Feed efficiency (kg FECM/kg DMI)


PHOTO: ALLTECH


NUTRITION ▶▶▶


Optimising inputs and mitigating feed waste


Feed is typically the highest variable cost in producing a litre of milk. This article will examine best practices in feed utilisation, storage and managing supply challenges to support dairy farm profitability.


BY DR MARIA AGOVINO, EUROPEAN RUMINANT BUSINESS MANAGER, ALLTECH T


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he current geopolitical crisis has fuelled rising commodity prices, underpinned by concern around availability. Dairy producers right across the world are refocusing on margin protection and securing


necessary inputs to optimise production. Lowering feed costs needs to be balanced with meeting cow needs and not compromising herd performance. In light of the current volatility, dairy producers need to ensure that feed efficiency monitoring is included as a key parameter in their manage- ment strategy. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) is defined as the amount of milk (kg) produced per kg feed dry matter intake, where the value of the milk has been corrected for differences in constituent com- position. Today, financial efficiency really counts. That means that as concentrate (i.e. corn and soy) prices increase, we should make the most of cheaper high-fibre feeds, especially home- grown forages. These attempts at better feed efficiency should be integrated into a complete feeding strategy. Alltech studies have highlighted that up to 45% of grown and


Figure 1 - Effect of dietary inclusion of live yeast (Yea-Sacc) on feed efficiency (kg FECM/kg DMI) in Holstein dairy cows (adapted from Steingass et al., 2007).


purchased feed inputs are either lost or underutilised across the feed process from the field, through storage, at feed-out and inside the animal. Recognising where waste is occurring at all points along the feed process enables producers to prioritise actions to mitigate waste at every opportunity, leading to small savings that add up. Efficient use of feeds should always be the goal, and this can be achieved by looking at forage quality, rumen health and nutritional applications.


Forage quality Plan to make the highest quality forage possible, since it is a significant component of the slowly digestible part of the diet of lactating cows. Forage is the most variable feed ingre- dient in terms of digestibility and nutrient composition, and it comprises a greater proportion of the rations than any other feedstuff. High-quality forage is more digestible, so you will be able to feed more of it to cows. Rumen health and productivity will be improved with the use of high-quality forages and, as such, forages can influ- ence feed efficiency through the maintenance of a desirable rumen environment. Acidosis (low rumen pH) can negatively affect feed efficiency by decreasing fibre digestibility through changes in the rumen microbial profiles. Adequate physically effective fibre (forage particle size) in the rations will help maintain the proper rumen environment by stimulating chewing and rumination, increasing saliva secretion and im- proving the buffering capacity of the rumen. Over-processed forages will not provide the cow with sufficient long par- ticles and, as a result, will not stimulate rumination. Proper forage particle length is also needed to maintain the rumen environment and proper rumen motility.


Heifers Cows Control 26 Yea-Sacc ▶ DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 9, No. 2, 2022 All lactations


Rumen health One of the most important elements in increasing feed efficiency is to use the rumen of the dairy cow to its full potential. Supporting the activity and growth of the rumen microflora enables dietary nutrients to be extracted from the diet as efficiently as possible. While there is an even greater focus today on margin protection, producers need to ensure that ration formulation does not compromise the rumen, as suboptimal rumen function will lead to wasted feed and a lower milk response.


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