High-yield corn silage rations in dairy cattle feeding during drought
Summer drought is increasingly leading to crop failures in grassland. Such reduced yields can be compensated for by silage maize, as it is less susceptible to drought damage. This results in higher proportions of maize silage in cattle rations. Due to the high starch content and generally low fiber content of maize silage, several factors must be considered during feeding to avoid metabolic problems in the animals.
How to ensure adequate structural nutrition despite high-energy feedstuffs, and what concentrate and mineral supplements are necessary, is discussed Doz. Dr. Andreas Steinwidder with Dr. Georg Terler (HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein). Special topics such as feed-grade urea and what to consider regarding the grain content in energy concentrates depending on the storage duration of corn silage are also explained in detail. The podcast concludes with a discussion of the suitability of millet silage and winter cover crops as feed alternatives during periods of drought.
Here is the complete interview on the topic of "Dairy cattle feeding during drought – rations rich in corn silage" for you to watch:
The Austrian Working Group for Grassland and Livestock Farming has also published a brochure on this topic. You can find this summary on the ÖAG website .
Weiterführende Unterlagen:
- The brochure building on the podcast series Technical brochure on climate change adaptation with short and concise technical articles for reading and
- supplementary slide sets for teaching and consulting in all agricultural areas.
