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Apr 09, 2024

Counter Seasonal Grass Decline with Fat Supplementation 

As grass quality and availability decline, appropriate supplementation for grass-fed dairy cows will be required to safeguard against milk production decreases. While the higher fiber content of

As grass quality and availability decline, appropriate supplementation for grass-fed dairy cows will be required to safeguard against milk production decreases.

While the higher fiber content of late-season grass can be beneficial to milk fat production, a decrease in dry matter and energy availability will reduce performance from grazing, with milk yield suffering as a consequence, says Richard Kirkland, PhD, nutritionist for Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients.

To help fill energy gaps in late-season grazing additional supplementation will likely be needed and rumen-protected fat supplements should be a key component in buffer rations to maximize milk yield and quality. Delivering 2.5-times the energy of cereals and more megajoules per bite, fat supplements have a high energy density and support rumen function.

“For a cow to perform to her potential, rumen function must be made a priority. High-starch energy supplements like cereals will lead to the accumulation of acid in the rumen as a result of fermentation, compromising rumen pH and putting the animal at risk of acidosis and low milk fat. While caustic or other alkali treatments will help, large quantities of cereals can be expected to have a negative impact on butter fats. Digestible fiber sources like citrus pulp and soya hulls will give support to milk fat,” says Kirkland.

Performance Benefits From Choosing The Right Fatty Acids When it comes to selecting a fat supplement for buffer feeding, rumen protection and fatty acid profile need to be made a priority.

Unprotected fats cause an ‘oil slick’ effect in the rumen, physically coating fiber and reducing digestibility. However, rumen-protected fats provide a dense energy source without these risks to rumen function.

It is also important to consider which type of fat supplement is most appropriate for an individual farm as the different fatty acid components will have a major bearing on the expected response.

Products with high levels of palmitic acid (C16:0) will improve milk fat production, but care should be taken if offered to cows in earlier stages of lactation as additional output can be at the expense of loss of body condition. The calcium salt products are a blend of palmitic and oleic (C18:1) fatty acids which will be less stimulatory to milk fat, but the C18:1 component aids fat digestibility (increased energy supply), fertility and promotes improved body condition.

“Cow condition, stage of lactation and requirements from the milk contract are key factors to consider when investing in a fat supplement to provide maximum benefit for each farm,” says Kirkland.

When feeding a rumen-protected fat supplement like Megalac which has a balanced ratio of C16:0 and C18:1 fatty acids, producers can support milk yield throughout lactation while protecting fertility.

In research findings from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture’s Dairy Research Centre, cows on a low-input grazing system produced 2.1kg additional milk at peak lactation, and continued to respond with 1.5kg milk at 200-days in milk following supplementation with 250g/day of Megalac rumen-protected fat, while maintaining high levels of fertility.

“Throughout the end of the grazing season, buffer feeding with rumen-protected fat supplements will help support energy demands without compromising rumen function. When selected based on fatty acid profile, producers also have the opportunity to benefit desired milk production targets based on their individual contracts and business objectives,” Kirkland says.

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