Feed Products - Dairy

Supplements, base mixes, premixes, calf starters, dry cow products, heifer diets, minerals, and milk replacers are available. The most common product Hormel Foods produces is customized protein mixes made to meet the needs of each dairy operation. Customized formulations available.

Call us at 1-800-533-2228 or
e-mail us at feeds@hormel.com

 
Amino Acid Balanced Concentrates

Dr. Charles Schwab (University of New Hampshire) presented data from six commercial farms at the 2003 Four State Dairy Conference in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in which the lysine and Methionine in metabolizable protein was increased. In all the herds the diet was changed to increase the flow of MP-lysine and Methionine without increasing the flows of total protein. In these trials milk protein and milk fat were compared and not milk production. In all cases both milk protein and milk fat increased. It did appear that milk yield also increased, but was not measured in these trials. Milk protein increased by 0.15% and milk fat increased by 0.10% in all six herds.

The Hormel Feed Division also conducted a similar field trial and found similar results. Milk protein increased by 0.11% and milk fat by 0.14%. When compared to the same time period of previous years there was an increase of 0.15% and 0.10% for protein and fat respectively.

Amino Acid Nutrition of the Dairy Heard

Dr. Brian Sloan from Adisseo reviewed amino acid nutrition for lactating dairy cows at the 2004 Minnesota Nutrition Conference. The dairy industry has probably been overfeeding protein for years to ensure dairy cows receive the amino acids they need. This has had a cost of using protein very inefficiently. Not only is there an energetic cost to the cow to remove excess nitrogen, but likely reproductive problems associated with high circulating nitrogen levels. Dairy producers are likely to encounter increased nitrogen disposal costs in the future. Rather tan continuing the traditional approach resulting in ration formulation at 18% crude protein or above, integrating a formulation to include Lysine and Methionine levels allow rations to be formulated at 16.5 to 17.5% crude protein without compromising milk yield and still improve milk components.

Blood meal has the greatest potential to elevate lysine levels when included in the ration due to its' high crude protein content, rumen undegraded intake protein and lysine content. Care must be taken when sourcing blood meal and blended products to insure the product is consistent and lives up to expectations. Hormel's Cheez-Pac Amino Acid concentrates can help deliver the nutrition the cow needs to take advantage of amino acid balancing for lactating dairy cows.

Whole Cottonseed in Dairy Diets

Many dairymen like to include whole cottonseed in their lactating cow diets. Whole cottonseed is a unique ingredient in that it furnishes good levels of protein, fat and fiber in a form that cows find palatable. It does tend to vary in its' nutritional analysis and has a problem with a toxin named gossypol. The average amount of free gossypol should be kept below 24 grams/cow/day to be safe. Most of the gossypol is contained in the kernel of the cottonseed. Stick to 6 pounds (or less) per cow daily. Don't go over 10 pounds of seed and meal together. Don't feed cottonseed to bulls.

Predicting Dry Matter Intake in Dairy Cows

Dry matter intake is the single most important factor affecting milk production. Many things can affect dry matter intake. The can be categorized as dietary, environmental and physiological. Underfeeding can affect health and/or performance while overfeeding can result in increased feed costs. Cows generally consume to meet their energy needs. Fill capacity can limit the cows' ability to consume enough energy.

There are many equations and/or rules of thumb for predicting dry matter intake. Unfortunately, most apply to specific situations. One equation that appears to work over a wider range of situations is:

DMI = 0.02 (BwKg) + 0.33 (4% FCM Kg)
BW = Body Weight; FCM = Fat Corrected Milk; Kg = Kilogram; 1 Kg =2.2 pounds.
An example of the preceding equation is as follows:
Cow weight = 1,350 pounds
(1,350/2.2 = 614 kg)
4% FCM = 70 pounds
(70 /2.2 = 32 kg)
- - - - - - - - -
DMI = .02(614) + .33(32)
DMI = 12.28 +10.56
DMI - 22.84 kg
DMI = 2.2(22.84)
DMI = 50.25 pounds

Dietary factors that can affect dry matter intake include: concentrate level, digestibility, fat effects, forage particle size, forage type, moisture content, acid detergent fiber and protein content.

Environmental factors include: Barn/bunk design, feeding frequency, photoperiod and temperature.

Obviously, compounding factors can have an influence on actual dry matter intake. As a result, knowledge of how the above factors affect dry matter intake can be useful. Actual measurement of dry matter intake is still the best measure of intake.

Ref: 1993 Minnesota Nutrition Conference Proceedings, Pg. 77.

The Digestive Systems of Calves

During the first few weeks of life, the calf can't digest high fiber diets. Milk and/or quality milk replacers must be fed. Milk bypasses the rumen and passes directly into the abomasum.

In contrast to a mature cow, the calf's abomasum is the largest compartment in the stomach at birth, making up 60% of the total capacity. By 7 weeks of age the rumen and reticulum constitute 60% of the stomach and at 3 to 4 months of age the relative capacities of the compartments are similar to an adult cow. Development of the rumen is stimulated by feeding grain or forage to the calf. Increased rumen function enables the calf to utilize more fibrous forages.

Dairy – Building on Milk Protein
(Value of Porcine Meat & Bone Meal)

Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dairy Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois, recently completed a review of protein supplements and their value in dairy diets. Protein prices have increased due to increased corn and reduced soybean acerage in the U.S. Distillers grain, wet brewers, corn gluten feed and pork meat & bone meal can be economical protein sources. Listed below is his table showing breakeven prices for various protein ingredients. Note the value of porcine meat and bone meal over that of soybean meal. Porcine meat & bone meal, along with porcine blood meal are excellent sources of bypass lysine. Their correct use in dairy diets can lead to an improved milk protein component level. That can add 30 to 50 cents per cwt. to the milk value per Dr. Hutjens. Amino acid balancing can lower levels of crude protein required in the diet while increasing milk volume and components. Attention to the level of RDP (rumen degradable protein) and RUP (rumen undegraded protein) can also help in one or more of the following benefits.

1. An increase in milk yield (4 to 5 pounds), milk protein test (0.1 to 0.2 percentage points), and/or milk fat (0.1 to 0.3 percentage points).
2. The level of crude protein in the ration dry matter may be lowered to 16.5 percent saving 20 to 40 cents per cow per day.
3. An improvement in feed efficiency by 0.08 units which can increase profit by 15 to 20 cents per cow daily.
4. Lower metabolic disorders such as fatty liver and conversion of ammonia to urea in the liver.
5. An increase in fertility based on lower blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Break even prices of various protein ingredients

The breakeven prices shown in the table are based on $3.50/bushel corn, $300/ton for 44% soybean meal, 26 cents/ pound for tallow, $10/ton for limestone (calcium value) and $26/ton for phosphorus value. Any of the above protein ingredients should be part of a complete balanced diet in order to take advantage of their value. A Hormel Feeds dairy specialist can help you take advantage of the potential savings and improved production of components available. If you would like a complete copy of Dr. Hutjens' report please contact your nearest Hormel Feeds representative or contact us at www.hormelfeeds.com.

REF: Building on Milk Protein; Dr. Mike Hutjens; University of Illinois; 2007.

For More Information
Contact:
Hormel Foods Corporation
Feed Division
1 Hormel Place
Austin, MN 55912
PH: 800-533-2228
Website: www.hormelfeeds.com