Choosing the best food for your cow is a hugely important decision. There are a number of factors to consider when making the choice, including the quality and type of hay and grasses available to you. The key is finding the best combination of nutrients to promote healthy digestion and provide your cow with all the energy and nutrition it needs.
Silage
Choosing the right feed for your cows is a major concern. Silage is a high-quality food for cattle, but poor handling can lead to a decline in feed quality and health problems. In addition, it is critical to use the right additives to enhance the stability and nutritional value of silage for your animals.
There are two general types of inoculants used to increase fermentation: dry and liquid. These inoculants must be stored correctly to ensure they work properly. For best results, choose an inoculant that contains certain strains of Lactobacillus buchneri bacteria, which have been shown to improve the aerobic stability of silage. These bacteria also produce lactic and acetic acids.
A common microbial inoculant is propionic acid, which inhibits mold growth. This is often sold in buffered form. Propionic acid is 90 percent water soluble and is commonly used to treat very acidic silages.
Propionic acid is sold in both salt and buffered form. It is a primary ingredient in many preservative products.
In addition, liquid inoculants are more effective if the moisture content of the silage is 70 percent. The rehydration time is shorter than with dry inoculants. This maximizes the fermentation time.
Molds prefer a moderate pH to grow. They need spores and substrate to thrive. Some molds produce mycotoxins to gain a competitive advantage.
Grass hay
Grass hay is a type of hay that is used to feed cows. Depending on the plant species, it can contain more or less protein, fiber, calories, and nutrients. Besides, it can be used as roughage for horses.
During harvest, hay is cut to the level of about 15% of the plants. It is then dried and stacked. During drying, the hay loses less nutrients.
The protein content of grass hay can range from 6% to 10%. It may also be lower in calcium and phosphorus. It is a good source of roughage for horses, but it may not provide adequate nutrition for cows.
Grass hay is made from several kinds of grasses, including brome, rye, orchard grass, or Timothy. They are all very nutritious, but they all have different requirements. Some cattle need more protein than others.
In addition to the nutritional value of the grass, the quality of the hay is affected by the growing conditions. For example, hay that grows slowly in cool weather is usually more palatable. It contains more nutrients per pound and can help improve rumen function. Changing the diet of an animal, however, can alter the pH balance in the rumen.
The types of hay that are best for a cow depend on its size, lactation status, and breed. It is also important to know that some types of hays can affect the health of pregnant cows.
Cottonseed
Whether you’re a breeder, milk producer or stocker, whole cottonseed is one of the best foods for your cows. It offers a wide range of nutrients and can support high milk production.
Whole cottonseed has a high fat content, but it also contains fiber. This slow-release fat is beneficial for the rumen. It allows the rumen to function properly, which reduces the risk of overwhelming the microbiome.
In addition, whole cottonseed is highly digestible. It’s an ideal supplement for poor quality grass hay, as well as for pregnant and nursing cows.
It’s also an effective energy supplement. Its protein concentrations are higher than those of other feeds. In fact, it can increase butterfat and boost milk production. It’s a good addition to a ration that already includes grains and minerals.
Whole cottonseed also supports the rumen, and can help in maintaining a cow’s condition. This makes it an excellent choice for producers looking for a cost-effective way to boost butterfat and milk production.
However, cottonseed has some limitations. It has a high fat/oil content, which can lead to diarrhea. You’ll need to monitor the amount of fat in your ration. A recommended feeding level for mature cows is 0.5 percent of their body weight.
