Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Feeding options for last 6 weeks of pregnancy

  • 31-07-2013 6:54pm
    #1
    just do it
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭


    Due to tight supply of silage this winter I'm considering what to feed the dry cows for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. If I went with straw only, how much concentrate would they need along with it?


Comments

  • #2
    jersey101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭jersey101


    just do it wrote: »
    Due to tight supply of silage this winter I'm considering what to feed the dry cows for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. If I went with straw only, how much concentrate would they need along with it?

    Fed straw to heifers this year, and gave them 3kg meal, it will keep them going no bother


  • #3
    whelan1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,786 ✭✭✭✭whelan1


    make sure they have their minerals anyways


  • #4
    just do it
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭just do it


    Thanks folks. I'll give them alltrace boluses when starting in the straw, although the meal you'd imagine would cover them.

    How many cows will a bales of silage feed a day? I guess 15?


  • #5
    jersey101
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,190 ✭✭✭jersey101


    just do it wrote: »
    Thanks folks. I'll give them alltrace boluses when starting in the straw, although the meal you'd imagine would cover them.

    How many cows will a bales of silage feed a day? I guess 15?

    we give em the trace elements through the water all year round dont put alot of minersls in feed or boluses. Ye a bale will do 15 alright, this years silage should.


  • #6
    freedominacup
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭freedominacup


    just do it wrote: »
    Due to tight supply of silage this winter I'm considering what to feed the dry cows for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. If I went with straw only, how much concentrate would they need along with it?

    Dry cow needs around 65MJ for maintenance and calf needs around 30MJ so on ad-lib straw you'll need 5-6 kgs of meal. .5 kg soya plus barley would do it.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    mf240
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,881 ✭✭✭mf240


    just do it wrote: »
    Due to tight supply of silage this winter I'm considering what to feed the dry cows for the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. If I went with straw only, how much concentrate would they need along with it?

    If you have plenty feed space could you give a bale of straw one day and a bale of silage the next for 12 weeks?


  • #8
    just do it
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭just do it


    mf240 wrote: »
    If you have plenty feed space could you give a bale of straw one day and a bale of silage the next for 12 weeks?
    I calve them early so all going well they'll be going pretty much from grass to straw. Agree though, they may be on a restricted diet for longer than the 6 weeks!


  • #9
    just do it
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭just do it


    freedominacup wrote: »
    Dry cow needs around 65MJ for maintenance and calf needs around 30MJ so on ad-lib straw you'll need 5-6 kgs of meal. .5 kg soya plus barley would do it.
    I expect they'll be in fine form at housing having been weaned 3 months prior. Therefore if anything I'll need to drop a bit of BCS off them allowing me to supplement the straw with only 3kg. Young cows (<4yo) need a bit more though, made that mistake last year!


Advertisement