Our top tips for optimal grazing in dairy cows!
The grazing period is almost upon us. We would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some information.
The grass in the fields provides energy (so-called VEM) and is rich in protein. However, the excess degradable protein and lack of structure require some adjustments. Supplementing with maize silage slows down the rapid digestion rate of grass and ensures better utilisation of the degradable protein.
Limiting grazing and using maize silage as a stable food supplement (e.g. at night) is an ideal solution. However, fluctuating grass quality, which can be the result of weather conditions and varying grass supply, is a weak point. Therefore, constant adjustment of the supplementary feed is required.
Protein supplementation
It is a common misunderstanding that cows grazing outside can never be protein deficient. Meadow grass does indeed have a lot of degradable protein, but the digestible protein (so-called DVE supply) comes under pressure if you supplement with more than 15 kg of maize silage. To combat this, you can choose a protein pellet containing a lot of digestible protein, such as Milko 38. When working with varying quantities of maize silage, the protein supplement also needs to be adjusted. In this case, the following simple rule of thumb applies:
< 15 kg maize no added protein,
15 kg maize 0.5 kg protein pellets
20 kg maize 1 kg protein pellets
25 kg maize 1.5 kg protein pellets
Young, leafy meadow grass is digested very quickly. If this is the case and the cows are fed a low-protein ration at night, this may cause a protein deficiency in the rumen in the second half of the night. This is why it is a good idea to retain a protein content of 15% within the nightly ration. We suggest that rations are calculated carefully.
Supplementary concentrates
As mentioned earlier, field grass is poor in structure. Therefore, please ask your sales representative for advice on the best concentrate to use during the grazing period. These feeds in our range are rich in raw fibre:
Fiber Korrel
Milko fiber
Stimulo 19 lipo
“Ensure the transition from stable to pasture is a gradual one; 2. Ensure there is a good drinking water supply with ample flow in the field; 3. Adjust the supplementary feeding and hours of outdoor grazing to the grass supply and circumstances. Cows like to go out in the morning, but are also willing to come back to the barn in the afternoon if the conditions are poor; 4. Provide an additional structure if necessary (especially during rainy periods).”
Els Van Looveren
Product Manager Dairy cattle
