Feeding cows supplement of concentrate in addition to a basis TMR according to individual performance and needs. Pinhas Gur
1.1 Introduction
The trial began in november 1995 in the dairy of Kibbutz Gesher, Israel.
The Gesher dairy was established in 1939. It is located in the Jordan Valley, an area which has sub-tropical weather. Calving is seasonal. The dairy milks 300 cows with an average production (milk shipped in liters) of 11,776 per cow for 1996.
In order to reach clear conclusions and to obtain applicable tools it was decided
to run the experiment over a period of two calving seasons.
1.2 Description
The trial included 130 cows from second lactation and above.
The cows were separated according to accepted criterions (statistical analysis of previous records, matching number of lactation and calving dates +/-).
The cows were split between a trial and control group.
Professor Efraim Maltz and Dr. Ilan Halachmi both from the Vulcani Institute developed a model which estimates DMI based on a cow’s daily MY, BW, DIM and lactation #. Since the AfiMILK program provides all these parameters it was decided to run the experiment using the parameters, allocating concentrates manually on a daily basis and if the results were satisfactory develop an additional module to the AfiMILK program which would replace the manual calculations and entering of data.
The AfiMILK program is based on “management by exception”. On a daily basis the manager of a dairy farm or the herdsman deals with between 1.5% to 3% of the herd: insemination, calving, mastitis, cows for vet visit and other treatments. In a herd of 300 milking cows between 3 and 9 cows need special attention each day.
The standard “feed policy” in most herds is to work with one or two different rations for milking cows. We know that in each group being fed the same TMR there are great differences between the cows. The cows MY, BW, DIM, milk components, lactation number can vary greatly. In any group of milking cows the “exceptions” can reach 40%. Fat cows with lower yields, thin cows with high yields, cows that haven’t reached their peak and cows which have.
The model was to answer this problem which hadn’t been dealt with through individual feeding thus compensating very high production cows and allowing them to reach their full potential without overfeeding others
Feed: the rations fed were composed by Pinhas Gur (Gesher dairy) in association with Steven Rosen (extention manager -- Ministry of Agriculture Counselling Services),
Professor Efraim Maltz (Vulcani Institute) and Catriel Tavori (Dietitian – Zemach Feed Mill).
The control group was fed a TMR. The trial group received a basic mixed ration and two components of concentrate allocated separately through self-feeders.
Daily milk yield , body weight records from the AfiMILK program and DMI records were sent by e-mail to Professor Maltz who after processing the data returned the daily individual allocations of the two concentrates, The allocated quantities were entered manually into the computer used as a controller for the self-feeders.
1.3 Equipment
Five feeding stalls each allowing the use of two concentrates.
Two concentrate silos and a distribution system to the self-feeders.
Electronic cattle scale.
SAE Afikim Feed controller.
SAE Afikim Scale controller.
Two SAE Afikim “Identification units”.
Software.
1.4 Objectives
1.To take full advantage of the production potential of the cow individually.
2.Using a feeding policy which takes into account more than one variable:
3.milk yield, milk components, body weight, days in milking and gynecological status.
4.Testing high protein “post partum” rations during the fird thirty days of lactation without the need to move cows from one group to another.
5.Reduction of days open through faster BW gain and positive energy balance.Bringing the cow to dry period at optimal BCS and BW.
6.To have greater control on milk components on an individual level.
7.To cancel the need for moving cows. The use of a computerized self-feeding program allows to keep cows at various stages of location in the same group.
8.Better control of the composition of the ration in relation to fluctuating feed prices.
9.Development of software which in combination with the computerized milk, BW and herd management program will replace the manual calculations of concentrate allocations.
Note
This is not a statistical analysis. It is an accumulation of data collected daily for the first 305 days of each trial period.
1.5 Drawbacks
1.The equipment demands daily attention: cleaning of the photo-cells, checking the flow of the concentrates, removal of manure from the area of the scale.
2.“Teaching” new cows to use the self-feeders is time consuming, although on the average cows “learn” after being led to the stall two or three times.
Lactation graphs of five cows with different levels of production and persistency. The variance demonstrates the different dietetic needs of the cows.
