Feeding to Keep Cows Healthy
The dairy industry is facing a tough period, getting through this will rely heavily on feeding strategies that protect cow health. This is not an area where corners can be cut without consequence.
While milk price pressure often shifts attention towards yield alone, it is vital to balance this with a strong focus on cow health, fertility and overall margin.
Reviewing costs within the business is sensible, but decisions should not be rushed. Many of the costs already in place were introduced for a reason and are delivering benefits to the herd, even if those benefits are not immediately visible. Some cost cutting measures may appear to improve profit in the short term, but the longer-term impact on performance, health and longevity can easily outweigh any saving made.
It has never been more important to assess where money is being spent, but this should be done with support from the full advisory team. Input from your vet, nutritionist, foot trimmer and genetic company help ensure that any changes made are considered from all angles. Taking this joined up approach reduces risk and avoids unintended consequences elsewhere in the system.
There are several areas that can be reviewed immediately. Rebalancing the ration to feed more efficiently, making the most of available forages, adjusting cow management or housing, and keeping longevity at the centre of decisions are all practical starting points.
It is easy to look at a ration and make small reductions that appear to cost only one or two litres of milk. The risk lies in the knock-on effects that can follow. The ration does far more than drive yield. It supports fertility, transition performance, colostrum quality, foot health and helps reduce the risk of metabolic disorders. Undermining any of these areas can quickly lead to higher costs elsewhere.
Switching to a cheaper concentrate can be tempting, but it is always worth understanding why it is cheaper. Often this comes down to ingredient changes, particularly protein sources. Each protein source brings different characteristics, and losing certain ones may affect rumen function or performance. A more effective approach is to ask your advisor to review the ration and identify where efficiency can be improved, for example by reducing excess protein rather than removing valuable ingredients altogether.
Reduced forage stocks remain a concern on many farms. Over the past year cows have often been fed more due to limited grass growth and poorer grazing conditions. With milk prices under pressure this can be hard to justify, but forage remains essential for rumen fill and overall diet structure. Measuring forage stocks accurately and exploring ways to maximise their use is critical.
While reviewing ration efficiency it is also worth considering whether all cows are being fed the same diet. Lower yielding cows may be receiving more than they require. Where space and management allow, splitting the herd into high and low yield groups with separate rations can improve overall efficiency without compromising performance.
Finally, longevity should remain a core focus for both the herd and the business. Youngstock represent the future milking herd, and transition cows must not be compromised nutritionally. Cutting back in these areas can have long lasting and damaging effects that are difficult and costly to reverse.
