In the world of dairy farming, the health of the rumen is paramount. However, many dairy farmers face challenges maintaining optimal rumen health for the herd, which can lead to decreased milk production, poor cow health and reduced farm profitability. The tension lies in the struggle to balance various factors that impact rumen health, such as time budget, feedbunk management, TMR particle size, forage quality and nutrient optimization of the diet.
Adopting a Rumen First™ mindset prioritizes the wellbeing of the rumen to enhance overall dairy cow performance. By focusing on the rumen, dairy nutritionists and farmers can improve milk production, cow health and farm profitability. Research and real-world examples have shown that implementing specific practices can significantly improve rumen health and overall dairy herd performance.
Below are five key practices that nutritionists and farmers can use to support rumen function in dairy cows.
Balance Time Budgets for Eating, Resting and Rumination Time
A balanced time budget is crucial for dairy cows. Time budget refers to a balance in the amount of time cows spend eating, resting and ruminating per day. Dr. Rick Grant has stated that this balance should be 3-5 hrs. of eating time, 12-14 hrs. of resting and 8-9 hrs. of rumination time1. Cows that spend more time ruminating while lying down have higher rumen pH, consume more dry matter and produce milk with greater fat and protein percentages2.
In fact, research at the Miner Institute concluded that the two cow behaviors with the strongest positive correlation to butterfat production are ruminating while resting (lying down) which is called “recumbent rumination”3.
Increased stall stocking density (over 100%) negatively affects resting time, which in turn impacts milk production4. When resting time is less than the recommended time budget (12-14 hrs.), one additional hour of lying time can result in +3.5 lbs. of milk5, which could equate to additional income of $0.63/cow/day at $18/cwt milk price. Ensuring that cows have proper feed access, stall space and pen time to eat, ruminate and rest is a simple yet effective way to improve rumen health and milk yield.
Prioritize Feedbunk Management
Effective feedbunk management is essential for promoting a healthy rumen. Consistent feed availability and optimizing feed refusals are key practices. Eating time is regulated by access to the feedbunk, dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, NDF digestibility (NDFD) and particle size. The ration particle size is usually larger than the particle size of the swallowed bolus, which is 8-12 mm. This means cows will spend time chewing and swallowing before they can take the next bite of total mixed ration (TMR). Proper feedbunk management and access to a correctly mixed TMR helps maintain a balance between eating and rumination, which is crucial for rumen health.
For instance, farms that employ wearable cow monitoring devices have observed that optimizing feedbunk management enhances cow behavior, promotes optimal feeding and rumination periods and increases milk yield and component quality, likely as a result of improved rumen function.
Optimize TMR Particle Size
High quality forage impacts nutrient availability and rumen fermentation. Optimal forage should have the right particle size, optimal fermentation stability, maximum rumen degradable true protein (tRDP), high amino acids (AA) profile and optimal NDFD. Forage that does not adhere to these quality control standards tends to have higher ammonia levels (> 15% of CP), lower AA levels (as a % of CP) and less fermentable energy for rumen bacteria. These factors challenge the efficiency of rumen bacteria and are likely to limit milk and milk component production. Ensuring that cows receive high-quality forage is a critical step in maintaining rumen health.
Support Rumen Fermentation with Nutrition Strategies
Maximizing NDFD, tRDP, fermentable carbohydrates (fCHO) and isoacids is crucial for efficient rumen fermentation and overall cow health and performance. Isoacids, also known as branched-chain volatile fatty acids (BCVFA), play a critical role in rumen fermentation. They are derived from the degradation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) such as leucine, isoleucine and valine. Isoacids are essential for the growth of fiber-digesting bacteria in the rumen, which in turn improves microbial protein production and energy balance.
Zinpro® IsoFerm® is a supplemental nutrient designed to provide a balanced supply of isoacids to the rumen that helps optimize rumen fermentation, improve microbial protein synthesis and enhance nutrient digestion. Zinpro IsoFerm can be fed throughout the following production phases:
- Prefresh, fresh and early lactation cows can improve dry matter intake, energy-corrected milk yield and overall profitability
- Mid- to late- lactation cows can have improved feed efficiency
- Dry and lactating cows experience support for optimal rumen function and cow performance
Putting the Rumen First Improves Herd Success
Embracing a Rumen First mindset involves implementing practices that prioritize the health and efficiency of the rumen. Five critical practices are focusing on optimal time budget, avoiding excessive stocking density, implementing effective feedbunk management, optimizing TMR particle size, ensuring high-quality forage and maximizing NDFD, tRDP, fCHO and isoacids. Incorporating these practices will lead to a healthier, more productive dairy herd and a more successful dairy operation. To learn more about Zinpro IsoFerm, visit www.zinpro.com/isoferm or reach out to a member of our dairy team.
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