NDF - Neutral Detergent Fibre

The higher the diet NDF and the drier the summer, the more dramatic is the decline in cow appetite, milk output and bodyweight.

NDF on pasture can rise by 5-20% (from 40% to 65%) during summer. This means cows will eat 2-4kgs less per day of forage feeds unless the overall diet NDF is corrected.

As NDF naturally rises, rumen throughput slows up which reduces milk production. Feeding low NDF and rumen stimulating feeds such as Agrifeeds molasses, reduces the fibre fill effect and improves the digestibility of high NDF summer pasture, silages and PKE.

Basic cow economics show the financial results

For every 1kg of intake that does not get to the vat, margin after feed cost is reduced by 50-75 cents per cow per day. That’s $50-75 per cow of lost margin over three months. Feeding to maintain intakes, bodyweight and better milk output using molasses as the key balancer is very cost effective.

Some simple nutrition tips to improve summer performance

TIP 1

Get lost weight back on cows as soon as practical but ideally before peak elevated summer NDF levels. Lose more weight and lose a lot more days in milk!
 

TIP 2

The best feeding solutions are to reduce NDF and maintain fermentable energy levels to improve fibre digestion:

• Feed Agri-feeds molasses with Nil NDF, high sugar, 100% fermentable usable energy with very high utilisation rates
   
• A 5% reduction in overall diet NDF can be achieved by feeding 2kg of Agri-feeds molasses per cow per day. Tapioca and grains are the best starch sources to feed as they are only 10% to 20% NDF

• Monitor diet protein levels to ensure they are not too low (>16%).

TIP 3

Ensure feeding systems and strategies are in place for the summer. Installing or upgrading a liquid feed system (30t tank) is the best summer insurance policy.
 

TIP 4

Ensure extra water, trough space and salt are available to improve rumen speed and fibre digestibility.
Attention to NDF management in dairy diets is critical to optimising summer milk production and profitability.

Supplied by Grant Richards B.Ag Sci, P.G. Sci Nutrition. Nutritionist for Newtrition Solutions Ltd on behalf of Agri-feeds Ltd.