how much ration are ye feeding cows at the moment

GERMAN ROCKS

How many kgs of ration do ye have the cows on at the moment? Currently mine are on 2kg a day of 14%. Am wondering is worth feeding them a bit more? What are others feeding

Keepgrowing

4 kg here and waiting for that phucking north wind to piss off. I need growth to pick up to cut nuts to 2 kg

Bass Reeves

Not feeding any nuts to cows at present........then again I have no cows. Mind you I am thinking of feeding 3kg of soyahulls to bullocks to get some finished by late June/July

stanflt

Some of my cows are getting 9 kgs a day

Avg 6.5kg

blackdog1

5 kg nut and 10kg of whole crop. Hopefully be back to 3kg of nut by may 1st when whole crop runs out.

mahoney_j

6 kg average fty (3.5 to 8!kg )of 16% 1.03 UFl nut ,cows milking 33.7 Ltrs 4.01 fat 3.46
Protein .

dar31

mahoney_j wrote: »

6 kg average fty (3.5 to 8!kg )of 16% 1.03 UFl nut ,cows milking 33.7 Ltrs 4.01 fat 3.46
Protein .

What's in the nut mj.
Very high ufl, or is the Ufl on fresh weight of nut

mahoney_j

dar31 wrote: »

What's in the nut mj.
Very high ufl, or is the Ufl on fresh weight of nut

Maize ,barley ,soya beet pulp ,hulls ,2.5% megafat and usual vitimans ,minerals and cal mag ,megafat brings up the ufl

Wildsurfer

mahoney_j wrote: »

6 kg average fty (3.5 to 8!kg )of 16% 1.03 UFl nut ,cows milking 33.7 Ltrs 4.01 fat 3.46
Protein .

Savage figures. In my discussion group of 20 farmers, there is no one above 26 litres, which is where I'm at now on 3kgs of 14%. Can I ask how did you get to this sort of yield, was it a historically high yielding herd or have you actively pursued it yourself through culling, breeding etc. Am I right in saying it is a fairly mature herd? I'm asking myself before breeding begins should I be using higher milk index bulls to bring up yield or hope that by choosing high fertility bulls, I will have a lower replacement rate and a more mature herd in a few years.

mahoney_j

Wildsurfer wrote: »

Savage figures. In my discussion group of 20 farmers, there is no one above 26 litres, which is where I'm at now on 3kgs of 14%. Can I ask how did you get to this sort of yield, was it a historically high yielding herd or have you actively pursued it yourself through culling, breeding etc. Am I right in saying it is a fairly mature herd? I'm asking myself before breeding begins should I be using higher milk index bulls to bring up yield or hope that by choosing high fertility bulls, I will have a lower replacement rate and a more mature herd in a few years.

Taken years of breeding but even more crucially better soil and grassland management ,there is circa 30% plus heifers in herd this year my milk kg figure is actually -23 kg .i picked bulls this year with milk sub index greater than 65.big focus on solids too with at least 25 kg both .i have feed to yield in parlour and no diet feeder or no maize etc .main focus is high quality grass and making high quality silage to buffer in when needed .ive limited landxsround parlour and little chance of acquiring more hence why I'm gone this route stocked just over 3.2 this year and will go to just under 3.8 next year .i calve cows straight to grass in Feb and could graze right up to early December in a normal year but all cows will be off milk block by November 10 so I can cater for spring demand

GrasstoMilk

2.5 kg 16% nut
27.5 litre 4.16 bf 3.74 p
Hoping they will get to 30 litres for peak. Very young herd. 45% 1st and second lactation. Would never have bred for yield

alps

Wildsurfer wrote: »

Savage figures. In my discussion group of 20 farmers, there is no one above 26 litres, which is where I'm at now on 3kgs of 14%. Can I ask how did you get to this sort of yield, was it a historically high yielding herd or have you actively pursued it yourself through culling, breeding etc. Am I right in saying it is a fairly mature herd? I'm asking myself before breeding begins should I be using higher milk index bulls to bring up yield or hope that by choosing high fertility bulls, I will have a lower replacement rate and a more mature herd in a few years.

I'm becoming more and more unconvinced about the Ebi accuracy on the milk figures. I feel you need to dig deeper into the icbf and ihfa archives to pick your Bulls, and pay particular attention to dams and grandams production and calving intervals.

Having access to the production figures of quiet a number of different herd make ups (HO/FR/XBRED/JY) through the agrinet programme, I'm beginning to doubt the validity of the milk figure.

We run a herd of 60/40 Fr/Ho herd with an EBI genetic prediction of -3€ for Milk and a frightening -121kg for milk volume, yet we are currently producing 2.2kg MS on 29.17 litres of milk. Feeding 4kg of a 12% protein nut and 36 hour wire, going into 1500 cover.

Looking through the figures that cover herds from pure friesian to pure holstein, there isn't as vast a range in output as should be reflected by the vast difference in Ebi figures.

I would definitely say, quality grass has far more effect on yield than any EBI predictions.

mahoney_j

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

2.5 kg 16% nut
27.5 litre 4.16 bf 3.74 p
Hoping they will get to 30 litres for peak. Very young herd. 45% 1st and second lactation. Would never have bred for yield

I'm thinking there ain't much more to come as regards peak ,like me u had a large % calved in first 6 weeks and also autumn calves so I'd say u might struggle to hit 30',serious solids there tho.not breeding specifically for yield fertility ,solids yield would be along my lines

GrasstoMilk

mahoney_j wrote: »

I'm thinking there ain't much more to come as regards peak ,like me u had a large % calved in first 6 weeks and also autumn calves so I'd say u might struggle to hit 30',serious solids there tho.not breeding specifically for yield fertility ,solids yield would be along my lines

Ye probably not much more in them. They got to it last year for a few days.
Talking to a guy I know that works in Moorepark last weekend he was saying to try keep grass into cows around now and keep it all consistent because your embryos for first round of breeding are being made now and you will hold your peak for longer if you can keep it all consistent

whelan2

Massive difference between this year and last year. Cows were in at night here until the middle of may last year. They are out full-time now on 4kg of nuts. Sending 15% more milk than last year with same amount of cows.

pedigree 6

whelan2 wrote: »

Massive difference between this year and last year. Cows were in at night here until the middle of may last year. They are out full-time now on 4kg of nuts. Sending 15% more milk than last year with same amount of cows.

Same here. I have 30% more milk this year compared to the same day last year with 6% extra cows.
I'm putting it down to being out at grass longer and unrestricted grass diet and a longer dry period.
They're on 4kgs of 15%pr nut.
Grass wouldn't be that high in nitrates either. Have 54 units spread on grazing ground.
Last test was 3.7 fat 3.36 pr 33litres.
Milk urea 18.
Cows putting on condition when switched from a 16% nut.

boggerman1

5kg of meal here.14% nut.28 litres at 3.78 bf and 3.4% pr.one question for the experts here,milk urea has gone from around 14 to 20 at the last text.my co-op new in sending out this.is a high figure bad and what does it mean

pedigree 6

boggerman1 wrote: »

5kg of meal here.14% nut.28 litres at 3.78 bf and 3.4% pr.one question for the experts here,milk urea has gone from around 14 to 20 at the last text.my co-op new in sending out this.is a high figure bad and what does it mean

Far from expert.
How and ever 20 milk urea is fine.
It just means they're gone into higher protein grass that's all.
Too high a protein diet and the cows milk more but loose condition off their back and won't go in calf or will abort the foetus.
However different people prefer different milk urea figures.
I prefer from 15 to 25.

whelan2

Bf 4.08 pr 3.42on last test. Was dire before that as they were in at night

alps

boggerman1 wrote: »

5kg of meal here.14% nut.28 litres at 3.78 bf and 3.4% pr.one question for the experts here,milk urea has gone from around 14 to 20 at the last text.my co-op new in sending out this.is a high figure bad and what does it mean

I wouldn't be concerned until it gets over 30..With your range running between 14 and 20, there could be the opportunity for you to push the protein levels a little, probably by fertilising a little stronger, and shortening your rotation a little. It might result in higher yields and proteins...but you'll certainly do no harm at the levels you're at..

boggerman1

Everyday is a school day.i remember an explination leaflet came last yr on it but couldn't find it.

Mooooo

3.83bf 3.59p at 26 litres roughly on 3 kg. May up it to 4kg as will be tight on grass cows bulling away . Down on last year supply as the roll overs I had calve down last year didn't go incalf this time and have a number of heifers yet to calve

whelan2

Mooooo wrote: »

3.83bf 3.59p at 26 litres roughly on 3 kg. May up it to 4kg as will be tight on grass cows bulling away . Down on last year supply as the roll overs I had calve down last year didn't go incalf this time and have a number of heifers yet to calve

When are you starting ai?

Mooooo

whelan2 wrote: »

When are you starting ai?

End of the week maybe, gonna need replacements when switching to all spring so may start early. Will prob aim to have only beef calves from April and work back as the years go on

orm0nd

feeding 3.5 kgs of 16% high cereal nut

30.25 ltrs & rising @ 3.98 b/f : 3.38 P ( 35% heifers)

second rotation previously grazed with sheep & had to tighten every second milking, as cows were'nt eating enough meal to cover cal mag requirements.

alps

Mooooo wrote: »

End of the week maybe, gonna need replacements when switching to all spring so may start early. Will prob aim to have only beef calves from April and work back as the years go on

Your autumn calvers are murdering demand early on Mooooo...would you not consider delaying spring calving by 10 to 14 days and reduce that demand? Might help you start through first round grazing a little earlier and with less animals until farm able to take the bigger numbers....

I might be only talking chyte..but now is the time to really plan the schedule....once the straws are in its too late..

Water John

Found this from last year, hope it helps, interpret MU readings for Urea.

The levels of Milk Urea (MU) indicate the balance between energy and protein in the cow’s
diet. Excess protein in the diet, which is not used by the cow, is broken down into urea and
passed out in the urine. Average blood urea levels can be detected by testing the milk, and
high levels of urea in the milk indicate that there may be too much protein in the cow’s diet
relative to the energy intake.
While good levels of protein in the diet will promote milk production, if they are not well
matched with good levels of energy in the diet, this milk production may come at the cost of
body condition and reduced fertility. Balancing the diet for protein and energy intake is
essential to ensure that cows produce milk with good constituents and go back in calf.
Points to Note:
 While high MU levels can affect milk processability, the main benefits to managing
MU are from improved animal health & productivity.
 MU levels will fluctuate when cows are grazing due to weather/fertiliser effects on
grass growth & intakes.
 MU levels for a herd will be most easily interpreted when all cows are at similar
stage of lactation, i.e. all spring calving.


Under 25 Lack of Protein in the Diet relative to energy.
25 to 35 OPT MU Level
Over 35 Excess Protein in the Diet or Lack of Energy in the Diet.

yosemitesam1

Water John wrote: »

Found this from last year, hope it helps, interpret MU readings for Urea.

The levels of Milk Urea (MU) indicate the balance between energy and protein in the cow’s
diet. Excess protein in the diet, which is not used by the cow, is broken down into urea and
passed out in the urine. Average blood urea levels can be detected by testing the milk, and
high levels of urea in the milk indicate that there may be too much protein in the cow’s diet
relative to the energy intake.
While good levels of protein in the diet will promote milk production, if they are not well
matched with good levels of energy in the diet, this milk production may come at the cost of
body condition and reduced fertility. Balancing the diet for protein and energy intake is
essential to ensure that cows produce milk with good constituents and go back in calf.
Points to Note:
 While high MU levels can affect milk processability, the main benefits to managing
MU are from improved animal health & productivity.
 MU levels will fluctuate when cows are grazing due to weather/fertiliser effects on
grass growth & intakes.
 MU levels for a herd will be most easily interpreted when all cows are at similar
stage of lactation, i.e. all spring calving.


Under 25 Lack of Protein in the Diet relative to energy.
25 to 35 OPT MU Level
Over 35 Excess Protein in the Diet or Lack of Energy in the Diet.

They can also indicate the efficiency that protein's being used with, you could end up with stupidly high urea and a cow that's still short of protein

Mooooo

alps wrote: »

Your autumn calvers are murdering demand early on Mooooo...would you not consider delaying spring calving by 10 to 14 days and reduce that demand? Might help you start through first round grazing a little earlier and with less animals until farm able to take the bigger numbers....

I might be only talking chyte..but now is the time to really plan the schedule....once the straws are in its too late..

This coming season will be my last at the autumn milk and numbers will be down. Just thinking it would be better to have cows calving earlier than going later in the initial switch to spring. Or do lads reckon the start date will have little effect on the last few weeks of breeding in terms of replacement on the ground or pulling in the breeding season?

alps

Mooooo wrote: »

alps wrote: »

Your autumn calvers are murdering demand early on Mooooo...would you not consider delaying spring calving by 10 to 14 days and reduce that demand? Might help you start through first round grazing a little earlier and with less animals until farm able to take the bigger numbers....

I might be only talking chyte..but now is the time to really plan the schedule....once the straws are in its too late..

This coming season will be my last at the autumn milk and numbers will be down. Just thinking it would be better to have cows calving earlier than going later in the initial switch to spring. Or do lads reckon the start date will have little effect on the last few weeks of breeding in terms of replacement on the ground or pulling in the breeding season?

This is a question really worth getting answers to Moooo....would be really good to get thoughts on it...

alps

Mooooo wrote: »

alps wrote: »

Your autumn calvers are murdering demand early on Mooooo...would you not consider delaying spring calving by 10 to 14 days and reduce that demand? Might help you start through first round grazing a little earlier and with less animals until farm able to take the bigger numbers....

I might be only talking chyte..but now is the time to really plan the schedule....once the straws are in its too late..

This coming season will be my last at the autumn milk and numbers will be down. Just thinking it would be better to have cows calving earlier than going later in the initial switch to spring. Or do lads reckon the start date will have little effect on the last few weeks of breeding in terms of replacement on the ground or pulling in the breeding season?

This is a question really worth getting answers to Moooo....would be really good to get thoughts on it...

whelan2

I started serving yesterday. 2reasons I haven't as many autumn calvers as last year and will be tight for my liquid quota. Also going on holidays on 18th of may and I want to have ai wrapped up by then. Wont go as early next year.

alps

I can't comment on the merits or otherwise of the Autumn calving Moooo, so I'll comment only on the spring section.
Taking the rule of thumb that mean calving date should be 40 days before magic day, will give a MCD of around 27th of February less say 20 days to start of calving will give a start date of 7th February.
This allows the opportunity to start grazing straight away with lower numbers than you currently have. Early start to grazing is really important to allow for a high grass wedge hitting second round.
The biggest gain to your cows will be that when they begin to reach peak intakes at 6 weeks...you will be in a position to give them unrestricted access to pasture....whatever you feed after this is your own business, but the cow will be fully fed at a time of crucial requirement.
Third gain is that you will hit 3rd rotation before you start bulling again, and will not be insiminating through the often variable offering of 2nd rotation grass. You have a more consistent diet, more stable nitrogen, a little more stem in the grass, all helping conception rates.
And finally, you will have fed a lot less meal in the spring.
For every extra day before the MCD I have mentioned above, you are effectively fully feeding the whole herd on ration. If this amounts to 2 weeks filly feeding the herd on bought in product, it is a massive bill...

Just my tuppence Moooo. .

farmertipp

Feeding 4 kg.14 % nut.34 litres fat 4 prote in 3.33