Individual feeding maximises yield
Feed represents around 50% of milk production costs, so saving on feed costs while producing more milk should improve your profit margin. The ALPRO feeding system works by monitoring each cow, or group of cows, and adjusting the quantity and type of feed according to milk production. It also feeds small concentrate portions regularly throughout the day. Both strategies maximize nutritional intake and use feed to increase yield – improving feed efficiency. ALPRO measures individual milk yield on a daily basis to show how different feed compositions given at different stages in the lactation cycle affect the amount of milk each cow produces.
Frequent feeding for health
As well as maximizing milk yield, there are many health benefits associated with small, frequent meals. Because food uptake is optimized, the rumen pH remains more stable. This reduces potential metabolic issues and improves body condition score and reproductive performance, avoiding the health issues associated with overweight cows at calving.
In-parlour feeding
Dispensing individual rations in the parlour is a good way to use the milking time to make individual feed adjustments, particularly if you are a grassland farmer; or to encourage cows to enter rotary milking systems. The brief time available to eat the feed concentrate while being milked means feed allocation has to be optimized. The in-parlour feeding systems provide for using different feed tables according to the stage of lactation, or the level of milk production. High energy concentrate can be dispensed to high yielding cows, while body condition for cows at the end of lactation can be controlled by reduced rations.
Out-of-parlour feeding
DeLaval out-of-parlour feeding systems for loose housing allow you to adjust feed rations throughout lactation to maximize milk production. Cows receive portions of their concentrate ration on a frequent basis, from automatic feed dispensers situated in the barn. You save on labour costs, avoid inflexible working hours, and are instantly alerted if any animal deviates from her expected feeding pattern.
ALPRO handles up to eight different feed types to supply feed stations for cows, heifers and calves at the same time. Feed stations can dispense up to four feeds, including minerals and liquid additives. The unique “continuous qualification algorithm” which provides for the full feed allocation to be apportioned throughout the day, promotes frequent visits to the feed station and natural, stress-free eating patterns.
TMR/PMR
With ALPRO you can establish the best combination of TMR (total mixed ration) and individual feeding. This maintains the advantages of TMR with the addition of several other benefits of the PMR (partial mixed ration) concept, including the possibility to use TMR for smaller herds, reduce labour costs and reduce feeding costs – for greater profitability.
Calves thrive on automated feeding
Your calves need special care to stay healthy and grow into highyielding cows. Tag your calves with a transponder from day one and you can feed them to maximise their potential – and your future profits.
DeLaval ALPRO connected calf feeding stations automatically dispense milk or mix milk replacer with water and deliver it at the correct temperature. The liquid is provided in small portions around the clock, for natural feeding behaviour and good digestion. It can be supplemented with vitamins and other additives to promote healthy growth.
Good rumen development
Good reasons to feed concentrate at an early stage:
- to reduce feed costs, if you are using expensive milk replacer;
- to promote rumen development.
Health problems can be spotted earlier as calves will reduce concentrate intake long before their milk consumption drops. Concentrate stations connected to the calf feeder deliver concentrate in small regulated portions – and the ALPRO system records precisely how much each calf eats. The feed station stimulates concentrate intake by dispensing fresh feed at natural eating speed – and very little is wasted.
Automated weaning
Concentrate intake is the main parameter in deciding when to wean a calf. ALPRO identifies the right time, and weaning happens at a gentle pace. If, for some reason, a calf doesn’t eat or drink, ALPRO will let you know.
