May 23, 2018

Research shows right allocation of fodder beet for lactating cows

A research project of DairyNZ has compared fodder beet with corn silage as a supplement for lactating cows, and found that when offered the same allocation (4 kilogramness of dry matter per cow per day) there was no difference in urinary nitrogen concentration between cows eating corn silage and those eating fodder beet.

However, milk-solid production improved by 8% with fodder beet. Increasing the allocation to 6 kg DM/cow/day of fodder beet reduced urinary nitrogen concentration, but milk solids did not improve.

It was also observed that cows were refusing fodder beet at the higher allocation. According to the researchers, behavioural observations suggested 6kg DM/day was at the upper limit of fodder beet allocation, and that some cows may have been experiencing sub-clinical acidosis, as increased fodder beet intake reduced milkfat content and had a significant negative effect on the milk fatty acid profile.

"Results of this study support the recommended upper limit of 40 percent of dry matter intake (DMI) as fodder beet for lactating cows", the study said.

During winter, the researchers also investigated the immediate and carry-over effects of crop type (kale vs fodder beet) on cow performance. In the first six weeks of winter, and in the absence of phosphorus supplementation, blood P concentrations of cows eating fodder beet halved from two to one millimole/litre (mmol/l).

"This highlights the importance of providing phosphorus supplementation when feeding fodder beet", the researchers said.