A Successful Spring Turnout With Co-Product Buffer Feeds

As winter gives way to spring and the countryside begins to reawaken, we all feel a sense of optimism. For dairy farmers, there are few moments more uplifting than putting the cows back out to grass. While pasture provides the cheapest source of feed for cattle, it is vital to manage it well and understand the nutrients it provides. Spring grass is high in sugar but low in fibre, meaning it ferments quickly, which can upset rumen pH and potentially lead to acidosis. Hypomagnesaemia or grass staggers can also be a metabolic challenge typically seen during this time.

So how do you keep things in check? This is where buffer feeding comes in. The high effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP) found in grass can be offset by quality digestible undegradable protein (DUP). When a ration has both protein types in balance, rumen health and milk production can be maximised. Supplementing grazing with <a href="https://www.duynie.com/en-gb/products-uk/?productCategories=&amp;shapes=&amp;processes=&amp;properties=" data-anchor="?productCategories=&amp;shapes=&amp;processes=&amp;properties=">co-products</a>, such as <a href="https://www.duynie.com/en-gb/products-uk/moist-feeds/brewers-grains-cattle/?livestock=2" data-anchor="?livestock=2">brewers grains</a>, introduces essential DUP and structural fibre. This stops grass from passing through the rumen too quickly, supports efficient digestion and makes sure grass protein is fully utilised.

Making the most of spring grass
Grazing grass reaches its peak nutritional value early in the season, in the time between the first spring growth and early summer. As the year moves on, rainfall diminishes, temperatures rise and grass starts growing more slowly. It also becomes more fibrous and stemmy, rather than juicy and leafy.
In the spring, grass has its highest D value, meaning it is at peak digestibility. This relates directly to the amount of energy it can provide. Harnessing this available energy is essential for boosting immediate milk yield. It also sets the scene for herd health, fertility and productivity through the rest of the year. Having your animals in good condition early in spring helps them cope with events like the dry summer of 2022. So getting your buffer feeding regime right has long-term benefits.

Encouraging dry matter intake
The transition from shed to pasture, and the resulting change in diet, can negatively impact milk production. To keep yields on target, it is important to calculate grazing intake. This can be affected by general grass quality, as well as the weather and stocking density.
If availability of grass is limited or grass dry matter is low, achieving the necessary daily DMI can be a challenge, even with parlour compounds maximised. Energy is the nutrient that is lacking at turnout and any shortfall will be seen immediately in dropping yields and lower milk proteins. Over the long term, it will influence body condition, fertility, and longevity.
Co-product feeds are an efficient way to bridge the DMI gap. As a buffer diet, they deliver the essential energy needed at springtime. As they are also highly palatable, they encourage enthusiastic voluntary uptake.

Why introduce buffer feeding to your turnout regime?
<ul>
<li>Provides dairy cows with a well-balanced diet. This increases lifetime daily yield by maximising production throughout lactation. It also boosts fertility and increases the number of lactations.</li>
<li>Supports early lactation cows, which are at the highest risk of not hitting peak lactation. Feeding supplemental energy in the form of fats and starch helps to reduce the time in negative energy balance. Getting early lactation dairy cows out of NEB as quickly as possible makes conception at first service more likely.</li>
<li>Helps freshly calved cows resume cycling more quickly by providing high starch levels. By maintaining post-calving body condition, it prevents cows ‘milking off their backs’.</li>
<li>Protects butterfats that are otherwise at risk of dropping due to low-fibre spring grass.</li>
<li>Provides the fermentable energy needed for milk protein production.</li>
</ul>
Want to find out more about buffer feeding using Duynie co-products and moist blends? <a href="https://www.duynie.com/en-gb/contact-us/">Contact us</a> to discuss your needs

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As winter gives way to spring and the countryside begins to reawaken, we all feel a sense of optimism. For dairy farmers, there are few moments more uplifting than putting the cows back out to grass.

Duynie Feed UK | A Successful Spring Turnout With Co-Product Buffer Feeds