THE ATHLETIC HORSE

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A balanced dairy ration is made up of proper amounts of fiber, protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins, with the most important ingredients being the first three listed. The fiber comes from forage or roughage (hay, haylage, or silage). The protein usually comes from high protein by-products or forages, such as oil-seed meals or high calcium hays. The energy is starch or grain related, mostly corn in the eastern United States. However, barley and other grains may also be fed.

Problems in dairy cows often occur when different proportions of fiber, protein, and energy become out of balance in their feed rations. A common occurrence is feeding too much energy in the form of grain, which can lead to ruminal acidosis, laminitis, and displaced abomassums. Compensation for this increased grain usually comes in the form of the farmer increasing haylage or silage. The unfortunate problem with this solution is that the silage is usually corn related, which again (depending on the growing season and whether it's ground or shelled), may also contain more relative grain than the original energy source.

First try increasing dry matter with grass haylage vs. silage. Try replacing some or all of the ground corn with another grain such as soybean, or a different type of corn (less concentrated). The carbohydrate (starch) is often the ingredient that if slightly out of balance may create the most trouble. Nutritional analysis of the silage currently being fed by your veterinarian or extension office may help you formulate a new ration balanced for energy, protein, and fiber—and custom made for your wallet and your herd's health.

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