Addressing nutrient changes vital at turn out

Nutrient supply can change dramatically when cows begin to graze in the spring and result in an increased incidence of sub-acute rumen acidosis (SARA). SARA is caused by an accumulation of volatile fatty acids and insufficient rumen buffering, causing a drop in rumen pH. Increases in mastitis and poor fertility can be seen in sufferers of SARA.

According to Ms Ward, failing to address the change in nutrient balance could cut feed intakes by five per cent or more, leading to a loss of up to 2.5kg of milk per cow per day. Butterfats can also be hit hard when fibre digestion in the rumen is compromised, impacting the value of milk.

“Inadequate or poorly formulated buffer rations will disrupt rumen fermentation, undermine feed conversion efficiency and reduce milk from forage, the net result is a reduction in income over feed costs (IOFC) rather than an increase, even when feed costs are cut.” says Ms Ward.