Key Factors To Achieving Nutrition Consistency

As weeks and months go by in a cow’s lactation, changes can disrupt the normal calm cows appreciate. Forage changes, ration updates, new feed ingredients, weather challenges and other factors can affect the cow’s nutrition pattern. Added on top of that are the changes the cow goes through herself around getting pregnant, meeting the needs of the growing calf and the transition process. It’s a challenge, but producers need to focus on consistency to keep these disruptions to a minimum.

Consider three factors when achieving consistency in feeding and nutrition:

· Feedstuff harvest and storage

· Mixing and delivery

· Managing the rumen

Harvest and Store Forages

The path to consistency starts in the way feeds are harvested, purchased and stored.

Harvest forages quickly to reduce variability in nutrient quality, digestibility and dry matter. Even though Mother Nature can have an impact on harvest timing, make sure equipment and staff are ready to go when the crop is ready.

Regarding forage storage, speed and patience are important. Move quickly to get forages into storage facilities, then take the time to get it packed well. It’s important to create a well-preserved forage across the bunker, pad, bag or silo so each batch of forage is similar.

Reduce variation with commodity feeds by working with a reputable supplier dedicated to producing consistent product. Sometimes consistency comes with a higher price tag, but it can be worth the investment if cows are more content.

Follow Mix and Delivery Protocols

If forages and feedstuffs are harvested and stored properly, the next area to focus on is in mixing and delivery of the actual ration. Follow these tips to reduce variability in this process:

· Protocols: Have protocols in place to guide the mixing and delivery process, and check on the process regularly to make sure those protocols are being followed.

· Dry matter. Check dry matter content daily. Even small variations in dry matter can have a significant impact on the amount of feed mixed and delivered, causing either over or under delivery of feed. This is especially important when feeding large groups.

· Maintain the mixer. The mixer wagon is one of the most-used pieces of equipment on the dairy. Work with your equipment dealer to create a maintenance schedule so rations from every batch are mixed consistently. In addition, steam clean or pressure wash the mixer once a month to improve feed hygiene.

· Delivery consistency. You want to keep feed in front of cows at all times, so make sure protocols are followed closely so feeds are delivered at the same time every day. Once feed has been delivered, make sure it’s pushed up on a regular basis throughout the day so feed is fresh and available at all times.

· Record pen changes. Make sure cow movements are reflected in the feeding software so the right amount of feed is delivered to avoid under or over feeding.

Manage the Rumen

With feed harvest, storage, mixing and delivery refined, we need to make sure the rumen is well-balanced and ready to consume the diet.

Make sure these products are in your ration to maintain rumen consistency:

· Buffers. High-producing cows need a pound of buffer each day to help maintain a proper rumen pH and account for any variability in sorting.

· Refined Functional Carbohydrates™ (RFCs™). Help animals cope with environmental challenges that could be impacting the cow by including RFCs in the diet. This includes controlling the impact of mycotoxins on gut health.

· Focus on feed hygiene. Pathogens are generally present in any environment, so it’s important to reduce pathogen loads whenever possible. Using a bacillus-based feed ingredient can help reduce incidence of pathogens, including clostridia, in your nutrition system.

Cows thrive on consistency. If something happens to change that schedule, bad things happen. By focusing on the basics of proper harvest and storage, following mixing and feed protocols, and getting the rumen and gut ready for high levels of nutrition, you can avoid some of the variation pitfalls dairy producers face.