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TESTING maize silage more regularly can help maximise the benefits of bypass starch and reduce the potential threat of acidosis .
New maize silage tests from Eurofins can measure the extent to which bypass starch has degraded in the clamp to help prevent unnecessary acidosis through overfeeding . “ Our reports provide the information
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to accurately feed maize silage based on bypass starch levels . This can help prevent too much maize silage in the ration which can lead to acidosis ,” says Eurofins Agro managing director , Daniel Robinson .
Furthermore , Eurofins tests show that the level of bypass starch in maize silage decreases during storage . If the level is not measured accurately , and frequently , the risk of acidosis
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increases . “ Having silage analysed again in spring helps to prevent rumen acidosis . Our research shows that bypass starch decreases during storage which makes the silage digest faster in the rumen . If farmers do not adjust the ration , to cater for this decrease in bypass starch , there is a higher risk acidosis ,” explains Mr Robinson .
Eurofins suggests that the maximum bypass starch processing capacity of the small intestine is between 1500 and 1750 grams a day , which corresponds to approximately six to seven percent of bypass starch in the total ration . “ By calculating bypass starch accurately in maize silage , farmers can maximise the available energy to the cow and increase milk protein production ,” he says .
By cross referencing variety , drilling and harvest dates with the test data from dry
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near-infrared spectroscopy ( NIRS ) tests offered by Eurofins , dairy farmers can also be better equipped to maximise the value of the crop and its role in the TMR . “ By identifying parameters like bypass starch , we can help farmers to choose the right maize and analyse it in the clamp to increase milk yields whilst safeguarding against potential acidosis ,” he says .
To influence the bypass starch in the clamp a further evaluation
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of maize variety and starch structure can help to influence drilling and harvesting decisions . “ Choosing flint or dent maize and recording the drilling and harvest dates can help farmers to essentially join up the dots . Flint maize can be 20 percent higher in bypass starch than dent , therefore understanding what is going into the clamp can help to ascertain what is likely to be available when silage is fed ,” he concludes . |
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