Research shows grain reduces pasture milk gains.FARMERS know that supplementing their cow’s diet of pasture with grain boosts milk yields.
However, sometimes they get less extra milk from their herd than what they expect.
Why is this so?
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research has found that as a cow eats more grain its ability to digest fibre is reduced.
“Our work aims to uncover some of the underlying reasons why grazing dairy cows do not always produce as much milk as we might expect, especially when large amounts of grain are fed to them at milking,” DPI scientist Clare Leddin said.
“Once we understand the underlying biological mechanisms, practical strategies can be developed to help farmers optimise milk production from their system.”
In the study, researchers found that adding one kilo of crushed wheat produced just under a litre of extra milk.
“Adding crushed wheat increased the acidity of the cow’s digestive system. This could have implications for animal health and, if not managed, reduce profit for farms,” Ms Leddin said.
The study compared the milk yields of 16 cows fed different amounts of crushed wheat alongside clover-dominant pasture offered at 3.7 per cent of live weight.
The research was undertaken at Kyabram as part of Future Farming Systems Research and involved scientists from DPI and from the University of Melbourne’s School of Land and Environment.
Their results have just been published in the latest edition of CSIRO’s Animal Production Science journal.
“This research builds up the body of knowledge we are developing about optimising milk production on Australian dairy farms,” Ms Leddin said.
“For farmers, a possible benefit of this work could be more efficient pasture-based dairy systems where milk is produced more cost-effectively.”
This research was jointly funded by DPI and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
