1. 1 3. Cost effective feeding systems ANIM 3028 Tom Cowan Tropical Dairy Research Centre, UQ, Gatton

2. 2 Feeding systems Nutrition is a tool in feeding systems Resource baseMilk ration formulation cow nutrition

3. 3 Feed needs to be used efficiently Feed costs are 35 to 50% gross income cows often milking at 25 to 40% genetic capacity 10% more efficient use of feed = $6300 savings 4500 to 6000 (30 to 50% of genetic potential) = $32000 margin over feed costs

4. 4 Forage base Forage base set the limits of production Quality of forage base limits intake and digestibility Forage intake limit limits concentrate feeding e.g. efficient levels of production –tropical grass-5500L/cow/year –irrigated pasture- 7000 –irrigated lucerne-9000

5. 5 Efficiency of the cow A high producing cow is efficient lower proportion of feed to maintenance extra food mostly used for production e.g. 15L milk/day - $2.25 margin OFC 25L milk/day - $4.50 Limit occurs when unit feed costs rise

6. 6 Off farm feeds Feeds from off the farm are now 30 to 70% of total feed intake grains, byproducts Optimum level depends on –cost per unit of feed –complementary effects with home grown feeds –desired farm turnover ($)

7. 7 The main drivers in feed systems Cost price squeeze - milk price/milk cost from 2.6 to 1.3 1970 to 2000 Therefore need much more milk per farm 75% of variation in farm milk output explained by –concentrates fed –nitrogen fertiliser used –irrigation area –hay/silage fed –farm size (ha)

8. 8 Targets for grazing systems Pasture or crop grazing more irrigation (pasture farms) more fodder conservation (cropping farms) more fertiliser (both) more grain feeding (both) more cows (both) ~ treble milk output/farm

9. 9 Feedlots One way to grow in size many farm now use “feed pads” for feeding out once or twice a day amounts given on feed pads is increasing feedlots predicted for the Darling Downs at ~900 cows economics look better than grazing

10. 10 A typical feed year plan

11. 11 Trends in feed inputs and milk output

12. 12 Heat stress High ambient temperature +walking+production = high heat loads walking uses energy –2 to 5 MJ/km, and increased if heat stressed –best pasture at night = more milk –cows don’t graze at T above 32C

13. 13 Daily maximum temperature and grazing by HF cows

14. 14 Feeding the heifers 1 milking age cow = 0.5 heifers average age is about 15 months (330 kg) High milk yield = high quality feed for heifers 45% cost of feeding a cow