Total Mixed Rations Information - Articles
How To Increase Feed Intake
Source: Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference
Improved milk yield is limited primarily by the intake of energy. Elevated energy intake can only increase through increasing density of ration or increasing intake.
Dairy cows will eat to physical fill or energy demand, whichever is first limiting.
A typical cow eats 9 to 12 meals per day and stops eating when she is physically full or her energy needs are met.
Management that encourage an additional meal or lengthens each meal will enhance intake. That's why it's important to push up feed and feed more frequently in hot weather.
Long-term feedback signals that reduce intake include excessive body condition score, physical fill (which can be reduced by the feed itself, or pregnancy), high temperatures, and high energy density or ration.
- Major factors affecting intake and relative importance are:
- Milk yield - 45%
- Feed and Management - 22%
- Body Weight - 17%
- Climate - 10%
Temperatures under 40º F increase intake.
Temperatures over 75º F decrease intake. - Body condition score - 6%
- Other Factors affecting feed intake:
- A continuous supply of clean, fresh water is highly critical.
- Fat feeding: Rumen-fiber protected fats don't reduce intake as a result of altered rumen-fiber digestion. Other supplemental fats have variable intake results.
- Sulfer: Excess levels reduce intake.
- Silages: Moisture levels of ration above 50% reduce intake.
- Additives: Molasses can enhance intake. Niacin can improve intake of heat stressed cattle. Ionophores can reduce intake. Other yeasts, probiotics and microbial additives may enhance intake under stressed conditions.
- Mold: Contaminated feed will reduce intake if present in sufficient quantities.
- Social: Separating first-lactation cows from mature cows and feeding them separately resulted in the young cows consuming 0.5 to 2.0 more meals a day. Intake increased by up to 20% and milk yield increased 5% to 10%.
- Patz Notes:
- For the best in TMR feed mixing try a Patz Open-Top Mixer or Vertical Mixer sized just right for your dairy operation.