What is and types of feed for cattle, composition and recipe, how much is needed per day
High productivity lies in the genes of dairy and beef cows. But the experience of farmers has shown that the potential of animals is realized with a balanced diet. Thanks to scientific research, the optimal ratio of nutrients has been translated into compound feed. What is included in the composition of the feed, what is the premix and how much mixture should be given to the cows, it is useful to learn for novice farmers.
What is compound feed and what does it consist of?
The maximum indices of body weight and milk yield are achieved only when vitamins and microelements in nutrition correspond to the physiological needs of the cow's body. Compound feed is a crushed and compressed mixture of plants and cereals, with vitamin supplements, balanced and ready to use. The compound feed includes:
- barley;
- wheat;
- millet;
- oats;
- legumes;
- hay;
- straw;
- cake;
- bran.
Animals receive carbohydrates, fiber, protein from plant components. For better assimilation of nutrients and replenishment of energy, amino acids, vitamins, animal fats, and biostimulants are added to the compound feed.
Protein and starch-rich maize is combined with legumes and hay for fat and muscle gain in beef cattle. But the amount of corn should not exceed fifty percent of the total feed weight. From excess cereal, cows suffer from obesity, which has a negative effect on reproductive function.
The approximate content of other components:
| Component name | Percentage |
| Barley | 30 |
| Sunflower meal | 25 |
| Wheat | 20 |
| Oats | 10 |
| Soybean meal | 5,4 |
| Wheat bran | 5,3 |
| Calcium Monophosphate | 1,7 |
| Salt | 0,9 |
| Limestone flour | 0,5 |
Due to the balance of substances, the granules of the ready-made mixture are better absorbed than separately fed cereal concentrates and hay. Cows are fed with compound feed during the stall period, or they are replaced with a full-fledged diet with intensive cultivation in closed rooms.
Pros and cons of using
Part of the feed is poured onto the floor from the open feeders during feeding. Dry mixtures cause thirst, so animals need to provide free access to water, install auto-drinkers.
Kinds
Compound feeds differ in form of release and purpose.
By release form
Compound feeds, compressed in different ways, differ in ease of use, production technology and price.
Loose
The components are ground into powder. According to the degree of grinding, large, medium and small compound feed are distinguished. Simple production technology determines the low cost of the product.
Granulated
The crushed components are compressed into rounded granules. The production technology includes heat treatment that destroys pathogenic microorganisms in raw materials.
In briquettes
The ground and heat-treated raw materials are pressed into rectangular bars. The briquetted feed is crushed before being fed to the animals.
By appointment
Compound feeds with different compositions are used as the main diet or supplements.
Full-service
The mixture contains a set of components that fully satisfy the needs of animals for nutrients and energy. Ready-made rations are intended for young and adult animals and are issued daily.
Concentrated
The type of compound feed is used as an additive to the main diet to enrich it with vitamins and microelements. Concentrates contain an increased proportion of substances required to stimulate growth or weight gain.
Additives
Protein-vitamin masterbatches are designed for different categories of animals: bulls, dairy cows. Additives are added to the fodder grain-fodder base in the amount of 25 percent of the total mass.
Premixes
Separate mixtures of biologically active substances, amino acids, vitamins and antibiotics are designed to strengthen immunity and better assimilation of feed.
Compound feed preparation at home
When preparing the mixture yourself, it is important to choose the correct percentage and nutritional value of the components. Making compound feed by hand helps to save on food for small farms. For large farms, the separate purchase of grain, hay and subsequent processing is not profitable. Home cooking technology consists of stages:
- selection of ingredients;
- grinding to the size of granules with a diameter of 5 millimeters;
- adding a vitamin supplement, premix.
The concentrate can be prepared independently: separately mix cereals, legumes and introduce a vegetable mixture. It is easier to use ready-made premixes, since they contain components that are safe for animal and human health.
Compound feeds are prepared according to recipes specially developed in accordance with the direction of cattle productivity.
For dairy cows
Composition and percentage of components:
- sunflower meal or cake - 25;
- herbal flour - 24;
- ground barley - 20;
- wheat bran, chopped corn - 15;
- salt, chalk - 0.5.
The ready-made premix is also added to the feed in the amount of one percent of the total weight.
For the meat direction
Feed Recipe and Ingredient Percentage:
- rolled barley - 40;
- sunflower cake - 30;
- wheat bran - 15;
- extruded corn - 7;
- ground corn - 5;
- salt, chalk, vitamin premix - 1.
The ingredients are selected for intensive feeding.
For bulls
The composition of the mixture for fattening bulls and the volume of components in percent:
- barley - 37;
- cake, granulated sunflower husk - 20;
- wheat bran - 15;
- corn - 5;
- salt, premix, chalk - 1.
Feed mixtures for cattle should be used only in accordance with age and purpose.
Feeding animals of all productivity groups with one compound feed does not allow achieving maximum productivity indicators.
Formulation of the diet
The amount of compound feed dispensed per day depends on the age and performance of the animals.
For calves
The task of the feed until the age of six months is to develop the walls and expand the volume of the rumen, as well as provide nutrients for growth and strengthening of the immune system. From the fourth day after birth, calves are given a universal prestarter feed, softening it with water in a ratio of 1: 1.5. From the second week, the daily rate of compound feed increases:
- 1-2 months - 500-700 grams;
- 3-6 months - increases from one to two kilograms;
- 7-12 months - increases to 3.5 kilograms.
The amount of feed increases as the calves' stomachs develop.
For adult cows
The amount of compound feed that a dairy cow requires per day is calculated according to the daily milk yield - 2 kilograms of the ready-made mixture is given for 1 liter of milk. The ration for fattening cattle includes a large amount of protein. The feeders are filled constantly. Feed should be freely available for at least twenty hours a day.
