Bradford’s tips on filling the tank

The recent Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference featured a wide array of speakers covering a variety of topics. Dr. Barry Bradford, Michigan State University professor and dairy extension specialist, shared his thoughts on finding the next 5 pounds of milk. Bradford said there are many ways to fill a bulk tank. He focused on three primary nutrition and management opportunities.

Refine feeding and management strategies

The dairy industry continues to learn more about the biological needs for high-producing dairy cows and how to better equip the mammary gland with the necessary nutrients for milk production.

Bradford said this starts with supplying enough dry matter to support lactation. He emphasized the need to supply adequate known essential nutrients and evaluate critical nutrients that may not have been widely researched in the past or may have been overlooked.

The primary example Bradford referenced was feeding rumen-protected choline through the transition period. Choline plays a key role in removing excess triglycerides from the liver during negative energy balance, preventing adipose tissue from accumulating and causing ketosis or fatty liver.

Results shared include increased DMI and subsequent milk production along with reduced inflammation. More recent research with choline is also showing the potential for an increase in colostrum yield.

Prevent clinical and subclinical transition cow problems

Bradford discussed the significant effects on future milk production caused by metabolic issues. This includes both clinical and subclinical impacts of diseases such as ketosis and milk fever.

Bradford shared Canadian research which showed that a case of ketosis within the first week of lactation results in a loss of more than 700 pounds of milk over the lactation. Florida researchers published results last year documenting more than 500 pounds of production loss over the lactation from a single case of metritis.

Much of Bradford’s academic research has focused on inflammation around calving. He shared results from a rumen-protected choline study done in his lab a couple of years ago, showing improvements to immune function and inflammation. While the study showed a 5-pound milk response in early lactation, the main take-home point was the persistence of this production difference several weeks into lactation.

Increase productive life

Reducing culling to increase average productive life and decrease the fraction of first-lactation cows in a herd can increase milk production. Genomics, sorted semen and beef semen have dramatically changed dairy replacement strategies on many farms in the past several years. If not monitored closely, the percentage of first-lactation animals in a herd can climb well above 40%. Bradford shared milk production losses associated with a too-young herd, citing 30% less milk from first-lactation cows and 10% less milk from second-lactation cows compared to their mature herd mates. Additionally, he shared a large research study showing productivity and profitability peaking at lactation 4 to 5.

Revisiting key nutrition strategies and reevaluating additives can have a potential impact on at least a few pounds of milk. Reducing clinical and subclinical transition diseases can result in a significant improvement in production. Strategically increasing the number of mature cows in your herd while being mindful of not swinging the pendulum too far can also lead to greater production.

Work with your nutritionist and herd management team to determine if these factors can contribute to an increase in the production and profitability of your dairy.

Barry Visser is a nutritionist for Vita Plus.