Fodder beet is increasingly popular as a winter feed for dairy cows. However, it does have some nutritional constraints, including a low phosphorus content, low fibre level (<20%) and less than optimal protein content (13%). It does have a high sugar content, which makes it very palatable.
The weeks before and after calving are nature’s window for optimising production and profitability. That’s when you can derive maximum benefit from a considered nutrition strategy.
Are you prepared for the nutritional challenges that go hand-in-hand with winter crops? Here’s a handy overview of minerals that may need boosting.
When paddocks are sodden and moisture levels go off the chart, even with the best feed budgets animals are likely to be exposed to mineral deficiencies. Those who exercise a little foresight can reduce animal health issues down the line.
Peak milk levels may seem a distant thought, but the basis for success in this area must be laid well in advance. Preparing the dry cows’ diet and keeping them in good condition through early lactation will produce results when it counts.
As one of the most common metabolic disorders seen on modern dairy farms, ketosis is a major source of frustration, not to mention costs, for New Zealand farmers. While it can be treated, it’s better to prevent it in the first place. The right feed management has everything to do with it.
When a mineral is pivotal for animal health, it’s good to take a close look at it. Find out what aspects determine the quality of magnesium and the effectiveness of supplementation.
Brassica crops such as kale and swedes are a great winter feed. They are suitable for those who want to avoid feeding fodder beet but still need to get their animals off the pasture. However, as with every feed type, there are nutritional pros and cons, and management tactics to keep in mind to ensure stock continue to thrive throughout the winter.
The weeks before and after calving are nature’s window for optimising production and profitability. That’s when you can derive maximum benefit from a considered nutrition strategy.
The weeks before and after calving are nature’s window for optimising production and profitability. That’s when you can derive maximum benefit from a considered nutrition strategy.
Dairy farmers have the perfect tool at their disposal this calving season to set their herds up for future productivity – the rumen in their replacement heifer calves.
