Grain Amounts

pfaubush · #1 08/08/11, 06:54 PM

So, my Jersey cow is about a 2 on the condition scale and came to me this way. I've been giving her about 5 lbs. of 14% All Breed and a flake of alfalfa at each milking. She has free choice hay and a mineral block available at all times. I had been switching her over to a 16% and the alfalfa was tested out at 20-21%.

When I went to get grain yesterday, I asked at the first feed store if they had a 16%. They sent someone over and she told me that I didn't need a 16 with the alfalfa, that the 14 was fine. She told me that I wasn't feeding near enough. She suggested 9 lbs of the 14 and about 6 qts of rolled corn at each milking.

Can someone verify this for me? This seems like a huge amount, but she is my first cow. My pasture sucks! The folks that had her before me had 3 calves on her and never fed grain. I should mention that I'm milking her out at between 1 and 1 1/2 gallons at each milking. I don't have any info on when she last calved.

Nicole Irene · #2 08/08/11, 07:29 PM

Wow...that is a lot of grain!

Okay, totally new to this, but this is what my vet (dairy vet that sold us the cow) told me: he said 2 flakes of alfalfa and 4 lbs of grain per day. We milk once a day and she has a calf on her 24/7. We also give her 2 flakes of 4 way hay and she has our crappy pasture to nibble.

We are in CA, so I am assuming our flakes/bales are about the same as you: 100#/bales with about 12-14 flakes per bale.

pfaubush · #3 08/08/11, 09:10 PM

Yep, our alfalfa bales are 110 lbs. I thought that was too much grain, but the gal told me that is what she uses on her Jersey and is getting 6-7 gallons a day. I sure don't want to kill my girl with kindness!

bantams · #4 08/08/11, 09:33 PM

The general rule of thumb is: 3# grain per 1 gallon milk. So if she's giving 2-3 gallons per day, you want to feed 6-9 pounds. But since she's underweight, you should add a little extra. So what you're doing sounds perfect.
Higher protein = more milk. Less protein, more carbs = more weight. You might want to consider switching back to the 14% to put more weight on her. Or even 12%.
Soaked beet pulp is another good feed for putting weight on.

pfaubush · #5 08/08/11, 09:39 PM

Could I add a bit of corn? How much would I add? A pound a day, maybe? And how much beet pulp would I give? Thank you for your help and advice, everyone!

allenslabs · #6 08/08/11, 10:00 PM

I bought my girl from a dairy but he said between 15-20lbs of 16% grain and he feeds alfalfa free choice? So I've been giving her about 3 or 4 gallons of grain per day with a hay bag full of alf/orchard grass. So far....so good.

Nicole Irene · #7 08/08/11, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenslabs

I bought my girl from a dairy but he said between 15-20lbs of 16% grain and he feeds alfalfa free choice? So I've been giving her about 3 or 4 gallons of grain per day with a hay bag full of alf/orchard grass. So far....so good.

Wow...I would go broke at that rate!!!

sammyd · #8 08/09/11, 05:51 AM

the corn is a good idea. We usually feed no grain at all but sometimes in the winter they will lose a bit of condition and we work them up to 4 pounds a day.

Valmai · #9 08/09/11, 06:22 AM

You could try oats. One large handfull is (I was told by a dairy farmer) maintenance for a dry cow. So perhaps start with this and increase gradually if it seems to work. If she really is a 2 her coat must look rough so some oil might help as well as some immediate energy supplement eg. molassas or glucose. Dont forget the cuddles and scratches, happy cows are fat cows!

G. Seddon · #10 08/09/11, 07:36 AM

She might need to be dewormed. Also, forget the mineral block, and offer free choice, loose minerals kept in a dry place. You can check with your extension agent or a cattle person in your area for the best formula for your location.

mozarkian · #11 08/09/11, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

She might need to be dewormed. Also, forget the mineral block, and offer free choice, loose minerals kept in a dry place. You can check with your extension agent or a cattle person in your area for the best formula for your location.

Excellent advice-- and I would also add that if your pasture is not so good, make sure she has decent free choice hay available all the time too, in addition to the grain/alfalfa you are feeding at milk time. Cows eat a lot!

Catalytic · #12 08/09/11, 07:24 PM

Oats are known for increasing milk in breastfeeding women, I wonder if it's the same for cows?