R.S. ADAMS', ahd J.G. HLUBIK Dairy and Animal Science, PSU UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre) Lower prices for milk in some markets and somewhat higher feed and other costs have caused dairy men to look for ways to ease finan cial pressures. Use of ingredients that are more economiQal sources of nutrients in a well-balanced ration can help maintain margins. Discontinuing the use of oats and including barley or ear com and more economical protein supple ments in the diet may appreciably reduce feed costs. Further reduc tions may be possible from proper use of urea in concentrate mix tures. Its use at a moderate level of 1% in a finished dairy feed may lower costs by $B.OO/ton or more. The use of urea as a partial substi tute for natural protein is probably better suited to rations containing com silage and hays or low protein haylages than those with high pro tein haylages. The latter contain considerable levels of naturally occurring non-protein nitrogen (NPN). An adjustment period of 2 to 4 weeks is necessary to allow the Does The High Cost Of Your Soybean Meal/ Distillers Program Hess Mills a call today out just how economically we can feed your cows. Give to find 6 S. Vintage Rd. Paradise, PA 17562 (717)442-4183 (717)768-3301 Feeding Urea May Reduce Ration Costs rumen microflora and lining to adapt to the higher levels of NPN coming from urea. During this per iod milk production may drop slightly, but return to normal if the ration has been properly balanced. To aid in this adjustment and avoid concentrate intake problems, it is best to gradually increase levels of urea in a finished feed. Start at a level of 0.5% in the feed and build to 1.0% or a maximum of 1.5% over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. Urea should not be used in a grain mix or TMR containing soy beans, unless they have been prop- Herly heat-treated to reduce urease This could liberate ammonia before the feed is con sumed. Concentrate mixtures con taining over 86-88% moisture may result in some liberation of ammo nia from urea via microbial growth. This can reduce palatabili ty and protein equivalent intake by die cattle. Farm grains that run as high as 20% moisture at times or the addition of relatively high levels of molasses often are the sources of excess moisture in a grain mix. Urea or urea-containing feeds may be used in total mixed rations, especially if they are mix Mineral And Have You Concerned? kssMus S 3. I PURINA CHOWSI * Registered trademark of Ralston Purina Company ed at least once daily and not for long periods ahead of feeding. Since the use of urea reduces the level of high-protein ingredients in a feed it is important that a ration be properly balanced for most min erals as well as protein, energy and vitamins. The total NPN or soluble protein levels should be kept at a level of 33% of the total protein equivalent present in the entire diet (forage plus concentrate). Rumen undegradable or by-pass protein content should be maintained at 35-37% of total protein in the diet. Inclusion of 4 to 5% liquid molas ses or 2 to 3% dried molasses may improve the palatability of urea containing feeds fed conventionally. Proper levels of urea used in a well-balanced ration should not be harmful to health, reproduction or production in adapted animals. If urea is used in rations for milk cows, it should be kept in the ration of dry cows to maintain adaption. If it is fed to heifers at breeding time, it should be used in the ration of young stock at least 3 to 6 months prior to expected breeding. Heifers require a longer adaptation period than older animals, espe- Rt. 82 Unionville, PA 18375 (215)347-2377 cially in regard to reproduction. Sometimes a combination of urea and rumen by-passable pro tein sources may provide an eco nomical, as well as nutritionally sound ration. An intake of .25 lb. to .45 lb. of urea per head daily for average to high cows, respectively, often may be possible on some for age rations. A preferred way of feeding an NPN source such as urea would be to apply it at proper levels to com Farmers Union Offers Drought-Relief Proposal DENVER, Co. With the drought of 1988 spreading in to mote and more states, the National Fanners Union and state Farmers Union organizations have pro posed a slate of legislative and administrative proposals aimed at providing farmers financial relief from production losses. In a plan adopted this week, the Fanners Union introduced a four pronged approach to relieve the economic woes farmers in drought states are facing. The plan, which was forwarded to some members of congress and USDA officials, asks for legislation that would allow farmers to enter failed acreage into the 0-92 program in counties declared as disaster areas. Under the proposal, those farmers would not be allowed to harvest the newly-enrolled acreage and would have to take steps to control erosion on the land. Secondly, the Fanners Union is recommending legislation allow ing livestock producers with feed grain under loan to buy the grain at 7S percent of the loan rate in order to help them maintain their herds. Farmers in several northern states already have had to sell all or pan of their foundation herds due to the severe feed shortage. The last two proposals ask Agri- Super long- »«y by tty* wearing We’ve got Super Sole your size in stock. Super Sole Red Wings HOURS: Daily 1:30 AJM. »• A P.M.; Prl. 'til 9 PM. w Wayne’s Dry Goods 271 W. Main St. Kutztown, Pa. Phone (215) 683-7686 Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, July 2, 1988-Al9 silage at ensiling. While urea can be used on whole plant silage, a nutritionally preferred source would be liquid anhydrous ammo nia. Between now and another harvest of com silage, proper use of urea in a feed could be of value in a well-formulated ration fed under good conditions. Protein concentrates containing urea are available from some feed concerns. culture Secretary Richard Lyng to use already existing programs for drought relief; the emergency feed program whereby producers cost share feed grain purchases with USDA, and the haying and grazing of conservation reserve and water bank acres. The Fanners Union statement says the emergency actions are needed not just to offset the imme diate impact of the drought, but to head off a potential credit crisis in the coming months. This crisis, the statement says, will be brought about by the loss of production occurring in many states and the loss of deficiency payments due to drought-related market rallies. During a joint appearance on the NBC ‘Today” show with Secret ary Lyng, NFU President Leland Swenson said that the administra tion must move faster in imple menting such programs. “The noose that’s been around the necks of many farmers and ranchers has become extremely tight,” said Swenson. He termed the admi nistration’s efforts at drought relief a “drought of action” for farmers in states where crops and livestock herds have already been lost Oil-tanned, water repellent Irish Setter leather Sn^^k MAIL ORDERS ACCEPTED L f
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