Grass still cheapest cow feed

Mar 26 2008 by Tom Patterson, The Journal

UTILISING grazed grass as efficiently as possible in dairy herds is particularly relevant this year, according to SCA NuTec’s ruminat specialist Norman Downey.

Given the added squeeze from higher input costs and the opportunities presented by the rising milk price, grazed grass is the cheapest feed available to dairy producers -– despite nitrogen fertiliser having risen considerably.

Some producers may be tempted to scrimp on fertiliser applications. But this may not be wise as it could have a detrimental effect on grass and grazing quality and quantity. It is much better to ensure that applications are accurately targeted and that very little grass protein passes straight through the cow.

Mr Downey said: “To help producers do this, high-value protein in grass must be balanced with a ration that is high in rumen energy and contains ingredients, such as Amino Protek, that can help to ‘trap’ as much of this protein as possible.”

Another advantage of ‘capturing’ the protein in the rumen is to prevent a large proportion of it from passing through the rumen wall as ammonia. This can have a negative effect on fertility.

Figures claim that a cow grazing 25% crude protein grass will require the same amount of energy to convert ammonia from surplus dietary protein into urea as it needs to produce 1.25 litres of milk.

Added at the rate of 100g per cow per day, UK trials with Amino Protek have shown a yield increase of between two and 2.5 litres of milk per cow in their first 200 days of lactation and more persistent yields in mid- and late-lactation cows.