As calving is under way for spring calving herds, feed demand has increased substantially. With no grass to turn cows out to, silage and concentrates are the only option.
"Stretching or restricting silage should only be carried out where sufficient feed space is available."
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The suckler cow requires a minimum of 50% of the diet to be forage based to ensure healthy rumen function. Stretching or restricting silage should only be carried out where sufficient feed space is available.
Otherwise, the more dominant cows in the group will eat to appetite while shy feeders will be under nourished.
If restricting calved cows to 50% of forage intake, feed 20kg to 25kg of silage and 5kg to 6kg of concentrates.
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At 75% of forage intake, this increases to 30kg to 35kg of silage plus 3kg to 4kg of concentrates.
Thin cows and calved heifers should not be restricted.
Dry cows can be restricted to 20kg to 25kg silage, 1kg to 2kg straw and 2kg of barley.
Do not feed concentrates that include calcium as part of the mineral supplementation to dry cows.
Weanlings can be cut to 15kg silage and 3kg to 4kg concentrates which is the 50% forage intake.
Autumn cows are nearing the end of their lactation, so if the calf is 250kg or over, the calf can be weaned to reduce cow intakes.
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Title: Tips on feeding the suckler cow
As calving is under way for spring calving herds, feed demand has increased substantially. With no grass to turn cows out to, silage and concentrates are the only option.
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The suckler cow requires a minimum of 50% of the diet to be forage based to ensure healthy rumen function. Stretching or restricting silage should only be carried out where sufficient feed space is available.
Otherwise, the more dominant cows in the group will eat to appetite while shy feeders will be under nourished.
If restricting calved cows to 50% of forage intake, feed 20kg to 25kg of silage and 5kg to 6kg of concentrates.
At 75% of forage intake, this increases to 30kg to 35kg of silage plus 3kg to 4kg of concentrates.
Thin cows and calved heifers should not be restricted.
Dry cows can be restricted to 20kg to 25kg silage, 1kg to 2kg straw and 2kg of barley.
Do not feed concentrates that include calcium as part of the mineral supplementation to dry cows.
Weanlings can be cut to 15kg silage and 3kg to 4kg concentrates which is the 50% forage intake.
Autumn cows are nearing the end of their lactation, so if the calf is 250kg or over, the calf can be weaned to reduce cow intakes.
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