ASSIGNMENTS ON RATION FORMULATION FOR DAIRY CATTLE

FEEDING

1. A Dairy farmer practicing intensive system of dairy production (Total Mixed Ration) wants
to formulate three (3) metric tonnes of a ration containing 18% CP for his prime dairy herd
using the following ingredients that are already available in the farm: Lucerne hay (18% CP),
Boma Rhodes grass hay (8% CP), Dark Brown Sorghum (9% CP), Barley (12% CP), Cotton
seed cake (CSC) (35 % CP), Meat & Bone Meal (40% CP) and Dolomitic limestone. Given
that Lucerne and Boma Rhodes grass hays account for 60% of the total ration and in the ratio
of 1:3, while Dark Brown Sorghum and Barley are used in the ratio of 2:1 as the cereal energy
base and that Meat and Bone meal is restricted to a maximum of 5% of total ration, while
Dolomitic limestone was added at 2% of total ration. Using the above information and your
knowledge in formulating dairy cow ration answers the following questions: -

(a). Give four reasons why the dairy farmer may have preferred using a high proportion of
roughage (60%) in the form of both Boma Rhodes grass and Lucerne hay.

(b). Give any two reasons for using Meat & Bone meal in the ration.

(c). Give two reasons why Dolomitic limestone was included in the ration.

(d). Using the Pearson square method and taking into account the protein contained in
cereal energy sources, CSC, Meat & Bone meal, Lucerne hay and Boma Rhodes grass hay;
calculate the weight in Kg of each of the seven ingredients in the final ration.

(d). Given that the market cost of Dark Brown Sorghum, Barley, Cotton seed cake and
Meat &Bone meal retail at KSh 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 and 3,000 per tonne respectively, and
that of Limestone was KSh 500 per tonne, while Boma Rhodes grass and Lucerne hays
retails at KSh 150 and KSh 200 per 10 Kg bale respectively. Calculate the total cost of the
ration and also the average cost per Kg of the homemade feedlot ration.

SOLUTION

(a). Reasons for including high proportion of roughage inform of Rhodes grass hay and
Lucerne are as follows: -

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i. Sources of energy after feed fermentation in the rumen to produces volatile fatty acids

ii. Sources of protein, especially Lucerne.

iii. They are fermented through the Acetate type of fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria
to produce large quantities of acetate. Acetate can be used as source of energy (ATP) after
oxidation through oxidative phosphorylation in the muscles in presence of oxygen, sources
of heat in cold weather, as the chief lipogenic VFA to produce both body fat and also butter
fat in the milk, and finally as source of substrate carbon for various biosynthetic function
such as synthesis of Non-essential amino acids.

iv. Roughages stimulate saliva secretion which helps in the buffering of ruminal acids
and therefore avoiding the occurrence of ruminal/lactic acidosis.

v. Roughages are generally cheap and therefore form the basis of economical sustainable
dairy production as opposed to concentrates that are normally considered as expensive.

b. The two reasons for using Meat & Bone meal in the ration.

i. As source of high quality protein that can deliver desired levels of essential amino
acids such as Methionine, Lysine etc. that are critical for high yielding dairy cows.

ii. As sources of organic forms of Calcium and Phosphorous that are readily digested and
absorbed in the gastro-intestinal tract and therefore better utilized compared to inorganic
sources. Because of being utilized with higher efficiency such organic sources of minerals
also result in lower excretion of minerals into the environment, especially phosphorous and
therefore lower eutrophication and reduced pollution in the soil and water bodies.

(c). Give two reasons why Dolomitic limestone was included in the ration.

Dolomitic Limestone or just ordinary Limestone which is essentially CaO is a rich source
of inorganic Calcium which helps to supply the dairy cows with Calcium to meet the
lactation requirements and therefore avoids onset milk fever (Parturient paresis) which is
likely to occur in high yielding dairy cows, especially in the early lactation. Limestone also
helps to buffer the rumen acidity which is likely to occur in dairy cows fed rations with
high levels of concentrates.

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(d). Using the Pearson square method and taking into account the protein contained in
cereal energy sources, CSC, Meat & Bone meal, Lucerne hay and Boma Rhodes grass hay;
calculate the weight in Kg of each of the seven ingredients in the final ration.

Total weight of fixed ingredients: -

Roughages account for 60% of total weight of the ration.

Lucerne and Rhodes grass hay in a ratio of 1:3 = 60/100 x 3,000Kg = 1,800 Kg

Rhodes grass Hay (3/4 x 1800Kg) = 1,350 Kg, Lucerne hay = ¼ x 1800 =- 450 Kg

Dolomitic Limestone = 5% of the total ration =5/100 x 3,000 Kg = 150 Kg

Meat & Bone meal =2% of the ration = 2/100 x 3,000 Kg = 60 Kg

Total weight of fixed feed ingredients = (1,350 + 450 + 150 +60)

= 2,010 Kg

Balance (Made up of Cereal grain and Cotton seed cake) = 3,000 -2,010 Kg

= 990 Kg

Application of Pearson Square Method can assist us in calculating the weight of the
remaining ingredients taking into account the CP content of the available ingredients as
follows: -

Total weight of CP in the ration irrespective of the source is 18% of the total weight of
ration = 18/100 x 3,000 Kg = 540 Kg CP

CP derived from the already known weight of fixed ingredients: -

CP from Rhodes grass = 8/100 x 1,350 Kg = 108 Kg

CP from Lucerne = 18/100 x 450 Kg =81 Kg

CP from Meat & Bone meal = 40/100 x 150 Kg = 60 Kg

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Total CP (108 + 81 + 60) = 249 Kg CP

Balance of CP (To be derived from Cereals + CSC) = (540 – 249) Kg = 291 Kg

This balance of 291 Kg must be contained in the 990 Kg of Cereals and CSC and therefore
the Crude protein figure in the middle of Pearson Square must be: -

= 291 Kg/990 Kg x 100% = 29.3939% (29.4%).

Similarly, the CP for the combined cereal energy sources will be influenced by two factors-
Their individual CP content (Barley- 12% CP and Dark Brown Sorghum 9%) and
proportional representation (Sorghum: Barley is 2:1).

CP content of cereals will therefore be as follows: = Sorghum (2/3 x 9) + Barley (1/3 x 12)

= 6.0 + 4.0 = 10% CP

The Pearson Square will be as follows: -

Cereal Energy Base (Sorghum & barley) (10%CP) 5.6 Parts

29.4% CP

Cotton Seed cake (35%CP) 19.4 Parts

Total = 25 parts

Cereals (Sorghum & Barley 2:1) 5.6/25 x 990 Kg 221.76 Kg

Sorghum (2/3 x 221.76 Kg) = 147.8 Kg, Barley = 1/3 x 221.76 Kg = 73.9 Kg

Cotton Seed Cake = 19.4/25 x 990Kg = 768.24 Kg.

Therefore, the individual ingredients are as follows: -

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Rhodes grass hay = 1,350 Kg

Lucerne hay = 450 Kg

Meat & Bone Meal = 150 Kg

Dolomitic Limestone = 60 Kg

Sorghum = 147.8 Kg,

Barley = 73.9 Kg

Cotton seed cake = 768.24 Kg.

Total weight = 2,999.94 (Approx. 3,000Kg)

(d). Calculate the total cost of the ration and also the average cost per Kg of the homemade
feedlot ration.

Rhodes grass hay = 1,350 Kg/10 = 135 bales x Sh 150 = Sh 20,250/=

Lucerne hay = 450 Kg/10= 45 bales x Sh 200 = Sh 9,000/=

Meat & Bone Meal = 150 Kg x 3,000/=/1000 = Sh450/=

Dolomitic Limestone = 60 Kg x 500/=/1000 =Sh 30/=

Sorghum = 147.8 Kg x 1,500/=/1000 = Sh 221.70

Barley = 73.9 Kg x 2,000/=/1000 = Sh 147.80

Cotton seed cake =768.24 Kg x 2,500/=/1000 = Sh 1,920.60

Total cost of the whole ration = Sh 32,020/=

Cost per Kg of ration 32,020/=/3,000Kg Sh 10,67.

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 2. A farmer with a dairy enterprise and using Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feeding in a zero
grazing system wants to formulate six (6) metric tonnes of high quality a ration for his high
yielding Dairy cows containing 18% CP using the following ingredients that are already
available in the store: Leafy Lucerne hay (20% CP), Star grass hay (8.5% CP), Dark Brown
Sorghum (9% CP), Oats (10% CP), Barley (12% CP), Cotton seed cake (CSC) (25% CP),
Sunflower cake (30% CP) Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) (40% CP) and limestone. Given
that Lucerne hay and Star grass hay account for 65% of the total ration in the ratio of 2:3,
while Dark Brown Sorghum, Oat and Barley are used in the ratio of 4:3:1 as the cereal
energy base, while CSC and Sunflower cake are used in the ratio of 2:3 and that Meat and
Bone meal is restricted to a maximum of 4% of total ration, while limestone was added at
2% of total ration. Some molasses dissolved in water was also added to the ration but in
restricted quantity. Using the above information answers the following questions: -

(a). Give three reasons why molasses was added to the ration.

(b). Using the Pearson square method and taking into account the protein contained in
cereal energy sources, CSC, Sunflower cake, Meat & Bone meal and Lucerne and Star
grass hay; Calculate the weight of each of the ingredient in the final ration in Kg.

SOLUTION

(a). Give three reasons why molasses was added to the ration. Molasses can be added
to a dairy cow ration for any of the following reasons:

i. To increase palatability of the ration since it is a sweetener.

ii. To provide a ready source of readily fermentable carbohydrates to rumen microbes,

iii. Molasses is also sticky and therefore together with water can reduce dustiness of
the ration and therefore avoid cases of the animal inhaling dust when feeding.

(b). Using the Pearson square method and taking into account the protein contained in
cereal energy sources, CSC, Sunflower cake, Meat & Bone meal and Lucerne and Star

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 grass hay calculate the weight of each of the ingredient in the final ration in Kg.

(d). Using the Pearson square method and taking into account the protein contained in
cereal energy sources, CSC, Sunflower cake, Meat & Bone meal, Lucerne hay and Star
grass hay; calculate the weight in Kg of each of the seven ingredients in the final ration.

Total weight of fixed ingredients: -

Roughages account for 65% of total weight of the ration of 6,000 Kg.

Lucerne and Star grass hay in a ratio of 2:3 = 65/100 x 6,000Kg = 3,900 Kg

Star grass Hay (3/5 x 3,900Kg) = 2,340 Kg, Lucerne hay =2/5 x 3,900 =- 1,560 Kg

Limestone = 2% of the total ration =2/100 x 6,000 Kg = 120 Kg

Meat & Bone meal = 4% of the ration = 4/100 x 6,000 Kg = 240 Kg

Total weight of fixed feed ingredients = (2,340 + 1,560 + 120 +240) = 4,260 Kg

Balance (Made up of Cereal grain – Sorghum, Oats and Barley and Oil Seed Cakes-
Sunflower & Cotton seed cake) = 6,000 – 4,260 Kg = 1,740 Kg

Application of Pearson Square Method can assist us in calculating the weight of the
remaining ingredients taking into account the CP content of the available ingredients as
follows: -

Total weight of CP in the ration irrespective of the source is 18% of the total weight of
ration = 18/100 x 6,000 Kg = 1,080 Kg CP

CP derived from the already known weight of fixed ingredients: -

CP from Star grass = 8.5/100 x 2,340 Kg = 198.9 Kg

CP from Lucerne = 20/100 x 1,560 Kg =312 Kg

CP from Meat & Bone meal = 40/100 x 240 Kg = 96 Kg

Total CP (198.9 + 312 + 96) = 606.9 Kg CP

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Balance of CP (To be derived from Cereals + CSC) = (1080 – 606.9) Kg = 473.1 Kg

This balance of 473.1 Kg must be contained in the 1,740 Kg of Cereals and CSC/Sunflower
and therefore the Crude protein figure in the middle of Pearson Square must be: -

= 473.1 Kg/1,740 Kg x 100% = 27.19% (27.2%).

Similarly, the CP for the combined cereal energy sources will be influenced by two factors-
Their individual CP content (Dark Brown Sorghum 9%), oats 10% and Barley - 12% CP
and proportional representation (Dark Sorghum: Oats: Barley is 4:3:1). The same applies
to oil seed cakes (CSC & Sunflower cake)

CP content of cereals will therefore be as follows: =

Sorghum (4/8 x 9) + Oats (3/8 x 10) + Barley (1/8 x 12) = 4.5 + 3.75 + 1.5 = 9.75% CP

CP content of Oil seed cake will therefore be as follows: =

CSC (2/5 x 25%) + Sunflower seed cake (3/5 x 30%) = 10.0 + 18= 28.0% CP

The Pearson Square will be as follows: -

Cereal Energy Base (Sorghum, Oat & barley) (9.75%CP) 0.8 Parts

27.2% CP

CSC & Sunflower (28% CP) 17.45 Parts

Total = 18.25 parts

Cereals (Sorghum, Oats & Barley 4:3:1) 0.8/18.25 x 1,740 Kg 76.3 Kg

Sorghum (4/8 x 76.3 Kg) = 38.15 Kg, Oats (3/8 x 76.3 Kg) = 28.6 Kg, and Barley = 1/8 x
76.3 Kg = 9.54 Kg

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Combined Oil Seed Cakes = 17.45/18.25 x 1,740Kg = 1,663.72 Kg.

Cotton Seed Cake = 2/5 x 1,663.72 Kg = 665.5 Kg.

Sunflower Cake = 3/5 x 1,663.72 Kg = 998.2 Kg.

Therefore, the individual ingredients are as follows: -

Star grass hay = 2,340 Kg

Lucerne hay = 1,560 Kg

Meat & Bone Meal = 240 Kg

Limestone = 120 Kg

Sorghum = 38.15 Kg,

Barley = 9.54 Kg

Oats = 28.6 Kg

Cotton seed cake = 665.5 Kg.

Sunflower seed cake = 998.2 Kg.

Total weight = 6,000.02 (Approx. 6,000Kg)

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3. A dairy farmer has three cows weighing 500, 600 and 800 Kg producing 24, 25 and 40 Kg
of milk per day and containing 5.0, 4.8 and 3.2% butterfat respectively. Given that these
cows have voluntary dry matter (DM) intake of approximately 4% bodyweight and are fed on
fresh Napier grass forage containing 250g DM/Kg (i.e. 25% DM). Using this information
answer the following questions:

(a). Calculate the total quantity of fresh Napier grass in metric tonnes consumed by the
whole dairy herd in a fortnight.

(b). Given that Fat corrected milk (FCM) = 0.4M + 15 M x %BF), where M is the daily milk
yield in Kg and BF is the butter fat content. Calculate the FCM of each cow’s daily milk
yield and the total FCM for the herd.

(c). Given that the Napier grass basal forage can comfortably cater for maintenance
requirements and production of 10 Kg FCM/day and that the cows are supplemented at a rate
of 1 Kg daily meal per every 4 Kg of FCM over and above the 10 Kg FCM calculate the total
quantity of daily meal used to supplement the herd in a fortnight.

(d). Given that basal forage from Napier is freely available at the farm level and dairy meal
costs KSh 1,400 per 70 Kg bag while the selling price of whole milk in the open market is
KSh 20 per Kg did the farmer make a profit or loss per day and by how much?

SOLUTION

(a). Calculate the total quantity of fresh Napier grass in metric tonnes consumed by the
whole dairy herd in a fortnight.

The Dry matter intake is given as 4% of Live weight

Cow 1 weighing 500 Kg 4/100 x 500 Kg LWT = 20 Kg DM

Cow 2 weighing 600 Kg 4/100 x 600 Kg LWT = 24 Kg DM

Cow 3 weighing 800 Kg 4/100 x 800 Kg LWT = 32 Kg DM

Total DM intake =76 Kg DM

Total DM intake in a fortnight 76 x 14 days Kg DM = 1,064 Kg DM

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The main feed Napier grass has a DM content of 250g/Kg

Therefore 100 Kg of fresh Napier contains = 25 Kg Dm

X Kg of Fresh Napier grass = 1064 Kg DM

X = (100 x 1064)/25 = 4,256 Kg

4.256 Tonnes of fresh Napier

(b). Given that Fat corrected milk (FCM) = 0.4M + 15 M x %BF), where M is the daily milk
yield in Kg and BF is the butter fat content. Calculate the FCM of each cow’s daily milk
yield and the total FCM for the herd.

Cow 1: FCM = 0.4M + 15 M x %BF: =0.4 x 24 Kg + 15 x 24x 5/100 =9.6 +18 = 27.6 Kg

Cow 2 FCM = 0.4M + 15 M x % BF =0.4 x 25 Kg + 15 x 25 x 4.8/100=10.0 +18 = 28.0 Kg

Cow 3 FCM = 0.4M + 15 M x % BF =0.4 x 40 Kg + 15 x 40 x 3.2/100=16.0 +19.2=35.2Kg

Total FCM for the herd = 90.8 Kg

(c). Given that the Napier grass basal forage can comfortably cater for maintenance
requirements and production of 10 Kg FCM/day and that the cows are supplemented at a rate
of 1 Kg daily meal per every 4 Kg of FCM over and above the 10 Kg FCM calculate the total
quantity of daily meal used to supplement the herd in a fortnight.

Cow 1: Milk yield FCM = 27.6 Kg: Supplementation = (27.6 – 10.0)/4 Kg) =4.4 Kg

Cow 2 Milk yield FCM = 28.0 Kg: Supplementation = (28.0 – 10.0)/4 Kg) =4.5 Kg

Cow 3 Milk yield FCM = 35.2 Kg: Supplementation = (35.2 – 10.0)/4 Kg) =6.3 Kg

Total Dairy meal per day = 15.2 Kg

Total Dairy meal for a fortnight (14 days) = 15.2 x 14 Kg = 212.8 Kg

(d). Given that basal forage from Napier is freely available at the farm level and dairy meal
costs KSh 1,400 per 70 Kg bag while the selling price of whole milk in the open market is
KSh 20 per Kg did the farmer make a profit or loss per day and by how much?

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Total cost of milk production:

1. Napier grass as the main Basal forage was free hence no cost incurred
2. Cost of Dairy meal: Total quantity of deal meal used per day = 15.2 Kg

Cost of Dairy meal = (1,400/=/70 Kg) x 15.2 Kg/day = KSh 304/=

Revenue from milk

Milk in the open market retails at Sh 20/= per Kg, while the yield per day is 24, 25 and 40 Kg
totaling 89 Kg/ Day = 89 Kg milk x 20/=/Kg Sh 1780/=.

Therefore, the farmer is making a profit of Sh 1,780 – 304/= per day = Sh 1,476/=.

(NB: Milk in the market is sold as it is and not on Fat Corrected Milk basis)

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