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AGRI-NUTRITION
CONSULTING, INC.
4095 Gray Road, DeForest, Wisconsin 53532 608-846-2727 800-747-7447 FAX 608-846-3014 |
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by Scott Smith
Ration Analyst
The use of fermentation aids or innoculants has gained popularity in recent years because of many factors. These include improved products, more complete research data, changing economics on the dairy farm, better education of the producer, and a general change in attitude about such additives. Pro-Store is a product that ANC has been marketing for eight years, and we've seen great benefits from its use.
Natural fermentation riskyThe main goal of ensiling feeds is the need to store large quantities of feedstuffs harvested during the growing season at peak nutritional value and hold that feedstuff in a stable and fermented condition until it is fed.
In the past, this fermentation was left to chance by letting nature take its course. Good management practices during harvest and proper storage procedures were the only tools used to promote good fermentation.
Many times, if unforeseen problems caused delay in harvest and changes in moisture content, less than desired results were seen. Bacteria are usually present under normal growing conditions, but variable population levels and undesirable wild strains also hinder proper fermentation.
Pro-Store helps control fermentationWith the use of Pro-Store, the producer can take control of the fermentation process by introducing specific strains of bacteria which have shown the ability to increase the level of lactic acid production and cause lower pH. By reducing the pH and increasing lactic acid quickly during fermentation, we receive the benefit of reduced losses of dry matter and energy. This will increase the tons of feed available and enhance the feed value along with improving animal performance. Measuring damage from improper fermentation
When poor fermentation does occur, the result can be seen by looking at or smelling the feed. It could have a caramelized appearance, show traces of mold, or smell of butyric acid.
Greater heating in the silo ties up protein and burns energy, which lowers the net energy (Nel) of the forage. Heat damage from poor fermentation can be measured by lab analysis. The value of this loss can easily be calculated by using the cost of shell corn and soybean meal. Ration balancing helps to figure the additional corn and protein needed to replace the energy and protein lost during poor fermentation.
A loss of greater economic importance is that of dry matter. However, this loss is much harder to measure. Dry matter loss can occur any time during cutting the forage, ensling or baling, but especially during fermentation of silage and curing of baled hay.
Research indicates dry matter losses in silos and bunkers of six to fifteen percent. Many times, through proper fermentation, this can be reduced to three to four percent. Conservatively figuring the dollar values for dry matter loss during storage, the results of using Pro-Store can be quite surprising.
Returns from using Pro-StoreUsing the amount of roughage fed during the year for your herd, extra milk realized from higher dry matter intake, and higher caloric intake due to reduced loss and higher lactic acid production during fermentation, the value of using Pro-Store can be quite significant.
In a 100 cow herd, feeding approximately 32 pounds of haylage per head per day for a total of 600 ton per year, the return is quite large.
It will cost about $500 to treat the 600 tons of haylage. However, the producer will see $720 worth of dry matter saved figuring haylage at $40 a ton and three percent of feed saved. There is also a $2268 return from increased energy in the haylage and higher milk production, and $2463 return from increased dry matter intake per day resulting in higher milk production. This comes out to $4950 more income versus the $500 cost for a 9:1 return.
The returns of treating corn silage figure out to be about 6:1. With a feeding rate of 15 pounds per cow per day in a 100 cow herd, you will put up about 270 tons of corn silage. It costs $230 to treat this with Pro-Store. You will see a net return of approxiamately $1640 considering less dry matter loss, less spoilage, more energy in the corn silage, and increased production.
Treating baled hay with Pro-Store can give a 14:1 return due to reducing loss of dry matter at harvest, reduced shrink during storage, and higher production because of higher protein content in the hay.
Pro-Store helps reduce TMR refusalThe increased popularity of TMR's has made bunk life of feed an important consideration. University feed trials have shown that feeds treated with Pro-Store have a longer bunk life than those not treated. The cost of refused TMR mix and lowered production due to reduced intake of heated or spoiled TMR mix can more than justify the cost of Pro-Store. With TMR mixes valued at $100 a ton, a two pound refusal rate on 100 cows for a year can cost over $3600 in lost feed.
Your ANC consultant has worksheets available to show you how Pro-Store treated grains and roughages can increase your profit each year.
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