Document Type

Other

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Keywords

corn cost, dairy cow, ration formulations

Extension Number

ExEx 4035

Department

Dairy Science

Description

Corn grain usually makes up 30 to 35% of the total ration dry matter (DM) of a typical Midwest lactating cow diet. Changes in its price, therefore, can have a significant impact on total feed costs. Even with high corn prices, however, it is unlikely that corn grain will be removed completely from the ration. Corn grain, due to its high starch content, permits the formulation of energy-dense rations required by cows with high genetic merit for milk production. Adequate starch concentrations in corn grain also promote growth of rumen bacteria and protozoa essential for optimum forage fermentation. On the other hand, too much starch in the rumen may result in sub-clinical and/or clinical rumen acidosis.

Comments

January 2007.

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