❄️”Winter-feeding is one of the largest costs for Canadian and US cow-calf producers. How this period is managed can make a big difference in both herd health and an operation’s bottom line.
From extended grazing systems to feeding stored forages, each method has its strengths and challenges. The right strategy depends on the operation, available resources and winter conditions.
Here’s a look at some common winter-feeding strategies, with the pros and cons of each.”
Sprouts (also known as “fodder” when used for animals) are economical to produce. Typical cost of production is less than 6 cents per lb. This includes seed, water, and electricity. Although sprouts cannot replace 100% of an animal’s diet, they have been scientifically proven to increase the digestibility of other feeds in the gut. That means your hay or grain will become more valuable to the animals you feed.
Juliette is one of the principles behind The Science of Owing Dairy Cattle Facebook group and has opened a consultant group Happy Cow Consulting. https://www.happycowconsulting.org/
Think of a lactating cow’s nutritional demands as a pyramid. The very base consists of fiber, which is the rumen mat. This is grass, or grassy hay. Next is the protein derived from the fiber. Some, like alfalfa, are high in NDF (non detergent fiber) which although great for a protein kick, burns up fast and offers little in the way of actual fiber. Use alfalfa sparingly, and in my opinion, not at all during the first 30 days of her lactation. Not all grass is created equal. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) is high in cellulose and lignin, offering little use for a dairy cow. Knowing what your fiber is can help you adjust the following components. Energy follows that, which is usually corn. Energy is a MUST for a healthy cow. Bypass protein is normally dried distillers (which also filters into the energy class), soybean meal, cottonseed meal etc. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds offer fat and protein. Minerals top the pyramid. Dry Matter Intake (DMI) is where all the water is squeezed out of the feed. This is what remains. A Jersey should be getting around 40 lbs a day, larger breeds such as Swiss and Holstein 50 plus. Fiber is the bulk of that diet, but it cannot be fed alone. The rest of this combination fuels a healthy cow. With that in mind, tomorrow’s post will be explaining the lactation curve, and how feed demands change throughout days in milk. Feel free to ask questions.
