Dairy meal
The dairy meal is an important concentrate used to supplement pastures in dairy cow farming. These feeds are fed to dairy cows at any stage in their development. The number of times that the dairy meal is fed to cows depends on the management regime of the cow. Dairy meals are highly palatable and highly digestible for ruminants just like other categories of feeds.
Dairy meal concentrates contain ingredients such as fish meal, molasses, cottonseed oil cake, sweet lupine, and urea. These ingredients vary in concentration, which is determined by the inclusion of raw material used in its preparation. The major nutritional elements of dairy meals include proteins, urea, minerals, and some vitamins. Calcium, phosphorous, and Mendelevium are the important minerals contained in dairy meal ration. The dairy meal provides a dairy cow with the essential ingredient, which helps meet its nutrient requirements. The content of dairy meal protein varies from 9% to 33%.
The dairy meal provides dairy cows with ruminal degradability. For instance, the inclusion of a concentrated in the ruminant diet provides “ruminal protein for microbial protein synthesis and ruminal ungraded protein” (Pathak 2). Additionally, an amino acid is a good source of nitrogen requirement that facilitates maximum microbial protein synthesis. The proportion of calcium varies from low, medium, and high concentrations, which reduces postprandial lipidemia. This is more important than the supplemental calcium in feed additives. A dairy meal is a good source of animal protein, which is essential in enhancing body weight and body fat.
The high digestibility and palatability of a dairy meal play a significant role in increasing the milk production of dairy animals. Other non-protein nitrogen compounds are thought to be cost-effective in dairy production. However, the dairy cow’s performance cannot be enhanced by these feeds. This leads to a preference for a dairy meal. The mineral components of the dairy meal are essential in reproduction, growth, as well as enhancing the bodily functions of a dairy cow.
Compared to other concentrates, dairy meal contains low vitamin supplements. The other concentrates have vitamin A, D, and E though percentage levels may be toxic. On the other hand, the dairy meal is as expensive as other concentrates, which may not be constantly affordable to small-scale farmers. The dairy meal is one of the feeds that guarantee better productivity to the farmer. The rich nutritive value is due to high nutritious components that are utilized in the manufacture and preparation of the feed. The dairy meal is also advantageous to the farmer because it can be fed to the cows at any stage of the cows’ cycle.
Opinion
The preparation of dairy meals should also incorporate vitamins. Though the feed is highly nutritious, it should also include important hormones and additional minerals such as manganese, sodium carbonate, and potassium. This will ensure that a good balance of minerals is provided especially for lactating cows. In my opinion, the dairy meal should fatten and enable the cow to regain its weight without getting supplements from other concentrates like seed cake and oil cakes.
Works Cited
Pathak, Anuj K. “The various factors affecting microbial protein synthesis in the rumen”. Veterinary World, 1.6 (2008): 186-189. Print.