Page 32 - BCHNews-122023-Web

32 WC DAIRY NEWS  CHRISTMAS 2023
In the World of Automated Feeding
Use Fine-Tuned Expertise
Vicki Brisson, M.Sc., Ruminant Technical Service Manager
Dr. Victoria Asselstine, Ruminant Technical Service Consultant Jefo Nutrition Inc.
Dairy farms around the world employ automated feeding systems to improve the efficiency and consistency of feed delivery. These systems encompass a wide range of components, from calf feeders to feed mixers, conveyor belts, automated milking systems (AMS), and feed pushers. These automated tools aid farm operators in mitigating potential nutritional stressors that may arise from variations in protocols among employees, empty feed bunks, or inadequate intake in relation to production levels. While automated feeding can enhance herd performance, it can also introduce new challenges if not properly managed.
As a first example, let’s consider the frequency of feeding and feed push- ups. Dr. DeVries’s lab at the University of Guelph has conducted extensive research in this area. In manual feeding, feed delivery typically occurs once a day. This can lead to issues such as feed heating, sorting, or complete consumption, resulting in periods of time with no food. Only 21% of herds provide feed more than three times a day; however, increased feeding and feed push-ups have been positively correlated with milk yield. The research group has also highlighted the significant impact that automation can have on farmer well-being. A survey of 28 Ontario dairy farms demonstrated improved farmer mental health and resilience following the implementation of automated feeding systems.
Let’s also examine the delivery of concentrate in AMS. Unlike the traditional delivery of a Total Mixed Ration, cows are fed a Partial Mixed Ration, complemented by a concentrate fed at the AMS, which can be in either mash or pellet form. Like any other type of automated feeder, it requires frequent calibration to ensure that the amount delivered matches the settings in the software. The quantity of concentrate delivered to each individual cow is typically set in a feed table. Various factors, including auger speed and rotations, milking time, number of daily visits, physical characteristics of the concentrate, production level, lactation stage, and parity, determine how much concentrate a cow can consume while being milked. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of how these factors affect the animals. However, due to this new ration delivery method, the prevalence of ketosis is higher in AMS herds.
A solution to this common issue involves the supplementation of coenzymes, including B vitamins, to support the dairy cow ’s metabolism during this period of heightened energetic needs. Numerous commercial and university trials have demonstrated the impact of the Jefo Matrix Technology (JMT) in protecting coenzymes, providing precise intestinal nutrition, and mitigating the risk of ketosis. Co-enzymes, such as B vitamins, are essential nutrients for dairy cows and play a role in carbohydrate, lipids, and protein metabolism. When
Jefo Matrix Technology
glucose demand increases for milk production, leading to fat tissue mobilization, the liver may struggle to metabolize the increasing levels of non-esterified fatty acids. B vitamins have both direct and indirect roles at this point. Ultimately, feeding protected B vitamins can reduce blood beta-hydroxybutyrate levels below the subclinical ketosis threshold of 1.2 mMol/L.
When employing automated feeding strategies, it’s essential to regularly verify their accuracy and precision. Scan this code for more information on solutions to reduce nutritional stress.
Automatic Feed Pusher
Robotic Milker
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