Turning Back Time on Turnout: Top-Tips from the Megalac Archives

Over the years, the Megalac team has shared their expert advice on dairy nutrition during spring turnout to help farmers maximise their herds’ milk production throughout the transition from barn to pasture. As the days are growing longer and nature is awakening from its slumber here in the UK, we’ve decided to compile our top-tips from past resources into one go-to guide, covering everything from supplementation to fertility to help you make this the most productive spring turnout yet. 

Supplementing at Turnout 

While fresh spring grass is a natural source of protein and energy on your farm, its rapidly changing nutritional profile can trigger digestive imbalance in your cows, particularly after the extended period of feeding on silage during the winter months.  

Feeding rumen-protected fats at turnout can help to supplement energy deficits during this transitional period where intakes from grass are insufficient to meet increasing milk yield. Mega-Fat 70, for example, provides your cows with a concentrated energy source that isn’t fermented in the rumen, thereby reducing the risk of acidosis compared to other fermentable energy sources. Mega-Fat 70 is specifically formulated with a high proportion of the C16:0 palmitic fatty acid which enhances milk fat production, as well as the C18:1 (oleic) fatty acid which improves fat digestibility to release additional energy from the diet, aid body condition and improve fertility. 

Incorporating Mega-Fat 70 into the diet at recommended rates (300-600 g per-cow per-day) can help maintain and improve milk yields, milk fat production and support overall herd health and performance during spring turnout. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Supplement with rumen-protected fats like Megalac to provide essential energy for milk production without increasing the risk of rumen acidosis. 

• Utilise high palmitic products such as Mega-Fat 70, to boost milk fat production. 

• Adhere to recommended feeding rates to ensure optimal performance during the spring transition. 

Further reading: Supplementing at Turnout - Megalac.com. 

Mitigating Butterfat Depression 

The sudden dietary shift from controlled winter rations to fresh pasture can lead to a common issue in dairy cows – butterfat depression. Low fibre / high sugar spring grass is more rapidly fermentable, compromising rumen pH and passing through the digestive tract more quickly. This can lead to an increased risk of acidosis, and combined with the high oil levels, can risk significant milk fat depression. 

To counteract these effects, incorporating digestible fibre sources such as sugar beet pulp, citrus pulp, or soya bean hulls into the diet can slow digestive flow, enhance rumen function, and help to balance pH levels. Additionally, supplementing with rumen-protected fats provides a dense energy source without increasing the acid load in the rumen, supporting both milk fat production and overall cow performance. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Introduce digestible fibre sources to balance the high-sugar, low-fibre content of spring grass to support rumen health and milk fat percentage. 

• Incorporate rumen-protected fats into the diet to provide essential energy without exacerbating rumen acidity and further aid in the maintenance of milk fat production. 

Further reading: Mitigating Butterfat Depression at Turnout - Megalac.com. 

 

Maintaining Body Condition 

Another key challenge many dairy farmers will face during spring turnout is preventing excessive body condition loss. Cows are genetically driven to prioritise milk production, which means that if their energy intake does not meet the demands of lactation, they will begin to release body fat reserves to compensate. This process, known as “milking off their backs,” can lead to body condition loss, affecting fertility, health, and long-term productivity. 

Providing cows with an energy-dense diet that supports milk production can help to counteract body condition loss. Feeding rumen-protected fat supplements such as Megalac, Mega-Max or Mega-Fat 70 can help support body condition, as the C18:1 component influences insulin status and helps reduce body fat loss, whereas high-C16:0 supplements can exacerbate body fat loss. If you’re unsure about specific needs of your cows we can advise you on which supplements to offer during the various stages of lactation.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Cows prioritise milk production over maintaining body condition, releasing body fat reserves if energy intake is insufficient. 

• Rumen-protected fat supplements such as Megalac, Mega-Max, or Mega-Fat 70 provide a concentrated source of energy to support milk production and body condition. 

Further Reading: All your Questions about Spring Turnout Answered - Megalac.com 

Promoting Fertility 

As cows transition from a controlled winter ration to grazed grass, the rumen must adapt to a differing and more-variable forage source. As we have already noted, the diet change alone can cause challenges to rumen function and milk production stability, and consuming sufficient grass to meet energy and nutrient demands of lactation can be a challenge. 

One of the biggest fertility challenges at turnout is negative energy balance. As cows prioritise milk production, their energy demands often exceed intake, leading to body condition loss. This can have a detrimental effect on conception, with research from the University of Nottingham indicating that for each 0.5-unit loss in condition during this period, conception rates can fall by around 10%. 

In contrast to other ingredients, rumen-protected fats are not fermented in the rumen and contain around 2.5-times the energy content of cereals. This makes them an ideal choice to sustain energy supply at grass where conditions can be unpredictable on a daily basis. Supplements such as Megalac help to increase milk yield and cow fertility, whereas Mega-Fat 70 contains a higher proportion of the C16:0 fatty acids proven to increase milk fat production if this is a key target. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Negative energy balance at turnout can reduce conception rates, with a 0.5-unit loss in body condition linked to a 10% drop in fertility. 

• Rumen-protected fats provide a concentrated energy source, delivering 2.5-times the energy of cereals without disrupting rumen fermentation. 

• Supplements like Mega-Fat 70 and Megalac help support fertility by sustaining energy supply, promoting milk yield, and maintaining body condition. 

 

Further Reading: Promoting Fertility and Milk Fat Production at Turnout - Megalac.com 

Time to Turnout 

Spring turnout is a joyous event in the dairy farming calendar, and while this period presents a number of challenges to your herd’s health and productivity, there are a several tried and true nutritional methods for easing the transition to pasture and maximising milk yields and herd productivity. 

By taking a proactive approach to fat supplementation, you can ensure that your cows receive the energy they require to support milk yield and composition. Rumen-protected fats, such as Megalac and Mega-Fat 70, play a vital role in preventing butterfat depression, maintaining body condition, and sustaining fertility during this period of dietary change. 

With the right nutritional support in place, dairy herds can thrive through the transition to pasture and set you up for a productive and profitable season. 

If you’re looking for tailored nutrition advice, you can get in touch with the Megalac team who will be happy to advise you further.