Module 12 | Applied dairy nutrition
THURSDAY 17 JUNE AND FRIDAY 18 JUNE
Ration composition and nutrient contents have a huge impact on the health and production performance of dairy cows, but also on the production of greenhouse gasses (methane). Better knowledge about the effect of transition cow nutrition provides you the tool to reduce the incidence of metabolic diseases and to improve health and fertility. Ration formulation can also be used to reduce the risk for rumen and hindgut acidosis on dairy farms. Variation in roughage and diet quality can have a large impact on performance and can be used to manipulate the production level of the cow. Animal appearance and behavior tells a lot about feeding management on a farm. Knowledge about the interaction between animal, farmer, housing and feeding conditions will help to improve production, reduce diseases and increase fertility and longevity.
Learning objectives
- Learn about optimal feeding strategies in the transition period to reduce the incidence of metabolic diseases and improve fertility and health.
- Learn about the prevention of subacute rumen- and hindgut acidosis.
- To obtain further knowledge on how to reduce the methane production of dairy cow husbandry.
- Deeper understanding of factors that influence forage quality.
- To understand CowSignals® as tool for improvement of feeding management and increase production fertility health and longevity.
Remarks
- The SFR-RUMINIX software will be used to provide examples of ration calculation. During the course this software will also be available for the participants and can be used to practice own ration formulations.
- More experienced participants can also attend Module 11 Advanced Dairy Nutrition which will focus on feed evaluation for dairy cows and how to manipulate milk production and milk composition.
DAY 1: THURSDAY 19 JUNE
Optimal transition cow management to reduce metabolic disorders
The transition period in dairy cows is important to reduce the incidence and severity of metabolic diseases. In this presentation the relationship between nutrition in the dry period and hypocalcaemia and ketosis will be explained. Newest insight in feeding strategies to reduce problems in energy balance and mineral status are presented.
Feeding strategies to improve fertility
In this presentation the relationship between nutrition, health and fertility is described. The direct and indirect effect of nutrients on the hormone system is described and an overview of nutritional strategies to improve fertility is presented.
New insights in forage quality: effects of harvesting method and additives
In this presentation the results of recent research toward forage quality will be presented: the effect of chop length and harvesting method of corn on feed intake, digestibility and milk production, the effect of additives during the ensiling process and the effect of storage time on forage quality.
SFR-RUMINIX ration calculations
During the day examples of practical rations will be demonstrated using the SFR-RUMINIX ration calculation software.
Meet the trainers
Anne Guadagnin
Lydia Kroon
Ivonne Kok
DAY 2: FRIDAY 20 JUNE
Subacute rumen- and hindgut acidosis, effects on the health of the cow and prevention
In diets for high yielding dairy cows there is an increased risk for (subacute) rumen acidosis and problems in the gut. Rumen acidosis does not only have a direct negative impact on animal production, but also on the immune system, fertility and locomotion. The effect of feeding strategies on the occurrence of LPS in rumen, hindgut and blood is proposed as mechanism behind those problems. Also feeding strategies to reduce these problems are presented. Examples of practical rations will be demonstrated using the SFR-RUMINIX ration calculation software.
Feeding strategies to reduce methane emissions
There is a worldwide increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Also methane production by dairy cows is contributing to these anthropogenic emissions. In this presentation, the rumen mechanisms behind methane production are discussed, together with feeding strategies to reduce methane emissions from rumen fermentation.
Feeding management and CowSignals®
In this presentation the importance of understanding cows and their signals will be explained by showing practical examples. Understanding the cow and her interaction with the farmer and the impact of the housing and feeding conditions will help improve production, reduce diseases and increase fertility and longevity. The motto of this presentation is: “happy cow, happy farmer, happy planet”.
Meet the trainers
Matthias Schilde
Marije Winia-van Tol
.png?width=200&height=200&name=Bert%20van%20Niejenhuis%20(Cowsignals).png "Bert van Niejenhuis (Cowsignals)")
