Successful Feeding Systems For Dairy

Types of feeding systems for dairy cattle - sizing, economics, TMRs, feed storage and feed bunk management.

This book is the first detailed and comprehensive guide to the use of feedpads in the dairy industry, from planning and construction to day-to-day management, written especially for farmers. With ongoing droughts and access to water driving up the cost of conserved forages and feeding concentrates, feedpads offer flexible and efficient systems to maximise returns on feeding expensive supplements to grazing dairy cows, and form part of the risk management strategy for dairy farms. Feedpads for Grazing Dairy Cows covers all the aspects of animal husbandry involved in running a successful system and addresses key issues such as formulating rations to balance grazed pasture, management of farm labour and effluent management. The key principles of dairy nutrition are explained along with the concept of partial mixed rations and the range of potential ingredients. The authors also cover the physical features of feedpad design and construction and provide a checklist for planning a feedpad. They discuss important issues such as cow welfare, animal health and the management of effluent, including cleaning the pad, storing and recycling these solids and liquids on farm while minimising feedpad odours, flies and vermin. This book demonstrates a wide range of long-term economic benefits and will play an important role in helping dairy farmers achieve higher farm profitability.

Nutrition and Lactation in the Dairy Cow is the proceedings of the 46th University of Nottingham Easter School in Agricultural Science. Said symposium was concerned with the significant advances in the field of nutrition and lactation in the dairy cow. The book is divided in five parts. Part I deals with the principles behind nutrition and lactation of cows. Part II discusses the cow’s nutrient interactions; responses to nutrients that yield protein and energy; and the influence of nutrient balance and milk yields. Part III tackles the efficiency of energy utilization in cows and its relation to milk production. Part IV talks about food intake of cows and the factors that affect it, while Part V deals with the different feeding systems for cows. The text is recommended for those involved in raising cows and dairy production, especially those who would like to know more and make studies about the relationship of nutrition and lactation of cows.

Dairy Cattle Feeding and Nutrition was designed to provide information needed by those interested in the feeding and nutrition of dairy cattle. It contains basic information for students in courses on feeds and feeding, dairy cattle production, and animal nutrition.