NorFor - status and feed

optimization

NØK 2010

Harald Volden1,2

1TINE SA2Norwegian University of Life Sciences

2

Outline

1.User activity and scientific status

2.Integrated feed evaluation and feeding strategies

3.Ration optimization.

Examples of using NorFor

3

User status

�Denmark: low

�Iceland: moderate

�Norway: moderate

�Sweden: moderate/increasing

Why moderate activity?�A new system. A new method of ration formulation

�Advisors skilled in the art? A complex system

�Scientifically rooted

�Not integrated to adjacent computer programs

�Competition from other systems

4

Scientific status

�The system will be scientifically published

in 2010

�A detailed description of the system

�Model Equations and computer optimization

procedure� The NorFor system is the only world wide feed evaluation system with a true non-linear feed optimizer

�An evaluation of the system

5

Model evaluation. Milk protein production. Nordic experiments. 429 diets

y = 0,9755x + 39,478

R2 = 0,9342

-200

0

200

400

600

800

1 000

1 200

1 400

1 600

1 800

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

Observed milk protein, g/day

Obs

erve

d-pr

edic

ted

Pre

dict

ed m

ilk p

rote

in, g

/day

Volden et al.

6

Model evaluation. Forage intake. Icelandic experiments. Individual cows

Baldursdóttir, 2010

SEP = 0,52 kg

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Feed evaluation and feeding strategies

�Ration formulation and optimization

�Alternative feeding strategies

� Individual cows

�Standard lactation curve

� Partial mixed ration (PMR)

� Total mixed ration (TMR)

�Goal: high feed efficiency

0,70

0,80

0,90

1,00

1,10

1,20

1,30

1,40

1,50

1,60

1,70

1,80

1,90

0,75 0,80 0,85 0,90 0,95 1,00 1,05 1,10 1,15 1,20 1,25 1,30

Energy balance

Fee

d co

nver

sion

, kg

EC

M/k

g D

M in

take

8

Feeding according to standard lactation curve

Kalving

Planlagt avdrått

60 dager 120 dager

5 kg over planlagt avdrått

5 kg under planlagt avdrått

147 dager 203 dager 305 dager

Styrt nedtrapping fra 120 dager

Concentrate level optimized from: - Target milk production level- Optimized forage or PMR intake

Concentrate levels

9

Feeding according to standard lactation curve. Body weight change

460

480

500

520

540

560

580

600

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Lactation week

Bod

y w

eigh

t, kg

Volden et al., 2009

Calculated feed conversion:1.56 kg ECM per kg DM

Herd no. 1

Savings: ≈ 95.000 NOK 2.800 NOK/cow/yr

10

Feeding according to standard lactation curve week 1-13. Body weight change

560

580

600

620

640

660

680

700

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Lactation week

Bod

y w

eigh

t,kg

Herd no. 2

Feeding according to yield from week 13

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Feeding strategy and body weight change

90

92

94

96

98

100

102

104

106

108

110

112

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36

lactation week

Bod

y w

eigh

t cha

nge,

%

Herd 1Herd 2

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The feeding strategy is programmed in the herd management system

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Optimization variables

Possible variables: 84

Ration cost: 1

Feed intake: 7

Energy: 5

Protein and amino acids: 13

Nutrients: 6

Rumen metabolism: 13

Total tract digestibility: 5

Chewing time : 1

Minerals: 23

Vitamins: 7

Nitrogen excretion: 4

NorFor standard

1. Ration cost

2. Fill value (feed intake)

3. Energy balance

4. Energy intake

5. AAT balance

6. AAT/NEl

7. PBV

8. Fatty acids

9. Rumen impact factor (NDF degradation)

NorFor ration optimization. Example from a Norwegian herd

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NorFor ration optimization. Example TMR.

24.323.3Wheat (rolled)

Composition, % of DM

1.92.0Mineral + vitamins

2.7Rapeseed, Expro

164181Crude protein, g/kg DM

Chemical composition

352345NDF, g/kg DM

176192Starch, g/kg DM

1.651.81Ration cost, NOK/kg DM

2.8:1:1.1Lysine:methionine:histidine

7.917.7Protein supplement (soybean +

maize gluten meal + Rape seed)

0.760.47Calcium fat

8.12.7Dried beet pulp

3.8Untreated straw

54.450.0Grass silage

NorForKeenan

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NorFor ration optimization. Example TMR.

2070Savings, NOK/cow/yr

19.2Measured feed intake

+205Savings, NOK/day. 36 cows

32.5038.20Ration cost, NOK/cow/day

19.721.2Expected feed intake, kg DM

3030Target milk yield

NorForKeenan

Production results in April and May 2010: Average ECM: 28.6 kg/day Fat: 4.10% Protein: 3.53%. Urea,mM:4.9 mM

Average days in milk:187

16

Experience by use of NorFor.Nina and Inge Brekke

�NorFor and TINE OptiFôr used since the start in 2007

� The experience is very good.

� utilise the system to formulate and control rations

� Evaluate forage quality and production response

� Used in combination with an economical evaluation program (EK)

� Set target milk yield and seasonal feed planning

� Use the system to understand changes in feeding responses

� Feeding strategy:

� According to standard lactation curve after 90 days

� TINE OptiFôr (The Norwegian computer tool)

� User friendly and easy to learn, although it is a complex system

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Experience by use of NorFor.Torill Midtkandal and Johan Øvreeide Godø

�NorFor and TINE OptiFôr used since the start in 2007

� The experience is very good.

� utilise the system to formulate and control rations

� Evaluate forage quality

� Setting target forage quality� Using the program as a computer game

�After introduction of the system:

� a very rapid change in production� Higher milk yield

� Higher milk fat content

�An important planning tool when heading for higher milk yield

� TINE OptiFôr

� User friendly and easy to learn

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Conclusions

�The use of Norfor is moderate

�The test results are very good

�The system must be combined with efficient feeding

strategies

�The system focus on feed costs and optimum ration

formulation