
Buffer Feeding
Rotational grazing gives greater control over grassland management and a well managed sward will have a high energy value, a developed third leaf represents 45% of the yield. When utilizing Buffer feeding in grassland management due to growth rates and available covers it is key to consider 45% of your herd could be demanding 2-4kg DM extra over the average DMI.
Milk lactose% an indicator of energy intake and is related to milk volume, readings of 4.7% and down to 4.6% are occurring these are figures for August and November milk reflecting on DMI, digestibility and the nutrient density of the total diet. Percentage drops in June can be as high as 18% when the target is 8% to 10% this is going to impact on profitability. Buffer feeding can be done with maize silage and grass silage the grass silage needs to have a DMD% = 75 +. Feeding of the buffer is best done before evening milking allowing enough time for it to be consumed.
This will have less of a substitution effect on the grazing sward as the evening grass will have a higher sugar and dry matter content and the cow post milking will have had a drop in blood sugar levels. Feeding a buffer or partial TMR it needs to be balanced for its mineral content for example maize is low in calcium.