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'Maize is and remains the perfect energy source'
To keep dairy cows healthy, efficient and highly productive, they need energy and protein. Maize for silage is a very good source of energy, which we can grow very efficiently in the Netherlands. Together with grass, this provides an ideal basis, which enables high feed efficiency and healthy livestock.
It is important to look beyond the VEM: what is the composition of your roughage? Based on this, create an optimal ratio between maize and grass and adjust if necessary with by-products and concentrates. In this way you provide the dairy cattle with sufficient energy, protein and structure for healthy milk production.
Actual feed efficiency
Feed efficiency is a useful indicator to send. Please note: we often see apparent efficiency. A cow with high production seems efficient, but if this causes her fitness to fluctuate and health comes under pressure, then you get milk loss, which actually reduces efficiency. Cows are especially efficient if they are super healthy, and a good rumen function is crucial for this.
With a good rumen function you have 90% of a healthy, efficient production in your hands. Energy, protein and structure are the main components that you have to manage. If you feed fast energy, there must be sufficient structure in return. Corn can contribute to structure if you do not chop too finely.
Where does the energy come from?
If we have to harvest more protein in the Netherlands to reduce imports, where will the energy come from? If we have to import them, we trade one problem for another. In my opinion, maize remains the energy source for our dairy cattle, which also scores very well in terms of CO2- and methane emissions.
View the recommended corn varieties for this season here.
Source: Willem van Laarhoven, senior advisor at Valacon BV
