Research project to evaluate grass nutrition
DairyCo, the levy-funded independent organisation for British dairy farmers, has started a new research project in order to evaluate the nutritional value of fresh grass in the diet of high yielding cows with SRUC, Dumfries, as part of the DairyCo Grassland, Forage and Soils Research Partnership.
The study investigates the effect of increasing the proportion of fresh grass as a percentage of the total dry matter (DM) in the diet on animal performance and behaviour, forage utilisation and economics.
Throughout a 16-week period, a cut and carry (zero-grazing) system will be used to supply cows with one of three diets:
Control diet 100 per cent of the diet DM intake will be supplied as total mixed ration (TMR)
25:75 grass:TMR 25 per cent of the diet DM intake will be supplied as grass, 75 per cent as TMR
50:50 grass:TMR 50 per cent of the diet DM intake will be supplied as grass, 50 per cent as TMR
Dr Mark Lee, the project's lead researcher, says: "Currently, we are taking a large number of measurements relating to grass quality and utilisation, intake and foraging behaviour, cow performance through milk production and health, and the economic costs which are associated with a cut and carry system.
"We are aware that feed and forage costs are still the single largest cost on a dairy farm and it is important that we investigate novel ways to increase our utilisation of home-grown forages to reduce this cost," explains DairyCo research and development manager, Dr Debbie McConnell.
"A recent survey of farmers operating cut and carry systems has highlighted that further research is required on feeding strategies for fresh grass to optimise its use in these systems.
"We hope this study will address one aspect of that by assessing the nutritional capability of fresh grass to support milk production in high yielding cows."
This is the first in a series of studies to investigate the role of fresh grass in the diets of high yielding cows undertaken by the DairyCo Grassland, Forage and Soils and Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition Research Partnerships.
More information on this project can be found at the DairyCo website www.dairyco.org.uk or contact Dr Debbie McConnell on 024 7647 8704.
Meanwhile the Livestock Event at the NEC earlier this month had a new feature – Healthy Feet.
Run by DairyCo in partnership with RABDF Events, it covered how to tackle lameness in dairy, beef and sheep and offered those attending an opportunity to hear from experts on risk factors and routes to tackle lameness on farm.
