The Rural Voice, 1991-02, Page 64EARLY LACTATION MANAGEMENT
Treat Cows
as Individuals
•
By Bill Woodley
Ontario Dairy Feeding
Specialist, Shur -Gain
Managing the high -producing dairy cow in the first trimester of
lactation requires a great deal of skill. The nutritional requirements
of these elite cows are different from those animals in the mid and late
phases of lactation.
The main difference in early lactation that distinguishes these cows
from mid or late lactating cattle is a reduction in dry matter intake. Dairy
animals peak in dry matter intake 8 to 12 weeks postpartum, but they peak
in milk production 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. After this, the dairy cow
experiences a negative energy balance: she cannot consume enough forages
or grains to meet her energy requirements. In this situation, she can lose up
to 10% of her body reserves (in the form of fat) to supply the extra energy
needed for milk production.
The goals of the dairy producer during this phase are to encourage
maximum dry matter intake, provide optimum energy and protein levels
as well as adequate fibre. In this respect, Shur-Gains's Perfo-Lact Dairy
program can help.
An integral part of the Perfo-Lact program is the unique IPF program
(Individual Performance Feeding.) Individual dairy cow data is entered
monthly into a computer system that accurately calculates feeding levels
of dairy rations and topdress supplement based on lactation number, days
in lactation, body weight, milk production, butterfat, and previous milk
production.
The IPF program then balances for protein and energy and ensures
that a minimum forage -to -concentrate ratio is not exceeded.
The key to feeding cows in early lactation is to treat them as
individuals. The IPF program ensures that individual cows receive the
exact amount of required nutrients. Shur -Gain Top Producer and
Ener-Lact-20 dairy supplements are very effective in supplying the extra
rumen bypass protein and fat during early lactation.
SHUR•GAIN
SEE YOUR 111116.4111011
SHUR-GAIN
SERVICE CENTRE
for more information today!
LONDESBORO & WINGHAM CO-OPS
Londesboro
523-9606
Wingham
357-3060
LISTOWEL FEED MILL 1988 LTD.
Listowel
291-4660
THOMPSON FEED & SUPPLY
(Ripley) LTD.
Ripley
395-5955
DESBORO FEED MILL LIMITED
Desboro
794-2327
B -W FEED & SEED LTD.
183 Mill St., New Hamburg
662-1773
Bright
454-8611
VARNA FEED MILL LTD.
Varna
233-9219
MITCHELL MOBILE FEED
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Atwood Sebringville
356-2261 393-6166
Mitchell
348-8752
YANTZI FEED & SEED LTD.
Brunner Millbank
595-8251 595-8911
65 Woodstock St. N., Tavistock
655-2033
DAUPHIN FEED & SUPPLY LTD.
Dungannon Walton
529-7951 887-6023
529-3133