trTKl\lW*fk Normally, wedltak of feeding
UliL/iTi T u cows according id milk produc-
F rnfirtt TUTS^C 1 tlon ‘ With todays high producing
(y tJUrL K l/VC cattle* wc may need to change our
(dWMntiMI from Pag* Alt) *'*
grain feeding rates about I*2
pounds per day, being carefol not
to throw cows off feed. While
attempting to do this, remember
forages are foremost when it com
es to keeping the rumen normal
and feed intakes high. It is essen
tial that cows always consume
adequate amounts of forage. Nev
er sacrifice forage intake for the
purpose of getting mote grain into
cows; it can cause an add rumen.
Forages should make up at least
40 - 50-percent of total ration dry
matter, and cows should consume •
a minimum of about 1.8 pounds of
forage dry matter per 100 pounds
of body weight The goal is to feed
a properly-balanced, nutrient
dense ration to maximize nutrient
intake, while also maintaining
maximum dry matter intake and
normal rumen function.
In the days preceding and fol
lowing calving, it may beneficial
to feed some cows a “stress pack,”
some buffers, yeast, probiotics,
niacin, etc. To increase energy
intake, consider feeding some fat
Work closely with your nutrition
ist on these matters, and try to
make sure they are cost effective.
The
just
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Need flexibility to round bale silage, hay and
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With the new RV 126 variable chamber
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Both systems package with
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When it conies to making
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- fteding strategies of the past Per
haps we shouldn’t even be dtink
ing about feeding for milk produc
tion in early lactation.
Maybe we need to simply con
centrate on maximizing dry matter
and nutrient intake until cows are
back to proper working flesh,
which is a body score of about 3.0.
Once this is accomplished, then
we can revert to feeding according
to milk production.
4. High Quality Forages. It is
hard to make a lot of milk without
high quality forages. Generally,
forages ate not drought of as an
energy feed, but high quality for
ages are a major and valuable
source of energy and other nutri
ents for cows, and they are more
digestible.
Because they are more digesti
ble, they move out of the rumen
mote rapidly, making room for the
consumption of more feed, all of
which increases dry matter and
nutrient intakes. That is why good
appetites, geod quality feeds and a
functional rumen are so important
before and after calving.
S. Effective Fiber. A well
functioning rumen needs a certain
amount of fiber. A good portion of
best
got better
this fiber has to come from for
ages, and the fiber has to be diges
tible and effective.
As forages mature, the digesti
bility of fiber decreases. On the
other hand, the fiber in immature
high protein alfalfa is so digestible
that it has lost some of its effec
tiveness, or its ability to stimulate
cud chewing activity.
The effectiveness of fiber is
also reduced when forages and
other feeds are ensiled or chopped
finely. The action of unloaders,
augers and mixers also can reduce
particle size of feeds before they
get to the cow. When this happens,
it may be necessary to increase
forage feeding rates in order to
maintain adequate intake of effec
tive fiber, which is needed for nor
mal rumen function.
For the fiber in silages to be
effective, at least 20-pcrccnt of the
particles should be over 1.5 inches
in length. Another alternative is to
feed at least 5 pounds of a forage
that has particle lengths of 1.5
inches or greater.
6. Balanced Rations and Feed
Processing. Digestibility of feeds
and nutrient absorption are
improved greatly by feeding a
balanced ration. Work closely
with your nutritionist.
The goal is to get as many nutri
ents as possible absorbed into the
blood stream, not to let them end
Put the non-stop action of our 3-bladcd triangular
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AM 2800/3200 disc mowers work full width at 9'4"
10'6" with a flatter cutterbar to streamline crop flow
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Swßfß
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*r w^
-
*ft • • r > »*. * r - ..W . • U-*
Uneamr Panning, Saturday, February 12,1M4-A23
up in the gutter.
Process hard grains finely
enough for them to be digested.
For a softer, more digestible grain
in com silage, harvest the crop
when the milk line is at about the
midpoint of the kernel, and choose
hybrids whose ears do not dry
down too far in advance of the
stalk.
Avoid overheating of silages
and grains as it can bind protein.
7. Blended Rations and Feeding
Practices. Blending feeds or the
use of a total mixed ration (TMR)
can help keep cows' rumens more
stable and more normal This can
improve feed intake, rumen activi
ty, and overall efficiency of
digestion.
If grains and concentrates are
fed separately avoid slug feedings:
limit grain feeding to a maximum
of about 5-7 pounds per feeding,
and try feeding cows some forages
before feeding them grain.
8. Formulate Rations. Based on
Cows’ Actual Feed Intakes, and
Weigh and Test Feeds. When for
mulating rations, don’t overesti
mate how much your cows are
consuming; it’s better to underes
timate their intakes. If you overes
timate intakes, die nutrient density
of the radon will be less than what
it should be.
HERNIA?
No hernia is unrepairable, even after sev
eral previous failed attempts. We special
ize in outpatient hernia repairs, and most
patients are able to return to full work with
in several days.
PLEASE CALL COLLECT OR WRITE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
MID ATLANTIC SURGICAL
SERVICES
217 Harrisburg Ave., Suite 201
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 295-5454
MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED
1 ■
Tb# tame thing happens when
you limply mix a ration for fewer
cows than what you are actually
feeding. That’s opposite of what
the cows need; if intake is less, the
density of the ration needs to be
greater—not less—so cows con
sume the nutrients they need.
Weigh feeds fed and feeds
refused so you can get a more
accurate estimate of intakes. Test
ensiled feeds weekly for moisture
content and adjust rations Kcotd
ingly. This is very important! Also
check accuracy of scales and
weigh cells on mixers, and test the
TMR mix to verify the accuracy of
mixing.
9. Access to Feed and Water,
and Bunk Management. Be sure
cows have easy access to feed
20-24 hours a day, with plenty of
good quality water no further than
about SO feet away.
Cows can’t consume feed and
make milk on $n empty feed bunk!
Keep the feed fresh, and to stimu
late intake, push it up to the cows
or feed them several limes a day.
Feed cows about S-percent
more feed than they will clean up.
and use the manger sweepings to
feed lower producers, dry cows or
heifers.
Provide about 2 feet of bunk
space per cow and clean the bunk
frequently.
10. Healthy. Stress-Free Cows.
Healthy cows have better appe
tites and produce more milk than
those that are stressed from such
things as fatty livers, difficult
(Turn to Pago A 24)
SMOKER, UNDIS & COMPANY
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Taxes
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(717) 665-5979 or 393-1929