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ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Guidelines for Feeding Dairy Cows

adapted from Guidelines for Feeding Cows Factsheet PUB 101 Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ontario - Canada www.gov.on.ca Feeding Dairy Cows For Efficient Reproductive Performance North Central Regional Extension Publication No.366 P.Mc Connells, The Agricultural Notebook, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Lactation
Lactation curves

If the milk yield of cows is plotted against time, a graph of lactation curve is produced. The standard lactation of 305 days and the annual cycle can be split into four distinct parts of early, mid and late lactation and the dry period.

After calving, milk will rise for a period of 4 10 weeks. During this period milk peak will be achieved. Then production declines approximately 10% per month. The daily peak yield of cows is approximately 1/200 of total 305-day yield. Thus a cow giving 30 kg at its peak will have a total yield of approximately 30x200=6000 kg. It is clear that the height of the curve at peak milk yield has a great influence on total lactation yield. The factor that is most likely to limit the level at which cows reach their peak lactation is nutrition.

kg

months

Figure 1 - Example of lactation curve

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Feeding dairy cattle

The nutrition of cattle can be divided into two distinct requirements: 1) energy and nutrients to provide maintenance 2) energy and nutrients to provide growth, the development of the unborn calf and milk. The former requirement is called called production requirement.
maintenance requirement;

the latter requirement is

Accurate feeding of dairy cows involves long-term planning. Remember to look at the total picture and balance the ration with regard to all nutrients during the various stages of the lactation cycle and the dry period.

EARLY

MID

LATE

DRY

feed to adjust maintain restrict appetite concentrate concentrates condition allowance

Special attention has to be paid to the period around calving. Correct feeding pre- and post-calving is essential to prevent excess weight loss in the early part of lactation. Pre-calving: The practice of steaming-up is designed to fulfil both the needs of the unborn calf growth and the renewal of mammary tissue, as well as providing reserves during early lactation and accustoming the rumen to consuming increasing quantities of concentrates. Post-calving: About 3 to 4 days after calving the appetite increases and the cow is commonly fed for the quantity of milk being produced and an extra 1 kg/d of concentrates in an attempt to increase future production.

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

energy gap
kg

feed intake milk yield

months

+10% + 5%

body weight

- 5% - 10%

Figure 2 Relationships of feed intake, milk yield and body weight to lactation for a dairy cow producing 35 kg milk daily at peak.

Peak milk yield occurs before the peak in dry matter intake in early lactation. Some weight loss is inevitable, as the cows appetite will not reach its maximum until after peak lactation. This difference in time taken for an animal to reach peak lactation and peak dry matter intake means that a nutrient gap occurs. Between these peaks, lactation demand for energy exceeds energy intake, and the cow mobilizes body reserves to meet this deficit. Cows that lose a great deal of body condition in early lactation may also suffer impaired reproductive performance.

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Body Condition Scoring

An important component of any feeding system is to properly monitor the body condition of cows at various lactation stages. Body condition should be recorded during the first month of freshening. Routinely recording a body condition score on herd can be a valuable aid in monitoring a nutrition program. The first two months of lactation are critical. Milk production peaks at a lower level in under-conditioned cows. Over-conditioned cows are susceptible to metabolic disorders, diseases, mastitis and reproductive problems. Another good time to score body condition is in late lactation because body condition can be adjusted most efficiently then.

Figure 3 Body Condition Score 1

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Figure 4 Body Condition Score 3

Figure 5 - Body Condition Score 5

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Dry Cow Feeding

The dry period marks both the end of one lactation cycle and the start of another. A good dry cow program should develop proper body condition provide proper nutrition to the growing fetus prepare the digestive tract for the next lactation prepare the udder for the next lactation reduce metabolic, nutritional, and infectious disorders

Tips on dry cow feeding to help prevent milk fever, fat cow syndrome, ketosis, displaced abomasum and retained placenta include:

avoid over conditioning (BCS 3.5 4 at dry-off and calving) hold Ca:P ratio to less than 2:1 avoid or limit feed legume forages since they are high in calcium, potassium and sodium avoid feeding more than 12 to 13 percent crude protein diet (dry matter basis) from dry-off to the pre-calving phase limit corn silage dry cow rations should contain at least 35 to 40 percent neutral detergent fiber (dry matter basis)

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

High-Producing Cow Feeding

A good dairy feeding program must consider dry matter intake, energy feeding and protein feeding.
Dry Matter Intake

Encouraging a cow to eat large amounts of feed is the key to productive and efficient milk production. Anything which will increase feed intake will increase production. o feed and water should always be available when the cow wants them. Cows are thirsty and hungry immediately after milking o feedbunks should be kept clean to avoid spoilage o shading of the feedbunk often will enhance intake: cows reduce DMI when environmental temperature exceeds 24C o total ration DM should be between 50 and 75%. Wetter or drier rations limit DM consumption

Energy feeding

High quality forage is necessary to give the energy required by the high producing dairy cow. If high quality forage is unavailable in the necessary quantities, increase the diets grain content. However, diets containing more than 50 percent grain (dry basis) may cause metabolic disturbances resulting in less milk fat and rumen acidosis. To avoid these problems, consider adding fat.

Protein feeding

The crude protein content of the total diet required for high levels of milk production may reach 17 percent. In general, 35 percent to 40 percent of the dietary crude protein should be undegradable in the rumen (by pass) to maximize milk production.

Fiber

The fiber levels are minimum levels required in the total ration.

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

When diets contain less than the recommended fiber level, metabolic disturbances, such as milk fat depression, may result. The fiber requirement for high milk production is not only a matter of level, but a particle size as well. Forage which has been too finely ground will not maintain normal rumen function and milk fat test.

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

Dairy Cows Feeding

General Goals: knowledge of nutritional requirements and proper feeding techniques during lactation and dry period Specific Objectives: evaluating examples of cow feedings Materials: requirements tables; food analysis; specific productive data; livestock data; dairy extension services sheets Anticipatory Set: discussion about some feeding plans (from real farms) Step-By-Step Procedures: to read the extension service sheet; to find the goals; to identify the paths; to evaluate a feeding plan; to elaborate a feeding plan Working Plan for Independent Practice: giving data to elaborate feeding plans (work in pairs, one nutritional requirement at a time) Ending: asking comments about the previous feeding plans from real farms Assessment Based on Objectives: feeding plan Adaptations (For Students with Learning Disabilities): Extensions (For Gifted Students): feeding plans for three different stages of production Cross-curricular Links: TGA; English

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

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Definitions of common cattle terminology

(adapted from PRIMROSE MC CONNELLS The Agriculture Notebook, Blackwell, Oxford20th, 2003) At birth: male: bull calf female: heifer calf, cow calf First year: male: yearling, year-old bull female: yearling heifer Second year: male: two-year-old bull female: two-year-old heifer Heifer: usually applied to a female over 1 year old, which has not calved. An unmated animal is known as a maiden heifer and a pregnant one as an in-calf heifer. In some areas the term first-calf heifer is used until the birth of a second calf.

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Exercises Work in pairs

a) Match the sentences of box 1 to the sentences of box 2. a b c d e f g h A heifer is usually mated Pregnancy lasts Milk production starts Milk production lasts A heifer usually calves Dry period starts Milk production peak is reached A cow is usually inseminated 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 after calving at an age of about 16 18 months for about 280 days for about 305 days at an age of about 25 28 months about two months after calving about 60-80 days after calving two months before calving

b) Write the sentences above. c) Use the information from the exercise above to complete the following sentences and fill in the gap. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A cow has calved on November 24th. It will reach the milk production peak approximately on ___________ . It will be inseminated approximately on _________. If the first insemination doesnt prove successful, there will be a second insemination after _____ days. Another cow was inseminated on November 20th. It will calve on _____________ . The same cow will be dried off on ____________ .

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d) Try to complete the diagram MID LATE maintain condition

feed to appetite

e) Label the graph

kg

months

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INFORMATION GAP STUDENT A

A graph of lactation curve shows milk yield of cows plotted against time. The period without lactation is called _____________ . (WHAT ? ) The standard lactation is 305 days long.

STUDENT B
A graph of lactation curve shows ____________ . ( WHAT ?)

The period without lactation is called dry period. The standard lactation is _________ long. ( HOW LONG ?) After calving milk production will reach its peak after a period of 4 10 weeks. Milk production decreases __________ after reaching its peak. (HOW MUCH ?) Nutrition is the factor which could limit lactation yield at its peak. A feeding system is based on __________________ . ( WHAT ?) The body condition score is important because it records the condition of a cow.

After calving milk production will reach its peak _________ . ( WHEN ?) Milk production decreases by 10% per month after reaching its peak. _________ is the factor which could limit lactation yield at its peak. ( WHAT ?) A feeding system is based on the conditions of cows at various lactation stages. The body condition score is important ______________ . (WHY ?)

ANSWER KEY: A graph of lactation curve shows milk yield of cows plotted against time. The period without lactation is called dry period. The standard lactation is 305 days long. After calving milk production will reach its peak after a period of 4 10 weeks. Milk production decreases by 10% per month after reaching its peak. Nutrition is the factor which could limit lactation yield at its peak. A feeding system is based on the conditions of cows at various lactation stages. The body condition score is important because it records the condition of a cow.

Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Giovanni Brignoli Gradisca dIsonzo

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