Dairy cow feed.

Sabrina67 · #1 12/11/08, 08:13 AM

I know this has been addressed probably a million times. I have searched and can't find any though. So, I apologise in advance for asking a repeat question.
Ok, We have had Hazel (older Jersey) for about a month, she is seeming to lose weight and her milk is dropping a little. She still gives about 3 gallons a day, but that is a little more than half what she was giving when we got her. I am sure it is feed related but am not really sure how.
She gets free choice hay all day and night, and whatever grass she can eat during the day. Our pasture is not great, but there is hay out for them. I also give her about 1/2 gallon grain mix twice a day.
What should the protein percent be in her feed, I think the feed we are getting is 10% which I feel is low. We had the previous owners here a few days ago to AI her and they were saying not to give her much grain at all...SO...now I am totally confused. Should I give her less of a higher protein grain mix, no grain..something totally different ?
In every way she is great, looks bright eyed, Vet says all is well.just losing weight and down on milk.
Also if it helps she freshened in October, and was just in heat. Sorry so long and if it is a repeat.

Jay · #2 12/11/08, 10:21 AM

I feed some good alfalfa hay (a flake or two) at milking time along with the feed, this will help with upping milk production and her weight.

Most dairy type feeds are a 16% (or higher) protein. A half gallon is really not much feed at all: maybe a couple of pounds at the most.
Lots of cows will milk off their back, meaning they put most of the feed into making milk as opposed to gaining weight.
Give her the best hay you can afford, and give her more feed that is higher protein. This should help until the grass comes in the spring. (Natures' wonderdrug!!)

Sabrina67 · #3 12/11/08, 11:00 AM

I will try to get her a higher protein feed. As for good hay, not much luck there. We have been under a severe drought for two years, so hay is at a premium unfortunately. We have the hay we baled, but I am sure it isn't all that. It is just mixed grass.
I sure am looking forward to that grass..and hopefully some rain too. Thanks so much for the help. I thought we weren't giving too much feed, but the prev, owners seemed like we were going way overboard.

**gone-a-milkin** · #4 12/11/08, 11:24 AM

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in...le%2cnutrition

The Merck Manual has lots of info about feeding dairy cows.

My very favorite resource for vetting too.

Madsaw · #5 12/11/08, 01:28 PM

Sabrina,
It might be hard to find at your CO-OP down there. But, ask them if they have dairy 38 pellets on hand. Or if they don't see if they have a protein pellet of some sort. Mix this with the grain you are giving her. Or use it as a treat at milking time. I would start out at maybe a couple of pounds at first.
If you want just give me a call and we can talk too.
Bob

travlnusa · #6 12/14/08, 10:18 PM

You want 16.5% protein, Megacal of energy around 75 range, bypass protein around 30%. Higher numbers if you want to push production.

10% protien is a great ration for a dry cow.

If she is losing weight, she is using her body's energy reserves to produce milk.

Give more grain. Corn is what would be best here. Lower in protien (around 8%) but high in energy (around 90 Megacal).

Hay is great for protien and butterfat, but not body score. Hay also keeps gut health in good shape.

Make sure she is getting free choice mineral, or top dress it on top of her feed.

topside1 · #7 12/16/08, 12:53 PM

Sabrina, just got back from the feed store. FYI, 18% dairy ration pellets is $13.00 per hunderd pounds. I feed this ration to all my lactating animals....These pellets are made specific for lactating livestock....Topside

Sabrina67 · #8 12/16/08, 05:34 PM

Topside :Where do you buy feed, is it like a local feed store? I wish I could find it , or any feed that cheap . lol We are payinf 15.00 for a hundred pounds of 10%. It is great feed..but not real high on protein.

topside1 · #9 12/16/08, 05:53 PM

Sabrina, I usually buy my feeds from a local store/mill. But if you have a Tennessee Co-op nearby you could at least buy 14% pellets for $11.65 per hundred. How do I know, well I just bought some last week at that price. Even 14% protein is low for lactating cows. Like Travlnusa said in post # 6 16% or high will maximize an animals milk output....Topside

Madsaw · #10 12/17/08, 07:16 AM

Yeah the dairy 38 I talked about is I beleive only 16 or 18 % too. Its just the name they gave it. Yes your girl needs more goodies to keep her going good. With the cold and milking it takes its toll on them. From what I understand each county there in TN has a main CO-OP store. If yours does not carry it they can get it if you ask. I know the one in McNamara cty thought my buddy was nuts wanting to order oats and alalfa to plant. But, its would out great fro him and the CO-OP.
Bob

Sabrina67 · #11 12/17/08, 08:24 AM

We do have a CO-OP, I will call them, I called the feed store where we usually buy our feed and they seemed to think I was silly for wanting a higher protein food. I like the store as it has really great feed, they are mostly organic and for the rest of my animals it is great, you have to watch or they will get fat. But not her, she seems to be definitely needing more.
In terms of amounts, how many pounds of feed should I be giving her, with free choice hay and any grazing she can get.Our pasture is about gone, but has a place they can get some grass, it if it tall enough or not covered in ice like it is now. And we have hay out there as well.The previous owners scred me saying not to give her much grain at all....but grain has to be better than chicken poo...
We have to go get feed today I will stop by the CO-OP and ask them what they have. I also have a feed mill about a mile from here, but I cannot seem to make him understand what I want. He wants to know how much of each thing I need him to add..how would I know...I have no clue. Each separate ingredient is a certain cost..gets very confusing.
Thank so much everyone, I will be asking and calling today, trying to get a better feed. I did get her some range cube things that have 20% protein, and give those to her, so until I can find better feed maybe that will help.

Madsaw · #12 12/17/08, 10:08 AM

Sabrina,
The guy down in selmer told me last week at a consignment auction, they could hardly give hay away. $11 a bale for good grass hay. He said it was timothy, orchard and some broom. The bales where 5x6. With bermuda grass bales going for 9 a bale same size. I had to ask him twice if he heard correctly. If your mill had the ingerdents on hand they could make you a great milk cow feed. Mostly you see ground corn dairy 38 pellets molasses and a buffer.
Bob

Sabrina67 · #13 12/17/08, 07:00 PM

Here feed is obviously much higher, grrr We just bought 500lbs of 10% ground feed for 75.00. It really is good feed, and no-one has anything I could find any cheaper. I can get soybean hull pellets for 11.00 a hundred. But that's not what I want either. I am still giving her teh range cubes with 20% protein twice a day. Her milk has picked up some but no where near what she was when she first came.Guess I will call a few more places tomorrow.
And Hay is higher here also and most dont want to part with it. it is 3.50 for a small bale of just basic stuff. Funny how prices can differ.She gets alot of hay, so maybe just more of the feed and more protein.
Thanks again.Sabrina

Madsaw · #14 12/17/08, 09:05 PM

Sabrina,
How far are you from jackson or henderson?
You would not even want to buy hay here. The prices I listed was a auction down there at selmer TN. Good mix hay is 3.50 for a 40 lbs bale. Big squares start at 55 each and up to 250 a ton. Large rounds are in teh area of 60 each.
Bob

Texas_Plainsman · #15 12/18/08, 09:07 PM

I feed 1-3% of bodyweight, daily, in 12% feed. I give a half a square bale of hay a day. My Jersey produces 3 gallons after berthing, then tapers down to 1-3/4 gallons a day. I think your cow may be fine?

willow_girl · #16 12/20/08, 10:34 AM

Have you dewormed her?

Any signs of diarrhea? Weight loss/decrease in milk production can be signs of the onset of Johne's. Has she been tested?

Sabrina67 · #17 12/20/08, 01:38 PM

No diarrhea, and she has been tested I would suppose coming from a Dairy. I would hope she would. lol She is doing better with the increase in food. I think I was just not used to feeding such a large animal maybe.
Thanks so much for all your suggestions.