CopRice Hi Energy Dairy Pellets are a premium feed for supplementing the diet of lactating dairy cows with the highest energy requirements, including those of superior genetic merit and all cows in early lactation. It is recommended for customers feeding higher rates of pellets and feeding extra hay, such as when pasture availability and/or quality is insufficient to meet the requirements for optimum yields of top quality milk and maintain health and fertility in your herd.

CopRice Hi Energy Dairy Pellets have been formulated with the optimum balance of energy and protein sources, selected for palatability, preventing digestive upsets and optimising forage intake and efficiency of feed utilisation. The added calcium and phosphorus helps satisfy the demands for continued growth in lactating heifers and young cows, and replenishes reserves depleted by high levels of milk output and the annual production of a healthy calf.

CopRice Hi Energy Dairy Pellets can also be customised for your herd with choice of protein levels and/or with additives such as medications, rumen modifiers, buffers, mould inhibitors, additional vitamins, trace elements and minerals.

Milk production on your farm

Recent estimates from cow numbers, milk production and concentrate usage, suggest that the average annual milk production level for dairy cows in Victoria exceeds 5000 L/cow with more than 1.25 tonnes concentrate fed per cow.

Taking these figures into account, it is recommended that CopRice Hi Energy Dairy Pellets are fed at 400g dry matter equivalent for each litre of milk produced in excess of that supported by pasture and bulky feeds.

Successful feed management

Combining optimum feeding management of lactating dairy cows for maximum profit with an acceptable lifestyle is no simple task. Prolonged dry conditions, increased stocking rates per farm, quality demands and payment schemes for manufacturing milk are some of the reasons for a trend to prolonging milk production in autumn, and a continuing increase in the levels of concentrates fed. Concentrate feeding has some real advantages over pasture and forage conservation. In terms of overall feeding management, pelleted feeds will continue to be a convenient, balanced, lowdust, palatable option for many progressive farmers where stocking rates are tight in relation to pasture availability. The following guidelines are based on research and experience and may be of value in developing a feeding management program.

• The best spring pasture (75 digestibility, 11.25 ME) will support about 27 L of milk with no loss of live weight or 30 L/cow with 0.5 kg/day loss.
• In early lactation, 0.5 kg/cow daily live weight loss is equivalent to approximately 3 L of milk.
• After about a month, spring grazing (70 digestibility, 10.50 ME) will support about 18 L/cow milk with no loss of live weight or 21 L/cow with loss in weight of 0.5 kg/day.
• Summer pasture can vary from 65 to 70 digestibility, 9.75-10.50 ME and support about 7-18 L/cow milk with no weight loss or 4-15 L/cow with a weight gain of 0.5 kg/day.
• In mid to late lactation, 0.5 kg/cow daily live weight gain requires 1.5 kg extra feed and equates to 3.5 L of milk. Weight gain is essential at this stage to provide for the following lactation and for the birth of a strong and healthy calf.
• Between January to March, pasture can drop as low as 60-62 digestibility and 9.00-9.60 ME. Pasture in the dry months may only support 2-3 L of milk/cow, despite the fact that cows will select higher digestibility feed if it is available.

All of the above guidelines assume pasture is available to appetite and environmental conditions are good, with no cold squally weather or 40°C days without shade.

If the stocking rate is high relative to pasture availability, extra pellets can be fed as long as milk output responds, pasture is eaten out adequately and profitability improves. Body condition will therefore improve and this should be taken into the profit equation for the following lactation.

Feeding management for high yielding dairy cows should always be flexible and based on the principles of:

• Minimising weight loss in early lactation
• Feeding balanced rations according to potential profitable production of quality milk
• Allowing for the regaining of lost weight, continued growth and calf development in mid and late lactation
• Maintaining cow health, fertility and improving utilisation of pasture.