Concentrate Allowances
kg/animal Dairy cows Replacement heifers Calf to beef Winter finishing 300 1,500 500 800 900 1,100 700 - 900
Forage Quality
Essential Knowledge:
Dry Matter content Energy and protein values Mineral composition Target animal intake
Concentrate Composition
Ingredient types and proportions determined by:
Animal Category Forage Quality and Quantities Target Performance
Concentrate Quality
Palatable Energy high density generally required Protein: 12% to 30% Free of anti-nutritive factors Pellet vs. Coarse
Separate conc. Conc. intake (kg/day) DM intake (kg/day) Milk Yield (kg/day) Milk fat % Milk protein % 8.5 15.9 23.8 3.90 3.13
Separate conc. Conc. intake (kg/day) DM intake (kg/day) Milk Yield (kg/day) Milk fat % Milk protein % 13.5 19.1 31.1 4.05 3.42
On-farm practicalities
Extended calving pattern Poor or non-existent feeding facilities Slurry control problems Labour unavailability
Summary
Concentrate supplements required in all intensive dairy and beef systems Concentrate inputs must increase profits Feeding system must not be excessively demanding in terms of facilities or labour costs.
FBA Laboratories Ltd.