Farming Monthly National September 2016 | Page 34

| UK Dairy Day Complimentary Mycotoxin test available from Ab Vista at UK Dairy Day New portfolio of health A complimentary mycotoxin test has been added to AB Vista’s offer of free on-the spot analysis for any silage and grass samples brought to the 3rd UK Dairy Day event, to be held in Telford on 14 September. ll maize and wholecrop forage samples tested on the company’s stand (H102) using the NIR4 Farm hand-held near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectrometer will also be sent for full mycotoxin screening using the Mycocheck service run by Micron BioSystems. The standard forage analysis results will be available immediately, whilst the mycotoxin test results will be emailed within 10 working days. No charge will be made for either service, and the mycotoxin evaluation is likely to be of particular interest to those bringing maize and wholecrop cereal silages for analysis. “A 2014-15 survey of clamp-face silage samples from across the south west of England found that mycotoxins were present in 90% of maize silages, 66% of wholecrop cereal silages and 71% of total Merial features parasite control & calf health at UK Dairy Day. erial’s Eprinexbranded stand will take cues from the world of Formula 1 racing. Merial staff become ‘Team Eprinex’ for the day and will be on hand to explain how managing parasites in dairy cows can help maintain herd health, protect fertility and ensure efficient milk production. A Formula 1 style racing simulator will enable visitors to race around a virtual track and compete for the fastest time. A trophy will be awarded to the overall winner from the event, and all participants will receive a small giveaway. The company’s stand will also highlight recently-launched calf health products including Locatim® to help prevent neonatal calf scour caused by E.Coli F5 (K99), and Bovalto® Respi 3 and Respi 4 vaccines that help protect against major viral and bacterial causes of bovine respiratory disease. A new hoof care product range, named ClearStride™, will be launched at the event. The products offer a range of solutions to achieve optimum on-farm hoof care management and improve cattle mobility. dry matters are high.” The AB Vista free-of-charge forage analysis service is available to all farmers, nutritionists and consultants attending the 2016 Dairy Day event. For more information, contact AB Vista on +44(0)1672 517 650 or [email protected] M See us on stand E045 A mixed rations (TMR),” states Dr Derek McIlmoyle, AB Vista’s Technical Director for GB and Ireland. “Maize silage is particularly susceptible, with more than half of the samples that tested positive containing multiple mycotoxins, which will often combine to produce an additive effect, even at low levels.” The survey was the result of a collaboration led by Micron BioSystems that included University of Bristol, The University of Nottingham and Duchy College, plus key industry partners. “Growing cereal crops are highly prone to infection by Fusarium moulds, which are the source of the most damaging mycotoxins for ruminants,” Dr McIlmoyle adds. “Grass silages are also at risk, but more typically from mycotoxins produced by the moulds which often grow on the top surface of the clamp, or even on the open clamp face if silage products to be launched 34 | Farming Monthly | September 2016 www.farmingmonthly.co.uk