International Ruminant Nutritionalist Visits Devon

20th November 2009

Dr Alex Bach, Director of Ruminant Nutrition, IRTA, Spain, was the guest speaker at a recent Rumen Health Dairy meeting at Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton, hosted by Cornwall Farmers and BOCM PAULS.

Dr Bach presented to over 50 vets and dairy farmers the benefits of rumen health, cow comfort, including the latest research conducted around the world. He also highlighted the benefits of yeast in the ration, by helping maintain higher pH in the rumen, therefore reducing the risk of acidosis, which is a well-recognised digestive disorder that is an increasing health problem in many high yielding herds, especially with wet acidic grass and maize silages this year.

Feeding diets rich in fermentable carbohydrate (for example starch) or feeding excessive amounts in irregular meals, encourages the starch digesting bacteria to proliferate, increasing the quality of lactic acid produced and so lowering rumen pH. Cows experiencing acidosis may exhibit reduced or erratic feed intake, reducing rumination and mild diarrhoea. Others signs can include laminitis, weight loss and poor body conditions. Dairy herds suffering will have decreased efficiency of milk production, reduced butterfat, weight loss, dull coat, and cows can appear lethargic and uninterested.

To avoid acidosis Dr Bach, advises that consistency of the ration is the key, by making sure that the ration is correctly mixed, and that the crop length of the forage is a maximum of 3cm, to ensure that the cow eats the diet as it was designed, and most importantly to prevent sorting the diet.

To further discuss these or other nutritional issues, and to assess your TMR mixes in more detail, please contact your Cornwall Farmers nutritional expert by calling: Dr Robin Hawkey on 07770 816581; Tom Mann on 07901 854477 or Andy Hawken on 07901 854463.