Higher feed protein solves milk yield puzzle

Within the last few weeks I have finally got production per cow to a level I am happy with.

As discussed in my previous article, I have struggled all winter to get cows to produce to their full potential.

At one point I was beginning to question my breeding policy, and the strong emphasis on fertility, lifespan and solids. I was beginning to ask myself if I had unintentionally bred the milk out of the cows?

In January the nutritionist and I agreed more energy was needed in the diet. The solution at the time was to feed 1.5kg of crimped maize.

After further investigation it appeared that milk urea levels had dropped from the high 20s back to around 20

Production firmed up straight away, rising from 30.5l to 32l/cow.

However, after a week this response plateaued and eventually slipped back again, although milk solids improved and held.

After further investigation it appeared that milk urea levels had dropped from the high 20s back to around 20. This indicated that extra energy in the diet was having the effect of mopping up feed protein, hence solids were up and production was level.

The next move was to increase protein levels in the blend by 1%. As soon as the next load of meal came, the cows responded immediately. Currently production stands at just below 34l/cow, with respectable solids at 4.12% fat, 3.27% protein and milk urea back in the high 20s.

Feed rate is maybe on the high side at present, at 0.43kg/l. It is something I am reasonably comfortable with for now, but I know it will have to be watched.

Change

Looking back over the winter months, we tend to make one change at a time and with hindsight protein should have been increased along with the extra energy.

However, at the time milk urea levels were high and looked as though they could carry the extra energy. Also too many adjustments at once and it can be hard to pinpoint what made the difference – you can end up just making changes for the sake of it.

When also discussing the lack of production with a sales rep from a breeding company, he suggested that a little less production may be countered by an increase in conception rates.

My thoughts differ, in that if the cows are well fed and they are “switched on” to milk to their potential, then everything else follows regardless of the level of production. To me, this was confirmed at the latest scanning session when out of 12 cows only three scanned empty.

Calving

At this stage we are well through calving. February has been quiet, but there will be a final push in March and April with all cows from now on calving to beef bulls. The rest of the slurry is out and then it will be onto fertiliser.

With the recent mild spell of weather, you can see grass starting to grow.

I have been tempted to put the low group out, but they are still averaging 30l, so are being kept in the shed for now. Hopefully it won’t be a case of too good, too early.

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