One of the best ways to keep your cows healthy is to feed them silage. There are two types of silage: Corn and Legumes-grass silage. These two types of silage are equally healthy and nutritious for your cows. The right type for your particular species of cattle will depend on its growth rate and nutritional value. For more information about silage for cows, read the article below. If you are not sure which type of silage to use, we’ve got you covered.
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Dry cows
While the list of suitable forages for dry cows is long, there are certain key elements that you must consider. You should choose a dry cow feed that contains adequate energy, is highly palatable and low in cation. Dry cows can also tolerate some forms of vitamin A, which is essential for the development of their immune systems. To help you decide, read this article. In addition, you should consider your own personal circumstances and the costs involved.
The amount of corn silage you can give your dry cows depends on their energy requirements. Corn silage contains about 40% of its dry matter, so a 1310-pound Holstein dry cow can eat up to 30 lbs of corn silage. A smaller dry cow, however, could receive up to 35 lbs of corn silage, which is about 40% of the total ration. This ratio is acceptable, but you should limit corn silage to a maximum of 40% of the dry matter.
Heifers
Fall calvers approach peak lactation about 60 days after calving and therefore need higher amounts of protein in their diet. To meet these needs, producers may feed corn silage to heifers as a supplement to lower-energy forages. However, producers should ensure that the corn silage they feed is enriched with protein. This will ensure that the heifers get enough energy and are able to grow well.
Heifers should be fed high-quality silage containing approximately 12% crude protein. This amount is primarily based on their weight and growth rate, but it is also important to include a source of soluble protein. The rumen digests soluble protein and rumen degradable crude protein. Heifers also consume small amounts of urea, which has improved the retention of nitrogen in the diet.
Corn silage
The nutrients in corn silage can vary from year to year. The nutrient content is directly related to the amount of moisture present in the crop. For example, silage with 45 percent dry matter contains 1.5 times the amount of nutrients per ton of silage as one with 30 percent. However, it is important to understand how much moisture there is in a particular corn silage before comparing it to other feeds.
The quality of corn silage is determined by the energy and protein content and the intake potential. The fiber digestibility of the feed can be assessed by comparing the percentage of dietary fiber degraded in a test tube to that of rumen fluid in a live animal. However, these tests are more complex and time consuming than ADF determination. However, they can help producers choose the best forage for their animals.
Legumes-grass silage
Unlike traditional grasses, legumes are highly digestible and are therefore preferred as forage crops for livestock. However, these legumes are not suited for all grazing systems, and they differ in their persistence and productivity. Legumes differ from grasses in several ways, including their length of tap root and leaf surface. These factors determine their ability to thrive in various conditions. While legumes have long tap roots, they tend to tolerate drought more efficiently than shallowly-rooted grasses. In addition to their high protein content, they also provide energy, which is crucial for all animal functions.
When making silage, producers must ensure that the chopped grass is distributed evenly and that the center of the mixture is level. The immature silage does not require tramping; however, mature silage may need tramping. In both cases, the silage should be cut into 1-inch-long pieces. However, it is important to note that the quality of the silage depends on its maturity. The higher the protein content, the better.
Inoculants
Inoculants for feeding cows silag are a proven way to improve the quality of the feed. Research on the use of inoculants demonstrates that they can reduce dry matter shrinkage by 5 to 10%, and improve milk yields. However, the effectiveness of inoculants is based on careful management and careful monitoring. Here are a few factors to consider before using an inoculant.
o Boost the fermentation process: Inoculants for feeding cows silag should contain bacteria that enhance the fermentation process. Some bacteria, called homofermentative bacteria, are known to promote better fermentation, reducing DM losses, protein breakdown, and the growth of undesirable microorganisms. Other bacteria, known as heterofermentative bacteria, convert forage sugars to acetic acid, lactic acid, and acetic acids. These bacteria promote aerobic stability of silage by preventing the growth of unwanted yeast and mold.
Preventing mycotoxins in silage
The key to preventing mycotoxins in cows’ silage is the prevention of storage mold. These fungi need oxygen to grow, and while most types do not require high levels of moisture, the presence of a storage mold will decrease the palatability and nutrient value of the silage. Fortunately, there are several methods to control the growth and production of storage molds. The first option involves field applications.
Mycotoxins are produced by various types of molds, including Penicillium roqueforti. This mold can cause a variety of health problems in ruminants, and the most common form is called Penicillium roqueforti. In addition to penicillic acid, the PR toxin is a neurotoxin that causes inflammatory responses in animals.
