Dos and don'ts when feeding cows cabbage
-Crops in the brassica family are commonly
offered to livestock, especially in the cooler
regions of the country, which experience
surplus production.
offered to livestock, especially in the cooler
regions of the country, which experience
surplus production.
-They are also used in seasons when perennial
livestock feeds are low because of their high
production of digestible forage.
livestock feeds are low because of their high
production of digestible forage.
-They include cabbages, cauliflower, rape
(colza) and radish. Cattle, rabbits, goats and
sheep feed on these crops, which have high
quality nutrients and are easily digestible.
(colza) and radish. Cattle, rabbits, goats and
sheep feed on these crops, which have high
quality nutrients and are easily digestible.
 |
| Cabbage |
-However, they pose several challenges if
improperly used. Brassica family forage can
be utilised in three ways: First, they can be
grazed on. Second, they can be chopped and
offered to zero-grazed animals and lastly,
they can be ensiled.
improperly used. Brassica family forage can
be utilised in three ways: First, they can be
grazed on. Second, they can be chopped and
offered to zero-grazed animals and lastly,
they can be ensiled.
-In grazing, have a plan if the animals are to
best utilise the forage material. Introduce
animals to brassica pastures slowly so that
the rumen microbes adjust effectively. Allow
them to graze for short periods.
best utilise the forage material. Introduce
animals to brassica pastures slowly so that
the rumen microbes adjust effectively. Allow
them to graze for short periods.
-During grazing, monitor the animals for any
adverse reactions to prevent health issues
that may arise, like bloat.
adverse reactions to prevent health issues
that may arise, like bloat.
-Further, avoid immediate change of grazing from dry pastures to lush brassica fields. At this point, the animals are ‘hungry’ for fresh pastures and while you may think you are feeding animals on greener pastures, it may turn out disastrous.
-In harvest and carry system of feeding, you
have control to amounts and time to feed.
Provide reasonable amounts at a time so that
animals maintain a certain intake level.
have control to amounts and time to feed.
Provide reasonable amounts at a time so that
animals maintain a certain intake level.
-Excess feeding makes the animals reduce
intake due to high moisture content.
This method of utilizing brassicas is the best
because ensiling is not very effective while
grazing is associated with high wastage
resulting from trampling by animals.
intake due to high moisture content.
This method of utilizing brassicas is the best
because ensiling is not very effective while
grazing is associated with high wastage
resulting from trampling by animals.
-In excess production, some farmers have tried to ensile brassica forage for future feeding.
However, this family of crops is difficult to
ensile because of the crops’ high water
content. If you must ensile, then mix with
chopped hay or forage straws. Despite this,
seepage problems may still occur.
However, this family of crops is difficult to
ensile because of the crops’ high water
content. If you must ensile, then mix with
chopped hay or forage straws. Despite this,
seepage problems may still occur.
NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF BRASSICAS
-Brassicas are utilised by animals depending
on the level of maturity at harvest. They are
highly digestible but have low fibre content,
thus, do not offer much to livestock.
-Brassicas are utilised by animals depending
on the level of maturity at harvest. They are
highly digestible but have low fibre content,
thus, do not offer much to livestock.
-In ideal situations, brassica crops should not
make more than 75 per cent of the total
animal feed. Limit lactating dairy cows to
about 30 per cent of the total brassica forage
fed to minimise chances of rumen acidosis
occurring.
make more than 75 per cent of the total
animal feed. Limit lactating dairy cows to
about 30 per cent of the total brassica forage
fed to minimise chances of rumen acidosis
occurring.
-Brassica is also high in calcium, thus, regulate
the amount you feed to in-calf cows nearing
calving and shortly after calving. When
calcium levels are in excess before calving,
the cow would have difficulties mobilising
stored calcium.
the amount you feed to in-calf cows nearing
calving and shortly after calving. When
calcium levels are in excess before calving,
the cow would have difficulties mobilising
stored calcium.
-During this period, supplement brassica
forage with feeds low in calcium like grass
hay and straws. Before maturity, brassicas
have high moisture content, enough to cause
challenges for animals consuming them. As
the crops mature, their dry matter digestibility also increases.
forage with feeds low in calcium like grass
hay and straws. Before maturity, brassicas
have high moisture content, enough to cause
challenges for animals consuming them. As
the crops mature, their dry matter digestibility also increases.
-Ruminants like dairy cows need enough dry
matter and fibre for proper rumen activity. In
fact, brassicas should be fed as concentrates
rather than forage since they provide high
quality forage with highly digestible energy,
considerable protein amounts and are low in
fibre content.
matter and fibre for proper rumen activity. In
fact, brassicas should be fed as concentrates
rather than forage since they provide high
quality forage with highly digestible energy,
considerable protein amounts and are low in
fibre content.
-Due to their high moisture and low fibre
content, supplement brassicas with dry hay to
balance the total dry matter intake while
availing some fibre. This will increase saliva
production, reduce nutritional disorders,
stabilise gut function and improve animal
performance in general.
content, supplement brassicas with dry hay to
balance the total dry matter intake while
availing some fibre. This will increase saliva
production, reduce nutritional disorders,
stabilise gut function and improve animal
performance in general.
FEEDING DISORDERS
-Brassicas are known for digestive upsets and
poisoning, among other disorders, if not
managed well. They include bloat, pneumonia
and nitrate poisoning.
-Brassicas are known for digestive upsets and
poisoning, among other disorders, if not
managed well. They include bloat, pneumonia
and nitrate poisoning.
-Bloat can be prevented by ensuring that the
dairy animal is full before supplementing
them with brassica forage. Bloat has also been
known to contribute to high deaths in rabbits,
to reduce this, wilt the forage in the sun
before offering them to the animals.
dairy animal is full before supplementing
them with brassica forage. Bloat has also been
known to contribute to high deaths in rabbits,
to reduce this, wilt the forage in the sun
before offering them to the animals.
-By nature, brassica forage is high in sugar,
thus, can lead to rumen acidosis. They also
have an amino acid compound that
accumulate in them and cause haemolytic
anaemia and goitre in livestock. If the two are
to be prevented, feed brassicas and
supplement with iodine, iron and copper to
meet the dietary requirements of dairy cattle.
thus, can lead to rumen acidosis. They also
have an amino acid compound that
accumulate in them and cause haemolytic
anaemia and goitre in livestock. If the two are
to be prevented, feed brassicas and
supplement with iodine, iron and copper to
meet the dietary requirements of dairy cattle.
-Grazing on brassica crops too early before
maturity can also cause photosensitisation,
especially in lambs. These disorders are costly
to treat and may cause deaths in acute cases.
maturity can also cause photosensitisation,
especially in lambs. These disorders are costly
to treat and may cause deaths in acute cases.
-A component of brassica crops called
glucosinolates, which taints milk in dairy
animals.
glucosinolates, which taints milk in dairy
animals.
Source: Daily Nation
Like our Facebook page: Greenfarm Organics
Follow us on Twitter: @nicokirui1
No comments:
Post a Comment