Explore all the information on
Additives and feedstuffs in dairy cattle nutrition
Welcome to the page about Additives and feedstuffs in dairy cattle nutrition of Engormix; a source of knowledge on Additives and feedstuffs in dairy cattle nutrition.
Courtesy of the 41st Annual University of Nottingham Feed Conference Our thanks to the author and Conference Organisers, a Committee consisting of both University and Industry colleagues. The full paper will appear in the Conference Proceedings ('Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition - 2007', edited by Phil Garnsworthy and Julian Wiseman) published by Nottingham University Press in...
Comments : 3
Recommendations: 0
Reducing cull rates and improving fertility in early lactation has a dramatic effect on the profitability of many dairies. Continuing research on transition cow nutrition has led to the development of an array of nutritional strategies to prevent disorders during the transition period. It is important, however, to realize that some of these strategies have similar modes of action, and as such, their effects are not likely to be additive. Producers should work...
Comments : 4
Recommendations: 0
Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were used to determine the production response to the inclusion of brown seaweed in the basal diet during summer heat stress. Cows were blocked by lactation number, days in milk, and energy-corrected milk and then allotted to either a control or control + brown seaweed diet. Cattle on the brown seaweed diet were fed 4 ounces per cow per day for 7 days , and then 2 ounces per cow per day for 14 days, before the start of the experiment. All cattle were housed...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
NEXT Enhance® 300 is a standardised combination of garlic oil and cinnamaldehyde, an active ingredient of cinnamon extract. This combination acts to optimise fermentation characteristics in the dairy cow leading to higher milk production and milk component yields for the user. Continuing to understand the mechanisms behind the consistent benefits in animal trials, Carotenoid Technologies SA (CaroTech®) has worked exclusively with the Zootechnical Department at the University of...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
The role of pasture in dairy management systems is lessening with the trend towards more intensive operations and increased production. The high moisture content of pasture makes it difficult for milking cows to consume the large amounts of feed necessary to support the high levels of production expected. Many dairy producers do, however, effectively utilize pasture as part of their feeding program. Advantages of pasture include improved health and reproduction due to exercise, more...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Depending on cost, byproducts from the grain-processing industry can have an economic advantage in your dairy rations. The following is information adapted from “Economics of Making Nutritional Decisions with Volatile Feed Prices,” an article Normand St-Pierre of Ohio State University and Joanna Knapp of Fox Hollow Consulting presented at the High Plains Dairy Conference in Albuquerque, N.M., this spring. Strategically, one should benefit from maximizing the use of feeds...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Essential oils are not required by dairy animals, but rather are compounds that have an aroma or “essence”. Some examples are allicin from garlic, thymol from thyme and oregano, capsaicin from hot peppers, eugenol from cloves, pinene from Juniper berries, limonene from dill, and cinnamonaldehyde from cinnamon, to mention a few common oils (see table). These compounds are usually an oily substance that is recovered by a steam distillation process. The most common and important activities of...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 1
A call came in the other day about feed costs. This producer’s costs had increased like everyone else's, but he was wondering about substitutions for soybean meal in the lactating cow ration. The August crop report had just come out and the concern was that the low soybean yield estimate would cause protein prices to increase. Just the month before, he had experienced a big increase in animal protein prices. To answer his question, our discussion focused on three things. First, the...
Comments : 6
Recommendations: 0
The general guideline out of Cornell University is to have a growth goal for dairy calves of doubling their birth weight by 56 days of age. For example, a heifer calf that weighs 100 lb at birth should be fed a balance of nutrients in order to reach a weight of 200 lb by day 56. This means the calf must have an average daily gain (ADG) of 1.78 lb/day over that time period. Let’s assume with a group of calves that the ADG goal has been met, the calves are strong and healthy, and now it’s...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
The hot days in May are a reminder the heat of summer is coming. As we move into June, July, August and even September the hot days of summer will challenge our dairy cows. It is not too early to begin making changes in your diets to help cows manage the stresses of heat and humidity. When cows actually feel heat stress is a function of both temperature and humidity. In very dry conditions, 10 to 20% humidity, cows may not show signs of heat stress until temperatures are in the mid to...
Comments : 4
Recommendations: 0
Ethanol is produced when starch in corn grain is fermented. Most other constituents in the grain remain unchanged. The end product of the corn is distiller’s grains or DDGS (distiller’s grains with solubles). The DDGS retain the original fatty acids, protein, and phosphorus. In addition, variability in the grain nutrient content used in the fermentation process and the actual process itself results in a feed with variable nutrient content. Distiller’s grains can be fed either in the wet (less...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
If you are buying very much feed from off farm sources, you are well aware of higher feed prices. But what is your feed cost per cow per day or feed cost per hundred weight? What is a reasonable cost in today’s market? Is there anything you can do to alleviate some of the tightening of margins? Below is a feed cost calculator worksheet. It is a guide to calculate the cost per head per day for any animal on your farm whether they are a lactating or dry cow as well as calves or heifers....
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Dietary cation-anion difference, or DCAD, is a measure you should be using in both dry and lactating cows. In close-up dry cows, a negative DCAD can help prevent metabolic problems and in lactating cows, a positive DCAD can help increase milk production and milk components. The most common equation to determine DCAD is based on the dietary concentration of the cation minerals sodium (Na) and potassium (K), and the anion minerals chloride (Cl) and sulfur (S). The DCAD formula is as...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Fats, or lipids, are part of all dairy cattle diets and are an essential component of them. All dairy animals consume forages, which are typically 3 to 3.5% fat or higher whether alfalfa, grass or corn silage. Additionally, corn grain is about 3.5% fat as well. Lactating cow diets with additional feeds such as cottonseed or corn distillers would have a basal diet level of over 4% fat. As milk production has increased, the need for greater energy density in lactating cow diets has necessitated...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Several surveys and clinical studies have shown that approximately 30% of all calves fail to absorb adequate amounts of antibodies from colostrum even when adequate quantities of colostrum are fed early in life. These calves face an increased risk of disease during the first month of life until their immune system begins producing antibodies. Research from several studies sheds some light on why calves fail to absorb colostrum antibodies. A study conducted at Va. Tech by Bob James...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
The decision to use pasture as a major source of nutrients for milking cows must be accompanied by a strong commitment to properly manage the pasture. Determining soil fertility status, choosing a fertilization program, selecting appropriate forage species, and controlling grazing are important elements of a pasture management program. Soil Testing and Pasture Fertilization Soil nutrient status varies widely from field to field on...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
Feed additives are typically not fed free choice because force-feeding ensures consumption of a needed nutrient. The exception has sometimes been salt, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium bentonite. We know animals have an appetite for salt and will self regulate. Many free choice minerals are salt based in an attempt to regulate the intake of minerals and vitamins in the mix. Also sodium bicarbonate has been offered free choice because of the belief that cows will consume extra during...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
The effect of alcohol in the silage fed to cows is being studied in a new project at the University of Aarhus. Many of us have faced the challenge of trying to walk a straight line after having consumed a wee dram or two! It now appears that cows may also have a problem with balance if they consume alcohol. And this they will do most days – at least if they eat maize or grass silage, which is a major constituent of the daily ration fed to dairy cows in Denmark. Scientists at the...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
The biodiesel industry is producing a byproduct called glycerin. Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a colorless, odorless, water soluble, sweet-tasting viscous liquid. Glycerol in the purest form is used extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Glycerin is similar in chemical formula (CH2OH-CHOH-CH2OH) to propylene glycol (CH3-CHOH-CH2OH) and has replaced propylene glycol as a glucose source in a few transition cow research studies. The current interest is to see...
Comments : 0
Recommendations: 0
In recent times there has been a global shift back to pasture-based dairy farming led largely by the “clean green” push. Although philosophically this may be the correct move by the dairy industry, care must be exercised that it is achieved in a thoughtful, controlled way in order for the appropriate management to be employed and sensible decisions made. The danger is in embracing radical changes without thoughtful and balanced evaluation of the potential consequences. Many times we...
Comments : 2
Recommendations: 0
