5 July 2021
Pay attention to the feeding of cattle in the summer
The feeding of cattle is a delicate issue and a process that deserves particular attention, from mowing to conservation and distribution, to make sure that animals have the highest level of health and, consequently, also humans.
As we all know, cattle are part of the ruminant family, a category of herbivores including goats, sheep, deer and camelids, which have a digestive system with 4 functional stomachs for the process of digesting cellulose.
The polygastric digestive system of cattle is described as complex due to the microbial fermentation process that begins in the forestomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum) and ends at the abomasum, a real stomach operating in activity with the digestive enzymes of the intestine.
Feeding cattle in the summer season: some precautions
Feeding cattle is a crucial process that requires constant and meticulous monitoring throughout the year, but especially in the summer, when it is often a challenge to keep animals comfortable, since they can be affected by humidity and high temperatures. The climate, therefore, leads to a reduction in ingestion and milk production, especially evident towards the autumn months: according to the THI (Temperature Humidity Index), temperatures must not exceed the value of 73 where the first symptoms of discomfort begin, and where a real emergency starts at a value of 84.
The precautions to be taken for hot weather, therefore, include the presence of shaded areas and ventilated environments, greater availability of clean and fresh water, possibly below 15° and, last but not least, ad hoc rationing and dosing of food.
The correct food plan in feeding cattle
The food plan must, in fact, be regulated according to clinical nutrition where the dosage of particular nutrients and food additives plays a fundamental role: while in winter the inclusion of more seasoned forages is acceptable, in summer the forages should be young, fresh and palatable.
The palatability of fodder must go hand in hand with its digestibility, giving preference to silage such as corn or beetroot and soy, foods with a high sugar content and low rumen degradability proteins, it is also good to limit the chlorine concentration by preferring sodium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, to avoid the metabolic acidosis of the blood that can be activated by heat stress.
In terms of managing space and schedules, it is also useful to try and feed at the coolest times, such as early morning and late evening, making sure there is good lighting and a good arrangement of food and water troughs.
We always recommend, in line with the concepts set out above, to take as a reference the natural and spontaneous reaction of cows to variations in doses and nutritional measures, to learn to recognise their needs and adapt the food according to how satiated they are and their energy level.
(tab.1) Recommended concentration of macroelements in the summer season (values referring to dry matter)
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Elements
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Recommended values in summer
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Sodium
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0.6 max
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Potassium
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no limit
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Chlorine
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> 0.25
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Magnesium
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0.4
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Calcium
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> 0.9
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Phosphorus
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> 0.4
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Dcad meq (Na + K) – Cl]100 grams
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+ 35 + 40
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Source: Fantini Professional Advice 2015