Cattle Feed: The Right Ration for Every Stage of Production

Cattle Feed: The Right Ration for Every Level of Performance

What ends up in the trough decides health, milk yield and daily gains. The largest part of the ration comes from forage grown on your own farm. To go with it, you will find straight feeds here such as barley flakes or apple pomace, balanced compounds for dairy cows, finishing cattle and calves, plus minerals and active ingredients for the critical weeks around calving.

Forage, concentrates and single components

Hay, grass silage and maize silage cover maintenance requirements and deliver the structure the rumen needs. As soon as milk yield climbs or a beef animal has to gain weight, that is no longer enough on its own. Concentrate feed then tops up energy and protein in a targeted way. Single components such as ground barley, cracked maize, bruised oats or lucerne pellets can be mixed in flexibly when you put the ration together yourself. Apple pomace brings structure and palatability to the trough. Farms working to organic standards reach for certified goods approved for organic feeding.

Supplements for calving and the start of lactation

Once lactation begins, the demand for calcium and phosphorus rises noticeably. Boluses and liquid supplements can be used precisely at this point, as can energy and gut support products for newborn calves. Colostrum supplements help with the start in life when the dam's first milk is in short supply. All of these products are supplementary feeds and not medicines. As soon as an animal looks unwell, treatment belongs in the hands of your vet.

Frequently asked questions

Why is forage alone often not enough?
Forage covers maintenance requirements. With high milk yield or in finishing, energy and protein fall short, and concentrate feed makes up the difference.

What is the difference between straight and compound feed?
Straight feeds consist of one single component, such as barley or oats. Compound feed comes ready mixed and is balanced for a particular group of animals.

Do I need certified organic feed?
You do if you farm to organic standards. Every feed you use then has to be approved for organic livestock production.