This website uses cookies, which are necessary for the technical operation of the website and are always set.
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Here you can adjust your preferences for the sharing of your user data with third parties.
Investigating Feed using CNCPS: Benefits at a Glance
Deeper Insights into Feed - Beyond Digestibility and Starch
Futtermittel untersuchen: Vorteile CNCPS
Neben der Analyse der Verdaulichkeiten der Faserfraktion und Stärke bietet die Futteranalyse nach CNCPS noch weitere Vorteile:
Investigating feed using CNCPS allows for a deeper insight into the feed. Based on the well-known enhanced Weender analysis, it has been further developed to obtain more detailed knowledge about the contained nutrients and their digestibility over a defined period. Only in this way can the effects of the feed in cows be understood and an ideal ration tailored to health and performance be created.
Benefits of investigating feed: CNCPS
In addition to analyzing the digestibility of the fiber fraction and starch, feed analysis according to CNCPS offers further advantages:
Investigating feed: American model also analyzes crude protein and amino acids
Protein is important for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and milk production. The daily requirement of a dairy cow is not only determined by the absolute protein content, but also by the supply of individual amino acids. 60 to 70 percent of a dairy cow's amino acid requirement is provided by rumen microbes. The remaining requirement must be met through feed. The feed analysis according to CNCPS determines which amino acids and in what quantities a feed provides through the ration. These data, integrated into the dynamic ration calculation program based on CNCPS, allow for optimal utilization of the protein components available on the farm in the feed ration to sustainably meet the animals' amino acid requirements. At the same time, it is possible to specifically save crude protein.
Fat and Fatty Acids in Focus - Examining Feed
Fat is often viewed only as a source of energy. However, certain fatty acids that make up fats also have significant effects on milk fat synthesis, milk production, animal health, and fertility.
The absolute fat content and composition of individual fatty acids vary within different feed materials. This is particularly observed in grass silages. For example, the first cut of grass often contains a higher proportion of fatty acids compared to subsequent cuts. Of particular importance here is the RUFAL value, which encompasses the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the feed and their potential to influence rumen fermentation and milk fat synthesis. An excessive RUFAL in a ration can trigger milk fat depression.
NDF and NDF Digestibility
The fiber fraction accounts for approximately one-third of the dry matter in the provided feed ration. NDF (neutral detergent fiber) consists of fiber components such as hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. In addition to the absolute NDF content in a feed material, it is of particular importance how well and quickly these fiber components can be utilized by the animal.
This is examined through the analysis of NDF digestibility over a period of up to 240 hours. At defined time points, the amount of fiber components that have already been digested is measured. This captures the quantity and rate of NDF digestibility in the feed and ration. NDF digestibility increases with longer storage duration of grass and corn silages. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly analyze the basic feed components.
Examining feed with CNCPS: Starch and starch digestibility
Starch serves as an energy source for cows. Starch is primarily degraded in the rumen. The content and degradability of starch in the rumen are influenced by harvest timing, processing techniques, harvest year and location conditions, as well as silage duration and variety selection. For feeding purposes, not only the absolute starch content in the feed is important, but also its digestibility. The more digestible the starch, the more it is degraded in the rumen. This has a significant impact on the selection of other energy components in the ration.
Temporal changes in quality characteristics of silage
Silage duration has a significant impact on the digestibility of starch and NDF. With increasing silage duration, their digestibility increases (Figure 1). The change in starch digestibility has a significant influence on the use of other energy components. The higher the starch digestibility in corn silage, the more rumen-stable starch, such as corn kernels, should be added.
