IGFA FEED FORUM 2007

Efficient Feed Management in Dairy and Beef Herds

T.M. Butler M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D.
FBA Laboratories Ltd.

Purpose of Concentrate Feeding

Not sufficient to increase DM intake, milk yield, weight grain or K 0% Costs should include feed and feeding End result must increase profits

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Relative Feed Costs

DM % Grass Grass Silage Maize silage Concentrate 14-18 20-24 28-32 87-90 /tonne DM 35 100 80 215

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Labour vs. Concentrate Costs (c/l)

1991 Milk value Concentrates Labour 25.0 1.6 2.7 2001 30.1 2.0 4.2 2006 26.5 1.8 5.5

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Concentrate Allowances
kg/animal Dairy cows Replacement heifers Calf to beef Winter finishing 300 1,500 500 800 900 1,100 700 - 900

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Herd concentrate usage

tonnes/100 animals Dairy cows Replacement heifers Calf to beef Winter finishing 30 - 150 50 80 90 110 70 90

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Forage Quality
Essential Knowledge:
Dry Matter content Energy and protein values Mineral composition Target animal intake

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Concentrate Composition
Ingredient types and proportions determined by:
Animal Category Forage Quality and Quantities Target Performance

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Concentrate Quality
Palatable Energy high density generally required Protein: 12% to 30% Free of anti-nutritive factors Pellet vs. Coarse

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Concentrate Feeding Systems

Flat feeding rate to group or herd Individually feeding at varying rates:
Parlour Out-of-parlour electronic feeders

Total Mixed Ration (TMR)

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Flat vs. Variable Feed Rate

Flat Conc. intake (kg/day) Milk Yield (kg/day) Milk fat % Milk protein % 8.9 25.1 3.96 3.24 Variable 8.9 (6 12) 24.8 3.97 3.27

(Hillsborough review of 12 trials)

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Separate conc. vs. TMR

(Hillsborough, Medium Genetic Merit Cows)

Separate conc. Conc. intake (kg/day) DM intake (kg/day) Milk Yield (kg/day) Milk fat % Milk protein % 8.5 15.9 23.8 3.90 3.13

TMR 8.5 16.6 23.9 3.90 3.12

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Separate conc. vs. TMR

(Hillsborough, High Genetic Merit Cows)

Separate conc. Conc. intake (kg/day) DM intake (kg/day) Milk Yield (kg/day) Milk fat % Milk protein % 13.5 19.1 31.1 4.05 3.42

TMR 13.5 18.5 33.0 3.91 3.41

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On-farm practicalities
Extended calving pattern Poor or non-existent feeding facilities Slurry control problems Labour unavailability

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Single Forage Limitations

Not applicable to grass Why applicable to silage?
e.g. Acidity, Chop Length, Maturity

Role of Straw Role of Concentrates

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Summary
Concentrate supplements required in all intensive dairy and beef systems Concentrate inputs must increase profits Feeding system must not be excessively demanding in terms of facilities or labour costs.
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