How much feed does a cow need (milk yield is high for a long time!)

April 12, 2015 1 Comment views

Only those cows that eat a lot give a lot of milk. It is the rate of feed consumption that distinguishes a highly productive herd from a low-productive herd.

The amount of dry matter consumed affects the amount of milk produced and thus the profits and losses in dairy farming. More than half of all profits are made in the first 100 days of lactation. Every 0.5 kg of additional dry matter eaten by a cow produces an additional liter of milk per day throughout lactation. This means an increase in milk productivity by 300 kg of milk over the entire lactation.

The unit of measurement for feed intake is the amount of dry matter consumed in kg DM. The maximum dry matter intake lies, depending on the breed and type, between 18 and 26 kg. It averages from 3 to 3.5% of the live weight of the animal.

Correct assessment of actual feed intake is a decisive factor when calculating rations for cows.

Why ready-made feed for cows is better

I have been looking at good, complete, ready-made mixed feed for a long time. In terms of price, they are of course expensive, what is sold cheaper is not worth a good word, there is no point in even bothering with it.

From experience(!): This is what finally forced me to switch to Purina: I have good dairy cows that produce a lot of milk (Schwitzes, Holsteins, Simmentals and their crosses). However, I understand that I cannot fully support them during the lactation period - there are constant jumps in milk yield depending on the feed.

To feed cattle, I use a set of different types of grain. And at some point one grain is not available for sale, then another. And its quality is constantly changing. All this has a very strong impact on milk yield.

Examples of diets depending on the milk yield, weight and stage of lactation of a cow are described in another article on moikorovu.ru.

Hint(!): It is important for cows to have consistent feed throughout their entire lactation. For small farms that do not have the opportunity to make large purchases from a direct, trusted manufacturer, the option of switching to ready-made feed is the most profitable. No change of feed.

Insemination

There are two options: either take him to a bull, or artificially inseminate him. I chose the second option because it is more economical, better quality and safer, both technically and in terms of diseases.

It is very convenient to select the most suitable bull seed for each cow and conduct breeding work.

Insemination costs include:

• seed;
• citrate;
• glove;
• capsule;
• catheter;
• nitrogen;
• transportation of the vessel, etc.

From practice(!): I don’t use the services of an inseminator - I inseminate myself, otherwise it would be more expensive. According to my rough estimates, about 60% of cows are covered the first time, 30% are covered on the second, the remaining ten may be covered on the third and fourth, or may not be covered at all. When you calculate costs, take this percentage into account.

Who should switch to ready-made feed?

You should think about switching to industrial feed if you:

• are new to keeping high-yielding cows and doubt your ability to correctly calculate the animal’s diet for health and good milk yield;
• you have extensive experience in keeping cows, but for many years you have been trying unsuccessfully to maintain the lactation curve - cows quickly reduce milk after calving;
• you do not have a reliable food supply (the type and quality of grain is always different);
• You often purchase feed in small quantities. First one product is missing, then another, and as a result, the diet of animals changes all the time;
• you don’t want to waste time and effort on crushing grain, weighing and preparing grain for animals.

Proper storage of hay for bulls

In order for hay for bulls to be preserved in proper quality, it must be stored properly. Often, hay is stored in rolls, bales, stacks, and stacks and stacks are made. Storing hay should be close to the farm or your barnyard so you don't waste time and money transporting it.

In order for hay to be stored as it should be, it must be placed on a special area (not on bare ground) under a canopy. It is best if the area for hay is elevated, so that with the arrival of spring and a sunny winter day it will not be flooded by melt water. If you do not have such an opportunity, then outdoor storage is allowed, but with this approach, be sure to consider the following rules.

• The end of the stack should “look” towards the frequent flow of wind in one direction.
• The bottom layer, which separates the soil from the hay, should be made of straw or covered with logs. The second option is better of course.
• It is best to place dry grass in the center of the stack, but wet grass along the edges.
• The top of the stack is made flat so that water does not accumulate on it from rain and melted snow.
• Near the hay stack, it is necessary to dig shallow channels to drain water.

If the hay is still quite damp, then you need to add regular salt to the layers. It will prevent the grass from heating up under the influence of the sun and then rotting. When preparing hay for bulls, you need to approach it with all responsibility, so that during the winter your animals are not hungry, can eat properly and receive the necessary substances along with vitamins. It is best when you have a supply of hay, because it can be used for bedding for animals in the cold season.

Advantages of feeding cattle with complete feed (experience)

I have been feeding my animals Purina feed for six months now (70-100% of all grains). And in more than 20 years of practice, I have never had cows maintain their milk yield so evenly :

1. The first heifers, which produced 26-27 liters six months ago in the fall, still produce 24-25 liters, despite the fact that winter is behind us and without succulent feed.
2. Full-aged cows, accordingly, also maintain stable milk yields, there are no jumps. Milk lasts longer at its peak (35-45 liters) and declines more slowly.

An example of the results of feeding with Purina compound feed

In the past, when feeding a grain mixture : fresh cows have good milk production, and they add milk well the first month. But in the second month, when there should be maximum, peak milk yield, milk yield begins to jump, decrease, or is on par with the first month, without an increase. The third month, which should be milked on par with the second, begins a smooth decline in the lactation curve. Although there should be a flat plateau.

One of my cows at milking

An example of how milk yield increases and decreases during lactation is in this article.

The reason for the uneven milk yield: it is very difficult to select feed that completely meets the needs of the cow. It is not always possible to purchase the type of concentrates required, or the quality may be very low. Because of this, milk yields fall when there should be maximum indicators.

When using Purina compound feed : there are no jumps in the amount of milk. Milk yield remains even, all lactation peaks, plateaus and curves - as in the exemplary graph.

Hint(!): If it is not possible to buy ready-made formula feed, then grazing cows on young grass or stubble will save the situation. To do this, you need to plan calving so that it occurs in the spring.

Financial benefits of using Purina feed

1. Every year grains become more expensive, but the quality of the grain worsens. Since most farms have the opportunity to buy it only from intermediaries, and they take the cheapest and lowest quality, while setting a high price. So, with the current price tags for grains, buying industrial feed has become not much more expensive.

From experience(!): This year, apparently, in our region we also used some new pesticides for processing grain - pesticides, herbicides. A lot of farms complain that the cows are starting to diarrhea. It is impossible to feed the norm of grain; if you give a little, it’s normal, if you add a little, they start to vilify. On my farm it all started with calves. They couldn't tolerate barley at all. Four times we went to feed and everything was fine, as soon as we started giving crushed grain, in particular barley, diarrhea began. As a result, we switched to mixed feed completely. There is a separate detailed article on how much crushed food should be given to calves.

1. In order for a high-yielding cow to produce the maximum amount of milk for six months or more, it is important not only to have a balanced diet, but also to ensure that the feed is even. There were no jumps in different types of grain, its quality and value. Since the milk stays evenly and for a long time, you can get more of it during lactation.
2. Even if the farm has one milking cow, it will be profitable to feed it with specialized feed . Because even replacing 50% of grains with ready-made mixed feed (from practice) improves lactation.

What is the best feed for cows?

Purina products are not premium, but regular food of good quality. There are other manufacturers: regional (local manufacturer) and those that are distributed throughout the country.

Example(!): In addition to Purina, you can buy Megakorm - also a good manufacturer. Some areas have their own brands. For example, Bogdanovich in the Urals, Ramensky in the Moscow Region, etc.

Here's what you need to look for when choosing a manufacturer:

1. Territorial accessibility . There should be a feed distributor in your area or a neighboring one. It is cheaper to deliver feed using your own transport;
2. The brand is famous and has been on the market for a long time . Purina, for example, is a fairly popular and well-known brand.
3. Quality control . The product must be protected from counterfeiting. For example, each bag has an individual number.
4. Good food composition . It contains all the necessary indicators for nutrition, energy, etc. There must also be guaranteed composition indicators.
5. Appropriate cost . I do not recommend buying food that is too cheap, especially ready-made crushed mixtures. Often what is indicated on the packaging does not correspond to the contents and the animals do not receive enough nutrition.

How to purchase feed cheaper than from a warehouse or on the Internet

In order to buy feed at the lowest possible price, you need to register as a dealer through the official website of the manufacturer.

For example, in order to order Purina feed for cows, you need to go to the website purina-agro.ru and click the “become a dealer” button. The site also has a map with a dealer network, there are contacts of regional representatives from whom you can find out the addresses of warehouses.

How to order Purina feed and deliver it to the warehouse

In the Lipetsk region, for example, there is no distributor (warehouse). And there is one in the neighboring Voronezh region. We have registered as dealers and are now purchasing from the warehouse.

The products are:

• Purina feed for young animals and lactating cows;
• mineral blocks “Provimi” for lactating cows, as well as for heifers and heifers;
• Felutsen licks for calves.

Warehouses do not purchase feed, but only on order. You must first order the goods through them, and they already order from the factory. The plant manufactures and supplies to the distributor. Feed is expensive and the warehouse does not stock it. This is the system we use to purchase feed at a competitive price.

Purina feed for cows – price

1. Purina® compound feed for lactating cows 40 kg costs from the warehouse (feed distributor) at the moment 1090 rubles, dealers can have up to 1400;
2. Compound feed Purina® Starter for calves 25 kg costs from the warehouse (feed distributor) at the moment 1090 rubles, dealers can have up to 1400
3. Provimi mineral block for lactating cows 16 kg from warehouse 1150, from dealers from 1500;
4. Provimi mineral block for heifers and heifers 16 kg from warehouse 1400, never seen at dealers;
5. Felucen K 2-4 for young cattle (Energy) 4 kg 350 rub. from warehouse.

As can be seen from the prices given, it is quite possible to purchase ready-made, high-quality feed at a good price.

How much feed to give a cow based on milk yield and weight (diet)

All the feeding standards that are indicated on the feed manufacturer’s website are not entirely true, so you shouldn’t count on them. There the information is given on average:

According to the norm recommended by the manufacturer, a cow should be given 350 g per liter of milk in the first 100 days after calving. After 100 days of lactation, the manufacturer recommends 200 g per liter. This is not true, you need to leave about 350g per liter, then the milk will last longer.

Example of a diet, a cow weighing about 400/500 kg with a milk yield of 25 liters:

• 9/10 kg of feed;
• 14/15 kg of hay (grain + legumes + meadow);

Example of a diet, a cow weighing about 400/500 kg with a milk yield of 30 liters:

• 10/11 kg of feed;
• 15/16 kg of hay (grain + legumes + meadow).

Compound feed is not my only type of feed. In addition to this, I give: bran, cake and dry pulp. But the amount of everything varies depending on milk yield and stage of lactation.

If it is not possible to buy 100% of commercial feed, it can be partially replaced. For example, I give 70% grains, the rest bran, cake and sometimes dry pulp.

Detailed examples of diets are in the article about legumes and dairy feeds.

Example of a diet, cow about 400/500 kg, milk yield 20 liters:

• 6/7 kg of feed + 2 bran +1 sunflower cake;
• 14/15 kg of hay (grain + legumes + meadow);

Example of a diet, cow about 400/500 kg, milk yield 35 liters:

• 10/11 kg of feed + 2 kg of bran;
• 16/17 kg of hay (grain + legumes + meadow).

How to calculate the diet if you replace 50% of grains with compound feed

In order to calculate the amount of formula feed for a cow, you need to replace the amount of grain that the cow received with Purina. In this case, there is no need to calculate by weight of cattle and milk.

Example(!): A cow of 500 kg (35 liters) consumes 9 kg of grain (corn 4 kg + bran 2 kg + cake 3 kg). We replace 50% with Purina compound feed. It turns out: 4.5 kg of feed + 4.5 grains (corn 2 kg + bran 1 kg + cake 1.5 kg).

Even if half is replaced with Purina compound feed, and half remains the same, the effect on milk is already visible. But of course, the best effect is after they switch completely to ready-made feed.

Compound feed Purina 40 kg for lactating cows - composition

How to make cow feed cheaper

At the peak of lactation, it is better to feed pure feed. It can only be diluted with bran (for volume). You can reduce the cost of feed for those cows that no longer have peak lactation. This is the 6-8th month after calving.

Note(!): It is difficult for a cow to digest a large volume of feed. Or you can, for example, give 2.5-3 kg of feed + half a kilo of bran for 1 feeding. A cow will eat this amount normally without harm to health.

Cake is a protein. In those moments when you give feed less and more bran. This is done in order to balance the diet nutritionally.

On my farm we are gradually giving up crushed grains (there is no time to crush), and there is no need to crush the bran and cake. I take granulated bran, and the cake is always in layers.

To a cow that has been giving milk for 8 months, for example, I give half the norm of Purina feed, and replace half with bran and cake in half, plus the Provimi mineral block.

About Provimi mineral blocks

Provimi mineral blocks have a very good composition and are made on the basis of molasses - sweet. Cows lick them very actively. Everyone still has a simple salt lick, but they don’t touch it at all.

From the very beginning, as soon as I put these buckets down, they licked them very actively. Then they became smaller - apparently there is no such need. Some lick more, some less, each has their own need for these nutrients.

One block is enough for one cow for about 6-10 months.

Arrangement of feeding areas

The feeding area and the preparation of food for consumption by cattle are of great importance in increasing animal productivity. The effectiveness of using food of animal and plant origin depends on the ease of its digestibility and assimilation in the body of cattle. To increase it, it is necessary to increase palatability, improve appetite, enrich the diet with minerals and neutralize feed components.

You can improve the process of digestion of feed in the cow’s gastrointestinal tract:

• heat treatment;
• fermentation;
• adding yeast;
• grinding;
• adding calcium (treating straw with lime increases its digestibility);
• hydration (adding water to concentrates or mixing them with other feeds).

Equipping a feeding area or table allows you to prevent spoilage and loss of food, improve eating and prevent foreign objects from entering the gastrointestinal tract. But the most important advantage of the feeding table is the possibility of easy mechanization. Using a feed dispenser to distribute food among livestock allows you to speed up this process and reduce costs for staff.

To do this, allocate an area along the passage under the feeding table, into which the tractor puts silage, haylage, and concentrates. And under the hay there is a feeder, into which a roll of hay is placed and the cows have constant access to it. On dairy farms, hay is also distributed to the feed table, but last.

How to give feed to calves - an example of a diet with Purina

When you need to accustom calves to concentrated feed (grains), there is a very detailed instruction article on moikorovu.ru.

You can give compound feed to calves from just a few days of life and gradually increase it to 1 kg by a month. Further, by the end of the second month up to 2 kg. Examples of diets are here.

I give the calves 2 kg of feed per day. This is sufficient in accordance with the indicators that this feed has. As soon as you bring it up to 2 kg per day, you can leave it there.

Examples of diet for young animals 4-5 months old in a separate material.

I give bran and cake to older calves - after six months, from 8-9 months. If they gain weight very intensively (700-1000 kg/day or more), then you can add a kilogram of bran.

When the weight gain is less than normal, you can add 1 kg of cake as protein to these two kg of feed.

It turns out that in the first 2 months of life, calves receive:

• milk feeding (6-8 l);
• compound feed (up to 2 kg);
• hay (a little, as much as they eat, 0.5-3 kg).

Next, we remove the milk and only concentrates (compound feed) and roughage (hay/grass) remain.

Hay should be given to calves so that they eat everything and only have a handful left. They eat each type of hay differently and its weight varies accordingly. Therefore, the exact weight cannot be specified.

Hint(!): After 2 months, calves can be given 3 kg of grain, but 2 kg of mixed feed is enough. In terms of composition, the calves have enough. Only after 8-9 months can you add pulp and bran.

Research and vaccinations

Blood sampling for testing is done 1-2 times a year, in different regions in different ways. Analysis is required for leukemia and brucellosis. Testing for tuberculosis, leptospirosis and other diseases is also possible.

We do not need to take documents and permits to sell dairy products, since I work mainly on order with private buyers. If you take certificates (say, for trading at the bazaar), then the monthly costs of cows will be higher. Basically I take certificates about the health of cows . They are necessary when selling or transporting cows or young animals.

Holstein cows in a flyer

Calculation of the cost of milk when feeding Purina feed

Next, I give approximate calculations of the cost of milk if you transfer a high-yielding cow to purely finished feed. To calculate, I used the table from the article on costs per 1 cow, as well as the table on income per 1 cow.

From the table on annual costs for 1 cow (excluding the cost of grain, cake, pulp) it turns out 72,790 rubles.

Let's supplement the annual costs with the following items:

Total costs per 1 cow, taking into account the dry period, are as follows:

72790+82385=155175 rub.

Taking into account the income table, not only has the average amount of milk received from one cow per month increased, but prices for milk and dairy products have also increased by approximately 17-20%.

It was 24367, now it is 28361.5 rubles. Taking into account the increase in milk yield by approximately 15.5% - 32,773 rubles. For 10 months of lactation 327,730 rubles.

Total profit per 1 cow (327730-155175)/12=14380 rub. per month (including 2 months of dead wood).

Note(!): The calculations indicate minimum income; in practice, different amounts are obtained - ranging from approximately 33 thousand rubles to 37 thousand. Thus, one cow on average per month can provide a profit of 14-18 thousand rubles.

Cost of 1 liter of milk:

155175/8000=19.40 rub.

The average retail price is 70 rubles/liter.

Grazing

My region is forest-steppe, but the soil is sandy, the vegetation is sparse and there is drought every year. Of course, you can turn out cows in a herd and tie them up for a longer period, but for high-yielding cows this will result in a decrease in milk yield.

If you keep simple, low-yielding cows, the grazing period will be longer, since the animals can get by with a more meager diet.

And yet, I advise you to determine the best time to turn cows out to pasture not by the grass, but by the presence/absence of midges (gnats).

From practice(!): I usually tether cows from late April to early June. And in the summer they live on the street, in a summer house - a fenced area with a large canopy. There we feed, drink, and milk.

Additionally, we mow down the succulent grass and feed it to the cows. If the grass on the pastures is already dry, then no, we replace it with hay. But if the grass is from gardens or seed grass for feeding, then we mow it down and feed it.