FACTORS EFFECTING FEED INTAKE IN DAIRY COWS
There are three kind of factors effecting feed intake in dairy cows
- Environmental factors
- Diet factors
- Cow factors
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING FEED INTAKE
Temperature/Humidity
When temperature rises, feed intake in cattle automatically get lowered. This may result in bad health and low milk production. To overcome this issue, farmer must provide a cool shady area for cows, sprinkle water to keep them cool. Feed should be provided more frequently in day so that cows have fresh feed to eat and show better digestion. Increasing feed frequency is a good option to avoid heat stress in dairy cattle.
Free stalls for cow comfort
Dairy cows prioritize lying over feeding time, forbidding them from lying and keeping them stand for longer time may affect their feed intake. To overcome this problem, farmers must provide proper shady rest areas for cows. Appropriate amount of bedding should be provided in free stalls so that cows can have good rest and show better feed intake
DIETARY FACTORS AFFECTING FEED INTAKE
Feed & Forage quality
High forage quality shows higher intake of feed. If the quality of forage is low it may not pass out of the rumen quickly thus taking longer time to digest.
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We maintain the integrity of all our dairy feeds, by only using premium quality raw materials, we have strong relationship with a wide range of suppliers worldwide and are continually looking for competitive and best quality products globally, to use in our rations.
Dasan Feeds / Dasan Wanda is a complete range of dairy feed line, with the highest quality, nutrient-dense ingredients to provide your animals a superior nutrition for optimal production.
We maintain the integrity of all our dairy feeds, by only using premium quality raw materials, we have strong relationship with a wide range of suppliers worldwide and are continually looking for competitive and best quality products globally, to use in our rations.
Preventing heating of feed
While providing feed to cattle in their feed bunks, it should be kept in mind that feed is not heated up especially during summer months. If feed will remain there for longer time it will get stale and cattle will not use it. Refill the feed bunks frequently with less volume to avoid feed loss and to enhance feed intake.
Prevent heating of store feed
Silo faces (bags and bunkers) need to maintain so that limited excess silage is removed from the packing to prevent heating of silages before feeding.
COW FACTORS INFLUENCING FEED INTAKE
Milk production
Milk production is the most important influence feed intake. As milk yield increases, cow need more nutrients to support this increase of milk. Thus cow will elevate its feed intake to cope its nutrients requirement.
Body condition at calving
Cows which are over conditioned at calving may eat less after calving which set the stages for other metabolic disorders which further decreases the feed intake.
Body weight
Larger cows intake more feed than smaller cows. For example a cow weighing 1500lbs observed taking more feed than a 1200lbs one, if they producing the same amount of milk per day.