Precision feeding and feed supplements to support this feeding are essential for sustainability in high-yielding dairy cattle feeding.

Precision feeding for the requirements of each cow

Long-term genetic selection for high-yielding cows with increased productivity and calving intervals has been shown to increase susceptibility to metabolic diseases, including mastitis and lameness. This has basically emphasised the need for rations to be balanced and supplemented with additives in feeding.

The concept of precision feeding is to be able to adjust feeding rates precisely to a cow's requirements based on feedback from real-time data and herd productivity indices. This, of course, requires very close co-operation between nutritionists and farm managers.

It is important to adjust the proportions of roughage and concentrates, protein, ash, cellulose, metabolic energy, etc., and to balance this balance according to the animal group.

Dynamic nutrients are very important

Additives, vitamins, minerals and trace elements considered as dynamic nutrients (not energy carriers) are usually present in dairy rations between 0.5-5% of total dry matter intake. Dynamic nutrients are crucial for improving energy and protein metabolism as they are involved in enzymatic events at the cellular level between the productive and reproductive tissues.

More importantly, dynamic nutrients are key drivers for improving animal health status due to their ability to support the immune system.

1. Mineral nutrition (macro- and microelements)

Based on precise feeding standards, special premixes are formulated differently for the construction of dairy feed rations with feeding technique taking into account the periodic situation of cows.

The ingredients are divided into macro elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulphur and micro elements such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, selenium, iodine and molybdenum.

Both macro (g/kg KM) and micro (mg/kg KM) elements have a structural role (bone tissue, muscle tissue, etc.) and contribute to the enzymatic functions of cell membranes. They are also able to regulate alkaline acid conditions (sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulphur) which play an important role in calcium metabolism for cows. They have a key role in hormone and protein synthesis. However, in terms of animal welfare, trace minerals are extremely important due to their supportive role in the immune system. Minerals have an indirect role in helping cows cope with metabolic and stress factors within the herd. The life stage and environment of the animal helps nutritionists to decide which trace mineral source may be ideal for formulating the ration.

2. Vitamin nutrition

While many macro- and microelements are associated with synergistic reaction to various vitamin synthesis and enzymatic functions, supplementation of key vitamins regulates growth rate, fertility, udder health, provides a supplementary effect in reducing SHS (Somatic Cell Count) and provides support in improving milk production.

    Vitamins are classified as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble vitamins (thiamine - B1, riboflavin - B2, nicotinic acid - B3, pyridoxine - B6, pantothenic acid - B5, biotin - B7, folic etc.).

Cows with gastrointestinal inflammation, dairy cattle that are not periodically fed, generate increased metabolic losses. This situation gradually decreases ration digestibility and increases the need for vitamins and trace elements in the body. Some vitamins and minerals have synergistic effects between them. For example, vitamin D3 affects the utilisation of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin B6 promotes the absorption of magnesium, which is also influenced by blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamins and amino acids are regulators of metabolic events and an effective way of supplementation to relieve the stress of illness. For example, biotin supplementation can improve nail health and therefore foot health. Niacin is involved in metabolic energy, amino acid and fatty acid synthesis. And ketosis plays a preventive role against fatty liver syndrome. Methionine, like niacin, has a protective effect against ketosis. Cobalt deficiency can cause vitamin B12 deficiency in rations.

Yet another example is the antioxidant activity of vitamin E and selenium. They act together as an intracellular defence against reactive oxygen and free radicals. They play an important role in maintaining the integrity of biological cell membranes. In addition, it has an effective use in the prevention and treatment of white muscle disease, which is a regenerative muscle disease.

Fresh and dried herbs are good sources of vitamins K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone), which are essential for the blood clotting mechanism. Fresh grasses have high levels of β-carotene, which is partially converted to vitamin A, as well as favourable effects on mammary gland health (Michal et al., 1994). However, both β-carotene and other minerals are lost during drying. In addition, mineral deficiencies in soils are reflected in the plant, and deficient mineral status in the plant causes mineral deficiencies in the animal and thus yield losses or metabolic problems in higher mineral deficiencies.

Solution

In animal nutrition, depending on the animal's life period, environmental factors and stress factors, ration should be created by evaluating the balance of protein, fat, starch, cellulose, ash, as well as additional additives such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.

   Betra premixes support you with specific, synergistic preparations.