REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT THE FEEDING OF THE DAIRY COW

Transcription

1 REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT THE FEEDING OF THE DAIRY COW

2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. What to Feed 3. The feeding of the cow during early lactation 4. The feeding of the cow during mid and late lactation 5. The feeding of the first calvers 6. Check list for feeding a dairy cow 7. Examples of rations with rates of supplementation

3 1. INTRODUCTION Feeding of a dairy cow is very important. A high and economic milk production can only be achieved with well fed cow. Cost of feeding contributes highest to total cost of milk production. If a cow is kept under zero grazing, feeding needs even more attention as she will entirely depend on how the farmer feeds. A dairy cow requires feed for the following Purposes: - Milk Production - Body maintenance - Her own growth - The growth of the calf (if pregnant) Balanced feed is good. This implies that, the cow should receive a ration balanced in Energy, Protein and Minerals. Unbalanced ration leads to decreased milk production, poor body condition of the cow and fertility problems. Good feeding leads to higher milk production, good health, and more calves. 2. WHAT TO FEED? Water Water is a very important component of feeding. Water is required to maintain many body functions (like blood circulation) and to produce milk. In zero grazing unit clean water should at all times be present tso that the cow can drink as to when she likes and the much she likes. A water trough of a proper size is needed as the cow producing milk may drink more than 60 litres of water per day. If a well is dug or water tap is fixed, it should be done close to the zero grazing unit. A donkey can also be used to bring the water for a dairy cow. Roughage Feeds can be divided into two groups: roughages and concentrates. Roughages are bulky feeds like napier grass, maize stover, Lucaena, banana stem, sweet potato vines, hay, silage etc. These feeds are usually grown on the farm and are the cheapest to feed to the cow. Good quality roughage is the basis of a high milk production. An example of a good quality roughage is napier grass with a dark green colour (well manured) and cut when 2-3ft tall. Roughages of poor quality are overgrown napier grass 5-6 ft tall) with a yellowish colour and mature roadside grass. Roughages like maize stovers, banana stems, yellowish napier grass and silage of napier grass are low in protein. In order to compensate for this shortage,

4 roughages rich in protein like Leucaena, desmodium, sweet potato vines leaves of fodder trees (eg Leucaena, calliandra etc) should be added to balance the ration. These legumes should not be fed in large quantities because of poisoning and or bloat. Not only the quality of the roughage fed limits milk production but also the quantity. Too little roughage available means that the farm is overstocked. As a rule of thumb; the feed trough should never be empty. During the rainy season the following amount of good quality napier grass is needed per cow per day: - Cows of large size (Friesian/Aryshire) kg - Cows of small size (Jersey/Guernsey) kg During the dry season the napier grass is drier (less weight), the following amounts of good quality napier grass are fed per cow per day: - Cows of large size (Friesian/Aryshire) kg - Cows of small size (Jersey/Guernsey) kg If the cows are fed sufficient roughage of good quality, they can realize higher milk production of about 7 kg per day. Additional milk can be achieved by feeding concentrates. NB: High yielders i.e. above 20 lt consume less roughage (<110 kg) and more concentrates. Concentrates Concentrates are products like dairy meal, maize bran, maize germ meal, brewer s waste, copra cake, etc. Dairy meal or cubes are more or less balanced concentrates for milk production. Concentrates rich in protein and poor in energy are: copra cake, cotton seed cake, simsim cake and brewer waste. There are many types of dairy meal on the market. Some are cheap but of poor qulity. Feeding dairy meal with a known composition is recommended. As a rule of thumb: 1 kg dairy meal will increase milk production by 1.5 Kg. Assuming the cow is fed high quality roughage. Alternatively, one may disregard milk production accrued to roughage alone; in this concentrate feeding regime, one Kg concentrate should lead to production of 3 kg milk. Good quality roughage, minerals and dairy meal are necessary for a proper feeding. Mineral

5 Minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, salt, etc) are very important for a dairy cow. Lack of certain minerals can result in: - Poor fertility (no/delayed or depressed heat signs, poor conception, increased abortion): lack of phosphorus, copper, manganese - A low milk production: lack of phosphorus, salt, calcium - A deformed skeleton in young animals, phosphorus, calcium - Metabolic diseases (eg. Calcium and magnesium). A good example of this is the milk fever or parturient paresis (hypocalcaemia). This disease normally occurs during the first three days. The clinical signs includes staggering, eyes are dull and staring, latter lies flat and if not treated can go into a coma and dies. Call a veterinarian for treatment or if you are one, treat with calcium boroglugonate. As the roughage (napier grass, maize stover etc. and concentrates are not well balanced regarding minerals, extra supplementation with mineral mixture is very necessary. To ensure that a cow has access to minerals all the time, a mineral box should be fitted in the zero grazing unit or in a shade close to the cattle. In this way the cow can regulate the mineral consumption herself. All animals in the zerograzing unit should have access to minerals. There are many cheap but of doubtable quality mineral mixtures on the market. However, it is recommended feeding a mineral mixture of a known composition. NB: To avoid milk fever in the last month of gestation period avoid feeding minerals for 2 weeks and resume mineral feeding one week to calving 3. THE FEEDING OF THE DRY PREGNANT COW A dry pregnant cow needs feed for: - Body maintenance - The growth of the calf - Restoring of lost body weight and catering for reserves for the next lactation The aim of feeding the dry, pregnant cow is to obtain a healthy calf and a cow in good condition at the time of calving. The dry, pregnant cow should be fed with high quality nappier grass. During the last month of pregnancy the cow can be steamed up by feeding her with good quality napier grass, legumes, sweet potato vines, leucaene, fodder trees and 1 to 2 Kg dairy meal per day, depending on the condition of the cow. In addition, to avoid milk fever, the ration should contain low calcium, to keep the mobilization hormone active. Extra calcium can be fed a few days (7 days) before calving as this does not affect mobilization hormone. Overfeeding so that the cow becomes too fat should be avoided. This can result in too heavy calves and

6 difficulties at the time of calving (especially with Friesians) and metabolic disorders i.e. fatty liver syndrome. 4. FEEDING OF THE COW DURING EARLY LACTATION During the first and second month after calving a cow produces a high amount of milk per day. The highest milk yield per day obtained during this period is called the peak yield. A high peak yield leads to a higher milk production during the rest of the lactation. The appetite of the cow is rather low during the first months after calving. Therefore, the feeding of high quality roughage and a high rate of supplementation with concentrates is needed to achieve a high milk production and to prevent excessive loss of body weight. The feeding during the early part of lactation should be geared to challenge the cow by means of supplementation with concentrates. This is needed in order to achieve a high milk production and to prevent excessive loss of body weight. After calving, increase the amount of dairy meal by o kg per day as long as the cow responds by increasing her milk production. Maintain the feeding of this amount of dairy meal till the cow starts dropping her milk yield. Feeding the dairy meal is economic as long as the price of 1 kg dairy meal is less than the price the farmer can obtain for 1.5 kg milk produced. If the farmer has limited cash, it will be much more profitable to buy dairy meal to feed the cow during the early lactation than to feed it in a later stage. Poor feeding during the first part of the lactation results in: - a low peak yields = a low lactation yield - excessive weight loss = poor condition - delayed heat or no heat signs at all = poor. fertility 5. THE FEEDING OF THE COW DURING MID AND LATE LACTATION After the cow has reached her highest milk production, the milk yield will drop gradually. During this period the appetite of the cow for roughage is high. Now the cow s ration should be supplemented with dairy meal according to production. How much dairy meal should be fed will depend on the type of cow and the quality and quantity of the roughage and milk yield. Chapter 8 contains rations with different roughages for different breeds and seasons with the advised amount of concentrates to be supplemented. 6. THE FEEDING OF FIRST CALVERS

7 Generally cows calving for the first time (first calvers) have not reached the stage of full maturity. Besides feed for maintaining their body, milk production and the growth of a calf, first calvers also need feed for her own growth. It is advised to feed these cows 1.5 kg of concentrates extra in comparison to fully mature cows. See also chapter 8. PHOTO Good roughage like dark green Napier grass (2-3 ft tall) is the basis for a high milk production 7. CHECK LIST FOR FEEDING A DAIRY COW The milk production of a dairy cow depends mainly on the way she is fed. The following checklist could be a guideline to find out where the feeding is up to standard: 1. Milk production: is the milk production of the cow satisfactory? 2. Body Condition: is the cow in a good, fair or poor condition? 3. Hair coat: A smooth hair coat reflects good health and proper feeding of the cow (mineral, deworming done regularly). 4. Health: A healthy, well fed cow eats and ruminates and is curious. 5. Water: Does the cow have free access to fresh water? 6. Type of roughage: Is the cow fed on good quality roughage? 7. Amount of roughage: An empty feed trough indicates under-feeding. The feed trough should never be empty! 8. Minerals: Has the cow free access to minerals? A mineral box should be present and filled with a mineral mixture of a known composition. In the last month of pregnancy, for 2 weeks no minerals should be put in the mineral box. One week to calving resume mineral feeding. 9. Concentrates: Is the cow supplemented with concentrates? Concentrate supplementation, especially during the early part of the lactation, will increase milk production as a rule of thumb 1 kg of concentrate fed should result to production of 3 kg milk. 8. EXAMPLES OF RATIONS WITH RATES OF SUPPLEMENTATION

8 On the following pages examples of roughage rations and rates of supplementation have been worked out for different seasons (beginning, mild and late rainy season and dry season) and for different types of cows (large cows: Friesians/Ayrshires and small cows: Guenseys/Jerseys). For each of these rations a table with the required amount of dairy meal for a specific milk production is added. These rations and the rate of supplementation are calculated particularly for the cows which have to be fed according to production: cows in mid and late lactation. Based upon the type of cows kept on the farm, the season of the year and the roughage position on the farm, a certain roughage ration can be selected. The rate of supplementation can be advised for each cow based upon her milk production. 1. Fodder rations and rates of supplementation will vary according to the season. 2. Feeding rates will also vary by breed 3. The following tables are a feeding guide according to:- o Breed type o Milk yield o Season o Basic fodder type and condition I. RATIONS FOR BEGINNING OF RAINY SEASON NO Ration Availability of Napier Breeds 1* (kg/day) Breeds 2* (kg/day) 1. Napier 1 (2-3 ft; DG) High Napier (2-3 ft; DG) Moderate Napier (2-3 ft; DG) Lucerne Moderate Napier (2-3 ft; DG) Sweet Potato Vine Moderate Napier (2-3 ft; DG) Brewer s Waste High 6. Napier (2-3 ft; DG) Brewer s Waste Moderate 7. Napier + Desmodium High Napier (2-3 ft; DG) 9. Natural pasture High Day grazing 10 Napier (2-3 ft: DG) Fodder Tree High * Breeds 1: FRIESIAN, AYSHIRES AND LARGE CORSSES Breeds 2: JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES

9 1 refer to height of Napier grass (in feet) and colour (DG=dark green; LG=Light green; OG=overgrown NB: For higher yielders i.e. above 25 lt of milk per day, the roughage contribution in the ration is IN the range of 40-60%. For example, cows with a potential of producing 35 lt. and above per day the DM intake per day may be 18 kg DM or above with roughage contributing 41% to the ration. (Contact livestock officers in the area for advice on feeding regime). FRIESIANS, AYRSHIRES AND LARGE CROSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production MILK RATION NO. (kg/day) < (Figures in kgs) 1-9 refers to the rations on page 13 JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production MILK RATION NO (Figures in kgs) 1-9 refers to the rations on page 13 II RATIONS FOR MIDDLE AND LATE RAINY SEASON

10 NO. Ration Availability of Napier Breeds 1* (Kg/day) Breed2* (kg/day) 1 Napier (2-3ft: Dm High a Napier (3-4ft; Lm High Napier (2-3ft; DG) Moderate a Napier (2-3ft; LG Moderate a Napier (2-3ft: Long) b 4a 4b 4c Lucerne Napier (2-3ft; LG) Lucern Banana stems Napier (3-4ft; LG) Sweet Potato Vine Napier (4-6ft;00 Sweet Potato vine Napier (2-3ft; LG) Sweet Potato Vine Banana stems 5 Napier (34ft; LG) Brewer s Waste 6 Napier (2-3ft; LG) Brewer s Waste 7 Napier (2-3) Desmodium 8 Napier grass Natural pasture 9 Napier grass Fodder Tree High 5-6 Moderate Moderate High High Moderate Moderate High Moderate High High Day grazing High * Breeds 1: FRIESIANS, AYRSHIRES AND LARGE CROSSES Breeds 2: JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES FRIESIANS, AYRSHIRES AND LARGE CROSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production.

11 MILK RATION NO. (Kg/day) 1 1a 2 2a 3a 3b 4a 4b 4c (Figures in Kgs) 1,1a,2,2a,3a,3b,4a,4b,4c,5,6,7,8 and 9 refers to Ration number 2 JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production MILK RATION NO. (kg/day) 1 1a 2 2a 3a 3b 4a 4b 4c (Figures in kgs) 1,1a,2,2a,3a,3b,4a,4b,4c,5,6,7,8, and 9 refers to ration number III. RATIONS FOR DRY SEASON NO. Ration Availability of Napier Breeds 1* (Kg/day) Breed2* (kg/day) 1 Napier (2-3ft: G) Low Napier (2-3ft: G) Lucerne Low Low c Napier (2-3ft; G) Green maize stova Lucerne

12 4 Napier (2-3 ft; G) Sweet Potato vines Low d Napier (2-3ft;G) Green maize stova Sweet Potato vines Very low a Napier (2-3ft; LG) Maize stova Brewer s waste Very low b Napier (2-3ft: LG) Maize stova Banana stems Wth Sw.Polvines Or Lucerne Or Leucaena leaves High a Napier silage b Napier (2-3; G) Laucaena leaves Low c Napier (2-3ft: G) Green maize stova Leucaena leaves Very low *Breeds 1: FRIESIANS, AYRSHIRES AND LARGE CROSSES Breeds 2: JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES FRIESIANS, AYRSHIRES AND LARGE CORSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production MILK RATION NO. (Kg/day) 1 3 3c 4 4d 6a/b 8a 9b 9c (Figures in kgs) 1,3,3c,4,4d,6a/b,8a,9b and 9c refer to ration number 3 JERSEYS, GUERNSEYS AND SMALL CROSSES Supplement dairy meal/cubes according to the daily milk production

13 MILK RATIO NO. Kg/day 1 3 3c 4 4d 6a 6b 8a 9b 9c (Figures in kgs) 1,3,3c,4,4d,6a/b,8a,9b, and 9c refer to ration number 3 FODDER CONSERVATION The most used methods for roughage conservation are:- Hay making and silage making. The roughage must be conserved such that the quality of the original/starting material is maintained as much as possible. i) Silage:- it is fodder conserved in air tight structures: the green, chopped fodder is pressed, fermented and preserved. Type of Silage a) Above the soil b) Tube Silage c) Pit Silage For the small holder farmers, tube silage is recommended especially where the farmer has a small quantity of material to ensile. One tube can hold up to 500 kg, however a smaller tube can be used if material to be ensiled is not a lot. In case a farmer has more materials to ensile above the surface method of making silage is preferred. Materials required:- - High quality fodder - Silage tube (Polythene tube 1000 gauge) - Molasses - Polythene sheet gauge 500 MAKING SILAGE IN PLASTIC TUBES 1. Cut the napier grass (forage) to be ensiled one day prior to ensiling day.

14 2. Take 2 ½ meter 1000 gauge polythene tube and tie one end to make a large bag. Turn the plastic bag inside out the not should be inside the bag. 3. Chop the material and spread on a polythene sheet in portions of kg (one bag) 4. Dilute 1 kg molasses (about 1 kg kasuku-tin-full) with 3 lts of water. Spread the diluted molasses evenly on the kg of chopped napier. 5. Place a bit of dried grass into the bottom of the tube and then add kg of napier already mixed with molasses and compact as much as possible. 6. Repeat step 3-5 till the bag is full. 7. Tie the top of the plastic tube tightly (make it air tight) making sure as much air as possible is removed above the napier. 8. Place heavy objects such as stones, worn out tyres etc. on top of the tube. In case of any perforation during the compacting process, seal it with cellotape. Store away from direct sunlight or rain. NB: One tube may contain from kg of silage or compacted material. It may therefore be difficult to move it. It is therefore advisable to fill the tube at the point of storage. - Silage will be ready for use after 3 months - If you have less forage to ensile you can use a shorter tube ie. 1.5m. FEEDING 1. Untie the top and remove adequate quantity for feeding that day, then tie it tightly immediately and place heavy objects on top. 2. Always feed silage 2 hours before milking to avoid silage flavour in milk. 3. Each cow can eat upto 40 kg of silage (Friesian 500 kg. Live weight) NB: - Silage is always of lower nutritive value than the original material. - Silage is made for use during the dry period when no fodder is available. - When making silage for the first time get help from an experienced person to ensure the procedure is adhered to. FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION OFFICER IN YOUR AREA Programme Coordination Unit Tel: pcu.sdcp@gmail.com, pcu@sdcp.or.ke website P.O. Box Nakuru, Kenya.