'Make sure you use VEMs well'

Wilfried van Straalen is coordinator of cattle research at Schothorst Feed Research. "Thanks to breeding, we see that the feed value of roughage continues to increase. Grass and maize silages with more than 1.000 VEM are no longer an exception. That is a good basis for high-yielding dairy cattle, but good utilization is a point of attention."

Glucogenic Nutrients
In the ration of the high-yielding cow, glucose is the 'first limiting nutrient'. Glucose is converted into lactose and that drives the milk yield. So you are looking for glucogenic nutrients in the feed. Starch provides a lot of glucose and that makes maize a valuable roughage for dairy cattle. Good cell wall digestibility ensures an even higher total feed value.

Phosphorus Utilization
Van Straalen: "With the Kringloopwijzer, the utilization of phosphorus and nitrogen has become even more important. Maize dilutes the high phosphorus content of grass and thus promotes utilization. This way maize helps to produce as much milk as possible within your phosphate quota."

Craftsmanship
"Good management is necessary for good use of very energy-rich roughage. Provide good insight into the feed value during the year and make adjustments where necessary, for example with extra structure. So it comes down to craftsmanship even more," says Van Straalen.

Do you want to make better use of your VEMs in 2018?
- Check out the more digestible LG corn varieties

- Ask your LG roughage specialist for advice

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