Feeding cows - methods, norms and rations

The basis of high productivity and animal health is rational feeding of cattle. Lack or imbalance of nutrients in the diet leads to diseases and stunted growth of young animals, reduced milk yields. To avoid the negative consequences of violating the feeding ration of cows, it is important to understand the basic methods of feeding them and the norms of feed consumption, as well as to familiarize with examples of balanced rations.

Basic cow feeding practices

Provide high milk yields and meat indicators can be provided if you observe the norms of proper cattle keeping (cattle), as well as the norms of feeding cows. First of all, it is worth understanding the main methods of feeding them. There are two varieties of methods, depending on the state of the animal with regard to lactation: 

1. Dry-feeding. The period when the cow is not milked, usually a few weeks before calving. At this stage, nutrition should be aimed at promoting health and preparing the body for the upcoming calving. The animal should not be fed dairy feeds, and a proper balance of vitamins and minerals is required to avoid energy deficiency, which can affect subsequent milk yields.
2. Lactation feeding. At this stage, the cow is actively milking. Feeding of dairy cows should ensure both the animal's health and maximum productivity, as the cow loses a lot of energy and nutrients during milk production. Therefore, the animal should be fed high quality feeds with increased energy and protein content to ensure normal milk yield.

Based on this, we can conclude that the main difference between these types of feeding is the focus of the first on preparing the animal for calving and maintaining its health in the period without lactation, and the second - to maximize the reproduction of milk and maintain the energy and health of the animal in the process of lactation. Thus, it is necessary to adhere to scientifically based cattle nutrition schemes to achieve high milk yields and weight gain.

There are also differences in approaches to the organization of cattle feeding. There are two main ways of feeding - traditional and with the help of automated lines. The first one is characterized by simplicity and economy, as it implies manual distribution of fodder by farm workers after appropriate preparation. Fodder can be fed in troughs or on platforms where animals come and eat on their own. The second involves the automatic feeding of feed using specialized equipment such as feed dispensers, feed feeding and distribution systems and may have sensors that monitor the food intake of each animal. 

Daily feed intake rates for cows

In order to provide cattle with a nutritionally balanced diet, it is first necessary to find out what cows are being fed and what their daily feed intake standards are. Such standards depend on a number of factors, such as lactation stage, age, breed, productivity (milk yield), health status and others. However, there are also general guidelines for a cow with normal productivity. Calculation of hay, silage, cereals and concentrates is done in kilograms based on the standard per 100 kg of live weight. 

Specialists, for example, believe that for a dairy cow weighing 600-700 kg it will be enough per day about 25 kg of hay - the main food that provides the necessary amount of fiber for the normal functioning of the rumen and digestion. No less important feed element is silage, which is the main source of moisture and energy. It is extremely important for cows during lactation as it helps to increase milk yield and such a cow will also need 25 to 30 kg per day. Cereals (oats, barley, corn) and mixed fodder are essential for the cow, as they provide her with carbohydrates and proteins to maintain her general health and milk yield. Their daily allowance is 6 to 10 kg.

Healthy development and high milk yields are not possible without the presence of mineral and vitamin supplements in the cattle feeding ration. It is important to provide the cow with necessary minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace elements (zinc, copper). For example, calcium needs about 0.6-1.5 g per 1 kg of dry matter of feed per day, and phosphorus - about 0.4-0.5 g per 1 kg of dry matter.The amount of vitamins depends on their type, but it is important to make sure that the cow receives enough vitamins A, D, E and others, especially during periods of intensive lactation.

An approximate feeding ration for dairy cows in active lactation (600 kg) is clearly shown in the table:

Care must be taken to ensure that the ration is balanced in terms of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Optimal rations for different periods of a cow's life

During different periods of life, the optimal rations meet different feeding requirements for cattle. During the dry period, the balance of nutrients is important. This is because a deficiency or excess of nutrients can hinder the cow's preparation for successful calving and lactation.

For example, indicative ration for feeding dry cows, including high-yielding cows, is quite informative in the table:

Norms of feed consumption required in the ration for feeding dairy cows (600-700 kg, milk yield 25-30 liters per day) are perfectly illustrated by the table.

There are peculiarities in feeding calving cows and young cows. Steers (pregnant cows) have specific nutrient requirements, especially in the last months of pregnancy, when the fetus is actively growing and the mother's body is preparing for calving. It is important that feeding during this period is balanced and does not lead to obesity or nutrient deficiencies.

Feeding calves, especially in the first few months of life, is critical for normal growth, development and immune system formation. Young calves must receive all the nutrients they need to develop muscles, bones and internal organs. At a young age, it is important to provide calves with protein and vitamins for growth and to meet their increased calcium and phosphorus needs for bone formation. Feeding should be regular, which for calves means feeding milk at regular intervals and gradually adding other feeds. In addition, young calves should always have access to clean water, especially after the introduction of dry feeds.

20/02/2025