1. Level II Agricultural Business Operations

2.  Nutrient content of feed  Nutritional requirements  Analyse forage quality  Winter feeding plan

3. Oesophagus

4. Forage  Grass  Silage  Straw Concentrate  Barley, Wheat, Soya, Rape

5. Feed Water Dry Matter ProteinFibre VitaminsMinerals Energy

6.  Dry matter (DM) is the feed remaining after all the water has been taken out  DM includes: ◦ Energy (ME) ◦ Protein (CP) ◦ Fibre (NDF) ◦ Fats & Oils ◦ Vitamins & Minerals

7. DMMECP Barley86.013.211.5 Wheat86.013.610.0 Maize86.013.810.0 Soyabean89.013.450.5 Megalac95.029.00.0

8. DMMECP Soyabean86.013.250.5 Rapeseed90.012.040.0 Distillers Maize 89.014.031.0

9. MECPNDF Grass11.216.057.7 Silage10.613.046.0 Straw6.33.581.0 Soya hulls11.911.664.0

10. 1. Water 2. Energy 3. Protein 4. Fibre 5. Minerals & Vitamins

11.  50 – 80% cows body is water  Milk contains 87% water  Transport nutrients around body  Facilitates excretion of waste products  Regulates body temperature  A cow needs 60-116 litres water/day

12.  Survive (MAINTENANCE)  Produce milk (PRODUCTION)  Produce offspring (REPRODUCTION)  Gain condition (PRODUCTION)

13. Cow details 650kg liveweight 40 litres/day 6 weeks calved LWT500550600650700750 Maint.596469747984 The example cow is 650kg, so she will require 74MJ/day to maintain herself. MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

14. What is the cow’s maintenance requirement? How many MJ to make 1 litre of milk? REQUIREMENT = MAINTENANCE + PRODUCTION NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT OF DAIRY COWS (2)

15. 74 Maintenance Value MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

16. Cow details 650kg liveweight 40 litres/day 6 weeks calved Milk Production General rule = 1 litre of milk requires 5MJ of energy Example cow = 40 x 5 = 200MJ

17. 74 40 DAILY MILK YIELD 200 TOTAL ENERGY FOR MILK PROD. 274 TOTAL ENERGY REQUIRED PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS

18.  Build & repair the body’s enzymes, hormones, tissues (muscle, skin, organs)  Growth  Milk Production  Pregnancy

19. 3. Concentrate Protein Content Silage CP contentConcentrate Protein % 12 – 14%18 – 21 8 – 12%Greater than 21% Low Protein Silage – Specifically formulated diet

20. To ensure efficient rumen function:  60:40 Forage:Concentrate (DM)  Length of fibre (25-50 mm)  Straw inclusion

21.  Bone formation – Calcium, Phosphorus  Milk production - Calcium  Reproduction – Vitamin K  Muscle function – Vitamin E, Selenium

22. Steps in planning a winter feeding plan:  Analyse forage  Balance forage with concentrates  Feed ration to ensure sufficient intake  Monitor cow performance

23. Silage is usually the main winter forage:  Take samples for analysis  Take care with sampling procedure  Take sufficient samples

25. Gradually build up level of concentrate (21 day)  Maximum feed level in parlour ◦ 10 kg cows ◦ 8 kg heifers  If higher feed levels are required consider ◦ Mid day feeds ◦ Out of parlour feeders ◦ Complete diet feeding (TMR)

26. Advantages  Less digestive upsets  Cheaper blend vs nut  Low cost – no equipment needed Disadvantages  Feed Space  Labour  Cows bullying

27. Advantages  Fewer digestive upsets  Cows fed individually  Cows fed to Yield Disadvantages  Capital cost  1 station/25 cows  Bullying

28. Advantages  Uniform diet  Optimum rumen efficiency  Encourages high intake  Flexibility – alternative feeds Disadvantages  Capital cost  Complicated diets  Over mixing  Under/overfeeding  Suitable housing

29.  Offer adequate fresh forage  Allow 5-10% refusal  Ensure adequate feed space (450 – 600 mm/cow)  Provide clean and adequate water  Troughs should allow 10% of herd to drink at any one time or 100 mm/cow

30.  Assessment of cow fat reserves based on visual assessment and handling.  Gives subjective assessment of thin and fat cows regardless of frame size or breed.  Based on scale of 1-5 (1=extremely thin, 5=extremely fat) with increments of 0.5.

31. Two main areas for assessment: 2.Loin 1.Tailhead

32. Tailhead Loin Shallow fat-lined cavity felt at taihead. Fatty tissue felt under the skin. Pelvis felt easily. Ends of transverse processes feel well rounded and upper surfaces padded with fat. Depression visible in loin.

33.  Feed intakes  Milk yields  Milk protein  Condition scores

34.  Careful winter feed planning essential  Balance silage quality with concentrate  Feed sufficient ration  Ensure adequate intake  Monitor performance and body condition