Most milk processors are now reporting proteins 3-4 times per month, this information should be incorporated into your buffer feeding strategy Low intakes will have an immediate deleterious effect on milk protein content, which will signal the need for supplementary feeding. Balancing grass The effective fibre in early season grass is very low and results in feed passing through cows too fast, inadequate cud chewing, scouring and falling milk fat content. Early season grass often contains excessive crude protein levels for efficient milk production. This has an equivalent energy cost as producing 2-3 litres of milk. Many minerals are not stored well in the body so deficiencies build up over time in the absence of supplements.
Suitable buffer feeds If the wrong feeds are used e.g .
Well constructed buffer feeds augment grass intakes they do not replace grass. The above forages also slow down the rate of passage through the digestive system, leading to maximum grass utilisation. Remember to introduce supplements immediately when a problem emerges waiting will extend the period that cows are underfed. Condition scoring is useful, but it takes a number of weeks rather than days to identify problems with energy intakes. Access to clean fresh water daily is essential.