Think intake when planning winter feeding
Dairy farmers must focus on dry matter intakes as part of their wider feeding strategy in order to improve herd performance this winter, according to Alltech UK's ruminant technical manager David Wilde.
Speaking at the +1000Plus dairy conference series this month (October 2003), Mr Wilde pointed to current forage quality issues that increase the need for a policy on intakes this winter but also stressed a more general need for greater attention in this area.
"Early forage analyses suggest that this season's grass silage is in many cases very stemmy and high in fibre, and also low in energy," he said. "Maize has had a good year and many crops will have produced silage with a high starch content. However, there have been some very heavy crops with considerable leaf and stem dry matter produced, and a lot of crops have matured very early and been cut later than the optimum.
"Given the possible issues around digestibility with both grass and maize silage, farmers will need to pay greater attention than usual to intakes, particularly in high yielding early lactation cows.
"A lot can be done in terms of availability and presentation of forages, but the most crucial point will be to ensure the rumen is functioning to its maximum potential for effective fibre digestion."
Mr Wilde went on to explain the importance of creating the correct rumen environment for fibre digestion, by allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive.
"High performing cows require help in order to overcome the forces at work in the rumen and achieve optimum intakes and utilisation of forage," he said. "This is where the live yeast culture Yea-Sacc1026 can play such a vital role.
"Yeast requires oxygen to live in the rumen, and this specific strain is highly efficient at scavenging what it needs and therefore reducing the levels in the rumen, creating the oxygen-free conditions that the rumen bacteria require. The yeast then has a secondary role in secreting a specific peptide that increases the populations of beneficial bacteria that are active in digesting fibre. Bacteria stimulated by the peptide also use up lactic acid that results from starchy feeds. Removal of lactic acid in this way reduces the risk of acidosis."
David Wilde revealed a number of studies carried out on Yea-Sacc and its positive effects on populations of beneficial rumen bacteria and dry matter intakes. Data presented on the effect of Yea-Sacc on milk yield showed increases of 1.5litres/cow/day on average over the whole lactation.
Alltech UK's +1000Plus dairy conference dairy conference series was staged in Cumbria (Shepherds Inn and The Auctioneer, Carlisle, 14th October); Shropshire (Harper Adams College on 15th October) and Somerset (Royal Bath & West Showground, 16th October).
The events attracted a total of around 300 dairy farmers and feed trade delegates.
