TIS THE SEASON TO BE HUNGRY!

5 Things in regards to Dairy Cattle feed that you must consider as seasons change.

1. THIRSTY MUCH? (Water Intake)

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Water is the most important nutrient to incorporate in Cattle diets. Cows should have 2 - 3 waterers that are regularly cleaned, contain fresh water, and are placed in areas convenient for cow in order for them to be encouraged to drink. During the warmer seasons spring/summer, it is a good idea to place waterers in the shade so that the water stays cool. Cold water increases the cow's feed intake (West et al., 2014). During the colder seasons fall/winter, placing the water in warmer areas to prevent freezing is major. Cows will consume warm water easier because of its palatability compared to colder water (Golher et al., 2014).

Resources:

Golher, D. M., P. Thirumurugan, B. H. M. Patel, V. K. Upadhyay, S. Sahu, G. K. Gaur, and S. H. Bhoite. 2015. Effect of drinking water temperature on physiological variables of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate region of Himalayas. Vet World Veterinary World 8:1210–1214.

West, J. W. 2010. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11407/feeding-and-nutrition-management-for-hot-weather

2. CONCENTRATES AND FORAGES

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During Spring/Summer, depending on the climate you must be cautious of your cattle being susceptible to heat stress. Forages with high levels of fiber cause your cattle to produce more heat within themselves (West et al., 2010), therefore during these seasons you will need to decrease the amount of forage your cows consume. Cows need an increase in their energy intake due to their decrease in feed intake during hot months. You can accomplish this by increasing concentrates in their diet (Eastridge et al., 2014). During Fall/Winter, the cooler months, it is beneficial to increase forage intake to induce the cattle’s body heat production. Cows also need to increase their feed intake by 20 percent so that they can maintain their body weight (Holley et al.,2016)

Resources:

Eastridge, M. L. 2014. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/65903/managing-dairy-calves-and-heifers-during-the-winter-months

Holley, S. Attention, All Cattle Producers: Your Industry Needs You! 4 Tips to Remember When Feeding Dairy Cows this Winter. Available from: http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/4-tips-to-remember-when-feeding-dairy-cows-this-winter/

West, J. W. 2010. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11407/feeding-and-nutrition-management-for-hot-weather

3. FATS

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Fats are great sources of energy as well as good for aiding in reducing metabolic heat production during hot weather. During the Spring/Summer months, inducing dietary fats are good for improving milk yield (Eastridge et al., 2014). However, you do not want to increase fats more than 5-7% because too much fat can cause digestive upsets. The change in seasons has a large effect on milk fat content. During Spring/Summer, there is a decrease and during Fall/Winter there is an increase. As the temperature gets colder, you will see peak levels (Jones et al., 2005).

Resources:

Eastridge, M. L. 2014. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/65903/managing-dairy-calves-and-heifers-during-the-winter-months

Vines, D., B. Jenny, R. Wright, and L. Grimes. 1986. Variation in Milk Fat, Protein, and Somatic Cell Count from Four Dairy Herd Improvement Laboratories. Journal of Dairy Science 69:2219–2223.

4. PROTEINS

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Just like fats, proteins are also beneficial to inducing milk yield. A Louisiana heat stress study showed that protein at 14.3% improved milk yield by 6% (West et al., 2010). Increasing dietary crude protein can negatively affect Dairy Cattle reproductive performance. While crude protein deficiency can decrease protein in milk, too much dietary protein does not increase milk protein, which causes the extra dietary protein to become waste (Jones et al., 2005). Implementing more crude proteins in diets during Spring/Summer months should be proceeded with caution. It helps with making up for lower feed intake yet it can also be dangerous. Like fats, proteins also depress during Spring/Summer months while the peak levels and increase during Fall/Winter months.

Resources:

West, J. W. 2010. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11407/feeding-and-nutrition-management-for-hot-weather

Vines, D., B. Jenny, R. Wright, and L. Grimes. 1986. Variation in Milk Fat, Protein, and Somatic Cell Count from Four Dairy Herd Improvement Laboratories. Journal of Dairy Science 69:2219–2223.

5. MINERALS AND FEED ADDITIVES

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While climates are higher during Spring/Summer months, cows sweat and their sweat contains a lot of potassium rather than sodium the way that humans do (West et al., 2010). During these seasons, requirements for potassium increase, as well as sodium and magnesium. When feeds contained more sodium, feed intake increased. Potassium aids in improving Dry Matter Intake. During colder Fall/Winter months, the cattle will need a well-balanced diet consisting of normal mineral requirements. The mineral content requirement for potassium is 1.0+ %DM, magnesium 0.22-0.28 %DM, and sodium 0.20 %DM (Niell et al., 2016). In those Spring/Summer months, contents are increased tremendously. Ranges during heat stress for potassium 1.4-1.6 %DM, Sodium .35-.45 %DM, and magnesium .35 %DM (West et at., 2010). Feed additives are a great way to incorporate increases of minerals when transitioning between seasons. Feed additives should be used with caution. You must be sure that the entire herd needs to be compensating for decreases of necessary minerals before you change their diet. As mentioned before, excess nutrients are excreted and can have a negative effect on different aspects of the digestive system.

Resources:

Niell, C., C. Thorn, G. Peter, M. Forsyth, P. Irvine, J. Haultain, and J. Morgan. Nutrition. - DairyNZ. Available from: http://www.dairynz.co.nz/feed/nutrition/

West, J. W. 2010. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11407/feeding-and-nutrition-management-for-hot-weather

Literature Cited Section

Non - Peer Reviewed

Hoffman, K. 2013. Transitioning Dairy Cows From Pasture to Winter Feed. On Pasture RSS. Available from: http://onpasture.com/2013/09/23/transitioning-dairy-cows-from-pasture-to-winter-feed/

Holley, S. Attention, All Cattle Producers: Your Industry Needs You! 4 Tips to Remember When Feeding Dairy Cows this Winter. Available from: http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/4-tips-to-remember-when-feeding-dairy-cows-this-winter/

Niell, C., C. Thorn, G. Peter, M. Forsyth, P. Irvine, J. Haultain, and J. Morgan. Nutrition. - DairyNZ. Available from: http://www.dairynz.co.nz/feed/nutrition/

Peer Reviewed Resources

Eastridge, M. L. 2014. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Managing Dairy Calves and Heifers during the Winter Months - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/65903/managing-dairy-calves-and-heifers-during-the-winter-months

Golher, D. M., P. Thirumurugan, B. H. M. Patel, V. K. Upadhyay, S. Sahu, G. K. Gaur, and S. H. Bhoite. 2015. Effect of drinking water temperature on physiological variables of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate region of Himalayas. Vet World Veterinary World 8:1210–1214.

West, J. W. 2010. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Feeding and Nutrition Management for Hot Weather - eXtension. Available from: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11407/feeding-and-nutrition-management-for-hot-weather

Vines, D., B. Jenny, R. Wright, and L. Grimes. 1986. Variation in Milk Fat, Protein, and Somatic Cell Count from Four Dairy Herd Improvement Laboratories. Journal of Dairy Science 69:2219–2223.