July 17, 2002

Dairy Producers Can Look to Byproduct Feeds to Substitute for Forages

Dairy producers can use byproduct feeds to replace a portion of the dietary fiber or to dilute low-quality forages in cows’ diets, according to a North Dakota State University Dairy specialist.

"Their effectiveness to substitute for forage fiber depends largely on particle size," notes J.W. Schroeder of the NDSU Extension Service. "Grinding and processing tend to reduce particle size and, therefore, reduce the effectiveness of even high-fiber byproducts when substituting for large quantities of forages in rations."

In general, lactating cow rations should contain at least 20 percent neutral detergent fiber-forage (NDF-Forage) on a dry matter basis. Effective fiber from forages and high fiber byproduct feeds should contribute at least 75 percent of total NDF in the ration to maintain rumen health, Schroeder says. Potential byproduct feeds include beet pulp, brewers grains, corn gluten feed, malt sprouts, soybean hulls and wheat midds.

More detailed information on the various byproducts found in our area is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service. Ask for AS-1180, "Byproducts and Regionally Available Alternative Feedstuffs for Dairy Cattle," or access it from the NDSU Extension Service Web site at www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/dairy.htm.

"The cost of feed ingredients are likely to be higher this season," Schroeder notes. "In light of declining milk prices, herd managers will need to pay particular attention to feed costs, the major cost of producing milk." He offers some generally accepted guidelines for producers to use in evaluating feed costs.

• Milking cows. Daily feed cost should be $3 to $4 per cow per day, with forages making up 35 to 50 percent of the cost, grains or byproducts another 30 to 40 percent and purchased protein, minerals, vitamins and additives accounting for 10 to 20 percent of feed costs. Feed costs should be less than $5 per hundredweight of milk produced.
• Dry cows. Daily feed cost should be between $1.25 to $1.75 per cow per day.
• Heifers. Daily feed cost should be $1 to $1.50 per heifer per day.

"Successful feeding of byproduct feeds depends on proper ration balancing. Do not attempt to incorporate byproducts or other alternative forages in to the diet until you obtain a nutrient analysis from an analytical laboratory," Schroeder says. "Then use the proper ration balancing techniques to incorporate these feedstuffs into the ration. Begin incorporating them before your home-grown forage sources are exhausted. Cows and handlers both may need some time to adjust to those new feeds."

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Source: J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

Click here for a printable PDF version of this graphic. (6KB b&w graph)
Click here for a printable EPS version of this graphic. (79KB b&w graph)

Graphic from above

Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) of Selected Feeds
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                     NDF,    Effective NDF,  NDF-Forage,
Feed                Percent     Percent        Percent
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Legumes and grasses
  Hay                 45         100            100
  Haylage - coarse    45          80            100
  Haylage - fine      45          60            100
Corn silage
  1/4" chop           24          70            100
  Processed           32          80            100
Concentrates
  Barley              19          40            7.6
  Beet pulp           41          40           16.4
  Brewers grains      47          35           16.5
  Corn, ear           26          35            9.1
  Corn, shelled       10           0              0
  Corn gluten feed    35          35           12.2
  Cottonseed, whole   44          50           22.0
  Malt sprouts        44          45           19.8
  Soybean hulls       64          20           12.8
  Wheat midds         36          33           12.0
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