Maximising Production And Feed Efficiency Over Summer

Some common signs of protein deficiency in the diet include undigested grain and fibrous material in the manure, lazy cows that are walking slow to and from the dairy and in the paddock, changes in body condition and production below what they should be getting from the current diet. Heifer feeding is also an important thing to consider during summer. Heifers require more protein than the milking cows as they need to develop their skeletal frame and the lack of other high protein pasture during the dry months. This article provides some helpful information on how you can keep your stock in top condition over the harsh summer months.

Balancing protein in the diet during summer
During the summer months cows require increased protein in supplements primarily because they do not get enough from pasture at this time compared to the Spring months. There are two types of protein available; un-degradable protein (UDP) and rumen degradable protein (RDP). RDP is the protein used by the rumen microbes to assist in the digestion of feeds. Some common feed sources of RDP used in the diet are lupins, peas and lucerne hay. UDP such as canola meal, can also be added to help the cows appetite and assist in increasing milk production. The amount of protein required in the diet will vary from farm to farm and will depend on the cow milk yield.

Assessing and managing silage quality
The quality of your silage can greatly affect how well the cows will produce over the summer months. The most accurate way to determine silage quality is to do a feed test which gives an accurate indication of energy, protein, and fibre content of the silage. A few other ways to get a good idea of quality is to inspect and smell a sample of silage. The silage should look a pale green colour; where a darker brown or green colour can indicate over heating or over wet silage. The silage should have a mild, pleasant acidic smell similar to sour milk or natural yoghurt. A mouldy, vinegar, or caramel smell can indicate poorer quality silage.

To increase silage quality during conservation, aim to cut silage at the vegetative state with very little stalk matter making sure it is not too wet and is kept well covered. Wet and ill-covered silage can lead to high levels of mycotoxins which can have a major affect on the health and production of cows. To reduce the chances of mould and toxin development, silage needs to be tightly covered with minimal oxygen trapped inside the plastic. Most farmers will have silage of varying quality which needs to be managed properly in the cowsdiet. In the complete diet, poorer quality silage should be put in with higher quality feed to meet the energy, protein and fibre requirements of the cows.

Endophytes in ryegrass
Endophytes are fungus that live in the tissue of plants and are found in many varieties of ryegrass. They are particularly dangerous to cattle coming into the warmer summer months due to the endophytes moving from the base of the plant into the seed head which cattle will readily graze. Signs of ryegrass staggers, which is caused by cattle eating endophytes from plants, include -

• Muscle tremors
• Drop in milk production
• Loss of co-ordination
• Scouring
• Reduced fertility

If signs of ryegrass staggers are noticed in the herd there are products available which can be added to grain and pellets to help prevent and treat cattle affect by endophytes.

Contact Irwin Stockfeeds for all your information on in feed additives used to combat feed problems and increase your production and feed efficiency.

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