Maximising milk yields from grass

High-energy diets will be key to getting milk yield back on track at turnout, experts are advising.

Grazed grass is typically only capable of supporting 15 litres a cow a day, so high-energy buffer feeds may be required, says KW nutritionist Dave Collett. “Cows are still generally in lower condition than they need to be, and forage stocks for buffer feeding are both low in quality and running out fast. Good-quality grazing could be the springboard to better yields, but only when properly supported and balanced.”

Mr Collett says farmers should make cows in the first 100 days of lactation the top priority. “Use molasses or distillery syrup-based liquid feeds to improve energy supply and palatability if feeding lower-quality forages or straw, and include rumen-protected fats to keep the overall diet above 12 MJ ME/kg DM.

He adds: “The 100% fats offer better value and performance, and if butterfats are in danger of dropping below contract minimums, consider a high C-16 fat to support milk fat production.”

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