Should you feed Dairy cows on Dry Maize stovers?

Many dairy farmers are mixed farmers in that they do have agricultural projects as well. In most areas, they grow maize as well for human consumption and after harvesting they remain with dry maize stovers. This stovers are at times fed to dairy animals but the question always stands at its nutritional value, how to add its palatability or nutritional content, storage etc. Today we approach the question of stovers from a broader perspective, what kind of production should you expect when feeding stovers only as your main source of fodder ?
In dry areas or when there is no other option as the purpose is to keep the animals alive. The question however is, for a farmer who is targeting increased milk production, should you feed dry maize stovers?
#drystalks #masagari #mafefe
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[@dsimiyu520]

How can we improve the nutrition value for maize stovers instead of burning

[@ssanyuka4817]

Yes, you can. But it would require much supplementation to boost nutritive value.

[@Samirabackyardfarm]

It depends.If you mix with enough concentrates

[@farmer7392]

Can you please put the download option

[@normanmaina7091]

Yes,For rumen fill. But you'll need to supplement with more nutritious feeds.
Life is not a straight line, there are many variables including weather, availability of alternative feeds , costs and production stage of the animal.

[@newtonodongo9184]

Great mind

[@dairynetworks]

Planning is important in dairy farming. When fodder is available you can always ensile enough to last you through the dry period. For example we started pole pole but have in time ensiled fodder to take us up to a year consistently. First palatability is aggravated and the cow won’t even get that rumen fill or satisfaction in the first place as it can’t ingest enough. Two on supplementation we know the prices of concentrates for example in the market vis a vie milk prices. Is it really sustainable or even viable as a business to produce milk at such high prices? If it’s all you have now you can feed to keep your herd alive but expecting production, health, fertility is a toll order.

[@normanmaina7091]

@@dairynetworks Planning is essential and like you said it's not an event, it's a journey.
To compare two timelines in a journey can be misleading.
But I agree the goals should be clear when you plan.

[@foseninfo8954]

For beefanimals but then molasses, urea and minerals should be added.

[@JohnWamalwa-c5h]

Hope this will be my future work,I really like!!

[@danielwaithanji317]

Yes if you are a manure farmer as Njuguna puts it😂😂😂

[@newtonodongo9184]

You need to understand- learn.
You can feed and supplement the cows.

[@brianbirir9695]

What if you use it as part of a TMR ?

[@dairynetworks]

To account for what percent of the dry matter requirement and is it possible to have any benefit from it really?
Same as asking if you can complete your diet with ringoz. What caloric advantage do you get from it just to “simplify” the question we’re asking. Nb it’s an analogy we’re not saying stovers is directly equivalent to ringoz 😂

[@MuhireBen]

You can feed dry stovers though you shouldn't, feed if it's inevitable

[@raviekummar2621]

Yes ,To meet DM intake along with
Mollases to improve palatability

[@KMMININGBOTSWANA]

Very true we can feed diary cattle with dry maize stock

[@weselykinyua8299]

Consult from the expert...Alex Gathii

[@Ethacar]

Uyu akiri njuguna

[@davidmaina8420]

Only as a last resort