Õige täiendsööda tähtsus robotlüpsiga farmides
"Lüpsirobotid on Eestis kasutatud juba rohkem kui 15 aastat ning see aeg on andnud rikkalikult kogemusi nende kasutuse vallas. Siiski tasuks meelde tuletada õige täiendsööda tähtsust lüpsirobotite külastatavusele. Sööt on peamine motivaator, mis lehmi roboteid külastama meelitab. "
Täispikk artikkel on leitav Scandagra kodulehel. Klikka SIIA.
Täispikk artikkel on leitav Scandagra kodulehel. Klikka SIIA.
Milking robots have been used in Estonia more than 15 years and a lot of experiences collected. However, it is still worth to remember the importance of the right complementary feed for the number of milking robot visits by cows. Here are some simple recommendations that could be followed if visiting of the robots by cows is below desired level.
General rule is that feed provided from feed bunk should be with lower energy content. The ration from the feed bunk is based on the needs of the cows having lower milk production. The individual part of the ration corresponding to the milk production of a particular cow comes from the robot. Giving too much concentrated feed from the feed bunk generally reduces the number of visits to the robot, because the cows simply don't need additional energy from the robot anymore.
If the general feeding is well organized, but the visits of the milking robots are still below the desired level, it could be helpful to update the composition of the complementary feed. For example, Danish researchers Madsen et al. found that the composition of complementary feed affects the number of visits of the milking robots. The number of visits of the robot increased by 44% compared to standard feed if the complementary feeds had high content (53%) of barley-oat mixture or wheat. At the same time, in the case of using of corn-based and only barley-based complementary feeds, number of milking robot visits and milk production were close to the standard complementary feed. On the other hand, fat-rich complementary feeds reduced the number of milking robots’ visits.
The structure of the complementary feed given by the robot is also important. Pelleted feed is used in most of the milking robots. The advantage of pelleted feed is the fact that cows can eat it faster. In addition, studies by Spörndly et al. 2006 and Johnson et al. 2022 show that cows prefer to eat pelleted feed better than non-pelleted feed.
Publications used:
General rule is that feed provided from feed bunk should be with lower energy content. The ration from the feed bunk is based on the needs of the cows having lower milk production. The individual part of the ration corresponding to the milk production of a particular cow comes from the robot. Giving too much concentrated feed from the feed bunk generally reduces the number of visits to the robot, because the cows simply don't need additional energy from the robot anymore.
If the general feeding is well organized, but the visits of the milking robots are still below the desired level, it could be helpful to update the composition of the complementary feed. For example, Danish researchers Madsen et al. found that the composition of complementary feed affects the number of visits of the milking robots. The number of visits of the robot increased by 44% compared to standard feed if the complementary feeds had high content (53%) of barley-oat mixture or wheat. At the same time, in the case of using of corn-based and only barley-based complementary feeds, number of milking robot visits and milk production were close to the standard complementary feed. On the other hand, fat-rich complementary feeds reduced the number of milking robots’ visits.
The structure of the complementary feed given by the robot is also important. Pelleted feed is used in most of the milking robots. The advantage of pelleted feed is the fact that cows can eat it faster. In addition, studies by Spörndly et al. 2006 and Johnson et al. 2022 show that cows prefer to eat pelleted feed better than non-pelleted feed.
Publications used:
- Johnson JA, Paddick KS, Gardner M, Penner GB : Comparing steam-flaked and pelleted barley grain in a feed-first guided-flow automated milking system for Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 105(1), 2022, pages 221-230;
- Lely: „Robotlüpsiga farmi majandamine“ https://linery.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Karjahaldus-robotlaudas.pdf, 2019;
- Madsen J, Weisbjerg MR, Hvelplund T: Concentrate composition for Automatic Milking Systems — Effect on milking frequency. Livestock Science 127, 2010, pages 45–50; Spörndly E, Asberg T: Eating rate and preference of different concentrate components for cattle. J Dairy Sci 89(6), 2006, pages 2188-2199.
Article full text in Estonian is available HERE.
For more information about our feed related activities please contact to:
Marge Malbe
Feed Technologist
Mobile: +372 5855 7511
Aaddress: Tähe 13, Viljandi, EE-71020, Estonia
E-mail: marge.malbe@scandagra.ee
Feed Technologist
Mobile: +372 5855 7511
Aaddress: Tähe 13, Viljandi, EE-71020, Estonia
E-mail: marge.malbe@scandagra.ee
