Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management

Transcription

1 College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management D. A. Moore* and V. A. Ishler *(Department of Veterinary Science) Department of Dairy and Animal Science The Pennsylvania State University 324 Henning Building University Park, PA (814) FAX (814) Topics Include: Individuals working with the herd Identifying herd problems and producer goals Animal observations Forage and feed observations Feeding systems and facilities Feeding and nutrition practices PENpages # DAS IVE1E

2 INTRODUCTION Much information is needed to evaluate dairy herd nutrition and feeding programs. If this information is not collected in a systematic manner, some important items may be overlooked. This worksheet is designed to help capture information necessary for a complete and thorough dairy ration/feeding program evaluation. Important areas to cover are records, animal condition, feeding systems, available feeds, and management. NOTE: Data collection sheets, graph to plot body condition scores, and lactation curves are at the back of this publication. REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DAS VSE EC 363 EC 396 PA DHIA Checklist for reproductive management Survey form for mastitis problem herds Body condition scoring for dairy herd management Harvesting and utilizing silage Understanding how to make PA DHIA reports work for you This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA ; tel. (814) /V, TDD (814) /TTY. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State s College of Agricultural Sciences is implied. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of Congress May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Legislature. T. R. Alter, Director of Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania State University. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 1

3 INDIVIDUALS WORKING WITH THE HERD Producer NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE Veterinarian Nutritionist IDENTIFYING HERD PROBLEMS AND PRODUCER GOALS 1. Producer's major concerns: A. poor production B. low fat test C. health problems D. high feed costs E. poor growth in heifers F. other When diagnosed? Persisted how long? 2. Incidence of disease: Time Period Actual From: To: Goals A. milk fever B. downer cows C. ketosis/fatty liver D. displaced abomasum E. acidosis/diarrhea F. foot problems G. clinical mastitis H. udder edema I. retained placentas J. metritis K. anestrus L. cystic ovaries M. abortions N. scours O. parasites DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 2

4 3. Periparturient Conditions (number of cows affected Total Parturitions) x 100 = 4. Other health or disease problems 5. Recent feed or management changes? (note dates) 6. Milk Slip - Date Average milk* Fat test Protein test Bulk tank SCC *Average milk refers to the pounds of milk listed on the milk slip divided by the number of cows' milking actually going into the bulk tank. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 3

5 7. Current DHIA records Herd Code: Date of last test: A. number of cows B. number of first lactation C. number of second lactation D. number of third lactation E. breed F. rolling herd average, milk production G. fat test H. peak milk I. average days in milk J. milk/cow/day _ K. somatic cell count _ L. calving interval _ M. average days open N. days to first breed O. first service conception rate P. average breeding interval Q. historical information (if available) 8. Plot average milk per cow or 150-day adjusted milk by Test Month for one year: 9. Number of cows with fat tests.4 or less than protein. % of lactating herd. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 4

6 ANIMAL OBSERVATIONS 10. Body condition score (BCS), all cows Average BW # of cows Average BCS* Milking average, all cows or Milking average, <90 DIM Milking average, DIM Milking average, >181 DIM Dry (mature), all cows or Dry (mature), early Dry (mature), close-up (3-4 weeks prior to freshening) Young stock: Bred heifers (15-24 mos) Heifers (7-24 mos) Calves (0-6 mos) Milk cows, % too thin, <2.50 Milk cows, % too fat >3.75 Dry cows, % too thin <3.50 Dry cows, % too fat, > *use enclosed sheet for recording body condition scores 11. Plot BCS of lactating animals A. by days in milk (see enclosed graph) B. by milk production DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 5

7 12. Manure: Consistency Color Content A. Milk cows B. Dry cows C. Heifers mos. D. Heifers 7-11 mos. E. Heifers 0-6 mos. 13. Lameness scoring: Lameness often follows bouts of rumen acidosis, about one to three months after the insult. It is therefore important to note lame cows in the herd. The following scoring system has been developed: 0 - not lame 1 - slightly lame, very minor 2 - noticeably lame with some problem moving about 3 - three-legged lame; no weight on affected limb 4 - down, unable to rise because of lameness Summary of lameness scores (LS)*: Lactation Average LS Number with score >0 % lame Group Average LS Number with score >0 % lame high low dry DIM Average LS Number with score >0 % lame *Record cow identification, lactation number, days in milk, feeding group, and lameness score for the herd. 14. Samples obtained on this visit blood milk fecal other DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 6

8 FORAGE AND FEED OBSERVATIONS 15 A. List current forages, feeds, or TMRs which have been tested recently (within 30 to 60 days) that have an analysis report available: B. If no current analysis report is available, list all forages, feeds, and TMRs that will be sampled during this visit for NIR or wet chemistry analysis: 16. Observe and list forages, feeds, and TMRs and record information pertaining to the following: A. odor (smell not typical of good fermentation or storage) B. typical length of chop (fine, medium, long) C. color (charred, black or atypical) D. mold (visible signs of mold) E. ph F. sample(s) submitted for mycotoxin screen G. miscellaneous (species and maturity of forage, kernels cracked or whole, kernels hard or soft, evidence of weeds etc. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 7

9 17. How often are dry matters checked? 18. How often are feed analyses done? 19. Water: describe the water source for the following animal groups: (clean, usable) A. milk cows B. dry cows C. young stock 20. Water: indicate whether the water has been tested and obtain copy of results: A. milk cows B. dry cows C. young stock 21. Will water samples be obtained on this visit? If so, what tests will be requested? DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 8

10 FEEDING SYSTEM AND FACILITIES 22. Type of feeding system: A. Conventional milk cow dry cow conventional with dry grain mix conventional with high moisture grain high-moisture grain blended with complete supplement(prot,min,vit) complete supplement fed separately protein supplement and min-vit mix fed separately top-dress and/or additives fed plus grain mix other B. Complete ration (TMR) milk cow dry cow same (formula) grain mixture fed to all producing cows separate (formula) grain mixture fed to each group of cows complete dry grain mix high moisture corn and supplement high moisture corn, protein, and mineral-vitamin mix top-dress fed via computer or magnetic feeders other 23. Feeding groups Milk Cow A. number of groups B. cows grouped by: production days in milk body condition reproduction other DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 9

11 One Fresh High Medium Low C. number of cows in each group D. formulated production balanced E. actual production in group F. bunk length G. bunk description H. how often is bunk cleaned out? I. current condition (clean or dirty?) 24. Feeding groups Dry Cow A. number of groups Early Close-up B. number of cows in each group C. bunk length D. bunk description E. how often is bunk cleaned out? F. current condition (clean or dirty?) 25. Feeding groups Heifers A. number of groups 0-6 mos 7-11 mos mos B. number of heifers in each group E. bunk length F. bunk description G. how often is bunk cleaned out? H. current condition (clean or dirty?) 26. Silos A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Type Size Unload top Forage Amount in or bottom? stored storage DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 10

12 27. Grain bins Type Size Grain stored A. B. C. D. E. F. G. 28. Describe housing and ventilation (type and condition) A. milking cows B. dry cows C. heifers, mos D. heifers, 7-11 mos E. heifers: birth-weaning weaning-6 mos DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 11

13 FEEDING AND NUTRITION PRACTICES 29. Forages for milk cows (lb as fed) TMR Conventional one fresh high medium low average peak A. B. C. D. E. F. 30. Forages for dry cows (lb as fed) early close-up A. B. C. D. E. F. 31. Forages for heifers (lb as fed) A. B. C. D. E. F. 0-6 mos 7-11 mos mos 32. Actual weight of bales (lb): A. B. C. D. Square Round Square Round E. F. G. H. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 12

14 33. Concentrates for milk cows (lb as fed) TMR Conventional one fresh high medium low average peak A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. 34. Concentrates for dry cows (lb as fed) early close-up A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. 35. Concentrates for heifers (lb as fed) A. B. C. D. E. F mos 7-11 mos mos DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 13

15 36. Concentrate mixture formulas for milk cows and dry cows, as-fed (Batch size, lb): Ingredients ( ) Grain Mix ( ) Topdress ( ) Supplement ( ) Min.-Vit. Mix MC DC MC DC MC DC A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. X. Y. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 14

16 37. Concentrate mixture formulas for heifers, as-fed (Batch size, lb): Ingredients ( ) ( ) ( ) Grain Mix Supplement Min.-Vit. Mix A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. V. W. X. Y. DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 15

17 38. Conventional feeding (feeding regime list what and when cows are fed) A. Milk cows, AM Milk cows, PM B. Dry cows, AM Dry cows, PM Pasture: milk cows, dry cows, young stock A. acreage B. types C. rotational or general D. length of grazing (list hours, AM or PM) 40. Transitional feeding: pre-calving, post-calving A. How much grain are cows receiving prior to freshening? B. How much grain do cows get on day of freshening? C. How are cows brought up on grain the first three weeks post calving? D. In TMR systems, describe which group they are placed in first and how soon top dressing is started 41. Feeding/nutrition-related observations A. When were cows last fed? B. Percentage of cows ruminating C. How many hours/day do cows have access to feed? D. What is the amount of feed refusals/per cow/daily? DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 16

18 HERD DATE Cow ID BCS LS Lact # DIM Comments DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 17

19 HERD DATE Cow ID BCS LS Lact # DIM Comments DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 18

20 HERD DATE Cow ID BCS LS Lact # DIM Comments DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 19

21 HERD DATE Cow ID BCS LS Lact # DIM Comments DAS Nutritional evaluation of dairy rations and feeding management 20