How we work
MAIN ACTIVITY
Dairyconsult optimizes a producing dairy cow�s diet. Our main specialization is total mixed rations (TMR), and mixed rations in combination with automatic milking systems or in combination with grazing.
GOAL-ORIENTED
Dairyconsult concentrates on realizing specified objectives of individual farms which are defined together with the farmer and evaluated regularly. Such as milk production or health targets around calving.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH
Dairyconsult bases its knowledge on practical experience and published scientific research. Dairyconsult reviews regularly relevant published papers to increase and update her knowledge.
Dairyconsult applies this knowledge to practical situations. For example, an American research on the effects of high moister corn on rumen fermentation can be relevant for a Dutch dairy working with the same product.
OPTIMIZATION
Dairyconsult composes diets to optimize rumen function and feed intake. This can improve production and health of dairy cows.
Physical examination of forage characteristics is a foundation of the advice.
Dairyconsult uses detailed chemical composition and actual market prices of feed commodities in order to calculate the best dietary composition at the moment. By using linear programming, diets obtain the best relation between composition and price.
FEEDING MANAGEMENT
Dairyconsult consults farms to improve management practices that influence the production and health of dairy cows. In this way for example sorting behaviour in mixed ration can be prevented as much as possible.
AUTOMATIC MILKING SYSTEM
Dairyconsult has a lot of experience in consulting farms with automatic milking systems (AMS). With an AMS a sufficient visiting frequency is a key to successful functioning of the system. Increasing visiting frequency can result in an increase in milk production and a better persistency. Research shows that a high visiting frequency doesn�t have to be obtained by a relativly high concentrate supplementation in the AMS. However it shows that a high concentrate supplementation leads to a lower roughage intake.*
GRAZING
Fresh grass always has a higher nutritional value than the same material ensiled because of conservation losses. By suitable supplementation of mixed rations, a constant optimal milk production and a high nitrogen utilisation can be obtained. We also prevent typical grazing problems as grass tetany.
TRANSITION PERIOD
Problems around calving such as milk fever (hypocalcaemia) and ketoses are strongly related to nutrition. For example, a high calcium content in a close up diet increases the risk of hypocalcaemia. With specific diets we can minimize those problems. A healthy start of the lactation results in better fertility and production in dairy cows.