A Detailed Guide to Three Methods of Scientific Dairy Cattle Feeding
Three Methods of Scientific Dairy Cattle Feeding
Increased-feed feeding method: From 15 days before calving to the peak of milk production (30 to 45 days after calving), feed more concentrate and less roughage. Starting 15 days before calving, feed each cow 1.5 to 1.8 kg of concentrate per day, then increase it by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per day until 1 to 1.5 kg of concentrate is fed per 100 kg of body weight. The lactation period of a dairy cow can be divided into early lactation, peak lactation, mid lactation and late lactation. Milk production reaches its peak 1 to 3 months after calving, after which monthly milk production gradually declines by 5% to 10%. Based on this characteristic, after calving the cow should continue to be fed an additional 0.3 to 0.5 kg of concentrate per day until the peak of milk production appears, but the maximum daily concentrate feeding amount must not exceed 17 kg. After the peak period, feed the cow according to the normal standard.
Limited feeding method: For cows that are strong in constitution and in good nutritional condition, implement pre-calving restricted feeding. During the dry period, feed more high-quality succulent feed or green hay and less concentrate (daily feeding amount not exceeding 4 kg); starting 1 week after calving, increase the concentrate feeding by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per cow per day until the daily concentrate feeding amount does not exceed 17 kg. The concentrate must be mixed and stirred evenly, and the cow should be allowed to eat freely. Maintain this for 2 to 3 months.
Alternate feeding method: In order to achieve the goals of high and stable production and to stimulate the cow's appetite, concentrate should be fed in a periodic alternating pattern of high and low amounts. Starting 10 days after calving, feed 8 kg of green hay, 10 kg of silage (12 kg of green grass or vegetable leaves), and 7 kg of concentrate per day for 1 week. Then gradually reduce the concentrate to 3 kg, increase the daily feeding amount of green hay to 11 kg, and feed 30 kg of succulent feed (green grass, vegetable leaves, root tubers, etc.), with the other amounts unchanged, for 1 week. Then gradually increase the concentrate to 13 kg and maintain this until the end of the peak milk production period.
Limited feeding method: For cows that are strong in constitution and in good nutritional condition, implement pre-calving restricted feeding. During the dry period, feed more high-quality succulent feed or green hay and less concentrate (daily feeding amount not exceeding 4 kg); starting 1 week after calving, increase the concentrate feeding by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per cow per day until the daily concentrate feeding amount does not exceed 17 kg. The concentrate must be mixed and stirred evenly, and the cow should be allowed to eat freely. Maintain this for 2 to 3 months.
Alternate feeding method: In order to achieve the goals of high and stable production and to stimulate the cow's appetite, concentrate should be fed in a periodic alternating pattern of high and low amounts. Starting 10 days after calving, feed 8 kg of green hay, 10 kg of silage (12 kg of green grass or vegetable leaves), and 7 kg of concentrate per day for 1 week. Then gradually reduce the concentrate to 3 kg, increase the daily feeding amount of green hay to 11 kg, and feed 30 kg of succulent feed (green grass, vegetable leaves, root tubers, etc.), with the other amounts unchanged, for 1 week. Then gradually increase the concentrate to 13 kg and maintain this until the end of the peak milk production period.