Don’t leave ration sugar levels to chance when grazing

Its importance in both stimulating fibre digestion and capturing the high levels of rapidly available protein in spring grass should make ration sugar level a top priority when formulating diets this spring and summer, according to Trident’s Dean Barclay.

“Research from the United States suggests a minimum of 5-7% digestible sugars (on a dry matter basis) for optimum rumen fermentation, with one trial showing milk fat percentage rising from 3.2% to 3.6% when starch was replaced with sugars*,” he explains.

“Spring grass sugar levels can be high, but not when it’s cloudy, overnight or later in the season, and most forage-based rations contain only 3-4% sugars. What’s needed is a consistent supply to the rumen, and that means including one of the various molasses- or distillery syrup-based liquid feeds as a supplement to grazing.

“Containing up to 64% sugars, they contain more than twice the sugars as in any other feeds, and can be included in a parlour blend, added to a buffer ration or simply fed ad lib in ball- or wheel-feeders.”

* Milk yield and protein percentage were maintained.

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