Managing in the heat
Hot season strategies
For herd producing up to 8,000 litres or 600kg MS / cow / year
You are probably only feeding a moderate amount of grain / concentrates per cow per day, so there should be scope to safely increase it to boost cows’ daily energy intake. You will need to be sure that fibre intakes are maintained and that you are effectively managing the risk of ruminal acidosis. For more information, visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au.
- Make sure you have adequate levels of effective fibre in the diet.
- Increase your grain/concentrate intake.
- Consider including a slowly fermenting starch source, such as corn, in the diet.
- Include buffers in the diet at a high rate.
Review current practices: What could you change?
|
Low Risk
|
Moderate Risk
|
High Risk
|
|
In the hot season, I increase my cows grain/concentrate feeding rate to try and to maintain daily energy intake
|
Yes
|
To some extent
|
No
|
|
In the hot season, I incorporate a slowly fermenting starch source such as corn in the cows diet
|
Yes
|
To some extent
|
No
|
|
I incorporate extra buffers, +/- rumen modifiers, other additives to help the cows cope in the heat.
|
Yes
|
To some extent
|
No
|
|
I offer my cows more forage fibre in the hot season
|
Yes
|
Sometimes
|
No
|
|
The nutritional quality and palatability of the forage I offer is ….
|
High quality
|
Average quality
|
Fair to poor quality
|
|
I mix and feed this fibre with other feeds in a partial mixed ration (PMR) via a mixer wagon
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
|
I deliberately feed higher quality protein sources in the hot season
|
Yes
|
Sometimes
|
No
|
|
In the hot season, I deliberately feed higher levels of potassium, sodium and magnesium
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
See Further Information, for details about dietary fibre, fat, protein, essential minerals and buffer requirements in the hot season.
