THE Hi-Pro Division of the Jamaica Broilers Group is leading the way in resetting the best practices of the island’s dairy industry, partnering with industry leaders like Seprod at Serge Island in St. Thomas, to move islandwide production up to 15 litres per cow per day.

“We are sharing methods and products proven in similar environments like Central America, in order to improve Jamaica’s milk output,” according to Dayne Patterson, business development manager at Hi-Pro, in a recent news release.

“We want to expose our dairy farmers across Jamaica to new feeding practices and pasture management techniques that will help revitalise their farms and create a sustainable dairy industry,” Patterson said.

He said his company is reformulating the Hi-Pro dairy feeding programmes for increased milk production. This process, he said, includes boosting Hi-Pro feeds with Celmanax — a new natural yeast-based ingredient — to improve animal health.

In addition, Hi-Pro has adjusted its formulae, specifically calf starter, calf grower, heifer developer and dairy ration for each of the four main stages of a dairy cow’s life. This feeding programme is intended to increase milk production in dairy cows and encourage them to have their first calves within 27 months, instead of the current 35 months.

Patterson went on to explain that as grass is the key ingredient for maximum milk production, the proposed Hi-Pro dairy revitalisation plan begins with good pasture management for increased grass yield per acre.

At a Dairy Seminar hosted by Hi-Pro, under the theme ‘Milk to the Max II’ held on Wednesday, August 12, at Serge Island, about 50 dairy farmers were able to see a new Jaylor TMR Mixer commissioned for use at Serge Island in the next few weeks. TMR mixers will result in reduced feed cost by enhancing digestibility of forages, while combining them with concentrates to promote milk output, using rations suitable for Jamaican herds.