Straw can fit in dry cow rations, but. . .

摘要

Straw has been promoted as a magical feed ingredient in far-off dry and close-up cow rations over the last several years. It can be useful for balancing dry and close-up cow rations, but it often is overfed. Specific situations may warrant the use ofstraw, but we must remember that cows still can freshen successfully without it. Understanding how straw may fit into a ration is important. Straw may be included in dry and close-up rations for several reasons: 1. Reduce the consumption of high proteinforages. 2. Lower potassium concentration by diluting out high-potassium forages to prevent the DCAD (dietary cation anion difference) from getting too high. 3. Lower energy density of ration. 4. Boost rumen fill to prevent displaced abomasums and avoidover-conditioned cows.