Milk fat percentage has huge potential to be suboptimal during the period of peak milk production from April through to June. Dr. Morgan Sheehy said that a recently published peer-reviewed paper by UCD and Devenish showed that 10% of herds had milk fat depression (bulk tank for milk fat below 3.3%, with a normal milk protein percentage).
However, it was found that close to 40% of herds had a bulk tank fat percentage of less than 3.6% (with a normal protein content).
Dr. Morgan Sheehy stressed that: “There is a significant cost associated with low milk fat percentage.
Low Butterfat % can be reduced by:
Reducing rapidly fermentable sources of energy in the diet that are likely to make matters worse, i.e. wheat.
Limit the inclusion of ingredients like maize distillers.
Use an effective yeast in the diet at the recommended feeding rate.
Use pulps / soya hulls in the dairy diet formulations.
If wagon feeding, use straw that is chopped to the correct length and ensure that sorting of the mix does not happen.
Use an effective buffer like Mag12.
What is Mag12?
It is a soluble magnesium source!
Mag12 is based on a breakthrough in magnesium delivery systems. A natural source of minerals, Mag12 shows unique solubility properties with 99% magnesium available in the rumen. Other magnesium oxide sources typically show only 7-23% solubility in the rumen.
It Boosts the performance of dairy cows.
Using Mag12 in place of calcined magnesite leads to better performance of dairy cows. Trials carried out at SRUC, Scotland showed that milk butterfat and protein were improved when Mag12 was used, compared to calcined magnesite.
Conventional magnesium sources are poorly absorbed and survive to the hind gut where they can cause irritation. Mag12 is absorbed in the rumen, leaving no irritating residues.
What is the benefit to the milk producer?
Provides a highly soluble source of Magnesium in the rumen.
Boosts milk butterfat content.
Reduces scouring associated with traditional magnesium sources.
How is Mag12 used?
Mag12 is fed at 100g/h/d for dairy cows
Available in the following Summer Dairy Diets
Summer Hi Butter 16 Nut + Mag12
Supreme Meg Dairy 15 Nut+ Mag12
Hi butter maize 15 Nut + Mag12
