EP 11: Using data to drive cow appetite - Dairy Cow Nutrition Tips and Tricks with Shaun Balemi

Shaun looks at why feeding the rumen microbes first is the smartest way to lift appetite, digestion and cow health as cows head through peak milk into mating. He discusses how better quality and balance of energy and protein build the microbial “workforce”, how that flows through to liver function, hormones, milk protein, fat, lactose and urea, and how using milk and collar data on farm can help you spot appetite issues early and keep cows eating, milking and holding condition.

Takeaways

• We need to think about how we're feeding the rumen.
• Better feeding translates into increased microbial numbers.
• Once the cow is full, digestion begins.
• Microbe numbers drop and are digested as protein.
• Feeding the cow well improves energy and proteinmetabolites.
• Microbial protein is crucial for cow digestion.
• Energy levels impact microbial population.
• Appetite in cows is driven by nutrition.
• Feeding strategies are vital for cow health.
• Rumen health is essential for productivity.

Keywords

Rumen, microbial population, cow digestion, energy levels, microbial protein, appetite, nutrition