Pursuing Natural Goodness – The Nally Family’s Journey with AHV

Meet the Nally family—Francis, Eimear, Aaron, Cillian, and Mia—from Ireland’s hidden heartlands of Athlone in County Westmeath. The Nally’s manage a herd of 150 spring-calving British Friesian cows, averaging an impressive yield of 6,500L with the help of two Lely Robots. Their story, however, goes beyond mere numbers; it’s about nurturing the health and longevity of their dairy herd.

Proactive Partnership with AHV: A Natural Choice

In 2020, Francis and Eimear sought a partner who shared their values and found it in AHV. Today, they proactively use the AHV Udder Health Programme to address herd challenges and provide essential support precisely when their herd needs it most.

Francis shares his experience: “I use the Extra Tablet to cleanse and clean out the udder, the Booster Tablet to boost the immune system, reset the rumen and liver and Aspi to support the immune system.”

“We use StartLac Paste, the Metri Tablet and Booster Tablet for cows that are freshly calved—particularly those that had either a hard calving, retained placenta or a handling issue. The Metri Tablet helps cleanse the uterus, especially after twins or a hard calving. For cows prone to milk fever or slow to calve we use StartLac Paste to minimise the risk of milk fever. It’s full of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.”

The Booster Tablet helps the heifers in the transition into their first lactation and even the youngest calves get a boost with Calf Start, supporting their immune systems in those crucial early days.

AHV Support-Tailored to the unique needs of the herd

Gerard, their dedicated AHV consultant, stands as a reliable guide for the Nallys, providing expert advice based on monthly visits and thorough reviews of milking robot reports. Utilising data from conductivity, rumination, and cell count, they tailor their approach to the unique needs of their herd.

In Francis’s words, “AHV is a great support to us here on the farm. They have a great range and detailed knowledge of all their products.”

“On the farm, we go through the milk recordings on our robots. From that, we use whichever product we feel is most adequate for the problem.”

Vet Siobhan from AHV also makes farm visits, addressing any issues that arise when needed to support optimal herd health.

Diversification into BonnyBo Milk: A Fresh Perspective

In May 2023, the Nally’s proudly launched BonnyBo Milk – a venture where they pasteurise their farm-fresh milk and make it available to the public through an innovative self-service vending machine.
This novel approach not only allows customers to enjoy the exceptional quality and freshness of Bonny Bó Milk but also allows them to witness the journey from pasture to pour.

Eimear explains, “It’s really reassuring to me to know that out on the farm, we’re not using traditional methods to treat cows; we’re using the AHV products. They are more natural, and I’m happy that the milk going out to our customers is as good as it can be.”

Hopes for the Future

With a focus on natural solutions, Francis Nally envisions a future for his farm marked by longevity, healthier cows, improved fertility, and increased milk production.

“I think by using AHV products I can achieve these goals going into the future and have a healthier herd.“