There are many benefits of feeding dairy cattle a variety of different feed supplements. These supplements can support the health of the rumen, the reproductive system, and overall profitability of the dairy operation. Below, you will learn about the most important benefits of feed supplements for dairy cows. All dairy cattle need these nutrients to survive and thrive. In addition to providing essential nutrients, dairy cattle feed supplements can help improve udder health and fertility. Listed below are just a few examples of the benefits of dairy cattle feed supplements.
Contents
Minerals
It is important to consider the total dietary mineral intake of cattle before choosing a dairy cattle feed supplement. Trace minerals are essential for good nutrition of cattle. Many of the mineral feed supplements are packaged in 50-pound bags. This means that a beef cow consumes almost two bags a year if it is fed four ounces of mineral mix every day. This makes the total cost of one supplement per head nearly double the annual requirement.
The NRC has set nutritional requirements for cattle and has calculated the mineral requirement of HF crossbred cows, which produce approximately 10 kg of milk and 4 percent fat. The requirements for Cu, Mg, S and Cu are inadequate, but the safety factor for Co is low. A lack of trace minerals may impact a cow’s health, reproduction, and profitability. To this end, there is extensive research on the topic.
Protein
Dairy cows require a high level of protein in their diets because they use amino acids to produce milk proteins. There are two basic systems for determining protein content in a diet, the metabolizable and crude protein systems. The crude protein system uses the total dietary nitrogen content, and the equivalent protein from nonprotein nitrogen sources. The amount of crude protein is determined by multiplying N content by 6.25. In dry summers, dairy cows require low levels of protein, so producers supplement with protein.
Several types of dietary supplements are available for dairy cattle, and each is marketed according to its nutritional content and energy content. The three main nutrient categories are protein and energy, followed by dry matter and fibre. Many dietary supplements contain agro-industrial by-products. The most common dairy concentrates are blended with agro-industrial by-products. The main concern is that they can cause acidosis and balance problems. However, many farmers use these products for other purposes, including increasing the milk yield of cattle.
Vitamins
In addition to providing nutritional support for the cow’s immune system, vitamin supplements are often used to prevent aseptic subclinical laminitis and increase milk yield. In fact, there are more studies on biotin’s effect on milk yield than on other vitamins. The purpose of supplementing cow’s feed with vitamins is to ensure they will continue producing high-quality milk, which will ultimately benefit the bottom line.
For starters, cows need vitamin A in their diet. A lack of this nutrient can cause night blindness. Vitamin A deficiency is easily diagnosed by placing an obstacle in the cattle’s path. Other signs include a loss of appetite, dull eyes, and slowed gains. In younger animals, diarrhea or pneumonia are early indicators. Later, excessive watering of the eyes, lameness and swelling of the legs can occur. Advanced vitamin A deficiency can also lead to convulsions and hock joint stiffness.
Fat
Recent reports have raised questions about the use of fat in dairy cattle feed supplements, but the association is not convinced that the practice has any negative effect on milk production. Many factors determine cows’ diets, such as climate, soil conditions, and seasonality. However, common feeds have been used for decades in a targeted way to meet energy needs. Animal nutrition experts and veterinarians decide on the exact rations. But what exactly is fat?
The effects of fat in dairy cattle feed supplements can be quite significant. Research indicates that the fatty acids linoleic acid and palmitic acid have on milk production in dairy cows are important. It is not clear if these two acids can improve reproductive performance, but adding them to a dairy herd’s diet can significantly boost milk yield, body condition score, and fertility. Adding them to feeds may also improve calf health.
Phosphorus
It is essential to provide phosphorus in adequate quantities to dairy cattle for optimal growth, feed efficiency, and milk production. Providing excess amounts of phosphorus will not improve milk production, and it will increase the amount of phosphorus excreted in the feces. Furthermore, adding excessive amounts of phosphorus to the diet will result in an additional acreage of cropland to dispose of manure.
There is some evidence to support the use of phosphorus in dairy cattle feed supplements. Several studies have shown that cattle’s milk and fecal excretion can be impacted by low levels of phosphorus in the feed. One study involving phosphorus and milk production found that a high level of phosphorus in the ration decreased the milk yield and the incidence of botulism among dairy cattle. Other studies have shown that adding phosphorus to the diet reduces the risk of botulism and calf depravation.
