You may know how important it is to choose a right type of cattle feed. It is only when a farmer can expect to get the best result. Well, you may think that grass being the natural diet of cows it is available in plenty, then what is the need to buy cattle feed. Cows require sufficient amount of minerals year round that only grass cannot provide. To help the cattle stay productive throughout proper dietary supplement is a must.
So, how should a farmer choose the right feed for his cattle? Here, age is an essential factor. Cattles at different stages of their life need different kinds of dietary ingredients to ensure nutrition. Also, pregnant cattle and the ones who have just given birth need special feed. Let’s take a look at the different types of feed available;
Roughages
Proper use of high-quality roughage can reduce the use of concentrates while providing plenty of vitamins and minerals to the cattle. Typically, three forms of roughages are there; dry roughage, silage, and pasture. If you talk about dry roughage it mainly includes hay, straw and dehydrated forage that contains maximum dry matter. On the other hand, silage is formed from green forage like sorghum, grass, corn, and alfalfa that are preserved in a silo. And pastures provide forage, having high water content and only 20% of the dry matter.
Concentrates
When it is about energy-rich grains, corn, barley, oats, and milo are undoubtedly the best. They have almost 70 to 80 percent of the total digestible nutrients with 7% to 10% of highly digestible protein. Additionally, rice bran, rye middling, rice polish and wheat middlings are some of the byproducts of the grain feeds and they are quite laxative and heavy, particularly brans. Protein supplements are also found, including soybean oil meal, peanut oil meal, and linseed oil and cottonseed oil meal. However, they may be a little costly for the farmers to buy.
Mixed Feed
Mixed feed, available in high and low protein or fiber are capable of providing a complete balanced ration. With a Total Mixed Ration (TMR), cattle can get a predetermined quantity of forages and concentrates required to maintain a good health. In fact, the risk of digestive issues is reduced to a great extent, rumen pH is stabilized and digestion of feeds is optimized. Providing a proper amount of protein and carbohydrates to the cows will help in maximizing rumen fermentation and more production of rumen bacteria.
