial.

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Clinical milk fever sits at an annual incident rate of 4-9%, with each case incurring an average of £225 in direct costs.

Milk fever weakens the immune system and often leads to further issues such as mastitis and retained placenta.

Clinical ketosis impacts of 7-14% of herds globally, with each case costing £225 in direct expenses. Ketosis is research proven to have a significant impact on milk yields and the calving index.

The rate of displaced abomasum is variable, from 0-25% globally, with each incidence incurring £250 in direct costs.

Taking a cautious average of these health challenges alone, a 100-cow milking herd is incurring £10,985 in direct costs per year – a figure that can be expected to inflate considerably when we consider production losses and early culling or fatality.

Rumen health forms the basis of a gut-based immunity and a cow’s body condition – both crucial during the transition period.

Keenan MechFiber diet feeders are engineered to produce evenly-mixed rations with an optimal fibre structure that stimulates saliva production, increases rumination and optimises rumen pH – essential for rumen health.

The Keenan MechFiber diet feeder features a horizontal mixing action that utilises gravity to gently tumble and mix feed ingredients without any ‘dead spots’.

Its precise blade configuration ‘scissor-chops’ feed fibres into precise lengths to promote ‘scratch factor’ in the rumen.

Once the ration is processed, a secondary feed-out auger takes a full-length cross-segment as it rotates within the main auger, for a consistent feed-out from start to finish.

All Keenan diet feeders are fitted with the InTouch system – comprising a control unit, a mobile app and a feeding support network – to ensure a consistent and high-performance ration every time.

Independent research into 24,450 dry cows across 277 farms fed with a Keenan MechFiber evidenced some compelling herd health outcomes.

This includes: 53% reduction in assisted calvings; 57% fewer retained membranes; 75% less milk fever; 79% lower ketosis rates; and an 85% decrease in displaced abomasum cases.

The Keenan system is uniquely and independently validated by the Carbon Trust to increase feed conversion efficiency, improve herd performance; and reduce methane production per litre of milk.