SILAGE MANAGEMENT
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The benefits of testing dairy silages and total mixed rations for dairy cattle

Important to know...

Reducing dairy feed spoilage by testing silage clamps and total mixed rations for dairy cattle

The transition to lactation of a dairy cow has a great impact on milk production, reproductive performance and culling later in lactation. Once a dairy cow is 30 days into lactation, the main tool to improve performance will be the quality of the roughage. Therefore, the quality of a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) for dairy cows has a huge impact on profitability and sustainability of a dairy farming operation.

Improper storage and handling of a silage for dairy cows as well as incorrect TMR management can lead to microbial growth, reducing feed quality, which in term will have a negative impact on dairy cow health. If not managed correctly, yeasts, molds, and bacteria can grow, leading to spoilage of silage. This spoilage of feed reduces feed quality, lowers feed intake of dairy cows, and leads to production losses.

Testing your silage and TMR for dairy cattle is important to prevent problems with dairy feed spoilage. It also provides you with practical steps to assess the risk of microbial contamination of the silages and TMR on your farm and it will identify preventive actions to ensure consistent feed quality.

Why is testing the microbial status of sialges and TMR for dairy cattle important to avoid feed spoilage of dairy cows?

Testing the microbial status of silages and TMR for dairy cattle is important because it:

  • Identifis the main microbial challenges in your silages and in your TMR for dairy cattle
  • Prevents heating of your dairy TMR and feed spoilage
  • Maintains dry matter intake and milk production of a dairy herd
  • Reduces feed leftovers

Risk factors for TMR spoilage on a dairy farm

To effectively manage spoilage risks and being able to act on time, it is essential to recognize the specific risk factors present while the silage is still in the clamp and the specific risks during feeding time of the TMR to your dairy herd. Key risk factors are:

  • Poor silage compaction and/or sealing: Poor silage compaction and sealing of a silage clamp for dairy cattle leads to excess oxygen exposure, promoting yeast and mold growth.
  • Poor silage fermentation: If silage for dairy cattle is not properly fermented, the balance between beneficial microbes, such as lactic acid forming bacteria, and harmful microbes is suboptimal. As a result, silage conditions are more favorable for replication of yeast and moulds, which leads to faster spoilage of silage when exposed to air.
  • Improper silage face management: Once the silage clamp is opened and silage is mixed into the TMR for dairy cattle, microbial growth can be reactivated as a result of exposure to oxygen and microbes will start to grow rapidly in the TMR.
  • Adding moisture to the TMR: Adding water to total mixed rations (TMR) is widely recognized as an effective strategy to reduce feed selection feeding behavior of dairy cattle. This ensures a more uniform intake of nutrients during feeding. However, adding moisture to a TMR for dairy cows will also stimulate microbial proliferation and increase the risk of feed spoilage and heating of a TMR for dairy cattle.
  • Slow feed-out rate: Taking too long to use silage or TMR for dairy cows can lead to deterioration as silage is exposed to oxygen for a longer period of time.
  • Warm weather conditions: Higher environmental temperatures accelerate microbial activity and spoilage of the TMR at the feeding line. Consider feeding dairy cows more frequently during periods of hot weather.
  • Dirty feeding line: A clean feeding line minimizes the growth of harmful bacteria, molds, and yeasts that contribute to spoilage and heating of a dairy TMR. Residual feed build-up in the feeding line of a dairy herd can ferment or decompose. This can result in contaminating of fresh feed that is added. Regular cleaning of the feeding table ensures only fresh, uncontaminated feed reaches the cows.

Recognizing risk indicators is the first step in preventing microbial spoilage of dairy feed, but to fully understand the severity of the issue, additional actions must be taken. Identifying early warning signs allows farmers to determine the extent of the problem and take preventive/corrective measures before feed spoilage impacts herd health and productivity. By conducting tests on silage and TMR, dairy farmers can quantify microbial risks, assess spoilage potential, and make informed decisions to optimize feed quality for dairy cows.

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Color
Very dark olive green Weather damaged and/or very wet silage with a poor fermentation.
Usually occurs with high legume content or immature grass that may have been fertilised with a high rate of nitrogen.Sour or putrid aroma.
Dark olive green/brown Normal colour for wilted legumes, which usually produce a darker-coloured silage than grasses.
Light green to green / brown Normal colour range for grass, cereal, and maize silages.
Pale green / straw yellow Normal colour range for wilted grass silages.
Light amber brown Typical colour for more mature grasses and cereals.
Sometimes seen with low DM silages and weather-damaged grass silages. Bottom layer of wet silage can be yellow with fruity or sour aroma.
Brown Some heating has occurred during storage or due to aerobic spoilage during feed out.
Dark brown More extensive heating due to inadequate compaction, delayed sealing, or poor air exclusion.
Usually accompanied by significant proportion of waste (mouldy) silage.


Smell
Mild, pleasantly acidic, sour milk or natural yoghurt smell Normal lactic acid fermentation – desirable.
Very little smell, but slightly sweet aroma Heavily wilted silage with little fermentation, especially from crops with low sugar content. Stronger aroma as DM content falls.
Sweet, fruity alcoholic aroma Yeasts have played an active role in the fermentation. Ethanol levels high. These silages are often unstable during feed out.
Sour vinegar smell Poor fermentation dominated by bacteria producing acetic acid. Common with low DM, low-sugar forages; intake likely to be depressed.
Rancid butter, putrid aroma Poor fermentation dominated by clostridia bacteria that produce high levels of butyric acid. Silage is wet and sometimes slimy. Rub silage between fingers, warm the hand for a few seconds, then smell. The presence of butyric acid is easily detected.
Strong tobacco or caramel smell with flavour of burnt sugar Heat-damaged silage, dark brown in colour. Palatable to stock but nutritive value is very low.
Musty or mouldy aroma with only mild fermentation aroma Mouldy silage due to poor compaction and sealing. Also evident in aerobically spoiled silage, which can be warm and have a compost aroma. Intake likely to be low; some silages may be rejected.
Color
Very dark olive green Weather damaged and/or very wet silage with a poor fermentation.
Usually occurs with high legume content or immature grass that may have been fertilised with a high rate of nitrogen.Sour or putrid aroma.
Dark olive green/brown Normal colour for wilted legumes, which usually produce a darker-coloured silage than grasses.
Light green to green / brown Normal colour range for grass, cereal, and maize silages.
Pale green / straw yellow Normal colour range for wilted grass silages.
Light amber brown Typical colour for more mature grasses and cereals.
Sometimes seen with low DM silages and weather-damaged grass silages. Bottom layer of wet silage can be yellow with fruity or sour aroma.
Brown Some heating has occurred during storage or due to aerobic spoilage during feed out.
Dark brown More extensive heating due to inadequate compaction, delayed sealing, or poor air exclusion.
Usually accompanied by significant proportion of waste (mouldy) silage.


Smell
Mild, pleasantly acidic, sour milk or natural yoghurt smell Normal lactic acid fermentation – desirable.
Very little smell, but slightly sweet aroma Heavily wilted silage with little fermentation, especially from crops with low sugar content. Stronger aroma as DM content falls.
Sweet, fruity alcoholic aroma Yeasts have played an active role in the fermentation. Ethanol levels high. These silages are often unstable during feed out.
Sour vinegar smell Poor fermentation dominated by bacteria producing acetic acid. Common with low DM, low-sugar forages; intake likely to be depressed.
Rancid butter, putrid aroma Poor fermentation dominated by clostridia bacteria that produce high levels of butyric acid. Silage is wet and sometimes slimy. Rub silage between fingers, warm the hand for a few seconds, then smell. The presence of butyric acid is easily detected.
Strong tobacco or caramel smell with flavour of burnt sugar Heat-damaged silage, dark brown in colour. Palatable to stock but nutritive value is very low.
Musty or mouldy aroma with only mild fermentation aroma Mouldy silage due to poor compaction and sealing. Also evident in aerobically spoiled silage, which can be warm and have a compost aroma. Intake likely to be low; some silages may be rejected.

Table 1. Visual and sensory parameters to determine quality of silages for dairy cattle

Testing silages for dairy cattle for microbial risks

Before evaluating the TMR, it’s crucial to test the silage, as it is a primary source of microbial contamination of a dairy TMR. Silages for dairy cattle naturally contain microbes. When the silage is poorly fermented or exposed to oxygen, harmful yeasts, molds, and bacteria can grow rapidly, which can then end up in the TMR. Identifying microbial risks in silages for dairy cattle early allows for corrective actions to preserve feed quality and protect dairy herd health.

Quick on-farm testing of silages and TMR for dairy cows
Quick on-farm tests to assess the spoilage risk of silage and TMR for dairy cattle include visual inspection, smell evaluation and temperature measurements. By simply looking, feeling and smelling the silage, you can have a good idea of the quality and the risk of spoilage. Fresh silage for dairy cows should have a pleasant, slightly sweet or fermented aroma. Musty, sour, or rancid odors indicate undesired microbial activity in a silage.

Table 1 illustrates how specific color appearances and smell parameters indicate the quality of silage for dairy cattle.

What tools are available to measure silage quality on a dairy farm?

By regularly checking temperatures of a silage for dairy cattle, you can identify potential issues before they become major problems and ensure your silage is being stored and preserved properly. Make use of specialized silage thermometer probes of varying lengths (long: 50-80cm and short: 10-15cm) or use a long thermometer probe (50-80cm) combined with a thermo-camera.

Measuring the temperature in a silage clamp for dairy cattle
To measure the temperature in a silage clamp for dairy cattle, insert the probe thermometers at different locations within the silage clamp (see Figure 1).


Figure 1. Sampling points in which the temperature of a sliage for dairy cows should be measured
At each sampling point, insert the short probe and the long probe into the face of the silage for dairy cattle at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other. To ensure accurate results and avoid false negatives, sampling points should be taken from the silage face once it has been exposed to the environment for at least 12-24 hours after shaving. If samples are taken from a silage clamp for dairy cattle that has been exposed for more than 48 hours before sampling, it may lead to false positive results due to excessive exposure and potential secondary fermentation at the face of the silage clamp. Typically, the temperature measured with the short probe is lower than the temperature measured with the long probe, reflecting residual heat dissipating slower at depth. Exceptions include silages harvested during cold weather but exposed to warm ambient conditions during feed-out.

Instead of a short temperature probe, a thermal camera can be used to record the temperature of the face of the dairy silage clamp, in conjunction with the long probe thermometer. The thermal camera provides a thermal map of the framed scene, allowing for instant visualization of temperature distribution and rapid identification of heated areas, such as hotspots on the silage face. This combination enhances accuracy by detecting surface temperature variations while the long probe thermometer measures internal temperatures for a more complete evaluation of the dairy silage clamp.

Monitoring the pH of a silage clamp for dairy cattle
Additionally, monitoring the pH of a silage for dairy cows can be an effective method for assessing the quality and stability. pH serves as a key indicator for the quality of the fermentation that took place in the silage for dairy cattle and for aerobic stability and microbial activity within the silage clamp. Proper pH control of silages is essential, as fluctuations of the pH in a silage clamp for dairy can lead to feed spoilage, reduced digestibility, and potential health risks for livestock.

Certain microbes are strict anaerobes: however, during the aerobic deterioration phase, their numbers have been shown to increase. This can be explained by the action of aerobic microorganisms which utilize lactic acid and decrease production of less acidic end products. This can result in an increase of silage pH. Variations in dairy silage pH and variable oxygen levels within different areas of the silo can create favorable conditions for clostridial growth.

To ensure consistency, use the same sampling locations and follow the same guidelines as for temperature measurements, taking into account the time elapsed since the face of the silage clamp for dairy cattle was exposed to the environment.

Different methods for measuring the pH in a silage clamp for dairy cattle
There are 2 methods to measure the pH of a silage clamp for dairy cattle:

  • Direct probe insertion. This method requests a specific pH probe suitable for semi-solid materials which can read pH in samples with at least 30-40% moisture. It is an easy method for measuring the pH in a silage clamp for dairy cattle and provides quick results without extra sample preparation, but the pH meter can be relatively expensive.
  • Sample preparation method. This approach uses a standard digital pH meter, a weight scale, and distilled water. Prepare a sample by mixing 10g of silage or TMR with 90ml of distilled water in a cup. Insert the pH sensor probe into the mixture to obtain a reading. This method for measuring the pH in a silage clamp for dairy cattle is more accessible and cost-effective but requires additional preparation time.

Interpretation guidelines to assess the quality of a silage clamp for dairy cattle

Temperature and pH of a stable silage clamp for dairy cattle

  • The long probe registers higher temperatures than the short probe or the thermal camera, indicating no significant aerobic spoilage of feed for dairy cows.
  • Properly fermented silage for dairy cattle should have a pH of:
    • 3.8 – 4.2 for corn silage
    • 4.3 – 5.2 for grass silage with a dry matter of 30 – 50%
    • 4.8 - 5.5 for grass silage with a dry matter of >50%

Temperature and pH of an unstable silage clamp for dairy cattle

  • In case of medium aerobic spoilage of a silage clamp for dairy cattle, the long probe registers 3-5◦C lower temperatures than the short probe or the thermal camera.
  • In case of significant aerobic spoilage of a silage clamp for dairy cattle, the long probe registers >5◦C lower temperatures than the short probe or the thermal camera.
  • A pH of > 4.2 is an indicator for poor quality of a corn silage for dairy cattle
  • A pH > 5.5 for grass silage with a dry matter of 30-50% is an indicator for poor quality of a grass silage for dairy cattle. For grass silages with a higher dry matter content, it depends on the dry matter levels.

Regardless of the cause of excessive heat in the silage for dairy cows, it’s probably too late to address the issue once it is being diagnosed. Focus on managing the problem for the time being by proper TMR management and spoilage prevention during feeding and then plan steps to prevent excessive heating of silages for dairy cattle it in the next season.

Figure 2. Infrared thermal images of the outer layer (left) and the core of a pile of TMR for dairy cattle (right) showing a temperature difference of 4°C, 3 hours after TMR preparation.

What tools are available to measure the quality of a TMR for dairy cattle?

To test the temperature of a TMR for dairy cattle, use a short probe thermometer that is designed to work well in the conditions typical for a TMR for dairy cattle. A digital thermometer with a probe is ideal for this task. Ensure the probe is long enough (10-15cm) to reach the center of the TMR mix and is designed to handle moist or dense feed materials for dairy cattle.

Sampling of a TMR for dairy cattle
Take temperature readings from at least five different locations along the feed bunk to ensure a representative assessment. At each sampling point, start with measuring the superficial temperature by inserting the probe into the TMR for dairy cattle at a shallow depth of 3–5 cm. Hold the probe steady for 30–50 seconds to allow the reading to stabilize before recording the measurement. Next, push the probe deeper, reaching 10–15 cm, and again wait for the temperature to stabilize before recording the measurement. Sometimes this method is challenging due to regular push of the feed as well as insufficient feed depth at the bunk which may dissipate the temperature. One option is to isolate a sample of fresh TMR for dairy cattle into a 5-10 kg bucket and measure the temperature of the TMR sample after 6, 12 and 24 hours with the short probe thermometer or with a temperature data logger.

If available, use an infrared thermal camera to assess temperature variations across the feed bunk. Start by measuring the temperature of the TMR for dairy cattle in its undisturbed state to capture the superficial temperature accurately. This initial measurement helps identifying any heating occurring on the outer layer due to environmental exposure. Next, thoroughly mix the TMR for dairy cattle to expose the inner part, ensuring that deeper layers are brought to the surface. Once mixed, take a second temperature measurement to assess any differences between the outer and inner layers. Comparing these readings can help determine if there are any heating issues within the feed, which could indicate microbial activity, spoilage, or fermentation inconsistencies (see Figure 2).

Interpretation guidelines for quality of a TMR for dairy cattle

Temperature differences within a stable TMR for dairy cattle

  • Temperature difference between superficial and internal parts is lower than 5◦C. This indicates minimal microbial activity and good aerobic stability

Temperature differences within an unstable TMR for dairy cattle

  • The internal temperature is more than 5°C higher than the superficial temperature. This suggests ongoing microbial fermentation, leading to heating, nutrient loss, and potential spoilage.
Parameter Tested Length of the Observation Period
Dry Matter (DM) DM percentage will have a big effect on feed intake.
pH pH is an indicator of the levels of lactic acid in the silage. A pH of around 4.5 is required for a stable silage. If the DM content of a silage is low, the pH needs to be around 3.7–4.3 to prevent the activity of spoilage organisms.
Ammonia-N (NH₃-N) Should be between 5–10% of total nitrogen. A level of 10% or above suggests fermentation has been poor, resulting in protein breakdown. A common cause is a high level of residual fertiliser.
Total Fermentation Acids (TFA) TFA is an indicator of the level of acidification and should be 8–12% of DM.
Lactic acid After a good lactic acid fermentation, >80% of the total fermentation acids will be lactic acid, resulting in a lactic acid content of 7–10% of DM.
Butyric Acid If butyric acid is present, secondary fermentation has taken place. This results in poor quality silage with a bad smell and a reduced palatability. A perfect silage should contain no butyric acid, but a maximum of 0.5% of DM is acceptable.
Metabolisable Energy (ME) Good quality silage has an ME level between 11 and 12 MJ/kg DM.
Crude Protein (CP) Silages mainly contain degradable protein which will be used by the rumen microbes. CP values for good quality grass silage should be between 12 and 16%. If fertilizer is applied late, protein levels can be very high. This might have a negative effect on rumen fermentation.
Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) Good quality grass silage should have an NDF % of 45–50%.
Parameter Tested Length of the Observation Period
Dry Matter (DM) DM percentage will have a big effect on feed intake.
pH pH is an indicator of the levels of lactic acid in the silage. A pH of around 4.5 is required for a stable silage. If the DM content of a silage is low, the pH needs to be around 3.7–4.3 to prevent the activity of spoilage organisms.
Ammonia-N (NH₃-N) Should be between 5–10% of total nitrogen. A level of 10% or above suggests fermentation has been poor, resulting in protein breakdown. A common cause is a high level of residual fertiliser.
Total Fermentation Acids (TFA) TFA is an indicator of the level of acidification and should be 8–12% of DM.
Lactic acid After a good lactic acid fermentation, >80% of the total fermentation acids will be lactic acid, resulting in a lactic acid content of 7–10% of DM.
Butyric Acid If butyric acid is present, secondary fermentation has taken place. This results in poor quality silage with a bad smell and a reduced palatability. A perfect silage should contain no butyric acid, but a maximum of 0.5% of DM is acceptable.
Metabolisable Energy (ME) Good quality silage has an ME level between 11 and 12 MJ/kg DM.
Crude Protein (CP) Silages mainly contain degradable protein which will be used by the rumen microbes. CP values for good quality grass silage should be between 12 and 16%. If fertilizer is applied late, protein levels can be very high. This might have a negative effect on rumen fermentation.
Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) Good quality grass silage should have an NDF % of 45–50%.

Table 2: Parameters commonly tested in silages for dairy cattle.

Laboratory tests for feed spoilage risk for silages and TMR for in dairy cattle

A more accurate way of testing the spoilage risk for silages and TMR for dairy cattle is testing in a laboratory. If dairy farmers already conduct tests before formulating and feeding a TMR, some of the results of laboratory testing of silages for dairy cattle can already give an indication of the spoilage risk of a TMR formulated with this silage. While lab testing of silages for dairy cattle takes more time, it provides more reliable results and a clearer diagnosis of potential issues. Lab testing establishes the fermentation profile of a silage for dairy cows. Beneficial compounds, such as lactic acid, as well as harmful ones, like butyric acid are measured in a laboratory test for silages of dairy cattle. Proper fermentation is essential for preserving silage quality and maintaining its safety for consumption (see Table 2).

Silage and TMR aerobic stability
KPI's Yeast CFU/g Molds CFU/g Entero CFU/g
Excellent
Moderate risk 100,000 - 1,000,000 10,000 - 100,000 300 - 1000
High risk >1,000,000 >100,000 >1000
Silage and TMR aerobic stability
KPI's Yeast CFU/g Molds CFU/g Entero CFU/g
Excellent
Moderate risk 100,000 - 1,000,000 10,000 - 100,000 300 - 1000
High risk >1,000,000 >100,000 >1000

Table 3. Microbial parameters and their acceptance level to determine aerobic stability of dairy silage or TMR samples.

Lab tests for silages and TMR of dairy cattle can detect mycotoxins, molds, bacteria and yeasts that might be present in the silage or in the TMR. These microorganisms can thrive in improperly stored or improperly mixed dairy feed and can lead to poor animal health and lower milk production of dairy cows (see table 3).

Protecting quality of a TMR for dairy cattle with Selko TMR

While proper silage and TMR management are crucial for preventing dairy feed spoilage, additional strategies can further enhance feed stability and quality. Selko TMR is a specialized feed additive for dairy cattle, available as a liquid and as a powder formulation. Selko TMR is designed to protect a TMRfor dairy cows from microbial deterioration, reducing the risk of heating, pH increases and dairy feed spoilage. By inhibiting the growth of yeasts and molds, Selko TMR for dairy cattle helps maintaining the nutritional integrity of the feed, ensuring consistent dry matter intake and supporting optimal milk production of dairy cows. Its scientifically formulated blend of preservatives and acidifiers extends the aerobic stability of TMR, even in challenging conditions such as warm weather or slow feed-out rates. Integrating Selko TMR into your feeding program for dairy cattle can help safeguard feed quality, minimize waste, and improve overall dairy herd performance.

Preventing feed spoilage of dairy cattle by managing the quality of silages and TMR

Aerobic stability testing of dairy silages and TMR may seem complex, but simple on-farm assessments can reveal a lot about the quality of your silage clamps and your TMR. By identifying and addressing spoilage risks, you can reduce feed waste for dairy cattle, maintain cow performance, and improve your farm’s profitability. As a preventative approach, incorporating Selko TMR for dairy cattle into your feeding strategy can further enhance feed stability by inhibiting yeast and mold growth, reducing heating, and preserving the nutritional value of TMR. This proactive solution helps safeguard quality of the dairy ration, ensuring consistent dry matter intake and supporting optimal dairy herd performance.

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Simple steps to keep your TMR for dairy cattle fresh

The quality of a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) for dairy cows is crucial for feed efficiency, lactational performance and profitability of a dairy herd. Improper storage and handling of silages for dairy cattle or incorrect composition of a TMR for dairy cattle can lead to microbial growth, reducing feed quality and health and performance of dairy cattle. If not managed correctly, microbes can grow, resulting in spoilage of dairy feed. Dairy feed spoilage reduces feed quality, lowers feed intake, and leads to a reduction of feed efficiency, lactational performance and profitability of a dairy herd. This guide will help you understand why testing dairy silages and TMR is important. It provides you with practical steps to assess microbial risks on your dairy farm and identify preventive actions to ensure consistent dairy feed quality. This will increase income over feed costs of a dairy farm.

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A trial showed that feeding Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals instead of sulphates improved rumen health, and increased NDF digestibility, production of volatile fatty acids and production of milk in dairy cows, resulting in an increase of feed efficiency.

Selko | Dairy Performance

Differences between NRC 2001 and NASEM 2021 dairy trace mineral and vitamin requirements

Values from the 2021 NASEM requirements are presented in tables with daily nutrient requirements, adequate nutrient intake values, absorption coefficients, mineral and vitamin levels required and typical values of basal diets for dairy cows. Major changes were reviewed.

Selko | Dairy Performance

How to calculate the relative absorption coefficient of trace minerals for dairy cows?

Dr. Bill Weiss explained how the NASEM 2021 recommendations for trace minerals, macro elements, electrolytes, DCAD and vitamins in dairy rations changed and how the relative absorption coefficient for a source of trace mineral should be taken into account.

Selko | Dairy Performance

The impact of trace mineral source on palatability of calf starter

Compared to hydroxy trace minerals for dairy cattle, suplhate trace minerals are highly soluble and as a result, can have a strong negative impact on palatbility of cattle feed.

Selko | Dairy Performance

A review of the new NASEM 2021 Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle

Compared to NRC 2001, NASEM 21 recommendations for supplementation of cattle with Co, Cu, Mn, Zn and I changed, trace metal recommendations for Cr, Fe, Mo and Se stayed the same.

Selko | Dairy Performance

Achieving essential trace mineral formulation requirements via NASEM Dairy 2021 Requirements for dairy cows

The NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle have been replaced by the new NASEM Dairy 2021 Requirements manual which are based on age, weight, reproduction and production stage.

Selko | Dairy Performance

For every cattle mineral, there is an optimum

Highly productive dairy cows require an optimal supply of essential trace minerals to maintain a high level of cow health and productivity. Both the level of individual trace minerals that are being formulated into the ration and their form are essential to achieving this objective.

Selko | Dairy Performance

Selko IntelliBond improves health, fertility, resilience and lactational performance of dairy cows

In a recent trial in dairy cattle, conducted by Professor Santos from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, a 1 kg increase in colostrum production and a 1.5 kg rise in energy-corrected milk (ECM) were found. Additionally, the trial demonstrated improvements in feed conversion efficiency, an improvement of fertility, a reduction in disease incidence, and a lower culling rate. Feeding Selko IntelliBond to dairy cows resulted in significant benefits. These findings highlight the positive impact of trace mineral nutrition on the performance, health and longevity of dairy cows.

Selko | Dairy Performance

The impact of feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency on profitability of dairy farming

Five important drivers of feed conversion rate and feed efficiency increase profits and sustainability of dairy farms.

Selko | Dairy Performance

Making dairy farming sustainable by improving feed efficiency of dairy cattle

Professor Santos from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida discusses how to calculate feed efficiency of dairy cows and how it impacts dairy performance. Residual Feed Intake of dairy cows is a very accurate parameter to calculate feed efficiency of dairy cattle. It can be improved by genetic selection, nutritional tools and dairy management.

Selko | Dairy Performance

Improving feed efficiency of dairy cows

Dr. Mike Hutjens explains that feed efficency of dairy cows is an important performance indicator to improve sustainability and profitability of dairy farming. Feed efficiency in dairy cows can vary between <1.3 and >2.0. Digestibility of feed is one of the factors with a big impact on feed efficiency of dairy cattle.

Selko | Dairy Performance

The benefits of testing dairy silages and total mixed rations for dairy cattle

Aerobic stability testing of dairy silages and TMR for dairy cattle may seem complex, but simple on-farm assessments can reveal a lot about the quality of your silage clamps and your TMR. By identifying and addressing risks of feed spoilage for dairy cows, you can reduce feed waste for dairy cattle, maintain dairy cow performance, and improve your dairy farm’s profitability. As a preventative approach, incorporating Selko TMR for dairy cattle into your feeding strategy can further enhance feed stability by inhibiting yeast and mold growth, reducing heating, and preserving the nutritional value of TMR. This proactive solution helps safeguard quality of the dairy ration, ensuring consistent dry matter intake and supporting optimal dairy herd performance.

Selko Feed Additives 

Making sustainable dairy farming more profitable

Selko IntelliBond

Selko IntelliBond’s increased bioavailability and the positive impact on fibre digestion and gut barrier function support well-being and optimizes lactational performance of dairy cows.A recent trial by Professor Santos at the University of Florida showed improved colostrum production, an increase of ECM production of 1.5 kg per day, an improvement of health and fertility and a reduction of the culling rate in animals fed Selko IntelliBond trace minerals for dairy cows.

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Selko IntelliOpt Cr

Selko IntelliOpt Cr is a conveneient blend of Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals in and organic Selko Optimin trace minerals, combined with chromium propionate. Selko IntelliOpt Cr is the result of intensive research, resulting in a trace mineral blend that improves health and perfomance of cattle herds.

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Selko LactiBute

Adding Selko LactiBute to the ration increases milk production while increasing fat and protein levels at the same time. This results in an increase of Energy Corrected Milk of 0.85-1 kg per head per day.

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Selko Fytera Balance

Adding Selko Fytera Balance to the ration of dairy cows reduces systemic inflammation, resulting in an improvement of lactational performance

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Selko TMR

Selko TMR® is a blend of organic acids that reduces the growth of yeasts, moulds and bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae like Salmonella. As a result of the reduction in growth of micro-organisms, increases in temperature of the TMR are delayed by at least 6 hours in silages treated with Selko-TMR, resulting in a higher dry matter intake.

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Selko Renergy®

Selko Renergy® is a blend of organic acids that modifies rumen fermentation by increasing propionate production. Propionate is a key source of energy for ruminants and is also the most efficient volatile fatty acid (VFA) produced in the rumen. More energy from propionate in the rumen increases production efficiency.

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Selko TOXO HP-R

Discover the power of Selko TOXO HP-R, a mycotoxin mitigation product. Packed with a potent blend of bentonite, β-glucans, and antioxidants, this solution strengthens gut barrier function, boosts immunity, and reduces the impact of immune activation. Our trials prove it: Selko TOXO HP-R not only increases milk production but also enhances fertility in dairy cows exposed to high Fusarium mycotoxin levels.

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Selko Vivalto

B vitamins play a vital role in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism of dairy cows. In high yielding dairy cows, particularly those on rations that are high in fermetable carbohydrates, subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) can reduce rumen synthesis of B vitamins. As a result, dairy diets cannot always meet vitamin B requirements for dairy cattle. B Vitamin supplementation with rumen protected B vitamins in Selko Vivalto has been shown to increase milk production of dairy cows.

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Selko TOXO-MX

Selko TOXO-MX is part of our Selko Mycotoxin Risk Management Programme and consists of smectite clays, which have shown to have a high binding capacity for aflatoxin B1. With the bioavailability of aflatoxin B1 reduced, the production of aflatoxin M1 is diminished, meaning lower levels are excreted into the milk.

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Selko AOmix

Addressing oxidative stress in cattle with balanced diets rich in antioxidants like Selko AOmix, ensuring improved growth, immune function, and reproduction by offering optimal digestibility and full cellular delivery.

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