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Dairy cows need increasingly greater dietary energy density that is high in concentrates. While an adequate particle length of forages is needed for their proper rumen function, particle size is also nutritionally important. To address the need for a simple method to determine forage and total mixed rations particle length and meet the nutrient needs of cows, the Penn State separator was developed that is accurate, rapid and inexpensive for regular use. A lower cost mechanical apparatus has also been designed where the shaking of the Penn State separator is done by automation.

Holstein heifers 12-24 weeks old were fed mixed rations containing different forage. Total mixed rations (TMR) were evaluated for the four trials based on average daily gain, feed intake per day and feed efficiency per intake. TMR containing 50% forage and 50% concentrate reached their desired body weight when their initial body weight was close to their desired body weight. Results showed that a TMR with a higher percentage of forage was desirable for heifers at 18 weeks.

USING late heading grass varieties in intensive grazing systems increases grass intake and boosts milk yield by up to 180kg during the early grazing season, according to Irish research. It's […]

By Robert DaviesWales correspondent ORGANIC milk producers need to cut costs to cope with the decline in milk price this year and turning to alternative forages may help. Richard Weller, […]

By Richard Allison INSUFFICIENT leptin could be responsible for low progesterone levels and associated fertility problems in dairy cows, according to a Nottingham University researcher. Progesterone monitoring often reveals that […]

European feed manufacturers are enhancing their use of expanders in their products. Feed producers cite numerous benefits which can be derived from expander use, such as improved pellet quality, salmonella repression, increased pellet press capacity and higher levels of raw material utilization. Throughout the continent, experiments are also being conducted to enhance expanders' ability to impede cereal protein degradation in the rumen of animals.

Faber Swiss Colony farm manages 180 acres of alfalfa for optimum feed value for their 120 producing Brown Swiss cows. High or super quality haylage reduces their purchased feed costs. Nutritional analysis and associated feed costs for different quality haylages are given.

Analysis of the findings of 11 studies show that there are different levels of digestion efficiency for different fat sources. Calcium salts of fatty acids and prilled fatty acids appear to be digested efficiently while chemically hydrogenated fats are more difficult to digest. It was also found that when fat intake exceeds 1,500 g, the digestibility rate drops to less than 60%. Fat digestibility is, therefore, a function of intake and gross energy of the product, rumen inertness and digestibility are essential components for evaluating rumen inert or bypass fats for dairy cows.

BROOKINGS, S.D. -- Dairy producers are looking for means to increase feed efficiency, and improvements in feed efficiency can positively affect herd profitability even when changes in production or feed [...]

High environmental temperatures and stocking density are two reasons for reduced performance of late-finishing pigs. Previous reports have shown that the digestion of dietary protein increases animal heat production, whereas [...]

Crabgrass can be used by farmers as alternative feeds for dairy cattle. Crabgrass is less expensive and an excellent nutritional source of cheap grains. It also provides dairy cattle lesser grazing downtime compared to other feeding combination.

Total mixed ration feeding of cows can boost milk production, ensure a proper forage-to-grain ratio and reduce feed and labor costs. Equipment setup investment of $200 to $400 per cow can be recouped in around 18 months.