25/03/08
Utilising grazed grass as efficiently as possible in our dairy
herds is particularly relevant this year, given the added squeeze
from higher input costs and the opportunities presented by the
rising milk price, according to SCA NuTec’s ruminant specialist
Norman Downey.
SCA ruminant specialist Norman Downey
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Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available to dairy producers,
despite the fact that nitrogen fertiliser prices have risen considerably.
Some producers may be tempted to scrimp on fertiliser applications.
But this may not be wise as it could have a detrimental effect
on grass and grazing quality and quantity. Much better to ensure
that applications are accurately targeted and that very little
grass protein passes straight through the cow. The aim is to
help her to utilise as much from the grass as possible and, as
a result, produce more milk from grazing.
To help producers do this, high-value protein in grass must be
balanced with a ration that is high in rumen energy and contains
ingredients, such as SCA NuTec’s Amino Protek, that can
help to ‘trap’ as much of this protein as possible.
This sugar-mineral complex works by improving rumen efficiency.
Much of the inefficiency in protein is in the rumen and one prime
culprit is the bugs in the rumen that eat rumen bacteria and
create ammonia that is converted to urea and excreted as urine.
Providing these bugs with extra energy drives them to work harder
to capture the protein and break it down into microbial protein
that can then be diverted to milk production.
Another advantage of ‘capturing’ the protein in the
rumen is to prevent a large proportion of it from passing through
the rumen wall as ammonia. This can have a negative effect on
fertility.
Although the ammonia is quickly converted to urea and excreted,
high levels of ammonia are associated with lower fertility rates,
increased mastitis and feet problems. And, to make matters worse,
the cow also wastes energy through converting ammonia to urea.
A cow grazing 25% crude protein grass will require the same amount
of energy to convert ammonia from surplus dietary protein into
urea as it needs to produce 1.25 litres of milk.
Added at the rate of 100g per cow per day, UK trials with Amino
ProTek have shown a yield increase of between two and 2.5 litres
of milk per cow in their first 200 days of lactation and more
persistent yields in mid- and late-lactation cows.
It has always been possible to justify using Amino ProTek on
cost grounds – even when milk price was 18ppl, but now
there is an even more marked advantage. This ‘rumen energy’ additive
costs just 9.5p per cow per day and the results show a return
of at least 36p based on a milk price of 25ppl – a four-fold
return on investment.
As we see further milk prices increases this cost advantage will
look even better. And as input costs continue to rise, making
the most of grazed grass and dairy rations as a whole will also
become increasingly important.
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