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The average farmgate milk price is up 18.56% from February 2024, holding firm at 46.05ppl as of February 2025, according to the AHDB. Now is the time to maximise your herd’s milk production and make every litre count. 

Stronger market returns present a real opportunity to boost profits by increasing yield and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll share our top nutritional management tips to help you significantly increase the profitability and the long-term sustainability of your herds. 

The Opportunity 

Milk price increases are projected to continue in the near term, presenting you with a clear incentive to boost your herd’s productivity during this period. However, to really benefit, you need to consider nutritional strategies to increase production efficiently, without compromising herd health or fertility. With careful management, the higher revenue can significantly outweigh additional input costs. 

The Role of Nutrition  

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the efficiency of milk production. One proven strategy is the incorporation of dietary fats. Rumen-protected fats, such as those from the Megalac range, are not fermented in the rumen hence avoiding negative consequences to fibre digestibility and providing a direct energy supply to the small intestine to support increased milk production.  

Research over the last 40 years has proven that Megalac increases milk yields by an average of 2.3 kg per cow/day and is particularly effective during early lactation. Megalac also has additional benefits, such as improving cow fertility and Body Condition Scores (BCS). Check out the video with Dr. Richard Kirkland below to learn more about Megalac in just 60 seconds. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l306zifGOXM 

 

Choosing the Right Supplements 

The Megalac range has been scientifically validated in both grass-based and high-input systems. Trials indicate consistent increases in milk yield and improvements in milk fat percentages, making rumen-protected fats a financially attractive addition to your herd’s diet. But which one should you choose? 

Extensive research has identified two key fatty acids essential for maximising dairy cow productivity: C16:0 (palmitic acid) and C18:1 (oleic acid). C16:0 is fundamental for stimulating milk fat production, and C18:1 is known to aid BCS and fertility.  

Every product in our range is formulated with a carefully balanced fatty acid profile tailored towards meeting specific farm outcomes. Some, depending on when they are fed, can address multiple issues simultaneously. If you’re unsure which fat supplement suits your herd best, you can receive farm-specific advice by contacting us. 

Striking the Perfect Balance 

Achieving maximum milk output and quality requires a holistic approach, combining nutrition strategies, pasture management, and proactive herd health monitoring. While enhancing milk production involves a degree of upfront investment, current high milk prices offer strong financial incentives that can far outweigh initial outlay. 

Integrating nutritional innovations such as those in the Megalac range is a smart way to boost herd productivity. To further understand and evaluate your return on investment (ROI), you can now use the ROI Calculator 2.0 for Fat Supplements, recently updated for 2025. Based on extensive scientific research from over 65 peer-reviewed studies conducted by industry experts, this tool helps you accurately determine the optimal fat supplementation for your herd.  

The ROI Calculator 2.0 for Fat Supplements now generates comprehensive insights through 15 selectable graphs, highlighting key performance areas such as:  

  • Margin 
  • ROI 
  • Feed efficiency 
  • NDF and fatty acid digestibility 
  • Nitrogen management 

By embracing these combined nutritional and herd management strategies, you will be ideally positioned to thrive in a competitive dairy market, maximising today's favourable milk prices and securing sustainable profitability for the future. 

For detailed nutritional guidance and to discover how Megalac products can enhance your herd’s productivity, visit the Megalac resource centre. 

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