Feeding

Feed intake of dairy cows forms the foundation of every successful dairy operation. Optimising feed intake directly contributes to better cow health, higher milk production, and more stable fertility. In practice, however, this remains a challenge: fluctuating forage quality, heat stress in cows, rumen acidosis, or subclinical ketosis can silently reduce feed intake.

In this article, we take a closer look at how to optimize the ration for dairy cows, which health indicators play a key role, and how cow health monitoring and data-driven cow health management can contribute to a strong, future-proof dairy herd.

A healthy metabolism forms the basis of cow health and stable milk production. The calving process places significant demands on the cow. After calving, energy requirements increase rapidly, while feed intake often lags behind. This period of negative energy balance in cows increases the risk of metabolic disorders such as ketosis in dairy cows. For good dairy herd health, it is crucial to understand this phase well and intervene early.

Do you feed according to a strategy? And do you know you can influence the quality of your feed? It all starts with taking care of the soil and nutrients.  Then, by selecting the right crops, seeding, growing and harvesting, you can influence the taste and consistency of the feed. Also, the optimal fibre length is worth to discover. The six feeding principles below are your starting point for a strong feeding strategy, to feed your cows healthy and nutritious. 

Less rest feed, a more balanced meal for your cows, or less labour hours... there could be several reasons why you want to implement or optimize your feeding strategy. And yet, you might feel overwhelmed about where to start. Changing your feeding strategy can be a significant step, especially when you want to start feeding according to a totally new strategy. No matter your story, we are happy to get you started and share some tips.