There are a variety of ingredients that dairy cows can enjoy without worrying about the quality of the grain. There is a wide variety of grains and other ingredients to choose from, but some of the most nutritious are not as widely available as others. Here are some healthy alternatives: Canola meal, Barley grain, Citrus pulp, Leftovers, and a few by-products of the food industry. Which ingredient is best for dairy cows?
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Barley grain
Barley is a high-fiber cereal grain that is commonly used for cattle diets. While barley is easily digestible for humans, large ruminants cannot chew it. As such, barley is typically milled, rolled, steam-flaked, ground, or pelleted. Tempering involves adding water to barley 24 hours before rolling to increase the moisture content to 180 to 200 g/kg.
Canola meal
Canola meal is a highly digestible protein that is one of the most beneficial for milk production in dairy cows. Research conducted by Kenneth Kalscheur at the University of Wisconsin and US Dairy Forage Research Center shows that canola meal increases milk production by up to one kilogram per day when fed in rations that contain different amounts of protein. The amino acid profile of canola meal is also superior to those of other plant proteins.
Citrus pulp
A by-product of the citrus industry, citrus pulp is a rich source of energy for ruminants. This material is usually discarded, causing environmental pollution and disposal issues. It consists of the peel, inside residue, and culled fruit. Cattle will readily eat citrus pulp, which is equivalent to between 50 and 65 percent of the fresh fruit. While it is not the best grain for dairy cows, it can be used to supplement cow feed.
Leftovers
By-products from industrial food production are ideal for cattle. In the Midwest, cows eat up to 41 different by-products. These include potato and vegetable tops, and sweet corn cannery waste. Food waste can be up to 40 percent of food production in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cattle can digest these waste products, and it can provide them with energy and nutrients that humans can’t.
Unprocessed cereal grains
Cereal grains are high-energy, low-fiber, low-protein feeds. Their high energy levels and similar calcium and phosphorus levels are similar to forages. The most common cereal grain is corn, which is 20 to 25 percent cob and 70 to 80 percent grain. Triticale and wheat are low-grain feeds. Wheat may be less digestible and requires special preparation. But they are still high-quality feed ingredients.
Soy
Soy is a nutritious source of protein, energy, and fat for dairy cattle. When processed correctly, soybeans can provide the same amount of protein as corn or grain-based rations. Whether soybeans are heat-treated or not can help provide a variety of nutrients for a dairy cow’s diet. But the key to feeding soybeans to dairy cows is knowing the limitations and benefits of soybeans.
Sugar
If you’re looking for the best grain for dairy cows, you’ve probably heard about sugar. While a small amount of sugar in a dairy cow’s diet won’t hurt the cow, too much can hurt the cow’s health and milk fat yield. Fortunately, sugar is not as expensive as some people might think. A small amount of sugar added to a dairy cow’s diet can have a huge impact on its performance.
