Scientific feeding of dairy cows in winter can effectively increase milk production
Raise the feed standard. The rumen fermentation of dairy cows and the energy it produces are diverted to maintaining body temperature, so the feeding standard must be raised, especially the energy standard. Adding 3%-5% animal fat to the dairy cow's ration and supplementing calcium can effectively increase milk production and milk quality. The amount of mixed concentrate fed can be increased by 15%-20%. The concentrate is best prepared into a porridge-like form for feeding, feeding warm porridge at around 38°C, which is not only good in palatability and easy to digest, but can also increase the cow's cold resistance.
If conditions permit, it is best to feed silage corn in a certain proportion. When feeding crop straws, such as corn stalks and wheat straw, certain processing should be carried out. Special attention should be paid to the acidosis that can easily be caused by feeding dairy cows spoiled silage. If such a phenomenon is found, feeding the spoiled silage should be stopped immediately, replaced with high-quality hay, and symptomatic treatment should be carried out according to the condition.
In winter, dairy cows eat more hay, and the secretion of digestive juices increases. Saliva alone secretes about 50 liters per day. If they cannot drink enough water, their appetite will decline, causing milk production to drop, and even disease may occur. For every 1 kg of dry feed a dairy cow eats, it needs about 5 kg of water. Therefore, the total water intake cannot be less than in summer. According to research, dairy cows drinking water at 8.5°C in winter have about 8% higher milk production than those drinking water at 1.5°C. However, giving dairy cows warm water at 20°C for a long time instead weakens their constitution and reduces the digestive capacity of the stomach. The suitable water temperature for dairy cows in winter is 12-14°C for adult cows, 15-16°C for milking and pregnant cows, and 35-38°C for calves.
Supplement enough salt. Salt is one of the main components of gastric juice and can supply the indispensable chlorine and sodium elements for dairy cows. As the secretion of gastric juice in dairy cows increases in winter, the demand for salt also increases accordingly. If the salt intake is insufficient, it will lead to reduced appetite and decreased milk production in dairy cows. Therefore, a certain amount of salt must be guaranteed for dairy cows. The amount of salt supplied should be determined according to the cow's body weight and milk production. Feed dairy cows 30-50 grams of salt per day, and the amount must be accurate to prevent poisoning. In addition to mixing 1% into the concentrate according to the ration, a separate salt trough can also be set up to let the cows lick freely.