New Trends in Feeding Young and Adult Stocks | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

In traditional dairy operations, hay, silage, and concentrates are fed separately, allowing cows to choose the quantities of each feed. Since the late 1960s, interest has grown in feeding complete rations to dairy cows, where forages and concentrates are blended into a single feed.

Advantages of Complete Feeds

• Complete feeds typically consist of chopped hay, silage, and concentrates.
• A complete silage program, including concentrates, is more practical due to easier mechanization and improved grain mixing in silages.
• These feeds, containing 25 to 50 percent grain, encourage higher feed consumption in early lactation, allowing for optimal rumen fermentation and milk fat content.

Feeding Process:

• Complete feeds require thorough blending using a feed mixer wagon, ideally equipped with load cells for precise formulation.
• Group feeding with complete feeds reduces labor, as a single operation is needed compared to multiple operations for individual feeds.
• The continuous availability of complete feeds throughout the day reduces urea-induced rumen peaks seen with twice-daily feeding.

Flexibility and Linear Programming

• Complete feeds in conjunction with group feeding allow flexibility in protein supplementation.
• Linear programming can be employed to compute least-cost rations, with options for high-producing cows and those in late lactation or dry.

Research Findings:

• Limited research on complete rations suggests that least-cost formulations perform as well as conventionally formulated rations.
• Trials show comparable nutritional outcomes for dry matter consumption, milk yield, fat percentages, and body weight changes.

Challenges and Solutions:

• Challenges in rapidly analyzing feeds for frequent reformulation can impact the opportunity cost.
• Utilizing guidelines from the National Research Council Bulletin, least-cost rations for different production groups can be determined using linear programming.

Conclusion

Trends in feeding young and adult livestock highlight the efficiency and advantages of complete rations, emphasizing the need for precise formulation and adaptation to various production groups for optimal results.