Thursday, 27 October 2022 13:55

Balance protein, energy to boost BCS

Written by  Staff Reporters
Feeding quality pasture and supplements will be crucial for getting cows in calf and putting milk in the vat Feeding quality pasture and supplements will be crucial for getting cows in calf and putting milk in the vat

As dairy farmers head into mating with lower cow body condition scores than last season, feeding quality pasture and supplements will be crucial for getting cows in calf and putting milk in the vat.

A ruminant nutritionist for Grain- Corp, Christian Muller, says as cows start mating, the risks and rewards of feeding rise sharply, so it’s time for dairy farmers to be wary.

“Getting cows’ nutrition balance right will enable dairy farmers to hit high production numbers and have good cow responses to mating. Get it wrong and the problems will mount.

“Cows are experiencing big energy shifts right now. This season has put a lot of stress on animals and we’re seeing cows approach mating with lower body condition than last year.

“Good quality pasture and supplementary feed are going to be important to help cows get into calf and put milk in the vat.”

Muller says choosing the right feed is more than just filling a cow’s stomach.

“Most farmers know how the rumen of their cows functions, but what they’re less aware of is that they are not only feeding the cow but also billions of bacteria living inside the rumen,” says Muller.

“I’ve had the privilege of studying the science of how the rumen functions for most of my working life, first in South Africa, then at Kansas State University for my Masters. The rumen is a fascinating nutrient factory.

“Inside the rumen there is a mutually beneficial relationship between bacteria and the cow, which means both organisms help each other. Bacteria break down feed consumed by the cow (pasture and other feed ingredients) and provide nutrients to the cow (such as protein, energy, minerals, & vitamins). The cow gives bacteria a healthy environment to live and grow in. One species can’t survive without the other.

“Cows need energy and protein in the right balance, not only to produce milk but also to allow the cow to become pregnant in a timely manner. For cows to get these elements from the grass, they need bacteria to break the feed down into nutrient forms the animals can use.”

To explain why rumen bacteria are important, Muller likens the activity of bacteria to kids playing with Lego.

“Healthy microbes are a source of energy and protein to the cow. Crude protein in feed is the building blocks for the bacteria to produce more bacteria, which means more protein and energy is available to the cow.

“To put these building blocks together, bacteria need fermentable energy. If there are lots of building blocks but the bacteria kids are too tired to put them together, they can’t build as many new structures. Or, if the kids are active but there aren’t enough building blocks, the number of newly built structures will also be limited.”

The key to optimum cow productivity is getting the energy-protein balance right, he adds.

More like this

Don't reduce supplementary feed

As the new dairy season gets underway and farmers tackle ongoing financial challenges, they are being urged not to make hasty decisions about selling cows and cutting back on supplementary feed.

More rain, less sun bring feed woes

Slow pasture growth over the last couple of months, combined with a wet October and lack of sunshine, could see cows short on crucial energy, fibre and protein as mating gets into full swing across the country.

Plan ahead to beat feed woes

With calving underway, dairy farmers are being urged to plan ahead, as feed availability is affected by global shortages along with slow and intermittent international shipping.

Achieving BCS targets

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the assessment of the amount of fat covering the bones of a dairy cow, regardless of her body size.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

Winter grazing warning

Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.

ANZ defends farm lending rates

The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.

Machinery & Products

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo…

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Review SOEs!

OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…

Bank reset

OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter