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Ammoniated straw for dairy cows
Straw feeding is an essential practice in dairy cattle management, especially for dry and lactating cows. Proper feeding strategies can significantly impact cow health, milk production, and overall farm efficiency.
1. **Feeding Dry Dairy Cows with Straw**
Dry cows are those that have stopped producing milk and are preparing for calving, typically around two months before giving birth. During this period, their nutritional needs shift from high-energy to maintenance-based feeding. A dry cow weighing 600 kg should consume about 9-12 kg of total dry matter per day, consisting mainly of roughage and green feed. The ratio of roughage to concentrate varies depending on the stage of the dry period. In early dry periods, a 8:2 or 7:3 ratio is recommended, while closer to calving, the ratio may be adjusted to 6:4 or even 5:5. It's important to provide high-quality forage such as pasture, hay, or semi-dry silage. If corn silage is used, it should be supplemented with 0.5 kg of soybean meal or other protein sources. Urea-treated silage can also be used to reduce the need for additional protein feeds.
Another effective method is alkali treatment of straw, which can replace part of the silage in the diet. Alkali-treated straw can make up about 77% of the total dry matter in the diet. For example, when used as the main roughage, a cow can be given 10 kg of silage grass or corn silage, 0.5 kg of molasses, and 0.06 kg of minerals daily. This approach not only improves digestibility but also helps meet the cow’s nutritional requirements efficiently.
2. **Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows with Straw**
Lactating cows require a balanced diet that supports both their maintenance and milk production. Their nutrient needs increase during peak lactation, and the ratio of concentrates to roughage must be carefully managed. For example, if a cow produces 10 kg of milk daily, the concentrate-to-roughage ratio (on a dry matter basis) should be 3:7, with 4 kg of mixed concentrate provided. As milk yield increases, the proportion of concentrates should also rise. At 20 kg of milk per day, the ratio may shift to 4:6, with 7.6 kg of concentrate needed. For higher yields, such as 30 kg per day, the ratio could go up to 6:4, requiring 13.2 kg of concentrate daily.
First-lactation cows, or heifers, have additional growth requirements, so their straw intake should be limited. Typically, straw should not exceed 20-70% of the diet, with corn silage making up about 56%. A sample ration might include 4 kg of straw, 1 kg of molasses, 2 kg of corn flour, 1 kg of soybean meal, 0.75 kg of fish meal, 0.15 kg of urea, along with 15 kg of corn stalk silage and 0.2 kg of mineral mix.
At the end of lactation, cows are both producing milk and carrying calves, so their energy and protein needs remain high. Silage corn stalks, along with ammoniated or alkali-treated straw, can make up about 40% of the diet. For a cow producing 15 kg of milk daily, feeding 15 kg of silage, 4 kg of molasses, 3 kg of corn flour, 0.3 kg of fish meal, 0.1 kg of urea, and 0.1 kg of minerals can help maintain productivity and prepare the cow for the next lactation cycle.
Using ammoniated straw has been shown to improve milk yield and quality. Studies indicate that feeding 30% ammoniated rice straw in the diet can result in an average milk yield of 24 kg per day with a fat content of 3.24%. Replacing half of the legume hay with ammoniated corn stover has no negative effects on milk production or composition, with some cows achieving 26 kg of milk per day and a fat percentage of 3.30%.
In summary, strategic use of straw in dairy cattle diets can enhance feed efficiency, support animal health, and optimize milk production. Whether for dry or lactating cows, careful planning and monitoring of feed rations are crucial for long-term success in dairy farming.
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