Rationing Straw: The right amount keeps dry and high-producing cows healthy

摘要

A ddeling straw to dairy rations may help - or hurt - your herd's milk production. That's according to several dairy nutrition experts who have studied what's in straw and how it affects dairy cows. "Straw is good news and bad news," says Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois extension dairy nutritionist. The good news is that it's high in fiber, low in potassium and low in protein, something dry cows don't need much of. The bad news: It's high in fiber, low in other minerals and low in protein, which high-producing cows need. Straw provides effective fiber to help keep the cow's rumen healthy and functional. It also dilutes the energy and starch in high-corn silage rations and protein in rations high in legumes.