FEED ALLOWANCE FOR HOLSTEIN COWS DURING LACTATION AND DRY PERIODS (SAKHALIN ISLAND)

Abstract

The study presents the results of a survey of agricultural enterprises and peasant farms in the Sakhalin Oblast. The authors conducted the visual estimation of the feed consumption and cows’ overall health, revealed the chemical analysis of primary zootechnical parameters of the feed, compared the results with the rates and previous data, and gave recommendations. Moreover, the authors assessed the fodder, feed allowance and compared it with the nutritional rates using the software “Feeding rations” developed by the “Plinor limited liability company”. Furthermore, one can identify that the daily milk yield of Holstein cows doubled in the period 2001–2010, but the feed allowance of the Holstein cows during lactation and dry periods still did not meet nutritional requirements. The low nutritional value of green forage is caused by the small amount of legumes in the herbage. One should prepare winter forage earlier to improve the quality of ration (hay, haylage, silage). Mowing grasses ten days later than the optimal time leads to a protein decrease in forage by 30%–35%. It is crucial to balance the feed allowance with biological and mineral supplements, adding grain mixture or sunflower cake.

Keywords

• feed allowance
• holstein breed
• dairy efficiency
• lactating cow
• dry period
• sakhalin