DHIA
Dairyman to Dairyman
Written by: George Cudoc>A DHIA Consulting Dairyman
Question: Our TMR is made up of haylage, high moisture corn, and a
protein supplement. How fine should we grind the high moisture corn?
The first piece of information that we need is already supplied in the question. The type
of forage that we feed plays a large part in the way we balance the diet. This holds true
for the physical preparation of the grains that we use to achieve this balance. Balancing
the amount of corn on this or any dairy is key to fine-tuning carbohydrate feeding that
will optimize production while avoiding rumen health problems. Haylage is the only
forage fed on this dairy, therefore we need to consider fine to medium processing of the as moisture and processing. The same feeds processed differently can lead to much
high moisture corn. This should work well since the corn is part of a TMR and there is different results. As a general rule higher moistures in the source of the carbohydrates
no other major source of starch in the diet. Knowing if the grind should be medium or will require less processing. Forages that are higher in carbohydrates will also reduce
fine can be determined according to the moisture content of the high moisture corn. the need to process grains as much. TMR feeding will allow us to feed finer grains when
We need to remember that fermentation of the corn is like the start of the digestion*
process ot the cow. For high moisture corn and corn silage, wetter usually means more evaluating protein and carbohydrate balance in the diet. We want to be sure that protein
and quicker availability nt the starch component. High moisture corn below 25%
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moisture may ferment well enough to store, but we usually can use it the same as dry
shelled corn and will need to process it accordingly. High moisture corn over 30%
moisture is usually very readily available to the cow even to the point of being somewhat
“explosive” as it enters the rumen. Keeping this in mind, we can often grind it much
coarser and get full utilization. Corn silage that has adequate grain m it, reacts in the
cow similarly with higher moistures bringing along a taster and greater availability.
Processing of corn silage in the field has had a dramatic effect on how it is used by the
cow.
Observing manure is the easiest method to use to determine if the corn used in this diet
is processed properly. Undigested parts or whole kernels of corn may tell us that we
need to process the grain finer. On this farm a great deal of corn is observed in the
manure. Fiber particles are not seen and the manure throughout the barnyard appeared
very consistent. The same screen is being used in the hammer mill, as was last year. The
current corn tests 18% moisture, which is considerably drier than last year at 27%. Corn
that is this dry needs to be enhanced physically for cows to use it properly and grinding
with a smaller screen may help
Fine-tuning the ration to best utilize carbohydrates will lead to better production as a
result of increased rumen health. We also need to consider the physical properties such
that becomes necessary. These are only rules of thumbs and you should look to manure
observation and cow performance as your guide. The MUN tool will also be of help by
needed for digestion of the corn is adequate or grinding finer will just make it harder to
see in the manure,
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