Optimising your herds diet this winter to improve milk quality provides the opportunity to not only increase the value of your milk but also have a positive effect on animal health and fertility. A complete balanced diet approach is key to ensuring high levels of milk quality can be achieved while still maximising milk yields. A healthy rumen leads to improved milk quality and overall a healthier more productive cow.
Recent data analysis of United Feeds’ customers supplying milk to Dale Farm has highlighted that on average herds feeding United Feeds rations produce milk with a higher milk fat percentage without compromising on milk protein when compared to those supplying Dale Farm and not using a United Feeds dairy ration. When this data is compared to the NI average data provided by DAERA the results are even more pronounced with considerable benefits found in both Milk Butterfat and Milk Protein content. See chart 1 & 2.
In financial terms this additional milk quality to Dale Farm Producers using a United Feeds ration last winter was worth on average an additional 0.14ppl. For a 100 cow herd averaging 30 litres per day this equates to an additional income of £882 over the winter period. When compared to the NI average quality the difference is 0.47ppl. For a 100 cow herd averaging 30 litres per day this equates to an additional income of £2961 over the winter period.
Rumen Function
The manipulation of a cow’s diet to improve milk quality is not simply about the addition of protected fats, this is only one strand of United Feeds’ multifactorial approach to an optimised diet. The first step to ensuring improved milk quality is to ensure optimum rumen function. At United Feeds close attention is paid to meeting specific nutrient parameters with carefully selected raw materials. With the aid of Fermentrics™ feed analysis, United Feeds can gain a unique insight into the actual digestion profile of each raw material and the effect that has on the rumen microbial population which can then be used to optimise diet performance. A key part of this is the inclusion of adequate levels of quality digestible fibre sources, which in optimal conditions leads to an improved milk fat percentage.
Management Tips
The foundation of any successful ruminant diet is to maximise the dry matter intake of high-quality forage. Maximising forage dry matter intakes should be a priority on all dairy units. Particular attention should be paid to providing as much feed space as possible, minimum of 60cm per cow. Multiple daily “push ups” of silage/TMR will help to increase total dry matter intakes. Silages and TMR’s should always be kept fresh in front of cows. In some cases, when feeding silages with poor fermentation characteristics, this may mean feeding twice per day. Target the use of your best quality forages with the highest intake potential to your milking herd, particularly fresh calved cows at this time of year. It is also recommended to plan your winter-feeding period to avoid sudden changes in silages being fed which can lead to a risk of rumen upsets. Water intake is also critical for good rumen function. Water is essential for rumen microbes and can help to drive overall dry matter intakes, particularly when dry silages are being fed. It is therefore essential to ensure that there is always a good supply of fresh clean water available.
Ensuring high levels of cow comfort, will encourage cows to lie down for longer. When cows lie for longer periods throughout the day, rumination time is greatly extended and the overall digestibility of the diet can be increased leading to improved yields and quality.
Yea-Sacc®
Yea-Sacc® is a live yeast that enhances digestibility while reducing rumen pH variations resulting in improved feed efficiency, increased milk production and quality. Optimum rumen function provides the platform to maximise dry matter intake and milk quality. The longer the rumen stays in its most efficient zone of digestion, the greater the potential of the rumen to release nutrients from its feed. Yea-Sacc stimulates the bacteria responsible for both fibre digestion and acid removal. It achieves an elevation of rumen pH leading to more efficient total digestion of both feed and forage. Overall Yea-Sacc improves number of fibre digesting bacteria which in turn leads to improved milk fat percentage.
Amaferm®
Amaferm® is a unique feed additive and the only one registered as a fibre digestion enhancer in the EU for inclusion in dairy cow diets. Fibre is a major component of ruminant diets with forages typically containing 45% – 55% fibre. Only about half of this is digestible and available for milk production, meaning there is huge potential in the form of energy that still lies ‘untapped’ within forage. Amaferm is a natural feed additive that boosts the digestibility of fibre by providing nutrients for rumen fungi growth and increased microbial enzyme activity to accelerate fibre digestion. It also stimulates the fibrolytic bacteria that complete the job of fibre digestion and lactate utilising bacteria that help to reduce acidity in the rumen. Improved fibre digestion contributes to better feed efficiency, improved feed intake and, in turn, higher milk solid production.
Protected Fat
United Feeds use specific fractionated rumen protected fats which contain amongst the highest percentage of C16:0 in the global marketplace. C16:0 is an important component in the production of milk fat. Numerous trials have shown that the inclusion of C16 fatty acids in dairy diets can lead to both yield and butterfat improvements. Protected Fat fed cows have shown to have increased follicle size leading to improved conception rates. As it is a source of energy it can help counteract losses in body condition.
We can conclude that, when it comes to influencing milk quality, there are several factors at play and there is no one solution fits all. At United Feeds we have a team of trained nutrition advisers who can develop solutions specific to your farm to help achieve the performance to match the genetic potential of your herd. The approach that United Feeds takes to achieving high milk solids on farms across the province is backed up by actual as outlined above. For more information on adding value to your milk this winter, contact your local United Feeds Ruminant Nutrition Adviser who can be found here or call Customer Services on 028 9075 9000.
