Choosing the right cow feed is essential if you are planning to produce high quality milk for your animals. You can use different types of forage to provide your cows with the necessary nutrients. In addition to green grass, they should be fed with 15-20 kilograms of chopped forage per day. Dry feeds include Maize Stover, Wheat Straw, and other vegetable by products. Poor quality hay needs to be soaked in molasses or water before feeding them. To add more fiber to their diet, use Calliandra (a perennial plant). The plant provides high amounts of protein to dairy cows, which they use to build their bodies and produce milk.
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Oilseeds
Several studies have suggested that full-fat oilseeds may have an effect on methane emissions and milk fatty acid composition. However, comparing different fat sources and supplementation levels is difficult. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of supplemental oilseed diets on methane emissions and milk fatty acid composition. In addition, four Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 4×4 Latin square design. All trials were conducted over 28-day periods.
Studies have shown that adding supplemental oilseeds to cow diets reduces the content of milk saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The effects of supplementation depend on the type and quantity of oilseeds fed. The addition of partially disrupted plant oils (PLFO) has less effect on milk fat and protein concentration than feeding the whole plants. The additional amount of PLFOs may contribute to protection of the rumen.
Legume hay
While grass hay and alfalfa are excellent choices for cattle, legume hay contains more protein than grass hay. Most experts recommend a combination of the two, alternating the grass hay and alfalfa. A combination of the two may help minimize the risk of bloat, as well. Beef cattle also benefit from legume hay, which contains a high level of protein.
In addition to grass hay, legume hay contains higher energy values and more calcium than grass hay. It is also lower in phosphorus and calcium than alfalfa. Some producers prefer a combination of grass hay and legume hay for beef cattle. If you’re wondering which is best for your cows, read on. Here’s what you need to know about these three types of hay.
Green grass
Turning cows out to pasture to forage for green grass is a great way to increase your cash flow. However, the lack of green grass can negatively affect the health of the cows, as well as the quality of the milk they produce. Instead, feed them other kinds of grass like fodder maize, guinea grass, Rhodes grass, pearl millet, and para grass. These can increase the amount of protein and other nutrients they receive, which means higher quality milk and better overall health.
There is still some uncertainty about the flavor of grass-based milk. It is not known whether it is more nutrient-dense or less nutrient-dense, but studies have shown that grass-based milk contains more carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins than other forms of milk. Grazing cows’ milk is yellower in color and contains more b-carotene. In addition, the concentration of fat-soluble antioxidants was higher in grass-based milk than in non-grazing cows’ milk. However, more research is needed to determine if it’s better to switch to green grass or not.
Grain mixes
Various grains have different amounts of essential nutrients. High-moisture corn is a great choice for feed. It provides fiber, protein, and low TDN. Grain with a higher TDN should be limited to about 15 to 25 percent of the feed mix. Barley is a good alternative to corn and a source of energy. Barley should not be fed to chickens in large amounts. Barley is an excellent grain for milk production.
The level of protein in a grain mix depends on the type and quality of forage. A cow’s peak production period is from six to eight weeks of age and ten to twelve weeks of age in first lactation. Grain intake during this time is influenced by a number of factors, including stage of lactation, milk yield, fat percentage, and nutritional status. Table 3 provides guidelines for the amount of protein in the best grain mixes for milk production in mid-lactation cows fed an average forage. Moreover, cows fed a grain mix that contains 4% protein must be boosted by a minimum of 10 percent if the forage is of low quality or ammoniated.
Urea
While many ruminants prefer to eat grains for their high protein content, urea can be an effective source of protein in beef cattle diets. However, the cost of feed grains makes urea use economically feasible only in certain circumstances. The following are some important considerations to consider when using urea as a protein source. These include: age and body weight of the cow. Cattle below 250 kilograms should not be fed urea.
The maximum amount of urea in feeds should not exceed 30 percent of the total protein requirement. Feeding twice a day is recommended. A higher percentage of urea may cause ammonia overload and lower intake. In addition, urea can destabilize milk urea nitrogen levels. Therefore, it is best to feed the cows four to five pounds of QLF products each day.
