The Farmers Mart Feb-Mar 2019 - Issue 61 | Page 13

FARM NEWS 13 • FEB/MAR 2019 New ALKA feed Technology will be options highlight key in mitigating climate change versatility of alkalisation MANY UK dairy farmers could boost sig- nificantly their use of highly cost-effective home-grown cereals in cow diets thanks to a range of versatile ‘alkalising’ feed op- tions. FiveF Alka is now able to offer every milk producer in the country a bespoke al- kalised feed solution designed to help them make the most of what they can grow on their own farm. “Many farm users of our alkalising tech- nology are now feeding 20-40% more of their home-grown feed materials, cutting feed costs whilst also increasing milk output and improving longer-term profit factors such as cow energy status and fertility,” said FiveF Alka general manager Rob Smith at Dairy-Tech (Wednesday 6th February 2019). ‘ a bespoke alkalised feed solution ’ To complement the alkalising technology developed over the last 30 years allow- ing farmers to make their own Alkalage, Alkagrain and Alkastraw, the company is also now helping partner feed companies to make a range of innovative new Alka feeds. www.fivefllp.com The NFU has called on government to support investment in new technologies to help farmers in the fight against climate change. SPEAKING at the Energy and Rural Business Show in Telford, NFU Deputy Presi- dent Guy Smith emphasised that innovation and technol- ogy will be key to increasing efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that farmers are ready to play their part in the climate challenge. Speaking ahead of the event he said: “Climate change is perhaps the great- est challenge of our time and farmers are already experiencing changes in the natural environment. “As we head into increas- ingly volatile times, both politically and climactic, farmers must have the tools and confidence to make their businesses more re- silient so they can increase productivity, drive down their carbon footprint and weatherproof their farms against drought and flood. “As our recent confidence survey showed, investment is slowing because of Brexit uncertainty, meaning gov- ernment support is going to be vital in the years ahead to enable investment and make these technologies more widely available. I hope to see this approach reflected in the coming Agriculture Bill. Your local, independent farm fuels supplier Gas Oil Diesel Lubricants Additives AdBlue® Follow us on: www.rix.co.uk 0800 542 4207