Feeding management and milk and milk component yields
In 2016 Large Herd Dairy Management Conference, Dr. Trevor DeVries from the University of Guelph presented some data showing the importance of feeding behavior and management on milk and milk component yields. As shown in figures below, more meal frequency helps to improve dry matter intake, milk fat content, and fat-corrected milk yield. On the other hand, more sorting decreases milk and milk component yields, and efficiency of production.
Overall, strategies that promote meal frequency (such as increased feed delivery and push-ups) and reduce sorting (such as optimizing feed particle length and adding molasses-based liquid feeds) will help boost milk and milk component yields.
Figure 1: More meals and longer feeding time lead to greater DMI. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
Figure 2: More meals lead to greater milk fat content. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
Figure 3: More meals increase fat-corrected milk yield. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
Figure 4: More frequent feed delivery improves milk fat content. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
Figure 5: More sorting at a cow level decreases milk components. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
Figure 6: More sorting at a herd level decreases fat-corrected milk and production efficiency. Courtesy of Dr. Trevor DeVries.
