Nutrition and GI: Practical Nutrition

Question 1

What are the different feeding systems for lactating cows?

Answer 1

Traditional
* Silage at barrier, cake in parlour
* Grazing in summer and cake in parlour

TMR
* all food at barrier

Hybrid
* Partial mixed ration at barrier and cake in parlour

Buffer feeding
* TMR or forage to supplement grazing in summer

Question 2

What are the benefits of TMR?

Answer 2

• Higher yield cows can eat more
• Encourages maximal DMI
• Consistent pH of rumen
• Forage/conc balanced in every mouthful

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of hybrid feeding?

Answer 3

Pros
* Accurate rationing
* Resources focussed on peak yielding cows
* Can feed enough energy to high yielders
* Don;t over feed low yielders as mixed ration can be less energy dense than TMR

Cons
* If fed in parlour- less at barrier
* Less at barrier- less long fibre
* Less rumination and buffering- SARA

Question 4

When should rye grass be harvested for optimal M/D?

Answer 4

Cut as 4th leaf emerging- oldest leaf dying

Most energy

Question 5

What should pre and post grazing height of grass be for cows?

Answer 5

Pre- 10cm
Post- 4cm

Question 6

How can nutritional status be monitored?

Answer 6

• BCS
• DMI
• Milk quality
• Biochem
• Cudding
• Rumen fill
• Faeces
• Cleanliness
• Lying time

Question 7

Why can purely energy dense diets not be given to cows?

Answer 7

• The lower the DMI and starch the higher the chance of acidosis
• Increased fibre- more rumination, higher pH
• Higher the fibre- lower the DMI

NDF- neutral detergent fibre

Question 8

How can nutrition be assessed using farm data

Answer 8

• Bulk tank milk composition
• Milk fatty acids- NMR energy balance
• Cow side BHB monitoring
• Costings

Question 9

How should feed access be designed?

Answer 9

• Minimise stress/competition for feed and water
• 60cm for milkers
• 80cm for dry
• 90-cm close to calving
• 24 hour access