|
May
20, 2004
Top 10 Countdown
to Lower Protein Costs
The diets of lactating
cows require lots of protein, according to J.W Schroeder, North Dakota
State University Extension dairy specialist. “Soybean meal is often
the protein of choice. However, today's local price is about $300 per
ton.”
The price is being
driven by a shortfall in 2003 yields, low predicted crop estimates from
South America and reduced use of animal protein in response to BSE concerns.
“With the speculation
of drought spreading in the Midwest, protein costs could remain higher
than average for the season,” Schroeder says. “All of these
factors have producers and nutritionists examining alternatives.”
The top 10 techniques
dairy producers can use to reduce protein feed costs are:
10. Avoid overfeeding
protein.
9. Check the amount
and balance of RUP (rumen undegraded protein), RDP (rumen degraded protein),
and soluble protein in the ration.
8. Fine-tune your
ration to maximize rumen microbial protein production. This means adequate
rumen fermentable carbohydrate.
7. A ration balanced
for metabolizable protein (MP) may allow lower levels of crude protein
by balancing the amount of RUP and RDP.
6. Balance amino
acids using a computer model program targeting 6.6 percent lysine and
2.2 percent methionine (percent of total essential amino acids) with
a ratio of three parts lysine to one part methionine.
5. If soluble protein
is low (below 30 percent of total crude protein in ration dry matter),
adding urea as a nitrogen source can improve microbial protein synthesis.
Generally, 0.25 pound or less of urea per cow can be fed if needed (rations
high in corn silage and baled hay, for example).
4. Look for good
protein buys. Some economical alternatives are corn distillers' grains,
pork meat and bone meal, and wet brewers' grains.
3. Check your ratio
of true protein related to milkfat. For Holsteins, the ratio of true
protein to milkfat is 0.81.
2. Monitor MUN
(milk urea nitrogen) levels in your herd. They may indicate the wasting
of nitrogen in milk and urine. MUN values can typically vary from 10
to 14 milligrams per deciliter (mg percent).
1. Do not cut protein
enough that it results in lower milk yield or milk protein content.
Removing one pound of soybean meal could save 15 cents per cow per day.
If protein is the first limiting nutrient, a drop of five pounds of
milk could occur, resulting in a loss of 65 cents a day (for $13 milk).
That difference is even more with today’s higher milk price. If
you are not sure what to do, talk to your local extension agent, area
livestock specialist, or feed company nutritionist.
###
Source:
J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu
|
