DIET SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP RAISE %
DIET SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP RAISE %
PROTEIN supplements can help manipulate milk protein % in high forage diets, with carbohydrate sources having less effect.
Richard Dewhurst explains that the milk protein % achieved depends most on the level and type of protein fed. This becomes more important as high levels of concentrate are fed.
But even when only feeding 5kg of concentrate a day, increasing the crude protein content produced a positive response when offered with high quality grass silage. In this study, increasing concentrate crude protein content from 16 to 25% saw a rise of about 0.1% in milk protein.
In another study, Dr Dewhurst found that rapeseed meal resulted in a slightly lower milk protein and milk fat % than the alternative of a soya and fish mix. However, he points out that fish is no longer permitted in dairy cow diets.
BEWARE FAT & OIL
FEEDING diets with high levels of oil or fat, of any type, will tend to reduce milk protein %, says Jonathan Blake. This result is seen even when the fat is supplied in a rumen protected form.