Vitamin in ration lifts milk yields
Vitamin in ration lifts milk yields
DAILY milk yields in a group of cows at Myerscough College, Lancs, improved by almost 3.5 litres a cow in the first 13 weeks of lactation, after changes to pre- and post-calving diets.
Modifications to rations of a group of 40 cows, selected at random from the colleges 150-cow Holstein herd, aimed to reduce fat deposition in the liver during late pregnancy.
The trial was undertaken by student Steve Hicklin, a farmers son from Leek, Staffs, as part of his BSc in livestock technology. It was staged over the final weeks of the dry period and into the first 90-100 days of lactation.
His results show that cows offered a vitamin additive known as LiFT – Liver Function Technology – steadily increased yield above cows fed an untreated ration. The most noticeable margin between the two groups occurred in the fourth week after calving, when treated cows averaged 36 litres and untreated cows produced 32 litres.
Trial sponsors, Lancaster-based Pye Farm Feeds, set out to evaluate this protected vitamin-complex additive. It is said to work by promoting fat metabolism preventing a build up in the liver, so maximising the cows supply of energy.
The companys John Long says LiFT is the first feed formulation of its type created to stimulate liver function to improve the organs efficiency and, therefore, performance, health and fertility. Developed by Staffs-based Nutec, the UK arm of Provimi, its function is to optimise the livers natural ability to metabolise fat.
"Fat is a major source of energy in early lactation, both from body reserves and diet," says Mr Long.
"With more energy available for potential performance, the cow is able to deliver higher and more persistent milk yields," he adds.
As well as the 3.5-litre daily improvement, cows fed the additive showed increased milk fat and protein yields and a reduction in mastitis and cell counts.
"We estimate the impact on income of feeding a diet including the additive will be a 3:1 return on investment."
Fed either through a compound ration, as a mineral or included in a mixed ration, the additive is designed to be fed for 21 days before calving and the first 90-100 days of lactation. Feed rate is 50g a day during the dry period, rising to 100g a day post-calving.
"This is when the cow has to cope with dramatic changes in nutrient demand. She needs to step up energy intake, increase the amount of mobilised fat and cope with a progressive amount of toxins. In addition, she has to deal with increased fat intake," says Mr Long.
Myerscough cows were fed low quality grass silage and 1kg of compound during the three weeks pre-calving. After calving, they were switched to grass and maize silage with a compound fed in the parlour up to 7kg a head a day.
Myerscough college lecturer Allan Nickson believes the welfare implications of fatty liver are an important consideration.
"It has been argued that many high yielders have a sub-clinical level of fatty problem; if that is the case it represents a serious welfare issue." Jeremy Hunt
VITAMIN ADDITIVE
• Increased cow yields.
• Possible health benefits.
• Offers return on investment.
A vitamin additive fed to cows at Myerscough College appears to have reduced fatty liver problems and increased yields, says Allan Nickson.