Lecture 25-26: Feeding Dairy Cattle

Question 1

what are the reasons for increased milk yields?

Answer 1

➢ Improved genetics
➢ Improved forage and feed quality
➢ Improved feeding & management
practices

Question 2

what is the key for formulating a ration for dairy cattle?

Answer 2

forage quality

Question 3

what is the challenge for formulating a ration for dairy cattle?

Answer 3

avoiding rumen digestive upsets (acidosis, ketosis)

*concentrates maximum 60%

Question 4

list feed energy rich stuff:

Answer 4

▪ Corn
▪ Oilseed meals / cakes
▪ fats, oils, and grease

Question 5

the requirements for roughage in a lactating cows?

Answer 5

MINIMUM
▪ 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of roughage per 100 lbs of
body weight
▪ 17% crude fiber

Question 6

the requirements for fiber in a lactating cows?

Answer 6

MAXIMUM (1.75-2% of BW)
▪ to keep cow consume grain to meet the
high energy requirement

Question 7

what is the rule of thumb when determining concentrate levels to feeding large dairy cattle?

Answer 7

Feed 1 lb of grain for each 2 lbs of milk above a base of 20-30 lbs of milk

Question 8

consumption is _______ as a number of feedings are ______.

Answer 8

increased
increased

Question 9

what are the timing of different feeds?
hay
silage
grain
water

Answer 9

hay: free choice at all times
silage: 1 or 2 times a day
grain: 2 times a day
water: always available

Question 10

key points to remember when feeding dairy cattle?

Answer 10

▪ Feed young growing cows for growth as
well as milk production
▪ More cows are usually underfed on energy
than protein
▪ Limit finely ground feedstuffs (except for
grain) to prevent drop in milk fat test
▪ Inclusion of hay is recommended

Question 11

advantages of proper dry cow feeding

Answer 11

➢Increased milk production
➢Better conception rate
➢Fewer calving problems
➢Healthier calves
➢Increased herd longevity

Question 12

what are the consequences of energy imbalance in dairy cattle?

Answer 12

milk fat depression

Question 13

milk fat depression causes

Answer 13

• Shortage of energy plus utilization of body fat

Question 14

ketosis

Answer 14

➢ a metabolic disease in excessive
quantities of ketone bodies in blood.
➢ Commonly occurs in starvation due to the
mobilization of lipids.

Question 15

ketosis in dairy cow signs

Answer 15

▪ Occurs most often following calving
▪ Increased glucose demands to support lactation
▪ Body fat is mobilized to meet energy demands,
but TCA cycle ‘backs up’
▪ Over conditioned cows

Question 16

sub acute rumen acidosis

Answer 16

imbalance of lactic acid metabolism

➢ Too high concentrate:forage ratio
➢ Diets too high in fermentable CHO