Feed costs in dairy rations are no doubt the largest single expense associated with milk production, as often they can average in excess of 50% of production costs. Feed Efficiency (FE), also known as milk production efficiency, is often utilized to benchmark herds in terms of their relative profitability.
Hutjens (2007 and 2010)1, 2 offers practical approaches to feed efficiency and their applications on dairy operations. With regard to silage quality contributing to feed efficiency, Hutjens points out the following:
- As neutral detergent fiber (NDF) percent in the ration dry matter increased, FE declined from 1.8 to 1.4 based on Journal of Dairy Science data from 2002 to 2004. FE values remained constant at 35 percent NDF and above.
- Currently, with herd FE ranging from 1.4 to 1.7, each change in 0.1 point is worth approximately 34 cents per cow per day.
- Feeding high-quality forage is a key solution. Consider increasing corn silage levels in rations as cost per cow per day may drop 15- 30 cents as protein prices remain competitive.
- Evaluate the use of silages with more effective fiber and high neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD).
For more practical tips on increasing feed efficiency, click here to read the paper.
Additionally, feeding corn silage hybrids with increased fiber digestibility has been shown to significantly increase FE in dairy herds. Spain and Sampson (2007)3 published findings determining the feed values and ultimate effect on FE utilizing a corn silage hybrid with NutriDense Silage traits:
- Cows fed NutriDense Silage produced 71.7 pounds/cow/day compared to 70 pounds/cow/day for cows receiving conventional corn silage.Based on dry matter intake, cows receiving NutriDense Silage were 11.4% more efficient than cows fed conventional silage (1.56 vs. 1.4).
- In related in vitro work, Spain and Sampson observed a 13% increase in the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) with NutriDense Silage when compared to conventional silage.
- This positive measurement of fiber utilization supports that NutriDense Silage contains favorable fiber for energy contribution to the overall TMR used in the feeding trial.
More recently, Chase (2010)4 conducted a trial with lactating dairy cows to examine the relationship between corn silage hybrid fiber digestibility, milk production, dry matter intake and feed efficiency. Results demonstrated that:
- Cows fed NDS had significantly better feed efficiencies when compared to cows receiving either BMR or conventional hybrid silages.Feed efficiency (kg 3.5% fat corrected milk/kg dry matter intake) was significantly higher for cows fed NDS (1.87) compared with either BMR (1.76) or conventional (1.74) rations (P<0.002).
- Dairy consultants utilizing FE numbers to evaluate dairy production profitability may wish to consider how silage quality and hybrid selection can affect those values.
Rich Lutz is a forage specialist with BASF Plant Science. You can contact him at rich.lutz@basf.com.
References:
1 Hutjens, M.F. 2007. Practical approaches to feed efficiency and applications on the farm. Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop Proceedings. Pages 1-7.
2 Hutjens, M.F. 2010. Lessons learned with low milk prices. 2010 NEAFA Dairy Health and Nutrition Conference Proceedings. Pages 18-21.
3 Spain, J.N. and J.D. Sampson. 2007. Use of NutriDense corn for corn and corn silage in diets fed to high producing dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 85, Suppl. 1/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 90 Suppl. 1. Page 556.
4 Chase, L.E. 2010. Milk production and feed efficiency in dairy cows fed corn silage hybrids varying in fiber digestibility. 2010 ADSA PSA AMPA CSAS ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Denver CO. Abstract #813.
Tags: corn hybrids, corn silage, Dairy, dairy feed, dairy nutrition, Dr. Michael Hutjens, feed efficiency, NutriDense Silage, Rich Lutz
