Watch Prosphorus Balance

With global phosphorus prices rising considerably, NWF Commercial Manager Rupert Stafford recommends farmers to take a close look at dietary levels.

“Most silage analyses are showing lower mineral contents and on average reduced animal performance, leading farmers to consider extra supplementation,” Mr Stafford explains.  “However in many cases this will be adding cost for no benefit.  The trick is to feed what is needed in the most suitable form.”

According to Mr Stafford, new research into phosphorus absorption and utilisation suggests that requirements for dairy cows have been overestimated in the past.  “The latest advice on inclusion rates is that phosphorus should be included in diets at 0.4% of total DM compared to the previous recommended level of 0.5%.  This means farmers can cut back total phosphorus inclusion rates in the diet by 20% with no adverse affect on performance.”

While some supplementation will be required, especially where forage phosphorus contents are low, Mr Stafford believes that cutting back on excess minerals will have several major benefits.  It will reduce diet costs especially as the price of dicalcium phosphate, the most common source of phosphorus for dairy cows, has doubled.  Secondly, any excess phosphorus is simply excreted by the cow representing a financial loss and a source of water course pollution.

“Evaluating supply and adjusting supplementation levels may allow farmers to reduce the level of phosphorus in mineral premixes.  We have had considerable success this year where farmers have used the saving from a reduced phosphorus inclusion to boost levels of other minerals and vitamins in the premix.  Increased levels of vitamin E and Selenium for example have resulted in better animal performance and with the cost increase being financed by the lower phosphorus level.

“Biotin and protected Zinc supplementation will have an impact on foot health.  However, the time taken to see a recognisable response from products like biotin is likely to be 6- 12 months.

“I would advise all farmers to check minerals levels now against the latest dietary requirements and fine tune the composition of supplements accordingly to save money and boost performance,” Mr Stafford concludes.