Complete diet feeding for cattleAlimentation des bovins avec des rations complètesFütterung mit Milchvieh-Komplettfutter |
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| Authors: | JB Owen |
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| Institution: | Department of Agriculture, University College of North Wales, Bangor, GwyneddGt. Britain |
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| Abstract: | The complete diet system involves processing the ingredients of cattle diets into a well-mixed blend to which the cattle are given free access. Mixing the diet in this way has often been shown to increase daily intake and to increase the solids content of the milk of cows, although total milk production may not be increased.The necessity for varying forage:concentrate ratio with stage of production in cows is examined in relation to complete diets and for the feeding of separate ingredients. The evidence so far suggests that, where the basic forage is of good quality, there seems little justification for varying diet composition with the consequent necessity for grouping the cows.Specifications are outlined for computer formulation of complete diets showing the main aspects which require further clarification, notably roughage characteristics, protein degradability, amino acid composition of rumen undegradable protein and intake characteristics of mixed feeds.Advantages for complete diets appear to be simplicity of management and full mechanisation, coupled with economy of feeding space, safety and flexibility for inclusion of a wide range of ingredients. Disadvantages, as with most mechanisation, include high capital cost and risks of mechanical breakdown.Future developments envisaged include the use of low forage, straw-based diets for arid areas where the provision of conventional forage is costly. |
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