Nutrition for peak milk production

Dairy specialist Joe Patton joins Emma-Louise Coffey on the latest Dairy Edge to discuss the nutrition requirements of dairy cows at peak milk production.

Joe quantifies peak milk production on spring calving dairy farms at 2.0-2.3 kg MS per day and identifies genetics as the factor that creates the potential for milk production whilst a tight calving pattern, increased herd maturity and diet and intake of the cow are the factors that contribute to peak.

At peak, Joe expects protein requirements are sufficiently at peak lactation where a grass makes up the majority of the diet.

Energy is the limiting factor and Joe explains that the quality of grass, and more specifically the proportion of fibre (stem) in grass will limit the intake and therefore, the energy intake.

Joe reminds us to ensure that mineral requirements of dairy cows are met in the form of minerals in meal or through water systems. Some of the important minerals include Calcium, Phosphorus, Salt, Magnesium, Selenium, Iodine and Cobalt.

For more information: https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/animals/dairy/FeedingDiaryCow.pdf

For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at:
 https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/